California Criminal Attorney Blog

Huntington Beach Man Convicted of Murdering His Dad

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 04:51:49 -0800

Jeremy Dwayne Martin, 37 of Huntington Beach was convicted by a jury after a two-week trial for the murder of his father. Frederick Martin, 62 attempted to take a gun away from his son who was acting mentally unstable. The argument escalated to where the elder Martin called the police. When the police arrived they questioned witnesses but Jeremy was not at the scene.

Soon after the Huntington Beach police officers left, Jeremy returned and fired one shot into his father's face. During the trial, Jeremy's defense attorney tried to argue self-defense but the jury didn't buy it. Jeremy faces 50 years to life at his sentencing.

Ontario Airport Developer Arrested

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 18:32:21 -0800

San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos announced the filing of criminal charges against Scot Spencer, former airport developer and Felice G. Luciano, an investor. According to Ramos, Spencer and Luciano allegedly took advantage of efforts to turn around the struggling airport to the tune of more than $1 million.

The massive investigation started in 2009 with multiple law enforcement agencies. Spencer, 48 was arrested in Florida on $1 million bond while Luciano is still being sought. If convicted, the pair face up to five years in prison.

Man Shot By Santa Ana Police During Pursuit Dies

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 19:28:49 -0800

Jason Hallstrom, 41 died from injuries sustained after being shot by a Santa Ana police officer. Hallstrom was a passenger in a car that was reported stolen and being pursued by SWAT officers. The driver of the vehicle, Travis Mock, 29, led police on a pursuit that ended when the vehicle crashed at the intersection of Grand Avenue and 15th Street in Santa Ana. After the crash, both men attempted to flee the scene and according to an OC Register article where shot by officers when they fled.

Initially, reports were that both men were expected to survive, however, sadly Mr. Hallstrom did not. This is the third officer involved shooting in Santa Ana alone this year. As per protocol, the Orange County DIstrict Attorney will investigate the shooting.

Officials Name Young Woman Killed in Ladera Ranch

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 16:02:43 -0800

Orange County Sheriff Investigators have released the name of the woman killed in Ladera Ranch. Courtney Aoki, 20, of Buena Park was the first victim of Ali Syed. According to law enforcement officials, Syed's parents have no idea who this woman is nor any connection to their son.

Ali Syed allegedly killed Aoki for an unknown reason and then fled his family's Ladera Rancho home traveling to Tustin where his car tire became flat. Syed then carjacked Melvin Lee Edwards, 69, who was on his way to work. After taking Edwards' BMW, Syed traveled southbound on the 55 freeway, stopping at a construction site and shooting construction worker Jeremy Lewis, 26, who was sitting in his truck.

When law enforcement tracked Syed down on the the freeway, Syed exited in the city of Orange where he got out of his vehicle and shot himself. Orange County Sheriff investigators are still trying to find out what was the motive behind the killing of Aoki and subsequent crime spree.

Orange County Sheriff Deputy Arrested

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 13:39:55 -0800

David Cass, 38 was arrested after a yearlong internal affair investigation on suspicion of bribery. According to law enforcement officials, Cass allegedly accepted bribes in exchange for allowing cell phones and drugs to be smuggled into Men's Central Jail.

The investigation began after investigators found marijuana, tobacco and a cell phone in the cell of Stephenson Kim, an individual convicted of murder. While looking into the contraband, Ha Duc Nguyen, 31 of Norwalk was arrested for attempting to bring drugs into jail and possession for sale of marijuana.

Continuing with their investigation, officials pulled surveillance footage and phone records and noticed Cass communicated with Nguyen on several occasions as well as oversaw the visiting area where Nguyen would visit Kim. Cass was placed on administrative leave prior to his arrest.

Former LAPD Officer Suspected in Death of Irvine Couple

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 11:43:26 -0800

Irvine Police are giving out very few, yet disturbing details about the death of a young couple in Irvine. Police say they suspect Christopher Jordan Dorner, a fired LAPD officer of killing Monica Quan and Keith Lawrence in Irvine before heading out on a deadly crime spree. Dorner, was fired for allegations that he falsified information regarding his field training officer (FTO). Dorner had made allegations that the FTO kicked a suspect several times prior to arresting him. At a hearing, which included other members of the LAPD, Dorner was found to have falsified the allegation.

Dorner has left behind what police are calling a "manifesto" detailing his intent to kill members of the board that fired him from the LAPD. Monica Quan, the women who was killed in Irvine is the daughter of former LAPD Captain Quan, who was a member of the board that revoked Dorner's status as a member of the LAPD.

Authorities believe Dorner next headed out toward Riverside County where another member of the board lived. Dorner is believed to have shot three officers in Riverside County, killing one.

Police throughout the state are on high alert for Dorner. He is believed to be armed and very dangerous. Anyone with information should contact their local police agency.

Attorney Anita Kay Successfully Defends DUI-Bath Salt Case

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 11:34:10 -0800

Anita Kay was successful in getting a Driving Under the Influence of Bath Salts case dismissed today in Long Beach, California. Client was charged with Vehicle Code Section 23152(a) for allegedly being under the influence. Officers approached Client who was the only occupant of the vehicle on the side of the freeway. Officers observed objection symptoms of being under the influence and conducted field sobriety tests.

Client admitted to officers he had taken bath salts and in fact, had a jar of what Client told officers was bath salts in the car. Officer transported Client to a local CHP office where a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) performed a second set of tests on Client and opined that Client was under the influence.

Case was set for trial but the city prosector dismissed just before the trial was to begin.

Anyone accused of driving under the influence of bath salts should contact Ms. Kay for a free consultation.

Driver Pleads Guilty to DUI That Killed Best Friend

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 07:03:49 -0800

Jesus Manzo-Torres, 19, of Tustin has pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence while intoxicated. In addition, he pleaded guilty to sentencing enhancements for causing bodily injury to multiple victims while intoxicated. Manzo-Torres faces up to 14 years in state prison at his sentencing hearing February 15, 2013.

Manzo-Torres lost control of his brother's Subaru Legacy while speeding on Santiago Canyon Road, near Irvine Lake back on November 6, 2011. According to reports, Manzo-Torres had a blood alcohol level of .15% two hours after the accident.

Manzo-Torres, Jorge Cisneros, 18, and two other passengers were inside the vehicle. Cisneros, also a resident of Tustin was in the front-seat of the vehicle and became trapped between the car and a tree. He was taken to Western Medical Center where he later died.

Irvine Firefighter Charged with Multiple Counts of Theft

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 15:11:38 -0800

Irvine firefighter, Gregory Mark Konishi, 50, of Rancho Santa Margarita was charged with two counts of burglary (penal code section 459) and two counts of petty theft (penal code section 484(a)) following an investigation into someone stealing small amounts of cash from the Irvine fire captain's wallet at the fire station.

According to reports, the Irvine Police Department conducted a sting operation where they set up a video camera and gave the fire captain a marked $20 bill to place in his wallet. On two separate occasions, the camera showed Konishi carrying the wallet out of the private bedroom and then returning it 9 minutes later minus the $20 bill.

The Orange County Fire Authority is taking the situation very seriously as firefighters are often in people's home in emergency situations. Presumably, the OCTA and Orange County District Attorney's Office will be reviewing Greg Konishi's work history to see if there are any other suspicious circumstances or lost property.

Konishi earns $70,000 - $95,000 a year as a firefighter/paramedic. Currently, Konishi is on paid administrative leave and has been since his November 5, 2011 arrest.

Baby Snatching Suspect Pleads Guilty to Murder

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 12:51:22 -0800

A woman who was accused of stabbing another woman in an attempt to steal her baby has pleaded guilty to attempted murder, assault, child abuse, child endangerment, burglary and making criminal threats. She was sentenced by Orange County Superior Court Judge Gregg Prickett to 24 years in prison. Gabriela Osorio, of Santa Ana had lied to her boyfriend telling him she was pregnant. To further the lie, she tried to steal a baby.

Osorio had befriended the victim in an elaborate plan to steal her baby and pass it off as her own. Osorio showed up at the woman's home, unannounced placed a plastic bag over her head and began stabbing her in the ribs. The victim fought back, biting Osorio's finger and ran outside to scream for help. The victim's brother and neighbor then confronted the woman who was holding the child in her arms along with a knife. While Osorio threatened to harm the baby, she did give the baby to a neighbor when the police arrived.

Ventura County Criminal Defense Attorney Arrested In OC for Sex Charge

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 11:59:54 -0800

Arturo Guiterrez III, 36, a criminal defense attorney in Ventura County was arrested over the weekend in what law enforcement officials are saying was for sex offenses. Guitterrez was allegedly communicating with a minor from Orange County. The minor's parents accessed her Facebook account and learned of the relationship. Law enforcement took over the communications posing as the minor.

On Saturaday, Guitterez was arrested at Huntington Beach pier on charges of intent to commit a lewd act on a minor. Guitterez was booked on $50,000 bail and is expected to be in court this week. Orange County law enforcement notified Ventura law enforcement who searched Guitterez's home and suspect there may be more victims.

Gas Mask Robbery Suspect Arrested

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 11:56:36 -0800

Police in Laguna Nigel arrested a man they believe is the"gas mask" robber. The suspect, Kyle Stamer, 20 is suspected of robbing a yogurt shop and Starbucks. Orange County deputies arrested Stamer on a drunk in public charge and then a search of his home indicated he may have been involved in these robberies.

If convicted of robbery, burglary or any other theft charge, could mean Stamer will spend up to 6 years in state prison

Man Arrested in Fullerton Posing as Photographer to Lure Teen

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 12:01:12 -0800

Fullerton police arrested Coopy Boyer, 42 of San Jose on suspicion of luring a minor for sexual purposes under the guise he was a photographer. Two tween girls contacted Fullerton Police Department stating they were approached by a man claiming to be a photographer with Zoom Exposure Photography, The girls told officers that they gave Boyer their phone number and the more they spoke, the more suggestive Boyer was with the types of photographs he wanted to take. Boyer even suggested the girls bring alcohol and play dress up while he photographed them.

Officers in conjunction with the girls set up a meeting with Boyer and when he showed up, they arrested him. Boyer is currently being held on $100,000 bail.

Anaheim Woman Convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 07:30:56 -0800

The U.S. Attorney's Office confirmed that Xiao Meng Ma of Anaheim has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana. Ma was arrested after authorities discovered the marijuana during a traffic stop in Montana in June of this year.

U.S. attorneys allege Ma and a co-defendant were stopped for speeding through a construction zone near Bozeman, Montana. Officers smelled the marijuana as they were approaching the van and after a search, found 6 duffel bags (about 250 pounds) of marijuana in the vehicle.

Ma faces a mandatory minimum of 5 years in federal prison at her sentencing in March 2013.

FREE LEGAL REPRESENTATION ON ALL PRE-FILING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ARRESTS

Sat, 24 Nov 2012 07:35:03 -0800

If you contact our criminal defense firm, we will be happy to track your arrest with the district attorney's office AND negotiate with the district attorneys office for a rejection of your case or a reduction of charges FREE OF CHARGE. This way, you do not spend money on an attorney when there is no need to. Call us today for a free consultation.

Our firm receives a lot of calls from people who have been arrested in Orange County for domestic violence. Keep in mind, despite the fact that you have been arrested, the Orange County District Attorney's Office has to review the police reports to determine whether or not they could get a conviction beyond a reasonable doubt. What this means is, many people who are arrested for domestic violence in Orange County will never charged with a crime.

The next question is if there was an arrest and a date to appear in court, then why won't charges be filed. Because when reviewing a police report, deputy district attorneys will typically reject cases when there are no injuries, when there was "mutual combat," when the report contains "he said, she said" or when the contact was so minor that prosecution would not be warranted.

So, if you do not want to take advantage of the FREE LEGAL SERVICES of a certified criminal law specialist, former deputy district attorneys and over 20 years of combined experience, you have two basic options for domestic abuse arrests in Orange County, San Bernardino County, Los Angeles County or Riverside County.

First, you can take a wait and see approach. What this means is you can appear on the date you were ordered to appear and see if charges were filed. If so, you can ask the judge for a public defender if you cannot afford an attorney or you can ask the judge for time to hire a private attorney.

Second, you can hire a private attorney before filing of a criminal complaint. What this does is allow an attorney to try and meet with the deputy district attorney prior to filing a case to provide exculpatory evidence on your behalf. This may mean the deputy district attorney will reject the case, file a misdemeanor instead of a felony or simply file the case as they see fit. All for a fee paid up front to an attorney, who may not even be able to help you at all at this stage.

The above information is crucial for those who who hold a medical license or other professional license. If you hold a license in California, you have likely been live scanned and have a fingerprint on file with the California Department of Justice. Thus, when your fingerprints are put into the computer system, the arrest information is sent to the agency that holds the license such as the California Medical Board, State Bar of California or FINRA.

In cases dealing with professional licenses, it is essential to contact our firm because we have the expertise and experience to attempt to mitigate your damages at an early stage, hopefully preventing any administrative action. Even if we are successful getting the district attorney to reject a case, state licensing boards can and do conduct their own independent investigation and may be able to disciple you regardless of what happens in criminal court.