Has a child with the victim
By Scott Alonso, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa County District Attorney
Last week, a Contra Costa County jury found defendant Jason Laughlin of Concord guilty of three misdemeanors, including making criminal threats and stalking the victim Jane Doe. During a 42-day period earlier this year, Laughlin called the victim over 1,300 times, left over 1,000 menacing voicemails and threatened to kill her. The case was investigated by the Walnut Creek Police Department.
Laughlin was sentenced to two years in county jail by the Honorable Nancy Stark. Judge Stark also ordered a ten-year criminal protective order for the victim and her immediate family. Contra Costa County Deputy District Attorney Kyle McCauley prosecuted the case on behalf of the People. The case originated in the Office’s Central Eastern Operations Division.
The facts of this case and the resulting sentence illustrates the very real danger that domestic abuse and stalking can have on people outside of the actual relationship, including their children, family members, and co-workers.
On March 16, 2019, Laughlin began calling the victim repeatedly at all hours of the day and night. Laughlin shared a child with the victim and knew where she lived and where she worked. As the victim described the threats at trial, she felt like a “sitting duck.” Laughlin not only called the victim’s personal cell phone but called her personal work phone, her work’s main office line, and her co-workers. The calls included menacing death threats and told the victim to “just wait.”
The calls became so frequent and threatening that the company she worked for implemented a locked front door policy even during business hours. The victim told the police, “something will happen, it is just a matter of time.”
“The conviction sends a strong message that domestic abuse is intolerable and will be punished to the fullest extent of the law, misdemeanors and felonies alike. The District Attorney’s Office and law enforcement agencies of the County are committed to ensuring the safety of victims, their families, and anyone else that domestic abuse affects,” stated DDA McCauley.
The misdemeanor counts against Laughlin for his verdict:
- Count 1, Stalking
- Count 2, Criminal Threats
- Count 3, Annoying Phone Calls
Case information: People v. Jason Laughlin, Docket Number 01-189826-1
Read MoreAs the weather heats up, rattlesnakes become more active in many of our parks, their natural habitat. They like to explore when the weather gets warm which can lead to more encounters with humans and dogs. The East Bay Regional Park District is advising that the public take snake safety precautions when visiting Regional Parks.
Safety Tips for Visiting Regional Parks
- Always hike with a friend so you can help each other in case of emergency.
- Look at the ground ahead of you as you are walking.
- Look carefully around and under logs and rocks before sitting down.
- Avoid placing your hands or feet where you can’t see clearly.
- Check the area around picnic tables, campsites, and barbecues before using them. If you encounter a rattlesnake in these areas, notify park staff.
- Keep pets on the designated trails and away from snakes if they see one.
- Bring plenty of water for yourself and your pets as many parks do not have a direct water supply.
What to Do If You See a Rattlesnake
Leave it alone – do not try to capture or harm it. All park wildlife is protected by law. If you see a snake on a trail, wait for it to cross and do not approach. Then move carefully and slowly away.
What to Do If Bitten by a Snake
- If bitten by a rattlesnake, stay calm and send someone to call 911. Remain calm by lying down with the affected limb lower than the heart. Do not waste precious time on tourniquets, “sucking,” or snake bite kits. If you are by yourself, walk calmly to the nearest source of help to dial 911. Do not run.
- If bitten by any other kind of snake, wash the wound with soap and water or an antiseptic and seek medical attention.
- If you are not sure what kind of snake bit you, check the bite for two puncture marks (in rare cases one puncture mark) associated with intense, burning pain. This is typical of a rattle snake bite. Other snakebites may leave multiple teeth marks without associated burning pain.
Snakes are an important resource in the natural environment. They are prime controlling agents of rodent, insect, and other reptile populations. They must be enjoyed from afar and left where they are found. It is illegal to collect, kill, or remove any plants or animals from the East Bay Regional Park District. Please help us to protect wildlife and their environment for present and future generations. Additional information is available at www.ebparks.org/parks/safety/#Snakes or download a PDF version of our Common Snakes.
Read MoreBy Scott Alonso, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa District Attorney
On Thursday, June 5, 2019, Tristan Amir Curl, a 20-year-old resident of Oakley, California and Austin, Texas, pleaded guilty to two felonies of Stalking and Making Criminal Threats, a strike offense. Curl was immediately sentenced by the Honorable Judy Johnson in Department 26 of the Contra Costa County Superior Court in Pittsburg as part of a negotiated disposition to the case. (See related article)
Curl was sentenced to 300 days in county jail, three years of felony probation, a 10-year stay away order from Freedom High School and all schools within the Liberty Unified School District and fines. The sentencing also included a criminal protective order which names all the victims in the case. Additionally, the terms of the disposition also allow law enforcement officials to search his computers, cell phone, tablets or other electronic devices for five years. Restitution will also be paid to the Liberty Unified School District.
The disposition of the case is a result of a two-month investigation by the Oakley Police Department, Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) into a series of threats on social media. In September, several underage females were contacted by an unknown person on social media who was threatening to rape and kill them. The same subject threatened to shoot students at Freedom High School in Oakley and then threatened to murder the school principal.
Investigators subsequently identified Curl as the suspect and obtained an arrest warrant for him, which was approved by a Superior Court Judge in Contra Costa County. On November 20, 2018, Curl was arrested in Austin, Texas where he attends college. Curl was charged on November 28, 2018 with Stalking, Making Criminal Threats and Threatening a School Official. He was extradited to California in December 2018 and has remained in custody since his arrest.
The District Attorney’s Office and the Oakley Police Department wish to thank the FBI, the California Department of Justice, the Concord Police Department, the Austin Police Department and the St. Edward’s University Police Department, all of whom provided substantial assistance during the investigation.
Deputy District Attorney Chris Sansoe said “Keeping our schools and classrooms safe for all students, teachers and administrators is a priority for this office and anyone who threatens mass murder against a school will be investigated and prosecuted.”
Case information: People v. Tristan Curl, Dockett Number 04-195028-6
Read MoreBy Daniel Borsuk
Preferring to stick with its established Washington-based lobbyist that has represented Contra Costa County since 2001, Contra Costa County Supervisors on Tuesday voted 5-0 to extend a contract with Alcalde & Fay for one year, June 30, 2020.
The one-year contract will cost the county approximately $120,000.
The supervisors’ action did not go as smoothly as the vote might indicate because two supervisors, District 3 Supervisor Diane Burgis of Brentwood, who served on the five-person County Selection Committee (CSC), and Board Vice Chair Candace Andersen of Danville thought Federal Advocates, a firm that was founded in 2006, should have been awarded the $360,000 contract for the period running from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2022 because it narrowly won during the screening CSC process.
Supervisors also directed county officials to develop screening measurements for the upcoming lobby renewal contract vetting process that were not put into place during the contract renewal process that supervisors had just reviewed and acted on.
In addition to Supervisor Burgis, other CSC representatives were Chief Assistant County Administrator Timothy Ewell, Employment and Human Services Director Kathy Gallagher, Health Services Administrator Joshua Sullivan, and Water Agency Manager Ryan Hernandez. The CSC convened on May 1 and the three candidates were invited for interviews on May 6. Interviews were conducted over Skype, but the lobby firm of Smith Dawson & Andrews selected the teleconference option.
During the CSC review, Federal Advocates compiled 16.5 points. Federal Advocates topped second place finisher Alcalde & Fay that finished with 16 points. Points were unavailable for Smith Dawson & Andrews.
“It’s very disturbing,” said Supervisor Andersen. “They (i.e. Alcalde & Fay) cannot handle our platform. That is a huge disadvantage. We have not been well represented in Washington.”
“I think you are being over dramatic” warned Board Chair John Gioia of Richmond. “Each of us has his or her own choice. “I believe Alcalde & Fay is effective.”
Supervisor Karen Mitchoff of Pleasant Hill led the charge to retain Alcalde & Faye as the county’s Washington lobbyist. “There is only a one-half point difference between first place (Federal Advocates) and second place (Alcalde & Faye). During the recession Alcalde & Faye stuck with us and cut their fees.”
Appearing before the supervisors, Federal Advocates President Michael Esposito appealed to supervisors to award the three-year contract to his firm because of its qualifications and knowledge through its working relationships with cities of Pittsburg, Antioch, Concord and Richmond.
In its brochure presented to the CSC members, Alcalde & Fay executive Paul Schlesinger wrote: “over the years we have helped the county secure more than $133 million in funds from the Army Corps for dredging, channel deepening, flood control and other projects.”
“It’s a wash,” declared District 5 Supervisor Federal Glover of Pittsburg, about the professionalism of both lobby firms – Alcalde & Fay and Federal Advocates. “I’ve worked with both firms and both are outstanding.”
Authorize Assessor Waiver Fees for MTC/ABAG Project
Supervisors unanimously authorized to have Contra Costa County Assessor Gus Kramer, who is in the midst of a newly filed Grand Jury Accusation for “willful or corrupt” misconduct while serving as the county’s elected assessor, to acquire Secured Assessment Roll and Property Characteristics data for the Metropolitan Transportation Commission/Association of Bay Area Governments.
The recommendation would require a distribution of $19,700 from the County’s Contingency Reserve.
MTC/ABAG needs the one-time appropriation to complete a major data collection project with Plan Bay Area 2040 and other major planning projects. So far, fee waivers have been collected from Alameda County, $20,000; Santa Clara County, $49,700; and Solano County, $48,156. Napa and San Francisco counties are provided the data at no cost. Small fees have been paid by San Mateo County of $2,745, Sonoma County of $270, and Marin County of $80.
“We appreciate the hard work of Mr. Kramer and his staff,” said Supervisor Mitchoff moments before supervisors approved the fee waiver request.
Upon saying he will process the board of supervisors’ MTC/ABAG appropriation, County Assessor Kramer told the Contra Costa Herald, “The board of supervisors is a fickle bunch. They routinely ask me to raise the taxes of their enemies and lower the taxes of their friends. Nothing they say or they do so much as surprises me anymore.”
Increase County Street Lighting and County Landscaping District Fees
Owners of property in unincorporated Contra Costa County will see landscaping fees and street lighting fees rise.
Without hearing any public protests, supervisors increased 2019/2020 landscaping fees from a cumulative $1,440,004.23 in 2018/2019 to $1,526,180.02 in 2019/2020, an increase of $86,175.79 in 2019/2020. The 30 landscape zones consist of county-maintained irrigation, parks, recreation facilities, pedestrian bridges and landscape areas around the county.
Property assessments for county street lighting will also rise a cumulative $1,780,289.16 in 2019/2020, an increase from $1,730,356.97 in 2018/2019, an increase of $49,932.19.
On A Historical Note…
On a consent item, supervisors recognized and honored the sacrifice of the late Contra Costa County Deputy Sheriff William R. Johnson as a lawman almost 165 years after a he lost his life in the line of duty while serving a “writ of ejection” on July 31, 1852 at a house in Oakland unlawfully occupied by the suspect. Johnson was shot in the chest and he died at the scene.
Deputy Johnson, who was 34 and a husband and father of three children, was formally inducted into the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C. on May 13, 2019 and has been accepted by the California Peace Officer’s Memorial in Sacramento and scheduled for formal induction in May of 2020.
Read MoreBy Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Office of the Contra Costa County Sheriff
During a search yesterday of Broad Slough where the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Marine Services Unit located the plane wreckage, the Dive Team recovered a body from the wreckage, which was in approximately 20 feet of water, at about 5:30 PM.
The Coroner’s Division later identified the person, who was the pilot and only occupant of the plane, as 22-year-old Colin Um of Berkeley.
On Sunday, June 9, 2019, at about 5:32 PM, a boater notified Sheriff’s Office Dispatch of a small plane crashing into the Delta at the north end of Broad Slough, north of Antioch.
Several public safety agencies immediately responded. Debris and a backpack were found at the location. The plane took off from Buchanan Field Airport in Concord at about 5 PM.
The National Transportation Safety Board will be investigating the cause of the crash. Any witnesses to this incident are asked to contact the NTSB by email at: witness@NTSB.GOV.
Although a date has not been set, a salvage company is expected to remove the plane wreckage in the near future.
The Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office would like to extend our condolences and sympathies to the family and friends of Colin Um. An autopsy into the cause of death is scheduled for tomorrow.
Read MoreBy Scott Alonso, Public Information Office, Contra Costa District Attorney
Today, Tuesday, June 11, 2019, a Contra Costa County jury found defendant Bo Robledo of Selma, California guilty of second-degree murder for a 2017 driving under the influence collision in Concord. Robledo was also convicted of driving under the influence causing great bodily injury at the time of the fatal crash that claimed the life of 21-year-old Natalie Davies, a resident of Concord.
Just before midnight on November 5, 2017, Robledo’s vehicle collided head-on with the victim’s vehicle near Kinne Bridge on Willow Pass Road in Concord. Robledo’s high rate of speed and intoxication caused the deadly collision. The collision also injured victim Zachary Punty and left him with significant life-altering injuries.
Robledo now faces a sentence of 23 years to life in state prison. Sentencing will occur on July 26, 2019 in front of the Honorable Rebecca Hardie in Department 5 of the Contra Costa County Superior Court in Martinez. Contra Costa County Deputy District Attorney Derek Butts prosecuted the case on behalf of the People. The case originated in the Office’s Homicide Unit.
DDA Butts was recently honored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) as part of the organization’s 2019 Law Enforcement Recognition event. DDA Butts was recognized for his dedication in prosecuting DUI murder cases, including the recent convictions of defendants Fred Lowe and Lemuel Wilson.
The jury found Robledo guilty of the following charges:
- Second-Degree Murder
- Gross Vehicular Manslaughter while intoxicated with a prior conviction
- Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol Causing Injury Within 10 Years of Another DUI Offense
- Driving with a .08% Blood Alcohol Content Causing Inquiry Within 10 Years of Another DUI Offense
- Driving When Privilege Suspended or Revoked For A Driving Under The Influence Conviction
Case Information: People v. Bo Steven Robledo, Docket Number 05-181781-6
Read MoreBy Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Office of the Contra Costa County Sheriff
Monday morning, June 10, 2019, the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Marine Services Unit went to Broad Slough in the Del-ta where a plane was reported to have gone down yesterday. Marine Patrol Deputies, assisted by the U.S. Coast Guard, used a side scan sonar and remotely operated vehicle to find the exact location of the plane. The plane wreckage was located at about 10:30 AM. A Sheriff’s Office Dive Team was later deployed.
On Sunday, June 9, 2019, at about 5:32 PM, a boater notified Sheriff’s Office Dispatch of a small plane crashing into the Delta at the north end of Broad Slough, north of Antioch.
Several agencies that included the Office of the Sheriff Marine Services Unit, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, Pittsburg PD, Solano County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Coast Guard, and the California Highway Patrol responded. Debris and a backpack were found at the location.
The plane took off from Buchanan Field Airport in Concord at about 5 PM. The pilot is believed to be the only occupant in the plane. The name of the pilot is not being released at this time as his identity has not been confirmed.
The National Transportation Safety Board will be investigating the cause of the crash. Any witnesses to this incident are asked to contact the NTSB by email at: witness@NTSB.GOV.
The Marine Services Unit is continuing with recovery operations. A salvage company is expected to remove the plane wreckage within the next few days.
Read MoreSunday night at about 8:27 pm, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a two vehicle collision on HWY-4 westbound, just east of Port Chicago Highway, in the city of Concord. Upon emergency personnel and CHP arrival, it was determined that a blue BMW M3 and a silver Toyota Camry collided and then the BMW subsequently went off the roadway and plummeted down onto the Railroad tracks at Kinne Blvd. (which is below the highway and next to the old Concord Naval Weapons Station). The solo male driver (35 years old from Oakland) was pronounced deceased at the scene. The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Coroners Office will be handling the release of his identity.
In the initial investigation, it appears that the solo male driver of the BMW was traveling on westbound HWY-4 at a reported high rate of speed and for unknown reasons drove into the dirt center median and lost control of the BMW. Then veered across all lanes of traffic towards the right shoulder and subsequently drove off HWY-4 and plummeted down to the railroad tracks below on Kinne Blvd., causing major damage. The driver was ejected and found a distance away from the BMW and was pronounced deceased on scene. The solo male driver of the Toyota Camry was not injured and remained on scene for the investigation.
It is unknown at this time if alcohol or drugs were a factor in this collision as it is still under investigation. If anyone witnessed this collision or the events leading up to it, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez, (925) 646-4980.
Read MoreSunday morning at about 5:12 A.M., Contra Costa CHP was advised of a solo vehicle collision (with two occupants) off the roadway at Lone Tree Way, just east of Adams Lane, in the Brentwood area. Upon emergency personnel and CHP arrival, a Nissan Sentra had veered off the roadway and into a utility pole, causing major damage. Tragically the 23yr old female passenger (from Vallejo) was pronounced deceased at the scene. The 25yr old male driver (from Vallejo) sustained only minor injuries and is suspected of driving under the influence. He was transported to John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek. The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Coroners Office will be handling the release of identity of the 23-year-old deceased female.
In the initial investigation, it appears the male driver of the Nissan crossed over the solid double yellow lines and then veered back across the lane and drove the Nissan off the roadway to the right shoulder area where he crashed into a large utility pole, causing major damage, and killing his female girlfriend passenger. Officers on scene began a DUI investigation. The male driver was transported to the hospital where Officers followed and while at the hospital, placed the driver (Joseph John Martinez, DOB-8/13/1993) under arrest for suspicion of felony DUI, resulting in the death of his passenger.
This incident is another tragic loss of life from ultimately a preventable crash as all suspected driving under the influence crashes are. Driving impaired is always a choice made by the driver, not an accident. This incident is still under investigation and if anyone witnessed this collision or the events leading up to it, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez, (925) 646-4980.
Read MoreBy Contra Costa County Sheriff
Sunday at about 5:32 PM, a boater notified Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Dispatch of a small plane crashing into the California Delta at the north end of Broad Slough, west of Kimball Island, north of Pittsburg.
According to a KPIX5 CBS SF Bay Area news report, “A piece of what is believed to be a Piper Cherokee single-engine airplane was located about 6:45 p.m. Sunday in Broad Slough north of Antioch, about an hour after a witness told authorities a small plane went down in the San Joaquin River, a Contra Costa County Fire Protection District spokesman said.
The piece of the airplane tail is thought to be from an aircraft that departed Buchanan Field in Concord, with one person aboard, a short time before the crash, said fire district spokesman Steve Hill. The plane, Hill said, had been rented from Sterling Aviation, based at the Concord airport. Calls to Sterling Aviation early Sunday night went unanswered.”
Several agencies that included the Office of the Sheriff Marine Patrol Unit, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, Pittsburg PD, Solano County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Coast Guard, and the California Highway Patrol responded. Debris and a backpack were found at the location. The plane is believed to have taken off from Buchanan Field Airport in Concord at about 5 PM. The pilot was the only occupant in the plane. The name of the pilot is not being released at this time as his identity has not been confirmed.
A search was conducted by the responding agencies with negative results. The FAA and NTSB have been contacted. Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol Units have been conducting sonar searches for evidence of the plane wreckage.
Any witnesses to this incident are asked to contact the NTSB by email at witness@NTSB.GOV.
Allen Payton contributed to this report.
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