GANG MEMBER SENTENCED TO 29 YEARS TO LIFE FOR SHOOTING MAN IN FACE IN 1994 AND DIRECTLY CAUSING HIS DEATH 15 YEARS LATER

January 29th, 2012

SANTA ANA - A criminal street gang member was sentenced Friday, Jan. 20, 2012, to 29 years to life in state prison for shooting a man in the head in 1994 and leaving the victim a quadriplegic on a respirator until the shot finally caused his death in February 2009. Two co-defendants are also charged in this case, one of whom the Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) is seeking to extradite from Guatemala. Erwin Johnny Sanchez, 36, Santa Ana, was convicted by a jury May 31, 2011, of one felony count of murder with sentencing enhancements for criminal street gang activity and the personal discharge of a firearm. The defendant testified at trial and claimed he acted in a heat of passion. The jury rejected his argument for a voluntary manslaughter conviction.

Co-defendant Daniel Paul Cruz, 36, Santa Ana, is charged with one felony count of murder with sentencing enhancements for criminal street gang activity and being armed with a firearm. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 35 years to life in state prison. Cruz is scheduled for jury trial Feb. 28, 2012, in Department C-5, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

Erwin Sanchez’s brother Giovanny Edgar Sanchez, 39, is charged with one felony count each of murder and street terrorism with sentencing enhancements for criminal street gang activity and being armed with a firearm. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 35 years to life in state prison. The OCDA is seeking to extradite Giovanni Sanchez from Guatemala to Orange County.

Circumstances of the Crime
During the trial, the jury heard the following evidence: on Sept. 24, 1994, criminal street gang member Erwin Sanchez, and his two accused co-defendants Giovanny Sanchez and Cruz, drove through Santa Ana searching for Scott Sittler, a 19-year-old gang member. Erwin Sanchez believed that Sittler had been attempting to interfere in the relationship between Giovanny Sanchez and Giovanny Sanchez’s girlfriend. At approximately 4:00 p.m., Erwin Sanchez, accompanied by his two co-defendants, found Sittler standing in a cul-de-sac in a residential area on Minnie Street with several other people.

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Former CHP Officer Convicted of Murdering Husband

January 27th, 2012

LOS ANGELES – A former CHP officer was found guilty today of fatally shooting her husband in the head nearly three years ago shortly after they left a Compton restaurant, the District Attorney’s office announced.

The jury of eight men and four women deliberated a day before finding Tomiekia Johnson, 32, guilty of the first-degree murder of her 31-year-old husband, Marcus Lemons, of Feb. 21, 2009. The jury also found true the special allegations of personal discharge of a firearm and discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury.

Johnson, who has been out on bail during the trial, collapsed under the defense table as the verdict was being read. Paramedics were called and she was taken out of the court room handcuffed to a gurney. Judge Robert J. Perry remanded her into custody.

Deputy District Attorneys Natalie Adomian and Stephanie Sparagna with the Justice System Integrity Division prosecuted the case.

Lemons was fatally shot as he was sitting in the passenger side of Johnson’s BMW near a 91 Freeway off-ramp about 11 p.m. on Feb. 21, 2009. She then drove the car to her parents home in Compton and had her mother call police.

Johnson is facing 50 years to life in prison when she returns to court March 9 for sentencing.

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Michigan Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Participating in Child Pornography Ring and Producing Child Pornography

January 27th, 2012

RIVERSIDE, California – A Michigan man was sentenced today to 25 years in federal prison for filming his sexual abuse of a young boy and distributing a video to members of an international child exploitation enterprise.

Joshua Boras, 34, of Lapeer, Michigan, was sentenced by United States District Judge Virginia A. Phillips. In December 2010, Boras pleaded guilty to one count of participation in a child exploitation enterprise and one count of production of child pornography.

The sentencing of Boras was announced by Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, United States Attorney André Birotte Jr. and Assistant Director in Charge Steve Martinez of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office.

Boras was affiliated with the “Lost Boy” online bulletin board, which according to court documents and proceedings was dedicated to men who have a sexual interest in young boys and was established to provide a forum to trade child pornography. Federal authorities, working in conjunction with a coalition of international law enforcement agencies, shut down the Lost Boy bulletin board approximately three years ago. As a result of the investigation, 16 named defendants were charged in the United States and arrested for their roles in the bulletin board. To date, 15 defendants have pleaded guilty or have been convicted at trial, and one defendant died in custody.

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TWO THIRD-STRIKERS AND ASSOCIATE DUBBED “MARKET DUO” IN COURT FOR COMMITTING FIVE ORANGE COUNTY BANK ROBBERIES

January 27th, 2012

*Last robbery at a Placentia bank resulted in a high-speed police chase on a freeway

SANTA ANA - Two third-strikers and an associate dubbed the “Market Duo” Bank Robbers by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will be in court today for committing robberies at five Orange County banks. Paul Acosta Jr., 28, Los Angeles, is charged with 12 felony counts of second degree robbery and five counts of second degree commercial burglary. Acosta is also charged with sentencing enhancements for prison priors for a May 2010 and January 2008 felony thefts. Andres Soto Jr., 50, Whittier, is charged with 10 felony counts of second degree robbery and four counts of second degree commercial burglary. Soto is a third striker for a September 1983 residential burglary and a July 1993 bank robbery. Richard Valdez, 52, La Habra, is charged with two felony counts of second degree robbery and one felony count of second degree commercial burglary. Valdez is a third striker for an April 1983 robbery, and a May 2003 assault with deadly weapon. If convicted on all counts, Acosta faces a maximum sentence of 15 to 20 years in state prison and Soto and Valdez face a maximum sentence of life in state prison with the possibility of parole.

The defendants are being held on $1 million bail and Soto is scheduled to be arraigned today, Friday, Jan. 20, 2012, at 3:00 p.m. in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana. Acosta and Valdez are scheduled for pre-trial hearing today, Jan. 20, 2012, at 1:30 p.m. in Department C-55, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

Acosta is accused of planning the five robberies at banks and recruiting Soto and Valdez for their expertise.

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CAUCASIAN MAN CONVICTED FOR UNPROVOKED HATE CRIME ATTACK OF TWO HISPANIC MEN

January 26th, 2012

SANTA ANA - A Caucasian man was convicted yesterday for attacking two Hispanic men without provocation outside of a 7-Eleven. Chad Martin Jurjaks, 31, Costa Mesa, pleaded guilty to the court Jan. 19, 2012, to two felony counts of hate crime battery causing injury. Jurjaks is expected to be sentenced Feb. 17, 2012, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-29, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

At approximately 10:30 p.m. on March 5, 2011, 42-year-old John Doe, his wife, cousin, and 26-year-old nephew John Doe #2, were walking to the doors of a 7-Eleven convenience store in Costa Mesa. The victims are Hispanic. Jurjaks, who is Caucasian, was intoxicated and confronted the victims as they approached. Jurjaks then attacked the victims without provocation and yelled “F****** Mexicans!” three times as he punched John Doe #1 and John Doe #2 one time each in the head.

Jurjaks then walked away and the victims called 911. Costa Mesa Police officers arrived at the scene and arrested the defendant near the convenience store.

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SCHOOL BUS DRIVER TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR MOLESTING THREE CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 14 IN HIS APARTMENT

January 26th, 2012

*OCDA is seeking the public’s help identifying potential additional victims

SANTA ANA - A school bus driver will be arraigned tomorrow on charges of molesting three children under the age of 14 in his Laguna Hills home. Shane Norman Crawford, 37, Laguna Hills, is charged with five felony counts of lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14 with a sentencing enhancement allegation for sexual crimes against multiple victims. If convicted, Crawford faces a maximum sentence of 75 years to life in state prison. The defendant is being held on $1 million bail and is scheduled for continued arraignment tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 20, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana.

Crawford is accused of gaining access to the children by befriending their parents.

Between Dec. 1, 2011 and Dec. 21, 2011, the defendant is accused of molesting 12-year-old Jane Doe #1 by touching her buttocks, vagina and breasts over her clothing while in his bedroom on more than one occasion.

Crawford is also accused of inappropriately touching 3-year-old Jane Doe #2. The defendant is accused of becoming sexually aroused when playing with Jane Doe #2 and getting an erection when her foot grazed his crotch.

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Woman Sentenced to Death for Murders of Husband, Children

January 26th, 2012

POMONA – A San Gabriel Valley woman convicted last year of the murders of her husband and two young sons was formally sentenced today to death, the District Attorney’s Office announced.

Manling Williams, 32, was convicted on Nov. 4, 2010, of three counts of first-degree murder. Jurors found true special circumstance allegations of lying in wait and multiple murders.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorneys Pak Kouch and Stacy Okun-Wiese of the Pomona Branch Office.

Following the defendant’s conviction, jurors failed to reach a decision on a penalty. As a result, the penalty phase of the case was retried with a new jury recommended the death penalty on Aug. 9, 2011.

Pomona Superior Court Judge Robert M. Martinez imposed the defendant’s sentence today at a morning hearing. Judge Martinez indicated that a restitution hearing will take place on March 16, 2012.

The defendant fatally stabbed her husband, Neal Williams, 27, with a sword. Her children, Ian, 3, and Devon, 7, were smothered with a pillow. The murders occurred on Aug. 8, 2007, at the family’s Rowland Heights home.

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Ex-Correctional Officer Pleads Guilty To Having Sex with Inmate

January 25th, 2012

LOS ANGELES – A former correctional officer at the Federal Correctional Complex in Lompoc has pleaded guilty to a charge of having unlawful sexual relations with a male inmate.

Renee Noelle Gutierrez, 42, of Redondo Beach, pleaded guilty yesterday afternoon in United States District Court to a felony charge of sexual abuse of a ward.

At the time of the offense in April 2010, Gutierrez was a prison dorm supervisor responsible for more than 500 inmates. After the illegal sexual conduct was uncovered, but prior to being indicted by a federal grand jury last August, Gutierrez resigned her position.

Gutierrez is scheduled to be sentenced on March 26 by United States District Judge John F. Walter. As a result of the guilty plea, Gutierrez faces a statutory maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison.

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Federal Enforcement Actions Directed At Marijuana Stores Continue with Four New Property Forfeiture Lawsuits and Warning Letters

January 25th, 2012

LOS ANGELES – As part of a continuing, coordinated effort against commercial marijuana operations in California that started last fall, federal prosecutors over the past week have filed four asset forfeiture lawsuits against properties housing marijuana storefronts in Los Angeles and Orange counties and have sent warning letters to property owners and operators of illegal marijuana stores in several Southland cities.

Three asset forfeiture complaints against buildings in Costa Mesa where marijuana stores are currently operating were filed this morning in United States District Court in Los Angeles. Prosecutors this morning also sent letters to marijuana store operators and to the owners of properties where nearly two dozen marijuana stores currently operate in Costa Mesa.

The three forfeiture actions filed today allege that the owners knowingly allowed marijuana stores to operate. The Costa Mesa buildings named in the forfeiture lawsuits house:

•three marijuana stores currently operating at 440 Fair Drive, where the owner of the building has been “cited numerous times by Costa Mesa officials for allowing the operation of marijuana dispensaries,” according to the lawsuit;

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Man Charged with Murder of High School Soccer Player

January 25th, 2012

VAN NUYS – A 24-year-old Calabasas man was charged today with the murder of a popular 17-year-old El Camino Real High School soccer player, who was shot and killed in front of his Woodland Hills home on Jan. 11, the District Attorney’s office announced.

Jason Alejandro Schumann, (dob 5-30-87), is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon at Van Nuys Superior Court, Department 100, said Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman with the Major Crimes Division. Prosecutors will ask bail be set at $2 million.

The Calabasas resident was charged in case LA069920 with one count of murder with a gun use allegation in the fatal shooting of Francisco “Pancho” Rodriguez outside his home in the 6900 block of Cozycroft Avenue.

No charges were filed today against a second suspect, Elizabeth Ibarra, 19, who was also arrested by LAPD. She is being held without bail on a probation violation.

Rodriguez, a goalie, had returned home from a soccer game when he answered a knock on the family’s door. Police said a woman apparently asked for the teen by name. When he went outside, he was shot and fatally wounded.

If convicted, Schumann faces up to life in prison.

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