Contra Costa Herald

News Of By and For The People of Contra Costa County, California

Pleasant Hill man sentenced to 25 years in prison for producing child pornography

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Daniel Joseph Feliciano. Photo by CCDA.

OAKLAND – Daniel Joseph Feliciano was sentenced today to 25 years in prison for producing child pornography, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Tatum King.  The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Jeffrey S. White, U.S. District Judge.

Feliciano, 30, of Pleasant Hill, pleaded guilty to the charge on March 3, 2020.  According to his plea agreement, Feliciano admitted that he recorded a video of a 9-year-old minor in a sexually explicit act and produced an image of a 5-year-old seated on a bed with the minor’s genitalia visible.  Feliciano knew the two victims were minors and he created the images using his cellular phone.

In addition, Feliciano admitted that he possessed approximately 205 images or videos of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.  The government filed additional papers arguing that Feliciano possessed more than 21,000 images of child pornography, including images of sexual abuse of a toddler-aged child and other children younger than 7 years old. (Please see related article)

A federal grand jury indicted Feliciano on December 19, 2019, charging him with two counts of producing and possessing child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2251(a) and 18 U.S.C. § 2252(a)(4)(B).  Feliciano pleaded guilty to both counts.

In addition to the prison term, Judge White also sentenced the defendant to a 10-year period of supervised release and scheduled a hearing for September 22, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. to resolve issues concerning restitution. The defendant will begin serving the sentence immediately.

This prosecution arose from a Cybertip on October 4, 2019, to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) related to the discovery of potential exploitation material being stored in a cloud storage account later traced to Feliciano.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan U. Lee is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Jessica Rodriguez Gonzalez, Kay Konopaske, and Kathleen Turner.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by HSI, the Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Pleasant Hill Police Department.

 

Martinez leaders launch Homeless Action Coalition to ‘fill the gaps’ in essential services, address housing crisis

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Non-profit will also assist local response to COVID-19 in city’s homeless encampments

Today, Tuesday, June 16, 2020 the Martinez Homelessness Task Force, led by City Councilmember Noralea Gipner and a coalition of community and faith leaders, announced the next phase of its work with the launch of the independent Homeless Action Coalition (HAC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community benefit organization.

“Most of us take the basics for granted. But many of our neighbors don’t have that luxury,” said Gipner, President and CEO of the HAC. “Imagine not being able to wash your hands, have a warm dinner or fall asleep feeling safe each night. That stress takes a toll and can make it a challenge to heal trauma and enter the workforce. Our coalition is going to ensure all of Martinez’s unhoused residents can land on their feet and transition into housing.”

With more than 150 unhoused residents living in encampments, embankments and parking lots, Martinez has one of the highest per capita homelessness rates in Contra Costa County. With such great need, Martinez leaders were compelled to act.

Over the past year, community groups and the Martinez Homelessness Task Force have partnered to address urgent needs, most recently operating a weekly homeless service center at the Martinez Waterfront Park. There, the Bay Church and other faith partners offered showers, laundry service and toiletries. The Martinez Police Department and Contra Costa C.O.R.E. connected people to shelters and other public resources, while Contra Costa Health Services provided a free mobile clinic. Community volunteers offered haircuts and organized a clothing exchange program. Prior to COVID-19, 30-40 individuals participated in these services every week.

Moving forward, the Homeless Action Coalition will serve as a hub for these resources, coordinating strategy and funding within Martinez and its adjacent communities.

Since officially incorporating as the successor organization to the Martinez Chamber Development Corporation this past Winter, the HAC has built an internal infrastructure with a Board of Directors, a Faith Community Advisory Committee and an effective fundraising apparatus, raising nearly $30,000 from individual donors, faith organizations and labor groups prior to its formal launch today.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the HAC has already deployed four sanitation stations throughout the city to provide residents with safe and reliable access to bathrooms. It has also organized essential services for the city’s waterfront encampment, providing food, clothing, tents and other supplies to residents who agree to abide by county health rules and self-govern the area to ensure resident safety.

Once the pandemic subsides, weekly group services will return and the HAC will embark on a series of innovative projects to help unhoused residents start new careers, access affordable housing and connect with mental health services.

“By listening to the people we serve, staying nimble and recruiting our neighbors to help out, we believe we’ll be able to have a real impact,” said Jonathan Bash, Chair of the HAC board of directors. “Our region’s housing crisis is complicated, as are the structural roots of poverty. We can’t do this alone. We need people to get involved in the way that works best for them: donate, volunteer or advocate for those who need a voice.”

Residents, business owners and community leaders who wish to get involved can learn more by visiting www.homelessactioncoalition.org.

Con Fire and Concord Police arrest transient woman for Concord RV fire

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Emergency crews extinguish RV fire on Port Chicago Highway under the Hwy 242 overpass. Suspect Jade McCoy, a Concord transient was arrested. Photos courtesy of ConFire.

By Steve Hill, Public Information Officer, Con Fire

Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) announced today the arrest of a suspect in the recreational vehicle (RV) fire that burned under Highway 4 in Concord earlier this week.

The fire in question took place June 8, 2020 with the first call coming in at 3:27 p.m. An investigation was immediately conducted by the District’s Fire Investigations Unit, and Concord Police with a suspect identified and arrest made without incident on June 8 just after 5 p.m.

Arrested was Jade McCoy, a Concord-area transient, date of birth April 22, 1993.  McCoy, who was on probation from a previous arson conviction for setting an exterior fire in 2019, was arrested after investigation by FIU and Concord PD revealed she intentionally set the fire in the RV. McCoy and her boyfriend had been living in the RV parked on Port Chicago Highway under Highway 4. The arson occurred after a verbal altercation between the two parties. Her possible involvement in other recent fires in the area is currently under investigation.

McCoy is in custody in the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Detention Center in Martinez.  Concord Police filed the case with the District Attorney on June 9 and action is pending.

Investigation revealed a woman seen at the scene around the time of the fire to be the likely responsible party. A short while later, around 5 p.m., Concord Police located the suspect in the vicinity near Olivera Road and Esperanza Drive. Con Fire FIU investigators responded to that scene, interviewed the suspect and determined she was responsible for the blaze, placing her under arrest. She was handcuffed and transported to the Martinez Detention Facility by Concord Police where she was again interviewed by FIU.

The RV fire was initially reported by several parties beginning just before 3:30 p.m. on June 8. Arriving on scene moments later at 3:41, Con Fire’s Battalion Chief 2 reported a fully involved RV on fire under the highway.

In all, 21 fire personnel from Con Fire and the Military Ocean Terminal, Concord’s Federal Fire Department responded to the fire with two Type 1 fire engines, three Type 3 fire engines, two ambulances, a medical supervisor and a fire investigator. Concord Police and the California Highway Patrol also responded to the scene. At 3:42 p.m., the incident commander reported the fire under control.

There were no injuries to responding personnel or civilians.

Protest in Walnut Creek gets confrontational with police as 6 p.m. curfew sets in

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Walnut Creek police enforce curfew near City Hall. Tear gas shot at protesters. Herald reporter and other members of the media affected by the gas. Forced to leave the area.

Posted by Contra Costa Herald on Monday, June 1, 2020

Report by Allen Payton  Videos by Contra Costa Herald staff

WARNING: Graphic language in videos.

A large group of protesters descended on Walnut Creek’s downtown, Monday and held a rally in Civic Park across from City Hall. Things were peaceful with speeches in the park. That was followed by a few confrontations as protesters marched down North Broadway toward a police line. That lasted until the city’s 6:00 p.m. curfew set in and police forced the protesters to leave. Cannisters of tear gas were shot at the protesters, some of whom threw them back at the officers. (See 48-second mark of video above)

Screenshot from Contra Costa Herald staff video of Civic Park rally and speeches in Walnut Creek on Monday, June 1, 2020.

Earlier during a rally in Civic Park, near the iconic gazebo, speeches were given and responsive chants of “no justice” yelled out by one person, with “no peace” yelled by the crowd, followed by “no racist” by the leader and “police” yelled by the crowd in response.

Protest in downtown Walnut Creek right now. Exclusive to the Herald.

Posted by Contra Costa Herald on Monday, June 1, 2020

At one point, a few police officers took a knee to the delight of the crowd who cheered, and some of the protesters showed their appreciation for the officers demonstrating their solidarity with fist and elbow bumps.

Walnut Creek police kneel with protestors.

Posted by Contra Costa Herald on Monday, June 1, 2020

There were chants of “no justice, no peace, prosecute the police,” “hands up, don’t shoot,” the responsive chants of “say his name” and “George Floyd”, as well as “I can’t breathe” – Floyd’s final words – as the protesters stood or kneeled in front of the police line on North Broadway. They were then warned about the 6:00 p.m. curfew and told a few times “you have five minutes to leave” by a voice over a loud speaker. 

Protest in Walnut Creek continues — graphic language warning.

Posted by Contra Costa Herald on Monday, June 1, 2020

There were chants of “no justice, no peace, prosecute the police,” “hands up, don’t shoot,” the responsive chants of “say his name” and “George Floyd”, as well as “I can’t breathe” – Floyd’s final words – as the protesters stood or kneeled in front of the police line on North Broadway. They were then warned about the 6:00 p.m. curfew and told a few times “you have five minutes to leave” by a voice over a loudspeaker. That’s when things took a turn for the worst with police resorting to firing tear gas cannisters at the protesters forcing them to disperse from the intersection of the North Broadway and Civic Drive. Some of the cannisters were tossed back at the police.

 

Full nighttime closures of State Route 4/Interstate 680 connector ramps through Sunday, May 31

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The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) are constructing the first phase of a multi-phased project to improve safety and help reduce congestion at the Interstate-680/State Route 4 Interchange in central Contra Costa County. In order to facilitate a key phase of construction that will shift traffic onto newly constructed facilities, the agencies are planning significant traffic shifts prior to, during and after the Memorial Day Weekend which will impact SR-4 and both of the I-680 connector ramps spanning Martinez, Pacheco, and Concord. CCTA and Caltrans have scheduled the closures during evening/nighttime hours and over the weekend in order to minimize impacts to the motoring public.

Nightly lane closures of SR-4 (from Pacheco Boulevard to Solano Way) and the I-680 connector ramps in both directions (northbound and southbound connectors to SR-4) will continue from May 28 –31, 2020. The work taking place during this time will enable traffic to move onto newly constructed facilities as they are completed, including:

  • Northbound Interstate 680 connector ramp to Eastbound State Route 4
  • Westbound State Route 4 connector ramp to Northbound Interstate 680
  • New Grayson Creek Eastbound and Westbound bridges
  • Shifting traffic onto the new median concrete pavement widening on State Route 4 between Pacheco Boulevard and Walnut Creek Bridge

Planned closures include:
Thursday, May 28 through Sunday May 31, 2020: Varies by evening, see below for specific times
Nightly full freeway closures for Eastbound and Westbound State Route 4 and full closure of the following ramps:

  • Full ramp closure of Eastbound SR-4 connector to Northbound I-680
  • Full ramp closure of Southbound I-680 connector to Eastbound SR-4
  • Full Ramp closure of Northbound I-680 connector to Eastbound SR-4

Thursday, May 28, 2020: 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.
Full freeway closure of Eastbound SR-4 from Pacheco Boulevard to Solano Way including full ramp closures listed above.

Friday, May 29, 2020: 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.
Full Freeway closure of Westbound SR-4 between Solano Way and Pacheco Boulevard including full ramp closures listed above.

Saturday May 30, 2020: 12:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.
Full Freeway closure of Eastbound SR-4 between Pacheco Boulevard to Solano Way including full ramp closures listed above.

Sunday May 31: 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Full freeway closure of Westbound SR-4 between Solano Way and Pacheco Boulevard including full ramp closures listed above.

Motorists are advised to be alert for on-site closure and detour signs, and to Slow for the Cone Zone.  Please drive with caution through the detours and leave a safe traveling distance between your vehicle and vehicle ahead of you. Please note that the construction schedule and closure information presented here are subject to change based on weather and other conditions. We appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation as we work to complete these important improvements.

About the Interstate 680/State Route 4 Interchange Improvement Project
The Interstate 680/State Route 4 Interchange Improvement Project will widen approximately four miles of State Route 4 in both directions between Morello Avenue in Martinez and State Route 242 by adding a third lane in the eastbound and westbound directions to improve on-ramp and off-ramp merging.  The project also includes widening of five structures, extending eastbound State Route 4’s carpool lane approximately two miles, installation of safety lighting, and replacement of the Grayson Creek Bridge to bring it up to current State bridge safety codes.  This segment of work in this multi-phased project will lay the groundwork for future improvements to connector ramps, improve traffic safety and enhance traffic flow.

 

Fatal collision in Concord claims life of 52-year-old man Thursday morning

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Concord Police closed Monument Blvd. for four hours following the fatal collision on Thursday, May 28, 2020. Photos by CPD.

By Concord Police Department

On May 28, 2020, at approximately 6:14 AM, Concord PD Officers were dispatched to a report of a solo vehicle collision on Monument Blvd. near Virginia Lane. The vehicle traveled eastbound on Monument Blvd. and veered off the road, colliding with a support pole on the south sidewalk of Monument Blvd., near 1500 Monument Blvd. The male driver, 52-year-old Concord resident, and sole occupant of the vehicle was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Monument Blvd., between Lacey Lane and Virginia Lane, was closed for approximately four hours. As this is an ongoing investigation, no further details are being released at this time.

Anyone who may have witnessed the collision is asked to contact Traffic Investigator Justin Wilson at the Concord Police Department, 925-603-5962. -482

Detroit man arrested for Thursday shootout in Walnut Creek, police seek public’s help finding two others involved

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By Walnut Creek Chief of Police Thomas Chaplin

Suspect Description: Both suspects are described as adult males with dark skin. Both suspects had on masks that covered their faces. Vehicle Description: Light colored sedan

The Walnut Creek Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying two suspects involved in a shooting that occurred in the 1200 block of Newell Avenue. On Thursday, May 21, 2020, at approximately 6:23 p.m., Walnut Creek Police Officers responded to the report of gunshots heard in the area of the 1200 block of Newell Avenue. Officers arrived on scene and located bullet casings, shattered glass and drops of blood in the area.

At approximately 6:36 p.m., officers learned that two adult males were transported to local hospitals for gunshot wounds related to this incident. Both males sustained non-life-threatening injuries and are in stable condition. Further investigation revealed that this incident occurred in the parking lot of a business. Officers located video surveillance of the parking lot, which showed two suspects armed with handguns approach the passenger side of a parked vehicle. At the time of the incident, one victim was seated in the passenger side of the parked vehicle. The suspects, who were wearing face masks, immediately shot at the victim. The victim was struck at least one time. The driver of the parked vehicle, 27-year-old Detroit, Michigan resident John Rankin (born 9/28/1992), returned fire at the two suspects and struck an innocent bystander, who was seated in a nearby vehicle. The shots fired by Rankin also struck a second vehicle that was parked in the parking lot. The suspects fled the scene in an unknown make and model vehicle. At this time, the suspects have not been identified.

As a result of the investigation, Rankin was arrested for Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Shooting into an Inhabited Vehicle.

Walnut Creek PD released the surveillance video. At this time, a motive for the shooting has not been determined. If anyone has information regarding this incident, please call Detective Leonard at 925-256-3523. WCPD Case Number: 20-13675

Woman on probation for burglary arrested for attempted burglary in stolen car in Concord Wednesday

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Suspect Hannah Nichols. Photo by Concord PD.

By Concord Police Department

With more people staying indoors, opportunities for residential burglaries have decreased. However, that didn’t stop this young lady from trying….

Wednesday morning, May 20, 2020, a few minutes before 6:00 a.m., a resident who lives off of San Simeon Drive, went outside and saw a woman trying to break into her garage. Just before calling the police, the homeowner confronted the woman who fled on foot.

Concord Officers quickly responded to the scene and detained a woman a few blocks away who matched the description of the suspect. The woman was identified as 24-year-old, Hannah Nichols, who also happened to be on felony probation for burglary. The witness positively identified Ms. Nichols as being the woman trying to break into her garage. Additionally, it was determined Ms. Nichols drove to area in a vehicle that was stolen in Concord the previous night.

We want to thank the community member for calling and providing us with a detailed description of the suspect. Also, we want to let you know that despite the Zero-Bail Order, we will continue to respond, investigate, and do everything we possibly can to make sure people who commit crimes in our city are held accountable for their actions. ~454

#stolenvehicle #burglary #concordpd

CHP asks public’s help finding driver in March 6 hit and run fatality on 680 in Martinez

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Fatal hit and run victim’s car and the railroad overpass in Martinez on March 3, 2020. Photos by CHP.

By CHP – Contra Costa

On the morning of Friday March 6, 2020, at approximately 5:25am, Contra Costa CHP responded to a collision on I-680 southbound, north of Highway 4 in Martinez. The victim of the collision was driving a 1990’s blue Toyota Corolla, that had spun out across the lanes of traffic and collided with a light pole and tree on the right shoulder area, sustaining major damage. The driver of the Toyota was not responsive and transported to John Muir Hospital. Tragically the man died days later due to his injuries from the collision.

A witness related they saw a vehicle bump into the Toyota, which caused it to go out of control resulting in the crash, and then fled the scene. They described the second vehicle as being a dark colored lowered sedan with oversized rims. They were unable to see the make or model. They also related they saw it approaching quickly through their rearview mirror and moving in and out of the traffic lanes just before the crash.

CHP is asking for your HELP to locate the second vehicle described by the witness above. If you were traveling on I-680 southbound in this location on the morning of March 6 between about 5:20am to 5:30am, and may have witnessed this collision (either just before, at the moment of the crash, or just after) or think you remember seeing a dark colored lowered sedan with oversized rims in the same location, or any information that could help in this investigation, please contact the Contra Costa CHP in Martinez at (925) 646-4980. Ask for Investigating Officer Lane and leave your contact info for him.

Orinda attorney Gina Dashman appointed Contra Costa Superior Court Commissioner

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By Matt Malone, Public Information Officer, Superior Court of California, Contra Costa County

Gina Dashman. From her LinkedIn profile.

The Court is very pleased to announce the appointment of Gina Dashman as Commissioner. Commissioner Dashman will preside over Department 57, handling traffic, unlawful detainer, small claims, and restraining order matters with morning calendars at the Pittsburg courthouse and afternoon calendars at the Wakefield Taylor courthouse in Martinez. Commissioner Dashman assumed her role effective April 27, 2020.

The 60-year-old Orinda resident is an experienced and accomplished lawyer who, prior to her appointment, was an equity partner at Haapala, Thompson & Abern LLP since 2014, where she had also been an associate since 2009. Previously, she was of counsel at Stein, Rudser, Cohen & Magid from 2002-2009, an associate and partner at Buresh, Kaplan, Jang & Feller from 1988-2002, and an associate at Epstein, Becker & Green from 1986-1988.

Dashman served as President of Women Lawyers of Alameda County from 2018-2019 and on the Board of Directors of the Contra Costa County Bar Association from 2018-2020. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from George Washington University School of Law in 1986 and her Bachelor of Arts degree from U.C. Berkeley in 1983.

According to her LinkedIn profile, Dashman is also a published author of Neighbor Disputes-Law and Litigation, and United States Corporate Disinvestment from South Africa: The Financial Rand and Exchange Control.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.