Contra Costa Herald

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

Investigation into apparent murder-suicide of East County couple in Martinez Tuesday

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By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

On Tuesday, December 3, 2019, at about 10:43 AM, Muir Station Deputy Sheriffs assisted Martinez Police Department regarding an investigation of a missing person.

The investigation led them to the 2400 block of Monterey Avenue in unincorporated Martinez. Deputy Sheriffs and Martinez Police Officers entered a residence and found a deceased female. While clearing the residence, the Deputies and Officers located a deceased man in a room.

The Forensic Services Division Crime Lab responded to the scene along with detectives.

The two are identified as:
-Daywa Arakozie, a 34-year-old woman from Oakley.
-Montai Glaspie, a 31-year-old man from Bay Point.

Detectives say the two were in a relationship and that this appears to be a murder-suicide. The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Office of the Sheriff at (925) 646-2441 or Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

Mt. Diablo beacon lighting ceremony to honor Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Saturday

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Mt Diablo lit Beacon. Photo by Clayton Worsdell

By funischeap.com

In honor of Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we invite you to attend the annual “Eye of Diablo” beacon lighting ceremony to pay tribute to and honor our veterans, Saturday, Dec. 7 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Cost is free and the event will be held at Cal State East Bay – Concord Campus, 4700 Ygnacio Valley Road in Concord,

Every year since 1964, the Pearl Harbor survivors and their families have memorialized Pearl Harbor Day by relighting the historic Beacon atop Mount Diablo’s summit. When those who experienced Pearl Harbor are gone, the history is lost with them. That tragedy should never happen again, “Lest We Forget.”

“When that beacon light is turned on, that’s a tribute to those individuals that lost their lives at Pearl Harbor,” said Earl “Chuck” Kohler, Pearl Harbor Survivor

The Pearl Harbor Survivors and Save Mount Diablo are grateful for the assistance and support from Mount Diablo State Park, CCTV, California State University East Bay Concord Campus, Vietnam Helicopters Museum and the Sons & Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors.

Concord man charged by U.S. Attorney with making false statements to gain admittance into military

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Suspect Ross Farca. Herald file photo.

Defendant identified after posting racist messages, identifying himself as a neo-Nazi, and discussing mass shootings of synagogues on an online video game website

SAN FRANCISCO – Ross Anthony Farca was charged in a criminal complaint with making a false statement to a government agency, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge John F Bennett.

He had been previously charged for threats to commit mass shooting at synagogue, shoot cops and possession of an illegal assault-style rifle. (See related article).

In a complaint filed November 19, 2019, a redacted version of which was unsealed today, Farca, 23, of Concord, was charged with making a false statement on an online background check application in his bid to join the U.S. Army.  According to the complaint, on June 22, 2017, Farca traveled to a U.S. Army Recruitment Center in Mountain View, Calif., where he completed and submitted the background check application, also known as an SF-86.  The SF-86 contains language specifically warning that falsifying or concealing a material fact on the application is a felony which may result in fines or imprisonment.  In this case, the criminal complaint alleges that Farca nevertheless knowingly made false statements about his mental health when completing the form.  Specifically, he affirmatively stated that he had not received mental health treatment, which the complaint alleges was not true.

According to the complaint, Farca had been in regular contact with a psychiatrist since 2011.  In addition, Farca allegedly had received prescriptions for various medications and had received treatments to manage his mental disorders.  Further, according to the complaint, Farca understood that because of his diagnosis, he needed a letter of clearance from a mental health professional before he would be qualified to enlist in the army.

The complaint alleges that Farca requested a letter of clearance from both his psychiatrist and a caseworker familiar with his condition; both mental health professionals, however, denied Farca’s request for a clearance letter.  The complaint further alleges that when Farca completed the SF-86, rather than admit he had been seeing a psychiatrist and that he was unable to obtain a letter clearing him for duty, Farca instead denied he had ever had counseling for his psychological or emotional health.

According to the complaint, Farca reported to basic training on August 28, 2017, and was discharged October 3, 2017.  The discharge paperwork cited “failed medical, physical, procurement standards” and noted, “erroneous enlistment; medical condition disqualifying for military service, with no medical waiver approved.”

The complaint suggests that evidence of Farca’s false statements on the SF-86 was obtained during the June 10, 2019, search of his home.  Officers from the Concord Police Department executed warrants to arrest Farca and to search his home while investigating messages Farca posted on an online video game website.  The complaint describes several messages Farca allegedly posted using his online name “Adolf Hitler (((6 MILLION)))” about carrying out a mass shooting of synagogues and praising terrorists who have perpetrated recent mass shootings at houses of worship.  During the search of Farca’s home, paperwork relating to his psychiatric condition and his military service discharge were found.

The complaint charges Farca with knowingly making false statements to a government agency, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1001(a)(2).  The charges contained in the criminal complaint are mere allegations. As in any criminal case, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Farca currently is in federal custody pending a continued detention hearing currently scheduled before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sallie Kim on Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at 10:30.  If convicted, Farca faces a maximum statutory penalty maximum sentence of five years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000, plus restitution, for each violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1001(a)(2).  However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

The case is being prosecuted by the Special Prosecutions and National Security Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in San Francisco and investigated by the FBI and the Concord Police Department.

Coroner’s inquest jury determines death of homeless man while in Concord police custody in February was an accident

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By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

Sheriff-Coroner David O. Livingston announced that a Coroner’s Jury reached a finding in the February 8, 2019 death of 50-year-old Steven Kenneth Hankins, who was homeless and in the custody of the Concord Police at the time. The finding of the jury is that the death is an accident.

The Coroner’s Jury yesterday reached the 12-0 verdict after hearing the testimony of witnesses called by the hearing officer, Matthew Guichard.

According to authorities, police were called to the Concord Homeless Shelter at 2047 Arnold Industrial Way where Hankins was yelling and being violent. He was still “acting erratically and being violent” after police arrived, they said. After struggling with police, Hankins showed signs of medical distress. He became unresponsive and police attempted to revive him. Paramedics were called and after they arrived Hankins was declared dead at the scene.

A preliminary coroner’s report found Hankins had a “high concentration of methamphetamine” in his system, according to Concord Police spokesperson Lt. Mike Kindorf.

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.

U.S. Attorney charges Concord man with possession of child pornography

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Ruben Edward Calle. Photo by Concord Police Department

OAKLAND –Ruben Eric Calle has been charged with possession of child pornography announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Tatum King.

Calle, 54, of Concord, was charged in a criminal complaint filed October 29, 2019, and unsealed today.  According to the affidavit of a task force officer and member of the Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force filed in connection with the criminal complaint, Calle possessed more than 600 sexually explicit images of child pornography.  Law enforcement agents found the child pornography when they executed a search warrant at Calle’s residence on July 11, 2018.  The images found in Calle’s possession are alleged to include depictions of an adult engaging in sexually explicit conduct with prepubescent children, including an infant or toddler.  Allegedly, the images also include depictions of sadistic and/or masochistic conduct.

The investigation into Calle’s conduct began in 2018 when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received two CyberTips.  Based on the information provided, investigators traced the uploading of child pornography on a peer-to-peer service to Calle’s residence.

Calle was arrested today in Concord and made his initial appearance in federal court in Oakland before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna M. Ryu.  Calle’s next appearance is set for November 5 at 10:30 a.m. for a status and detention hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kandis A. Westmore.

A complaint merely alleges that crimes have been committed and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of 10 years (20 years if the images depict prepubescent children), and a fine of $250,000, plus restitution for each violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252.  However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan U. Lee is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Jessica Gonzalez Rodriguez and Kathleen Turner.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Concord Police Department, and United States Department of Homeland Security.

Pittsburg parolee arrested after crashing into car following multi-city pursuit by Sheriff’s Deputies

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By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

On Sunday, October 6, 2019, at about 8:10 PM, a vehicle heading southbound on Highway 680 near North Main Street passed a Deputy Sheriff at a high rate of speed. The Deputy attempted a traffic enforcement stop on the vehicle. The car did not yield leading Deputies on a pursuit.

The suspect vehicle went into Pleasant Hill, Concord, and Pittsburg before heading into Bay Point. While fleeing eastbound on the 2100 block of Willow Pass Road, the suspect struck a vehicle pulling out of a business. The three occupants in the vehicle that was hit were injured and taken to the hospital for treatment.

The suspect was arrested. He is identified as 27-year-old Conrad Mariscal of Pittsburg. He was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on numerous charges including felony evading, reckless driving, possession of a controlled substance and transporting a controlled substance. Mariscal, who was also on parole, is being held without bail.

Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600. For any tips, please email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call 866-846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

San Pablo woman indicted by Grand Jury for 42 criminal counts in widespread real estate fraud case

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Mercedes Gonzales. Photo by CCDA.

By Scott Alonso, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa District Attorney

Martinez, Calif. – Today, a grand jury indictment was unsealed against Mercedes Gonzales, a 25-year-old resident of San Pablo. The allegations in the indictment detail repeated criminal conduct committed by Gonzales against unsuspecting victims desiring to rent a house or room in West Contra Costa County, Sonoma County and Solano County.

In total there are 23 victims associated with the indictment. Gonzales was also charged in a criminal complaint filed earlier this week about a recent allegation of grant theft and receiving stolen property involving two victims. Overall, the prosecution was aided as a result of a joint investigation by the Richmond Police Department and the District Attorney’s Special Operations Division, Real Estate Fraud Unit. The Vallejo Police Department also assisted during the investigation and arrested the defendant last weekend.

In the spring of 2019, the Richmond Police Department received numerous complaints from victims about a real estate scam. An investigation was underway and ultimately the defendant was arrested and charged. During the summer additional information came to light about more allegations of fraud against more victims.

During late 2018 and throughout 2019, the defendant showed houses available for rent and posted about the listings on social media in Spanish. She would use an alias to post the listing on social media, including Facebook, and claimed she worked at Kaiser in Richmond. However, the defendant did not own or have the authority to rent the unit. The victims in turn paid the defendant in cash, money orders and cashier’s checks. Gonzales created fictitious rental agreements with the victims and collected deposits.

Gonzales appeared in-custody for an arraignment in Department 3 of the Contra Costa County Superior Court before the Honorable Patricia Scanlon. She pleaded not guilty to the charges alleged in the indictment. She is in custody and her bail is $540,000.

The investigations related to the alleged fraudulent activities committed by Gonzales is active and going. Members of the public with any information related to the defendant should call Richmond Police Department Sergeant Tong at 510-620-6668.

Deputy District Attorney Kristina McCosker is the prosecutor assigned to the case on behalf of the People. DDA McCosker is with our Special Operations Division, Real Estate Fraud Unit.

“The District Attorney’s Office Real Estate Fraud Unit cautions any member of the public when viewing a rental property. Please ensure that you see the entire property inside and outside as well as checking rental and sales websites to confirm no one else is listing the unit,” stated DDA McCosker. “Any suspicious activity can be reported to our Fraud Unit at 866-223-7283 in English or Spanish.”

Case information: People v. Mercedes Alexis Gonzales, Docket Number 05-191863-0 and People v. Mercedes Alexis Gonzales, Docket Number 01-191503-2.

Mujer de San Pablo acusada por un gran jurado por 42 cargos criminales y caso generalizado de fraude de bienes raíces

Martinez, Calif. – Hoy, se desveló una acusación del gran jurado contra Mercedes Gonzales, una mujer de 25 años, residente de San Pablo.  Las alegaciones en la acusación detallan la conducta criminal cometida por Gonzales contra víctimas desprevenidas que deseaban alquilar una casa o habitación en los Condados de Contra Costa, Sonoma, e Solano.

En total existen 23 víctimas asociadas en la acusación. Gonzales, también fue acusado en una denuncia penal presentada a principios de esta semana sobre una denuncia reciente de robo de subvención y la recepción de propiedad robada que involucra a dos víctimas. En general, la fiscalía recibió ayuda como resultado de una investigación conjunta del Departamento de Policía de Richmond y la unidad de Fraude de Bienes Raíces de la División de Operaciones Especiales del fiscal de distrito. El Departamento de Policía de Vallejo también ayudó durante la investigación y arrestó la acusada el fin de semana pasado.

En la primavera de 2019, el Departamento de Policía de Richmond recibió numerosas quejas de las víctimas sobre una estafa de bienes raíces. Una investigación tomo acabo y finalmente la acusada fue arrestada y acusada.  Durante el verano salió a la luz información adicional sobre mas denuncias de fraude contra más víctimas.

A finales de 2018 y a lo largo de 2019, la acusada mostró casas disponibles para alquilar y publicó sobre los listados en las redes sociales en español. Ella usaría un alias para publicar anuncios en las redes sociales, incluyendo Facebook, y afirmó que trabajaba en Kaiser de Richmond. Sin embargo, la acusada no era propietaria ni tenía la autoridad para alquilar la unidad. Las víctimas a su vez le pagaron a la acusada en efectivo, giros postales y cheques de caja. Gonzales creó acuerdos de alquiler ficticios con las víctimas y cobro depósitos.

Gonzales apareció bajo custodia por un juicio en el Departamento 3 de la Corte Superior del Condado de Contra Costa ante la Honorable Patricia Scanlon. Ella se declaró inocente de los cargos alegados en la acusación. Ella está bajo custodia y su fianza es de $540,000.

Las investigaciones relacionadas con las presuntas actividades fraudulentas cometidas por Gonzales están activas y continúan a tomarse acabo. Los miembros del público con cualquier información relacionada con la acusada deben llamar al sargento Tong del departamento de Policía de Richmond al 510-620-6668.

La fiscal del distrito Kristina McCosker es la fiscal asignada al caso en nombre del condado. Kristina McCosker está asignada a la División de Operaciones Especiales, en la unidad de Fraude de Bienes Raíces.

“La Unidad de Fraude de Bienes Raíces de la Oficina del Fiscal del Distrito advierte a cualquier miembro del público cuando ve una propiedad en alquiler. Asegúrese de ver toda la propiedad por dentro y por fuera, así como consultar los sitios web de alquiler y ventas para confirmar que nadie más este listando la unidad,” dijo Kristina McCosker. “Cualquier actividad sospechosa se puede reportar a la unidad de Fraude al 866-223-7283 en inglés o español”.

Información de caso: People v. Mercedes Alexis Gonzales, Numero de caso: 05-191863-0 e People v. Mercedes Alexis Gonzales, Numero de caso 01-191503-2.

 

Martinez woman gets three years in prison for embezzling over $200,000 from her employer

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Second employer she admitted to embezzling from

By U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of California, Department of Justice

SAN FRANCISCO – Karen Posey was sentenced today to 36 months in prison, and ordered to pay restitution for stealing more than $200,000 from her former employer, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and FBI Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett.

Posey pleaded guilty on December 11, 2018 to four counts of wire fraud, one count of bank fraud, and one count of access device fraud.  According to the plea agreement, Posey worked from July 2016-December 2017 as the business manager at a San Francisco-based architecture firm that designs schools and other public spaces nationwide with a focus on making them accessible to the disabled.  While employed there, Posey stole approximately $235,000 from the company.  She did so using various methods, including by writing unauthorized company checks to herself and then depositing them into her personal bank account, by using a corporate credit card to pay for personal expenses, and by using a corporate ATM card to withdraw large sums of cash.  In addition, as part of her plea agreement Posey admitted that, prior to working at the architecture firm, she worked at another San Francisco-based conservation company, where she embezzled more than $48,000 using similar means.

Posey, 58 of Martinez, CA, was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 30, 2018.  The seven count Indictment charged her with four counts of Wire Fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343 (Counts One through Four), one count of Aggravated Identity Theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1028A; one count of Bank Fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1344(2) (Count Six); and one count of Fraudulent Use of Unauthorized Access Devices, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1029(a)(2) (Count Seven).

The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Charles R. Breyer, U.S. District Court Judge.  Judge Breyer also sentenced the defendant to a three-year period of supervised release to begin at the completion of the prison term and ordered her to pay restitution to the two companies from which she stole money.  The defendant will begin serving the sentence on October 4, 2019.

Ross Weingarten is the Assistant U.S. Attorney who is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Marina Ponomarchuk.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

 

Walnut Creek woman sentenced to 28 months in prison for mail theft conspiracy with boyfriend targeting S.F. apartment complex

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Tyler Goforth and Jesslyn Felix in a photo posted on his Facebook page Oct. 3, 2017.

Boyfriend, also of Walnut Creek, sentenced in August to 27 months in prison

By U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of California, Department of Justice

SAN FRANCISCO/SAN JOSE/OAKLAND – Jesslyn Felix was sentenced today to 28 months in prison, and ordered to pay restitution for her role in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud stemming from a mail theft scheme, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and United States Postal Inspection Service Inspector in Charge Rafael Nuñez.  The Honorable Maxine M. Chesney, U.S. District Judge, handed down the sentence. (See related article).

Felix, 35, of Walnut Creek, Calif., pleaded guilty to the charge on May 29, 2019.  According to her plea agreement, Felix admitted that she and her co-defendant, Tyler Goforth, 35, also of Walnut Creek, traveled repeatedly to the Beacon Apartment Complex, a large apartment building in San Francisco, to steal mail from Beacon residents.  The defendants visited the Beacon more than a dozen times between August 2017 and February 2018.  Felix and Goforth would enter one of the mailrooms at the Beacon, force open mailboxes, and then steal mail.  They then used personal information and documents found in the stolen mail to steal money from Beacon residents, which they spent for personal gain.  Specifically, Felix and Goforth activated credit and debit cards in the victims’ names, stole checks and gift cards, accessed bank accounts belonging to Beacon residents, and stole photo identifications which they then used to carry out their scheme to steal money.  In total, Felix and Goforth stole mail from more than 80 residents of the Beacon and stole more than $40,000 from them.

Mr. Goforth was sentenced for his role in the conspiracy on August 14, 2019, to 27 months in prison, to be followed by a three-year period of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution.

A federal grand jury indicted Felix and Goforth on January 15, 2019.  The 14-count indictment charged each defendant with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349; five counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §1343; six counts of theft of mail, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §1708; one count of aggravated identity theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §1028A; and one count of possession with intent to use or transfer five or more documents or authentication features, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §1028(a)(3).  Felix and Goforth both pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge on May 29, 2019.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Chesney ordered Felix to serve a three-year period of supervised release to begin at the completion of the prison term.  Felix has been in custody since May 1, 2019.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ross Weingarten is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Marina Ponomarchuk.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service.