Contra Costa Herald

Source: CCC Superior Court

Ends midday call-ins, reduces number of jurors summoned, aligns with most Bay Area courts

By Dan Radovich, ADA and Communications Manager, Contra Costa County Superior Court

MARTINEZ, Calif. – Beginning January 4, 2027, the Contra Costa County Superior Court will transition to a weekly jury summons model. Residents will be summoned for jury service less often under this new model, which is projected to reduce the number of jurors summoned each year by approximately 20%. The change also eliminates midday call-ins. Instead, jurors will know the day before whether they need to report. The first summonses under the weekly model will be mailed beginning November 9, 2026.

The change results, in part, from the Court’s strategic planning process and the feedback residents provided about their experience with jury service in Contra Costa County. The Court reviewed its jury operations and historical data, identifying weekly summonsing as a practical way to make jury service less disruptive. Weekly summonsing also brings the Court in line with most other Bay Area courts, which already summon jurors by the week.

What the Change Means for Jurors

Residents will be summoned for a service week instead of a single day. Under the Court’s new model:

• A full day’s notice. Jurors will check their reporting instructions by 5:00 p.m. beginning the court day before their service week. Jurors who are not asked to report must continue to check their reporting instructions each court day until their service week ends.
• Service is complete if not asked to report during service week. Jurors who are not asked to report during their service week will have fulfilled their jury service and will not be summoned again for at least 12 months.

Service weeks will begin on Monday, or Tuesday when Monday is a court holiday. Under the current system, jurors are often instructed to call in at 11:30 a.m. and then asked to report by 1:00 p.m. that afternoon. The new weekly model eliminates midday call-ins and same-day reporting. However, it does not change what happens when jurors report. Under the statewide “one day or one trial” policy, jurors

who report and are not assigned to a courtroom will complete their jury service that same day. Jurors assigned to a courtroom for jury selection or impaneled on a trial will return as directed by the judge.

Expected Impact

In 2025, the Court mailed over 305,000 jury summonses to support more than 250 criminal, civil, and probate jury trials. Weekly summonsing allows Jury Services to better match the number of jurors asked to report with courtroom needs on a given day. Based on its analysis of 2025 data, the Court projects the model will:

• Reduce the number of annual summonses by approximately 61,000.
• Save approximately $31,000 a year in printing and postage costs.

The Court will evaluate actual results following implementation, including summons volume, failure-to-appear rates, juror utilization, and courthouse operations.

“Jury service is an important civic responsibility, but we also recognize that it can be challenging to fit into work, family, and other obligations,” said Sarah Lind, Court Executive Officer and Jury Commissioner. “This new model is a meaningful step toward making jury service more predictable and manageable for residents, while continuing to meet the needs of our courtrooms.”

Jurors will continue to have the option to receive their reporting instructions by text message or email. Additional information about the Court’s new jury summons model and instructions for signing up for text message and email notifications are available on the Juror Service Center page of the Court’s website: contracosta.courts.ca.gov/jury. Jury Services may be contacted by phone at (925) 608-1001.

AVAIO Digital data center rendering and Mayor Dionne Adams official photo. Source: City of Pittsburg

PITTSBURG, CA — Mayor Dionne Adams issued the following statement today, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026:

On Monday, October 26, the Pittsburg City Council will consider a 45-day emergency moratorium on future data center development, including Phases II and III of the AVAIO project. This follows months of residents speaking up, asking questions and sharing concerns about what data centers mean for their families and neighborhoods.

Although my employer’s involvement has required me to recuse myself from recent project-related decisions, my responsibility to listen to residents and help ensure their questions are answered has remained central to my work as Mayor.

For the last few months, I directed the City Manager and staff to expand their outreach across the City, online and in-person, and called for a dedicated Council meeting focused entirely on data centers – where the creation of a community advisory council followed. More recently, I’ve routinely requested formal updates from the City Manager to the public, all of this ultimately leading to the upcoming moratorium vote.

The City’s advisory council is currently developing recommendations for future data center policies, and the Council’s upcoming moratorium vote will enable council to complete that work.

Pittsburg is my home, too. As our understanding of data centers and AI infrastructure evolves, we have a responsibility to keep learning and responding to the people whose lives and neighborhoods are affected. I won’t get every decision right, but I will always listen, take your concerns seriously, and do what I believe is in the best interests of Pittsburg and its residents, even when I cannot vote on every individual item.

To everyone who has taken the time to speak with me, attend a meeting or ask a difficult question: thank you. You deserve a City government that hears you and responds.

Monday’s meeting agenda has not yet been published on the City’s website. Please check the Agendas and Minutes page, later, here: Pittsburg, CA – Agendas & Minutes.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Montalvin Park Playground Work Area Map. Source: CCC Public Works

By Carrie Ricci, Deputy Director, Contra Costa County Public Works Department

Unincorporated Contra Costa County, CA – A contractor for Contra Costa County Public Works will perform maintenance to the rubberized surfacing in one of the play areas at Montalvin Park, located between San Pablo and Hercules in West County, on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., barring unforeseen circumstances. The play area will remain closed for the remainder of the week with access restored on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, weather permitting.

The purpose of this work is to apply treatment to the rubberized surface beneath the play area structures. The play area should not be accessed while the fencing is in place. Walking on the surface during the curing process can affect the finished product. Maintaining the integrity of the newly treated surface is essential to ensuring long-term safety for all park users.

Contra Costa County Public Works appreciates the community’s cooperation and understanding as this essential work is performed.

About Contra Costa County Public Works Department

The Contra Costa County Public Works Department (CCCPWD) is responsible for the maintenance and operation of over 650 miles of roads, 79 miles of streams and channels, and over 150 County buildings. CCCPWD services include parks and recreation, sandbag distribution, flood control, road and facilities maintenance, and storm water management. CCCPWD operates two airports, Buchanan Field Airport in Concord and Byron Airport in Byron. For more information about CCCPWD, please visit us at: www.cccpublicworks.org.

Big Oak Tree Park, Clyde Work Area Map. Source: CCC Public Works

By Carrie Ricci, Deputy Director, Contra Costa County Public Works Department

Clyde, CA – A contractor for Contra Costa County Public Works will perform repairs and maintenance to the rubberized surfacing in the play area at Big Oak Tree Park on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., barring unforeseen circumstances. The play area will remain closed for the remainder of the week and will reopen on  Tuesday, November 3, 2026, weather permitting.

The purpose of this work is to complete repairs and apply treatment to the rubberized surface beneath the play area structures. The play area should not be accessed while the fencing is in place. Walking on the surface during the curing process can affect the finished product. Maintaining the integrity of the newly treated surface is essential to ensuring long-term safety for all park users.

Contra Costa County Public Works appreciates the community’s cooperation and understanding as this essential work is performed.

About Contra Costa County Public Works Department

The Contra Costa County Public Works Department (CCCPWD) is responsible for the maintenance and operation of over 650 miles of roads, 79 miles of streams and channels, and over 150 County buildings. CCCPWD services include parks and recreation, sandbag distribution, flood control, road and facilities maintenance, and storm water management. CCCPWD operates two airports, Buchanan Field Airport in Concord and Byron Airport in Byron. For more information about CCCPWD, please visit us at: www.cccpublicworks.org.

Work area maps. Source: CCC Public Works

By Carrie Ricci, Deputy Director, Contra Costa County Public Works Department

Alamo, CA – A contractor for Contra Costa County Public Works will perform tree pruning at Andrew H. Young Park, located at the corner of Danville Blvd. and Jackson Way in Alamo. Work will be performed on Friday, October 23, 2026, barring unforeseen circumstances. The work will take place between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., weather permitting. The park will not be accessible while work is in progress. The work includes pruning one (1) tree, in preparation for the upcoming Christmas Tree Lighting Festivities.

In addition, a contractor for Contra Costa County Public Works will perform repairs and maintenance to the rubberized surfacing in the play area at Hemme Station Park at Hemme Avenue and Danville Blvd. on Monday, October 26, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., barring unforeseen circumstances. The play area will remain closed for the remainder of the week and will reopen on Monday, November 2, 2026, weather permitting.

The purpose of this work is to complete repairs and apply treatment to the rubberized surface beneath the play area structures. The play area should not be accessed while the fencing is in place. Walking on the surface during the curing process can affect the finished product. Maintaining the integrity of the newly treated surface is essential to ensuring long-term safety for all park users.

Contra Costa County Public Works appreciates the community’s cooperation and understanding as this essential work is performed.

About Contra Costa County Public Works Department

The Contra Costa County Public Works Department (CCCPWD) is responsible for the maintenance and operation of over 650 miles of roads, 79 miles of streams and channels, and over 150 County buildings. CCCPWD services include parks and recreation, sandbag distribution, flood control, road and facilities maintenance, and storm water management. CCCPWD operates two airports, Buchanan Field Airport in Concord and Byron Airport in Byron. For more information about CCCPWD, please visit us at: www.cccpublicworks.org.

While still Brentwood City Manager, Harold Duffey speaks at the Brentwood City Council meeting on Oct. 5, 2026. Video screenshot

Paid 4 months of salary and benefits

Council possibly violates state open meeting law process

By Allen D. Payton

At the beginning of the special meeting about pickleball courts on Monday, Oct. 19, 2020, Brentwood Mayor Susannah Meyer announced the resignation of City Manager G. Harold Duffey that had was effective, last Friday, Oct. 16th, after little over a year in the position.

It was announced on Oct. 5, 2025, that the council planned to hire Duffey on Oct. 28th which they did. He had been working as the Assistant City Administrator in Oakland. Then in June, after text messages were released out of the City of Oakland involving Duffey and then Oakland City Administrator Jestin Johnson, according to a ContraCosta.news report, Duffey was placed on paid leave.

According to a Contra Costa Pulse report, “Duffey has faced allegations from Brentwood employees regarding gender-based discrimination and unprofessional conduct. Letters from multiple employee associations highlighted concerns about his treatment of women in the workplace and referenced prior ‘degrading and unprofessional’ text messages from his time in Oakland. Employees requested that Duffey be placed on administrative leave while an independent investigation is conducted.”

Duffey Did Not Request to Have Complaints & Charges Lodged Against Him During Special Council Meeting

Then at the special council meeting on October 5th, under Item D.1, the Council was prepared to hold a “Hearing of Specific Complaints or Charges Against a Public Employee (If requested, pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)(2))” with the description, “If requested by the affected employee…hear the specific complaints or charges against the employee in open session.” But Duffey, “the affected employee” chose not to. Following a delay in the meeting while awaiting Duffey’s request or response, Teresa Fairbanks, the City’s Interim Human Resources Director and Risk Manager, announced, “The affected public employee is not requesting to have the specific complaints or charges against him be heard in open session.” Instead, they were dealt with in Closed Session.

Then, in his defense, Duffey spoke from the podium where residents and others offer their public comments defending himself and pleading for his job. He said, “I do love the city of Brentwood and I really enjoyed, enjoy working for the city of Brentwood. So, I do want to say remember how I came in and remember over the last nine months, what you have been able to accomplish and the energy and how you moved the city forward.”

“I just want to remind the council that under my contract, please read the contract, there is 8.4. that simply says ‘good cause’ and if you find there’s something that I’ve done requires a good cause dismissal, there is a cure for that. And that cure is a 30-day notice for correction and if correction doesn’t occur, then you can terminate,” he stated.

“Also, you have the…’without cause’ or ‘no cause’. That is an easier method, but I do ask you to remember the record that you have established,” Duffey continued.  “I wish the city of Brentwood no harm, I as a city manager always recognize there is a relationship that we have. If the relationship doesn’t work for the parties, we leave amicably. As I said, I love the city of Brentwood. I cherish my relationship with each one of you. You bring energy and excitement to the table. And with that..” he ran out of time of the two minutes the mayor allotted to each public speaker. (See 18:43 mark of meeting video)

The Brentwood Council Meetings list on the City’s website for October 2026 does not show the Closed Session meeting held on Friday, Oct. 16th. Screenshot source: City of Brentwood

Report Out from Closed Session

At Monday’s meeting Meyer said, “I’d like to provide a report out from our Closed Session meeting. I’m going to report out from our meeting on Oct. 16, 2026, on the resignation of G. Harold Duffey as city manager in an action taken by the city council in Closed Session. On Oct. 16, 2026, Mr. Duffey submitted his written, voluntary and unconditional resignation from his position as city manager effective that same day.”

“At a Closed Session held on Oct. 5, 2026, the City Council authorized me to execute a separation and general release agreement with Mr. Duffey. The motion was made by Councilmember Mendoza and seconded by Councilmember Orlemans. The motion passed unanimously.”

“Under the agreement the City will pay Mr. Duffey $104,550.13 in settlement compensation equivalent to four months of salary, plus, $19,702.22 for accrued unused vacation and personal leave for a total gross amount of $124,252.35.

In exchange, Mr. Duffey agreed to a general release of claims arising from his employment with and separation from the City. Mr. Duffey and I executed the separation and general release agreement Oct. 16, 2026. That concludes my report.”

However, following the Closed Session meeting on Oct. 5th, Meyer said, “We are back from Closed Session with nothing to report out.” Plus, the Closed Session meeting on Oct. 16th does not appear on the City’s agenda page either under regular or special meetings. www.brentwoodca.gov/government/meeting-information Yet, because it was a personnel matter regarding something that had yet to be finalized with the city manager, she could not report out until last Friday at the earliest following the Closed Session meeting that day.

City Manager’s webpage on the Brentwood city website as of 10/20/26. Screenshot source: City of Brentwood

As of Tuesday, Oct. 20th, Duffy’s photo and name were still on the City Manager’s page of the City’s website. See City Manager | Brentwood, CA

Questions for City Staff

In response to who is the current acting city manager, Assistant City Manager Terrance Davis said, “I remain the Acting City Manager until the Council takes further action.”

He and City Attorney Thomas L. Smith were informed about the Oct. 16th meeting agenda not appearing on the City’s webpage and asked the following: “Was there a glitch with the City’s agenda webpage? Was the meeting publicly noticed at least 24 hours before? If so, please provide a copy of the notice. If not, how can the Council hold a Closed Session meeting without first placing it on an agenda and announcing it to the public?”

Finally, they were asked, “Why didn’t Mayor Meyer report out from last Friday’s Closed Session meeting that day instead of waiting until the beginning of yesterday’s special meeting?”

Neither responded prior to publication time. Please check back later for any updates to this report.

Source: CCCounty

Student and Adult Humanitarians to be recognized at Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ceremony

Deadline: Nov. 6

By Kristi Jourdan, PIO, Contra Costa County Office of Communications & Media

(Martinez, CA) – Contra Costa County seeks nominations for Humanitarians of the Year to be recognized during the Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ceremony.

The deadline to submit candidates for consideration is November 6, 2026.

The event will commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 19.

The Board of Supervisors will recognize two individuals, one adult and one student leader, whose dedication to others embodies the spirit and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the January event.

Nominate a community member and/or student whose accomplishments and actions go above and beyond to positively impact Contra Costa County, its residents, and communities. Please nominate candidates who demonstrate leadership, commitment to the community, and personal integrity.
To submit online nominations and learn more about the County’s celebration, visit the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ceremony website.

Orbisonia Village and new Bay Point Library. Rendering credit: Architects Orange

Mixed-use development will bring 167 affordable homes and a new public library to Bay Point

By Brody Fernandez, Communications Director, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of Supervisor Shanelle Scales-Preston

(Martinez, CA) – Contra Costa County will join community leaders, project partners, and residents Tuesday, Oct. 20, to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Orbisonia Village and Bay Point Library, a major mixed-use development that will bring a new public library and affordable housing to the Bay Point community.

The groundbreaking ceremony will begin at 1p.m., at 570 S. Broadway Avenue, in Bay Point.

The first phase of Orbisonia Village will include a new 20,900-square-foot library and 167 affordable rental homes. The development is located on a 3.31-acre site at Bailey Road and Maylard Street, within walking distance of the Pittsburg-Bay Point BART Station.

“It’s exciting to see the County’s long-term redevelopment vision come to life with Orbisonia Village, creating a vibrant community for about 1,000 residents and a new library near BART,” said Board Chair Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor.

Designed by Architects Orange, it will be built and owned by project developer, Pacific West Communities of Idaho, a major affordable‑housing developer active across California, with over 11,000 low‑income units built and more than 140 Tax Credit Allocation Committee/low-income housing tax credit projects, specializing in family, senior and special‑needs housing. It is part of The Pacific Companies.

A New Library at the Heart of the Community

For the first time in 50 years, the County is building a new library.  The Bay Point Library will replace the community’s existing library space inside the Riverview Middle School Library and will provide a modern public facility designed to serve residents of all ages.

The library will feature a maker space, children’s room, teen space, quiet reading room, an upper-level balcony, six study rooms and a large community meeting room.

The planned Orbisonia Village in Bay Point. Rendering credit: Architects Orange

Affordable Housing and Access to Opportunity

The first phase of Orbisonia Village will provide a total of 169 residential units, including 167 affordable rental homes and two manager units. The affordable homes will serve households earning between 30-70 percent of the area’s median income, with a mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes designed to accommodate individuals and families.

As part of its broader investment in the project, the County has pursued state funding to support affordable housing, the new library, bicycle and pedestrian improvements, transit service and bus shelters, transit passes for residents, and workforce development and anti-displacement programs.

A Long-Term Investment in Bay Point

Orbisonia Village builds on years of planning and public investment in the Bay Point community. The project site is located within an area that has been the focus of the County’s housing and redevelopment efforts for many years.

District V Supervisor Shanelle Scales-Preston proudly represents Bay Point, the home of the new Library and the Orbisonia Village.

“For the first time in 50 years, Contra Costa County is opening a brand-new library right here in District V,” Scales-Preston said. “Bay Point is the largest unincorporated community in Contra Costa County. I’m thrilled our Bay Point residents will soon have a dedicated, state-of-the-art library they can call their own.

The new affordable housing development we’re also breaking ground on is a significant investment for the Bay Point Community. It shows we are serious about delivering the housing and resources our families deserve. By co-locating essential housing with a beautiful new library, we are creating a vibrant hub where our neighbors can live, grow, and thrive.”

The Board of Supervisors has approved multiple funding and financing actions supporting the project, including local affordable housing funds and authorization related to tax-exempt financing. The project has an estimated total development cost of about $128 million for the first phase. County funding has included land financing, Measure X, and Permanent Local Housing Allocation funds, along with other state and federal financing sources.

Construction is expected to continue through 2028.  The new Bay Point Library is anticipated to open to the public in the spring of 2029.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Faces up to 13 years in prison

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office

Martinez, California – On October 15, 2026, a jury in Contra Costa County found 41-year-old Jamarr Lamont Victor, of Oakland, CA, guilty of human trafficking of a minor for a commercial sex act and four related felonies for exploiting a 16-year-old girl in Richmond.

Victor was convicted of:

• Human trafficking of a minor for a commercial sex act [Penal Code 236.1(c)(1)]
• Pimping a minor 16 years of age or older [Penal Code 266h(b)(1)]
• Pandering a minor over the age of 16 [Penal Code 266i(b)(1)]
• Unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor [Penal Code 261.5(c)]
• Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon [Penal Code 29800(a)(1)]

On February 21st, 2026, Jane Doe called 911 in Richmond to report that Victor, whom she had just met, put her to work in Richmond’s 23rd Street corridor. When Richmond Police officers responded to the emergency call, Jane Doe pointed out that she was doing sex work and her pimp as around the corner at a restaurant. The victim also noted that Victor was frightening her with talk of wanting to do unusual sexual acts with her.

The police investigation showed that Victor picked up the girl in Oakland earlier that day. That same day, he drove her to Richmond, ordered her to complete a set number of commercial sex transactions that night. Victor gave her a price list and took the money she earned that night.

District Attorney Diana Becton said: “We thank the jury for their work in holding the defendant accountable in these difficult cases. Traffickers often target children for sex work because they think no one will listen to minors when they report harm. This verdict shows that our office, our law enforcement partners, and our community are and were listening.”

Deputy District Attorney Jessica Murad prosecuted the case. The Richmond Police Department led the investigation.

Contra Costa County Superior Court Judge Nichelle Holmes presided over the trial. She will sentence Victor on Thursday, November 6th, 2026, at 1:30 pm at the A.F. Bray Courts Building in Martinez.

At sentencing, Judge Holmes will also rule on the aggravating circumstances alleged by the prosecution. These include that the victim was particularly vulnerable and that the crime showed planning and sophistication. Victor faces up to 13 years in state prison.

To protect the victim’s privacy, the District Attorney’s Office will not release additional information about Jane Doe.

Anyone who is a victim of human trafficking, or who suspects someone is being trafficked, can get confidential help:

• Contra Costa County Human Trafficking Hotline: 925-957-8658
• National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888, or text HELP to 233733

Survivors can also contact the District Attorney’s Victim-Witness Program for help with the legal process and victim compensation, in Martinez at 925-957-8650 or in Richmond at 510-374-3272.

The District Attorney’s Office runs the Human Trafficking Task Force in partnership with the FBI, local police and community groups. More information and a full list of community resources are available on the Human Trafficking Unit website.

Case No. 02-26-00432 | The People of the State of California v. Jamarr Lamont Victor

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department, the five-foot, 10-inch tall, 150-pound Victor was born July 3, 1985, is listed as non-Hispanic but also as Black, he’s being held in the West County Detention Facility and his bail was set at $360,000.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

28 charged in statewide Operation Protect the Vote, five in Bay Area

By Ciaran McEvoy, PIO, U.S. Attorney’s Office Central District of California

LOS ANGELES – Federal law enforcement throughout California today arrested 11 foreign nationals living in the United States who are charged in criminal complaints with federal crimes, including that they fraudulently registered to vote in U.S. elections, electoral contests in which most of them cast illegal and fraudulently obtained ballots.

A total of 28 people were charged statewide, 21 actually voted in elections and 11 were arrested today. Law enforcement is seeking the other individuals or have been summoned.

Today’s arrests are part of “Operation Protect the Vote” – a coordinated effort among all four California-based United States Attorney’s Offices to combat and root out fraud in U.S. elections and protect electoral integrity.

Source: republicanpollworkers.com

All 28 foreign nationals charged are lawful permanent residents (LPRs), or “green card” holders. Although LPRs have legal immigration status in the United States, they are not U.S. citizens and are not permitted to vote in U.S. elections.

The criminal charges include making false statements in a naturalization application and some of the defendants also are charged with fraudulent voter registration. Both charges are felonies that carry a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.

The defendants arrested today are expected to make their initial appearances this afternoon in U.S. District Court. No pleas will be taken today.

On October 13, the federal government provided a list of these individuals to California to ensure that their vote-by-mail ballots were set aside until these individuals’ citizenship status could be confirmed. California declined to assist the federal government in setting aside their ballots, prompting a lawsuit by the United States that seeks a court order to prevent the unlawful dilution of American citizens’ votes and to uphold the integrity of our elections.

“Every illegal vote cancels out the vote of a lawful American citizen,” said Acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter. “Each of the 28 defendants charged today appears on the list of more than 20,000 likely noncitizen registrants we provided to California election officials last week. California refused to look at that list. Today’s charges show exactly what that refusal puts at risk. California must verify the citizenship of those more than 20,000 registrants before mail-in ballots are counted.”

“Today’s arrests prove what we have been saying,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “California is mailing ballots to noncitizens, and they are refusing to comply with federal law, which makes it a crime for noncitizens to vote. The voting rights of American citizens must be protected.”

“Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is committed to protecting the integrity of our nation’s electoral process by investigating allegations of criminal conduct that undermine public confidence in our elections,” said HSI Acting Executive Associate Director John A. Condon. “Working with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, we will continue to pursue those who knowingly violate federal law, while ensuring that every investigation is conducted fairly, thoroughly, and consistent with due process.”

According to court documents, the defendants knowingly and willfully lied under oath in their voter registration applications that they were U.S. citizens to be permitted to vote in California. Their fraudulent voter registration applications were approved, and, in many cases, the defendants illegally voted in recent U.S. elections. They subsequently lied in their paperwork to become naturalized U.S. citizens that they had never claimed U.S. citizenship, nor had they registered to vote or voted in U.S. elections.

Broken down by jurisdiction, the following defendants are charged in today’s takedown:

Central District of California

All the following defendants below in this jurisdiction face felony charges, including false statements in a naturalization application:

• Omar Alexander Muñoz, 72, a Belizean national living in Commerce, fraudulently registered to vote in September 2019, claiming his was a U.S. citizen, then voted in U.S. elections in 2020, twice in 2022, and in 2024. He also lied on his application to become a naturalized U.S. citizen when he falsely stated under oath to have never claimed to be a U.S. citizen.
• Amandeep Kaur, 30, an Indian national living in Rancho Palos Verdes and who is seeking to become a U.S. citizen, fraudulently registered to vote in December 2022 and voted in the November 2024 U.S. election.
• Ana Domínguez, 60, a Salvadoran national living in Long Beach, fraudulently registered to vote in July 2006 and lied in her naturalization paperwork in March 2026.
• Axel Giovani Prera García, 46, a Guatemalan national and Pico Rivera resident, fraudulently registered to vote in 2002 and 2005, and lied in his naturalization paperwork in June 2025.
• Flavio Alejandro Zúñiga, 43, a Mexico national and La Puente resident, fraudulently registered to vote in 2003 and lied in his naturalization paperwork in February 2026.
• Butleng Taing, 43, a Cambodian national living in Long Beach, fraudulently registered to vote in July 2021, voted in the 2022 and 2024 U.S. elections, and lied on his naturalization paperwork in August 2025.
• Carlos Antonio Galeas, 54, a Honduran national and West Covina resident, fraudulently registered to vote in 2012 and 2016, then lied in his naturalization paperwork in September 2018.
• Ernest Gutiérrez Ruvalcaba, 57, a Mexican national living in Wilmington, fraudulently registered to vote in February 2024 and voted one month later.
• Jesús Narez-Madrigal, 52, a Mexican national living in Carson, fraudulently registered to vote in 2014, voted in the 2024 U.S. general election, and lied in his naturalization paperwork in June 2024.
• José Antonio Bañuelos-Díaz, 42, a Mexican national and West Adams resident, fraudulently registered to vote in 2007 and lied on his naturalization paperwork in March 2025.
• Muhammad Khan, 50, a Pakistani national and Anaheim resident, submitted a provisional ballot in 2020 and lied on his naturalization paperwork five years later.
• Rouzbeh Seyamaknejad, 63, a Canadian national and Rancho Palos Verdes resident, fraudulently registered to vote in December 2018, lied in his naturalization application in January 2024, and voted in the November 2024 U.S. election.
• Sulema de León, 35, a Mexican national and Long Beach resident, fraudulently registered to vote in 2013, lied on her naturalization application in 2019, and voted in the November 2020 U.S. general election.

Eastern District of California

The following defendants are charged with voting by an alien in a federal election, a misdemeanor that carries a statutory maximum sentence of one year in federal prison:

• Maricela Nazarín González, 43, a Mexican national living in Clovis, registered to vote in 2020, indicating that she was a U.S. citizen, and voted in elections in 2022, twice in 2024, and 2025.
• Rony de Jesús Sicaja, 38, a Guatemalan national living in Fresno, fraudulently registered to vote in 2017, and voted in the June 2022 primary election and the November 2024 general election in the United States.
• Camino Giles Jiménez, 51, a Mexican national living in Kerman, knowingly voted in three U.S. elections despite knowing he is a noncitizen, the most recent election being the June 2026 primary.
• Juan Antonio Rivas García, 46, a Mexican national and Sacramento resident, fraudulently registered to vote in 2018 and 2020, both times falsely asserting under oath that he was a U.S. citizen. Rivas voted in the 2022 and 2024 U.S. elections.
• Giezell Viduya Adawag, 41, a Philippines national and Vacaville resident, fraudulently registered to vote the day of the November 2024 general election, falsely certified that she was a U.S. citizen, and voted in the election that day.
• Kamlesh Navnitlal Shah, 67, an Indian national living in Sacramento, fraudulently registered to vote on the day of the November 2024 general election and voted that day. He is charged via information.

Northern District of California

The following defendants are charged with attempted procurement of naturalization contrary to law, false statement under oath in any matter relating to naturalization or citizenship, and voting by an alien:

• Verónica Bullene, 43, a.k.a. “Verónica Hernández Martínez,” a Mexican national living in Petaluma, made false statements on her naturalization application that she had never claimed to be a U.S. citizen when, in fact, she did so under penalty of perjury to register to vote in 2022 and 2023 then voted in 2024.
• David Shapiro, 41, a Georgian national living in San Jose, fraudulently registered to vote in 2024 and later voted in a U.S. election, and made false statements on his naturalization application that he had never claimed to be a U.S. citizen.
• Moe Thida Lwin, 57, a Myanmar national and Daly City resident, fraudulently registered to vote in 2024 and then proceeded to illegally vote in a U.S. citizen. She made false statements on her naturalization paperwork as well.
• Manakotau Mataele Finau, 61, a Tongan national and Hayward resident, fraudulently registered to vote in the 2024 election then vote, then lied about it in naturalization paperwork.
• Maribel del Carmen Garcés Barriga, 62, an Ecuadoran national and San Francisco resident, made false statements in her naturalization paperwork that she never claimed U.S. citizenship and had never voted in a U.S. election or had registered to vote. In fact, Garcés fraudulently registered to vote in 2024 and proceeded to vote in a U.S. election.

Southern District of California

The following defendants are charged with false claim to citizenship to vote, unlawful attempted procurement of naturalization, and false statement under oath in matter relating to naturalization or citizenship:

• José Probitsado Amaro, 51, a citizen of the Philippines living in National City, fraudulently registered to vote by falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen. He then cast a ballot in the November 2024 general election and made false statements during his naturalization interview, denying that he had ever claimed U.S. citizenship and misrepresenting his voting history.
• Jennifer Jung, 31, a Canadian national living in San Diego, fraudulently registered to vote by falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen. She then cast a ballot in the November 2024 general election and made false statements during her naturalization interview, denying that she had ever claimed U.S. citizenship and misrepresenting her voting history.
• Erick Ronaldo Soto Mendizábal, 64, a citizen of Guatemala and former Oceanside resident now living in Moreno Valley, fraudulently registered to vote by falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen. He then cast a ballot in the November 2024 general election and made false statements in his naturalization application, denying that he had ever claimed U.S. citizenship and misrepresenting his voting history.
• Pamele Arbués Line, 56, a citizen of the Philippines living in Escondido, registered to vote, cast a ballot in the November 2024 general election, and made false statements in her naturalization interview, denying that she had ever claimed U.S. citizenship and misrepresenting her voting history.

Criminal complaints and informations merely contain allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is investigating these matters in the Central District of California. HSI and the FBI are investigating these matters in the Eastern and Northern Districts of California. HSI, the FBI, and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services are investigating the matters in the Southern District of California.

Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Wheat and Minjae Kim of the Orange County Office are prosecuting the Central District of California cases. Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin Khasigian and Joshua Banister are prosecuting the Eastern District of California cases. Special Assistant United States Attorney Roger Dinh is prosecuting the Northern District of California cases.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.