By Scott Alonso, Public Information Officer, Office of the Contra Costa Costa District Attorney
On February 8, a Contra Costa County jury found defendant William Butte of Martinez guilty as charged of three felonies, including his attempt to meet a 15-year-old girl for sex. Butte communicated with who he thought was a minor on the mobile application Kik on August 24, 2017. Butte interacted with an undercover law enforcement officer after he posted a sexually explicit post on Craigslist, which contained language suggesting an interest in minors.
The undercover officer saw Butte’s Craigslist post in the now-defunct causal encounters section, in which Butte asked for a “naughty little girl” to engage in sex acts with him. During the conversation on Kik, Butte discussed meeting with the minor in-person, shared graphic details of sexual acts and he expressed a desire to have sex with the minor. When the undercover officer told Butte that he was a 15-year-old girl, Butte reacted favorably and asked questions about her sexual experience and history. Butte also invited the minor to his home to watch pornography together.
Butte and the officer discussed meeting in a public place. Upon Butte’s arrival to that agreed upon location, he was subsequently taken into custody and arrested.
Our Office will be requesting Butte serve time in state prison. Based upon the jury’s verdict, Defendant will be required to register as a sex offender pursuant to Penal Code section 290. Sentencing will occur on April 12, 2019 in front of the Honorable Anita Santos – Department 2 of the Contra Costa County Superior Court in Martinez. Contra Costa County Deputy District Attorney Adam Wilks prosecuted the case on behalf of the People. The case originated in the Office’s Sexual Assault Unit.
“Thanks in this case is due entirely to the jurors who sacrificed their time and had to wade through truly disturbing evidence in order to reach a fair verdict. Their service to the community in this case cannot be understated,” said Wilks.
The investigation was conducted by the Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which is managed by the San Jose Police Department. In Contra Costa County, detectives and investigators from the Walnut Creek, Martinez, San Ramon, Concord and Moraga Police Departments, the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, United States Secret Service, Homeland Security Investigations, the Contra Costa County Probation Department, and Inspectors from the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office participate in the task force.
Parents are encouraged to discuss online safety with their children, and can visit the website www.kidsmartz.org or our website for further information.
Craigslist shut down the personal encounters section and the section is no longer active.
Read MoreHis only intern from Contra Costa County
University of California Davis senior, Sasha Jordan is interning for State Senator Steve Glazer (D-Orinda) this spring. Glazer, who represents the 7th Senate District including most of Contra Costa County and portions of Alameda County in the East Bay, currently has three interns but Jordan is the only intern from Contra Costa County.
Jordan is an Antioch resident and graduated from Deer Valley High School in 2015. She began attending UC Davis that same fall. While at Deer Valley she was active in the Performing Arts Academy. Jordan will graduate in June this year with a degree in Political Science and minor in Communications.
She had worked as a teen and young adult for the real estate company owned by her parents Mark and Cynthia Jordan, a local Certified Public Accountant and a local Attorney. She also had worked for the University as a resident advisor during her sophomore year at the Tecero Dorms on campus.
Jordan is currently applying for fellowships at the State Capital in Sacramento and is looking forward to a career in government.
“I think it is a good thing to help other people and government is just one way to make a difference” she said.
Asked about what she’s doing for the Senator, currently, Jordan said, “Right now, I’m working at the front desk greeting visitors. I’ve done some research projects.”
Her internship will last until March 15, which is the end of the Winter Quarter.
After Jordan graduates, her “plan is to work at the Capitol.”
As for her long-term plans, she said, “If you ask my dad, it’s to be governor of California.”
On a more serious note, Jordan stated, “My hope is to make as much change and improvement in the lives of individuals in California.”
Asked about her Communications minor, she said, “Right now, I’m learning about media messages. I’ve taken some classes on political communication, which I think is important. Because if you want to make change, you need the public to know about the issues that are going on.”
Jordan will graduate at the end of the Spring Quarter in June.
Allen Payton contributed to this report.
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Scene of the fatal accident at Port Chicago Highway and Arnold Industrial Way on Sat., Feb. 2, 2019. Photo by Concord PD.
By Lieutenant Sam Staten, Concord Police Department
On Saturday, February 2, 2019, at approximately 6:20 PM, Concord Police Officers responded to the intersection of Port Chicago Hwy and Arnold Industrial Way regarding an auto vs. pedestrian collision. Officers arrived on scene with AMR and Fire Department personnel and located a white male adult lying in the roadway. He was pronounced deceased at the scene by emergency medical personnel.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the pedestrian was crossing the roadway when he was struck by a vehicle traveling south on Port Chicago Hwy. The driver of the involved vehicle stopped at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation. Alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the collision.
Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call Concord Police Department Traffic Investigator Justin Wilson at (925)-603-5962.
Read MoreBy Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff
Thursday afternoon at about 1:04 PM, Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to an alleged rape. A woman told Deputies she got on a Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) train in San Francisco and was approached by a man. The two started a conversation. They got off the BART train at the Pittsburg/Bay Point station and exited the station. They walked north on Bailey Road.
Sometime during their walk while in a vacant field near Mims Avenue and Canal Road, the man exposed himself to the woman and told her to perform a sexual act on him. The suspect then physically assaulted the victim and tried to remove her clothing, but the victim fought him off and was able to get away. The victim was taken to the hospital as a precaution.
The suspect in this case was described as a black male adult, possibly in his 20’s, approximately 5’8” to 5’9”, medium build, with some facial hair. The suspect was last seen wearing black athletic shoes, blue jeans, and a white or gray hooded sweater under a hooded black jacket with fur trim on the hood. He was also carrying a red and black colored messenger style bag. Several photos of the suspect are attached.
Anyone with any information about this case is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 646-2441 or (925) 313-2600. For any tips, call 866-846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message or email: tips@so.cccounty.us.
Read MoreBy Scott Alonso, Public Information Officer, Office of the District Attorney
On January 30, a Contra Costa County jury found defendant Guido Ginochio of Concord guilty of two felonies, including the attempted murder of the victim. Ginochio used a firearm to fire two shots into the back of the victim in the evening of February 7, 2017. Hours later, Ginochio used his firearm to fire seven rounds into the Adaptive Learning Center on Clayton Road in Concord. During the shooting into the business, Ginochio was wearing a ballistic proof body vest.
Ginochio now faces a maximum sentence of 34 years to life in state prison. Sentencing will occur on May 3, 2019 in front of the Honorable Laurel Brady – Department 31 of the Contra Costa County Superior Court in Martinez. Contra Costa County Deputy District Attorney Adam McConney prosecuted the case on behalf of the People. The case originated in the Office’s Community Violence Reduction Unit.
“The defendant’s senseless and unprovoked acts of gun violence not only nearly ended the victim’s life, but also endangered the lives of other members of our community,” said McConney. “All credit should be given to the victim, who bravely stood up to the defendant by testifying in court, and the jury for being attentive throughout the trial and ultimately delivering justice.”
Just after 10:00 p.m. on February 7, Ginochio approached the victim outside of the victim’s residence asking if Ginochio could buy marijuana. The victim refused the request and attempted to enter the residence to get away from Ginochio. When the victim attempted to gain access to the residence, Ginochio opened fire and hit the victim twice in the back, nearly killing him.
The felony counts against Ginochio are:
- Count 1, Attempted Murder
o Enhancement 1, Personal and Intentional Discharge of a Firearm, Great Bodily Injury
- Count 2, Discharge of Firearm with Gross Negligence
Case information: People v. Guido Vela Ginochio, Docket Number 05-171306-4.
Read MoreBy Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff
Sheriff-Coroner David O. Livingston announced on Wednesday that a Coroner’s Jury has reached a finding in the February 7, 2018 death of 46-year-old David Lamarc Hubbard of San Pablo while in custody at the county jail in Martinez. The finding of the jury is that the manner of death is natural causes.
The Coroner’s Jury reached the verdict after hearing the testimony of witnesses called by the hearing officer, Matthew Guichard.
According to the Sheriff’s Officials Hubbard was arrested on suspicion of stalking, assault with a deadly weapon, domestic violence and possession of child pornography. He bail was set at $1,655,000.
A Coroner’s Inquest, which Sheriff-Coroner Livingston convenes in fatal incidents involving police officers, is a public hearing, during which a jury rules on the manner of a person’s death. Jury members can choose from the following four options when making their finding: Accident, Suicide, Natural Causes, or At the hands of another person, other than by accident.
Allen Payton contributed to this report.
Read MoreEarly this morning at about 1:10am, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a solo vehicle rollover collision on I-80 westbound just east of Pinole Valley Road. Upon emergency personnel and CHP arrival, the 59-year-old male driver from El Sobrante was extricated and life-saving procedures were administered but unsuccessful and the driver was pronounced deceased. The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Office will be handling the release of identity of the deceased party.
In the initial investigation, it appears that the solo male driver of the 2000 Audi was traveling at a high rate of speed on I-80 westbound approaching Pinole Valley Road and veered off the roadway and into the concrete sound wall, and subsequently overturned and slid across the lanes and came to rest blocking the #2 & #3 lanes. Once emergency personnel arrived and extricated the driver, they began life-saving procedures but were unsuccessful and unfortunately the driver was pronounced deceased. A Sig-Alert was issued at 1:37 A.M. (w/ the #1 lane remaining open the entire time) and lifted at 3:02 A.M. when all lanes of traffic were opened.
It is unknown at this time if alcohol or drugs are 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.
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Winners of the 2019 Contra Costa Mock Trial, the California High School Mock Trial Team, led by teacher coach Brian Barr and attorney coaches Larry Lowe, and Ken Mifsud represented Contra Costa County at the 38th Annual California State Mock Trial on March 22-24 in Sacramento, CA. Photo courtesy of CCC Office of Education.
Bay Area soon-to-be, practicing, and retired law professionals are needed to provide assistance to their future brethren at the upcoming 38th Annual Contra Costa County High School Mock Trial Program, held on seven early weekday evenings during late January and early February, in the Martinez Court Rooms. Last year, close to 100 Bay Area practicing and retired attorneys and sworn judges, as well as third-year law students volunteered their time with the Mock Trials.
Coordinated by the Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE), Mock Trial is an academic event provided for high school students. The hands-on educational program was created to help students acquire a working knowledge of our judicial system, develop analytical abilities and communication skills, and gain an understanding of their obligations and responsibilities as participating members of our society. This year’s case, People v. Klein: A young adult is charged with two felony counts: making a false report of an emergency (in this case, commonly referred to as “swatting”) and making a criminal threat.
“This program is a great tool to ensure that our students understand the workings of the trial courts and thus the importance of an independent judiciary, says,” says Contra Costa County Presiding Judge Barry Baskin. Judge Baskin, a long-time Mock Trial volunteer, encourages all of his local fellow law professional to join him in assisting with this year’s Mock Trial Competition.
Teams of high school students work with teachers and volunteer coaches to prepare their version of the criminal case, from both the prosecution and defense perspectives. Students assume the roles of trial attorneys, pre-trial motion attorneys, witnesses, clerks, bailiffs, artists, and court journalists. Mock Trial judges and attorneys score their performance and provide immediate feedback. Winning teams advance through seven rounds of competition. The county’s champion advances to the State finals. This year, there will be 17 Mock Trial teams competing, representing high schools throughout all of Contra Costa County.
Volunteers will score two competing schools that argue the case in their assigned court. Each night, will begin with a 15-minute rules and regulations training, then the volunteers will go into their scheduled courtrooms to serve as Mock Trial judge and scorers. The Mock Trials’ scorers are made up of Bay Area deputy district attorneys and deputy public defenders, as well as public-sector, private-practice, and corporate lawyers. In addition, seasoned law students are also welcome to participate. A practicing or retired judge or commissioner will preside over each trial, and also serves as one of the trial’s scorers.
“We applaud the hard work and time our students and their coaches put in to prepare for our Mock Trial program,” said Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Lynn Mackey. “In addition, we are grateful for the continued generous volunteer support we receive from our county’s Judicial, District Attorney, and Public Defender offices, as well as so many of our current and retired public- and private-practice attorneys. This successful program would never come together without so much support from the community.”
Teams from the following 17 Contra Costa County high schools will be competing:
Acalanes (Lafayette), Alhambra (Martinez), California (San Ramon), Campolindo (Moraga), Carondelet High (Concord), Clayton Valley Charter (Concord), De Anza High (Richmond), Deer Valley Law Academy (Antioch), Dougherty Valley (San Ramon), El Cerrito (El Cerrito), Hercules Middle/High (Hercules), Heritage (Brentwood), Kennedy (Richmond), Las Lomas (Walnut Creek), Miramonte (Orinda), Monte Vista (Danville), and Richmond (Richmond).
Schedule for 2019 Contra Costa County High School Mock Trials:
Preliminaries: January 29 and 31; February 5 and 7, – 5:00-8:30 p.m. (Nine competitions each night)
Quarterfinals: February 12, 5:00-8:00 p.m. (Four competitions)
Semifinals: February 14, 5:00-8:00 p.m. (Two competitions)
Final and Consolation: February 19, 5:00-8:00 p.m. (Two competitions)
Mock Trial will be headquartered at the A.F. Bray Courthouse, 1020 Ward Street, in Martinez.
Interested volunteers can learn more by visiting the CCCOE’s Mock Trial Web page, or contacting Jonathan Lance at jlance@cccoe.k12.ca.us or (925) 942-3429.
The two highest-scoring teams will advance to the finals on Tuesday, February 19. The winning team will then represent Contra Costa County at the California State Mock Trial Competition, held in Sacramento, Calif., March 22-23. The California state finalist team will then compete in the National Mock Trial Competition, held May 16-18, Athens, Georgia.
In 1977, the Constitutional Rights Foundation (CRF) introduced the concept of mock trials to the Los Angeles schools. In 1980, the program expanded to the state level. The California Mock Trial Program currently involves more than 36 counties and over 8,000 student participants from more than 400 teams. Approximately 1,500 attorney volunteers serve as team coaches and scorers, and 500 Municipal, Superior, and Appellate Court judges preside over the trials.
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Dear Editor:
Palliative (pronounced pal-lee-uh-tiv) and hospice care—with a focus on managing and easing symptoms, reducing pain and stress, and increasing comfort—can improve both the quality of care and quality of life for those with advanced dementia. Palliative and hospice care are provided by a specially-trained team – doctors, nurses and other specialists – who work closely with a patient’s other doctors.
One in every five seniors has a primary hospice diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or another dementia. 19,000 Contra Costa County residents live with Alzheimer’s and statewide, over 650,000 people over 65 and older have Alzheimer’s. It’s the third leading cause of death in California. Over twenty percent of emergency hospital visits deal with hospital readmission of dementia patients.
PCHETA will provide people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias with improved quality of care while lowering the impact on Medicaid. Please join me in asking Congressman Jerry McNerney to sponsor The Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (PCHETA) (H.R.647) that was re-introduced to the 116th session of Congress.
Pam Jarvie
Discovery Bay
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Says “PG&E must be required to pay every cent it owes victims”
SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Jim Frazier (D-Discovery Bay) has introduced a bill to require the state’s electric utility companies to move their equipment and transmission lines out of forests, and other regions where the potential for fire is high, or bury or fireproof it, to prevent the ignition of devastating and deadly wildfires.
“Like all Californians I am horrified that our state has become increasingly powerless against wildfires indiscriminately destroying communities and taking lives every fire season,” Frazier said. “Climate change has made us more vulnerable and California’s major utility companies have failed to keep up with this new reality. Their equipment has ignited thousands of wildfires in recent years and many of these blew up into destructive and deadly infernos. The environmental damage caused by these fires is appalling. Forests are scarred for decades. The loss of life due to an inattentive safety net is unconscionable. We need common-sense solutions now. Requiring utility companies to take responsibility for their equipment in order to safeguard California is reasonable and just.”
AB 281 would require utilities to relocate their transmission lines out of forests and other areas where the potential for fire is high. If relocation is not possible, they would be required to bury the lines. If it’s not possible to relocate or bury the lines, they would be required to improve the equipment to “prevent, and minimize the risk” of the equipment igniting fires.
A recent Los Angeles Times investigation found that equipment owned by California’s three largest utility companies started more than 2,000 wildfires in a 3-1/2 year period ending in 2017. The report found the state lacks the resources to monitor whether utility companies are properly maintaining their transmission line right-of-ways to protect against vegetation coming into contact with their equipment and sparking fires.
“The current system, with the state relying on the utility companies to police themselves, is not working,” Frazier added. “There is no bigger issue facing our state than this right now, and we cannot wait to take action any longer. The way of doing business with these utilities needs to change by recognizing what’s been done in the past doesn’t work anymore.”
Frazier issued the following statement after California’s largest investor-owned utility company, Pacific Gas & Electric, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection today.
“PG&E is solvent with a guaranteed revenue stream. To evade responsibility for the devastation caused by the company’s negligence would be unconscionable. The company filed for bankruptcy in 2001 and came back stronger than ever. Whatever happens, PG&E must be required to pay every cent it owes to victims of the devastating wildfires the company caused.”
Assemblymember Frazier represents the 11th Assembly District, which includes the communities of Antioch, Bethel Island, Birds Landing, Brentwood, Byron, Collinsville, Discovery Bay, Fairfield, Isleton, Knightsen, Locke, Oakley, Pittsburg (partial), Rio Vista, Suisun City, Travis AFB, Vacaville and Walnut Grove.
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