Contra Costa Herald

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

Concord man sentenced to 70 years to life in prison for molesting girl

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

Last Friday, Contra Costa County Superior Court Judge Lewis Davis sentenced defendant John Benny Gomez of Concord to 70 years to life in state prison. Last year, a jury found defendant Gomez guilty of nine felonies, including the molestation of a female victim, Jane Doe, under the age of 10.

The criminal conduct by Gomez also included forcible oral copulation against Jane Doe and showing the victim pornographic images on his phone. The District Attorney’s Office does not disclose the age or victim’s name in a sexual assault case to protect the confidentiality of the victim.

The criminal conduct occurred in January 2018 at a residence in Concord. The defendant was in a position of trust with the victim. He committed the attack in a remote location at the residence and used force multiple times against Jane Doe. Fortunately, a mandated reporter at the victim’s school conveyed the attack to authorities, which promoted a criminal investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Diana Weiss with the Office’s Sexual Assault Unit. Concord Police Department was the lead law enforcement agency during the investigation. The trial lasted 24 days in June and July of 2018.

“The victim in this case is an innocent young girl. She did not ask for this. She was incredibly brave during this entire process. The defendant continues to this very day to not show any remorse or admit any responsibility for the horrific crimes he committed. I also want to express my deep appreciation for the jury in this case. The jurors heard ample evidence that the defendant was the sole person responsible for his criminal conduct,” said DDA Weiss.

Case information: People v. John Benny Gomez, Docket Number 05-180331-1

 

Sheriff investigating in-custody death of Clayton man at county jail on Sunday

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Martinez Dentention Facility. Photo by Harry H. on Foursquare

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

On Sunday, August 18, 2019, at about 11:20 PM, a Deputy Sheriff escorted a nurse to the cell of an inmate at the Martinez Detention Facility (MDF). They discovered the male inmate unresponsive on his bed.

Medical aid was immediately rendered. Additional medical staff at the jail responded and continued life saving measures until the fire department arrived.

The inmate was later pronounced deceased at the scene. He is identified as 35-year-old Benito Carrasco of Clayton.

He was arrested by the Clayton Police Department and booked into MDF on August 15, 2019. Carrasco was being held on charges that include burglary, grand theft, possession of stolen goods, possession of burglary tools, shoplifting, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was being held in lieu of $40,000 bail.

The in-custody death protocol was invoked. The investigation is ongoing by the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office and the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff.

Rep. DeSaulnier to host Immigration Town Hall in Concord Thurs., Aug. 22

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Rep. Mark DeSaulnier

Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) announced that he will host an Immigration Town Hall on August 22nd at 6:30 p.m. at Meadow Homes Elementary School in Concord.

This is the second in a series of town halls Congressman DeSaulnier is hosting on immigration. During the town hall, Mark will provide a firsthand account of what he witnessed at detention facilities on his two visits to the southern border and discuss the work he is doing in Congress to protect immigrant rights and ensure detainees are treated with the dignity they deserve. He will also discuss the Administration’s attacks on immigrant communities including its changes to asylum law, fight to put a citizenship question in the Census, and recently launched raids.

A variety of organizations will be on hand to provide legal resources, services, and information about protecting your rights—regardless of immigration status. Translation services will be available during the event.

This will be Congressman DeSaulnier’s 89th town hall and mobile district office hour since coming to Congress four years ago.

Immigration Town Hall
Thursday, August 22nd
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Meadow Homes Elementary School
1371 Detroit Avenue, Concord

Doors open at 6:00 p.m.

This event is open to the public, press, and photographers.

To confirm your attendance, please RSVP online at https://desaulnier.house.gov/town-hall-rsvp or call 925-933-2660. To request ADA accommodations or for more information contact one of Congressman DeSaulnier’s offices in either Walnut Creek or Richmond.

Concord man arrested for homicide in Saturday San Francisco shooting death

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By San Francisco Police

On Saturday, August 10, 2019 at -approximately 9:28 PM, San Francisco Police officers responded to a ShotSpotter notification in the area of the 1000 block of Oakdale Avenue. Officers arrived on scene and located 34year-old Dietrich Whitley, who was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Responding officers attempted lifesaving measures until relieved by paramedics. Mr. Whitley was taken to a hospital but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries.

The SFPD Homicide Detail began an investigation that led to the identification of a suspect. On Tuesday, August 13, 2019, investigators arrested 38-year-old Sauntek Harris of Concord in the city of Concord. He was booked at San Francisco County Jail on charges of homicide and a felon in possession of a firearm.

No booking photo is being released at this time due to pending identification matters.

Although an arrest has been made, investigators are asking anyone with information about this case to contact the San Francisco Police anonymously at 415-575-4444 or text-a-tip to TIP411 with SFPD at the start of the message.

Katie Volynets of Walnut Creek wins Girls’ 18s national tennis title, earns U.S. Open main draw wild card spot

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Katie Volynets, of Walnut Creek, Calif., and Zachary Svajda of San Diego with their trophies. Photos by USTA.

Top American juniors Katie Volynets, of Walnut Creek, Calif., and Zachary Svajda, of San Diego, won the USTA Girls’ and Boys’ 18s National Championships this past weekend, each earning wild cards into the main draw of the US Open and headlining the annual USTA National Championships that took place last week.

Katie Volynets returns a volley during her championship match.

The nation’s top junior tennis players competed in eight USTA National Championships across America. In addition to the US Open main draw wild cards awarded to the 18s singles and doubles champions, the singles runners-up in the Boys’ and Girls’ 18s divisions received wild card entries into the US Open Qualifying Tournament set to being on Monday, Aug. 19 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. Meanwhile, the Boys’ and Girls’ 16s champions earn wild card entries into the US Open Junior Championships.

Seventeen-year-old Volynets, won the USTA Billie Jean King Girls’ 18s National Championship, defeating Emma Navarro (18, Charleston, S.C.), 6-2, 6-4 in the finals at the Barnes Tennis Center in San Diego. Volynets, who will be making her US Open main draw debut, reached the semifinals at the ITF World Tennis Tour W25 events in Florence, S.C., and Norman, Okla., as a qualifier earlier this year. As the runner up, Navarro will compete in the US Open Qualifying Tournament.

Svajda defeated Govind Nanda (18, Loma Linda, Calif.), 6-7(3), 7-5, 6-3, 6-1, to win the USTA Boys’ 18s National Championship in Kalamazoo, Mich. The sixteen-year-old will be the youngest player to compete in the men’s singles main draw since American Donald Young did it in 2007. Nanda, who reached the boys’ 18s singles and doubles finals, received a wild card into the US Open Qualifying Tournament.

Reese Brantmeier (14, Whitewater, Wis.) and Alexander Bernard (15, Bonita Springs, Fla.) won the USTA Girls’ and Boys’ 16s National Championships singles titles, and will receive wild cards into the main draw of the US Open Junior Championships.

Complete results of the USTA National Championships can be found below. The complete draws are available at the USTA National Championships page on TennisLink.

Katie Volynets holds her trophy presented by Billie Jean King (right).

USTA Billie Jean King Girls’ 18s National Championships

Barnes Tennis Center, San Diego, August 3-11

Singles: (2) Katie Volynets (Walnut Creek, Calif.) d. (3) Emma Navarro (Charleston, S.C.), 6-2, 6-4

Doubles: (13) Abigail Forbes (Raleigh, N.C.) / Alexa Noel (Summit, N.J.) d. Gabriella Price (Boca Raton, Fla.) / Katrina Scott (Woodland Hills, Calif.), 7-5, 6-1

USTA Boys’ 18s National Championships

Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo, Mich., August 2-11

Singles: (6) Zachary Svajda (San Diego) d. (5) Govind Nanda (Cerritos, Calif.), 6-7(3), 7-5, 6-3, 6-1

Doubles: (1) Martin Damm (Bradenton, Fla.) / Toby Kodat (Bradenton, Fla.) d. (3) Brandon Nakashima (San Diego, Calif.) / Nanda, 6-3, 6-4

USTA Boys’ 16s National Championships

Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo, Mich., August 2-11

Singles: (1) Alexander Bernard (Bonita Springs, Fla.) d. (4) Aidan Mayo (Torrance, Calif.), 5-7, 6-2, 7-5

Doubles: (7) Hugo Hashimoto (San Jose, Calif.) / Benjamin Kittay (Potomac, Md.) d. (11) Lucas Brown (Plano, Texas) / Aidan Kim (Milford, Mich.), 6-4, 6-3

USTA Billie Jean King Girls’ 16s National Championships

Barnes Tennis Center, San Diego, August 3-11

Singles: (14) Reese Brantmeier (Whitewater, Wis.) d. (1) Valencia Xu (Livingston, N.J.), 6-2, 6-0

Doubles: (17) Elise Wagle (Niskayuna, N.Y.) / Katja Wiersholm (Kirkland, Wash.) d. Tara Malik (Seacaucus, N.J.) / Nikita Vishwase (Phoenix, Ariz.), 6-3, 6-0

USTA Boys’ 14s National Championships

Mobile Area Tennis Association, Mobile, Ala., August 3-10

Singles: (4) Cooper Williams (Greenwich, Conn.) d. (3) Nicholas Godsick (Chagrin Falls, Ohio), 6-1, 7-5

Doubles: (6) Alexander Razeghi (Humble, Texas) / Dylan Tsoi (El Dorado Hills, Calif.) d. (5) James Lian (Parsippany, N.J.) / Nicholas Mangiapane (Davidson, N.C.), 6-1, 6-1

USTA Girls’ 14s National Championships

Metro Tennis Associates, Rome, Ga., August 3-10

Singles: (3) Theadora Rabman (Port Washington, N.Y.) d. Brooklyn Olson (Mission Hills, Kan.), 6-7(1), 6-1, 6-1

Doubles: (17) Ananya Annapantula (Mason, Ohio) / Maddy Zampardo (Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich.) d. (17) Macy Hitchcock (Eaton, Ohio) / Piper Charney (Prospect, Ky.), 6-4, 6-0

USTA Boys’ 12s National Championships

Mobile Area Tennis Association, Mobile, Ala., August 3-10

Singles: (3) Maxwell Exsted (Savage, Minn.) d. (2) Abhinav Chunduru (Plano, Texas), 7-6(5), 6-0

Doubles: (2) Chunduru / Prathinav Chunduru (Plano, Texas) d. (1) Exsted / Cooper Woestendick (Olathe, Kan.), 6-4, 6-3

USTA Girls’ 12s National Championships

Windward Lake Club, Alpharetta, Ga., August 4-10

Singles: (4) Claire An (New York) d. (1) Bella Payne (Taylors, S.C.), 6-2, 6-2

Doubles: (1) Haylee Conway (Bellevue, Wash.) / Aspen Schuman (Menlo Park, Calif.) d. (5) Kate Fakih (Arcadia, Calif.) / Victoria Osuigwe (Bradenton, Fla.), 7-5, 4-6, 6-2

The USTA is the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the U.S. and the leader in promoting and developing the growth of tennis at every level — from local communities to the highest level of the professional game. A not-for-profit organization with more than 655,000 members, it invests 100% of its proceeds in growing the game. It owns and operates the US Open, one of the highest-attended annual sporting events in the world, and launched the US Open Series, linking seven summer WTA and ATP World Tour tournaments to the US Open. In addition, it owns approximately 90 Pro Circuit events throughout the U.S. and selects the teams for the Davis Cup, Fed Cup, Olympic and Paralympic Games. The USTA’s philanthropic entity, the USTA Foundation, provides grants and scholarships in addition to supporting tennis and education programs nationwide to benefit under-resourced youth through the National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) network. For more information about the USTA, go to USTA.com or follow the official accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat.

Walnut Creek man, former Seeno Construction executive found guilty of embezzlement, filing false tax returns

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Created shell company, funded expensive lifestyle and gambling losses

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

This past Friday, a Contra Costa County jury found defendant Edward Miller of Walnut Creek, California guilty as charged of four felonies tied to his criminal schemes to embezzle money from his employer Seeno Construction, Inc. and its affiliated entities. Miller was the former Chief Risk Officer for the Seeno Companies at the time of his criminal conduct.

Miller created a shell company to funnel funds held in trust from law firms representing the Albert Seeno Construction Company into his own personal accounts, using phony invoices to request that the law firms send him checks payable to a secret company he created. In turn, Miller claimed company expenses to hide the income and to avoid paying income taxes on the money he was collecting. Additionally, Miller used some of this money meant for the Seeno Companies to support his lifestyle at golf resorts and to account for his gambling losses. He spent this money at multiple casinos in Reno and Las Vegas.

“White collar crime is inherently complex, and this jury was willing to tackle a thorny body of evidence that wasn’t always straightforward,” Deputy District Attorney Adam Wilks stated. “This jury had to follow money moving across multiple bank accounts, and had to listen to testimony about issues of civil litigation, business formation, and interpersonal dealings within a corporate structure. The verdict in this case speaks volumes about our community, and specifically to those who sacrificed their time to be on this jury, have the sincere thanks of the Contra Costa County DA’s Office.”

Sentencing will occur later this fall in front of the Honorable Rebecca Hardie in Department 5 of the Contra Costa County Superior Court in Martinez. DDA Wilks prosecuted the case on behalf of the People. The case originated in the Office’s Special Operations Division, Real Estate Fraud Unit.

Case Information: People v. Edward Leroy Miller, Docket Number 05-180254-5

 

Concord native serves aboard U.S. Navy Guided-Missile Destroyer in Pearl Harbor

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Petty Officer 3rd Class Aries Socrates. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class David Finley.

By Lt. Courtney Prizer, Navy Office of Community Outreach

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii – A 2006 Contra Costa Christian High School graduate, 2013 Diablo Valley College graduate and Concord, California, native is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the guided-missile destroyer, USS Chung-Hoon.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Aries Socrates works as a Navy fire controlman AEGIS aboard the forward-deployed Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer operating out of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.

Socrates credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Concord.

“My hometown taught me the value of hard work and patience,” said Socrates, “Also, that the same day you plant the seed is not the same day that you will eat the fruit.”

Chung-Hoon measures approximately 500 feet and is powered by four gas turbines that allow the destroyer to achieve more than 30 mph in open seas.

Approximately 30 officers and 300 enlisted men and women make up the ship’s company. Their jobs are highly specialized and keep each part of the cruiser running smoothly, according to Navy officials. The jobs range from maintaining engines and handling weaponry to washing dishes and preparing meals.

As a Navy fire controlman AEGIS, Socrates is responsible for the computers and servers that provide the ship’s overall navigation and combat picture.

According to Navy officials, destroyers are tactical multi-mission surface combatants capable of conducting anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare, as well as humanitarian assistance. Fast, maneuverable, and technically advanced, destroyers provide the required war-fighting expertise and operational flexibility to execute any tasking overseas.

Being stationed in Pearl Harbor, often referred to as the gateway to the Pacific in defense circles, means Socrates is serving in a part of the world taking on a new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances, and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.

“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”

Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Socrates is most proud of graduating from boot camp and technical school and now serving on a ship stationed in Hawaii.

“Dedication and persistence to my personal goals and family helped to push me through to reach where I am now,” said Socrates.

As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Socrates and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes, one that will provide a critical component of the Navy the nation needs.

“Serving the Navy means working on and reflecting on myself and my goals,” added Socrates. “Through various obstacles presented on the job, I am constantly being tested, allowing me to build myself up in some way. I have been growing in patience, resilience, and physical strength, as well as taking more initiative.”

Two arrested in armed robbery of Round 1 video arcade in Concord

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Vincent Timmons and Gary Dillahunty. Photos by Concord PD

By Concord Police Department

On May 12th, 2019, Concord Police Officers responded to Round 1 (185 Sun Valley Mall) for an armed robbery in progress. Two masked men forced two employees into a locked cash room at gunpoint where the employees’ hands were zip tied behind their backs and cash was stolen. One of the employees was able to free herself and called for help. Numerous officers responded, cleared the business and found the suspects had fled. It was determined the suspects gained access through a normally secured employee entrance.

Detectives from the Concord Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit began a two month investigation into this robbery. They uncovered a conspiracy involving Round 1 security guard Gary Dillahunty, who was working the night of and facilitated the robbery. Detectives also identified 37-year-old Vincent Timmons as one of the suspects who committed the robbery. Last week a search warrant was served at Timmons’ home in San Francisco. Evidence linking Timmons to the Round 1 robbery as well as an illegal assault weapon, a handgun, and a large quantity of cocaine was found. Timmons, who is on parole for kidnapping, was located at the home and arrested for robbery.

Yesterday, with the assistance of the United States Marshals, 43-year-old Dillahunty, who is on parole for assault with a deadly weapon, was located at a home in Vacaville. He was arrested on an outstanding arrest warrant for the Round 1 robbery as well as a warrant for violating his parole.

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office has charged both men with multiple felonies including robbery, conspiracy, and kidnapping. They both remain in custody at the Contra Costa County Jail.

The investigation into others involved with this robbery, including the second masked suspect continues. The Concord Police Department would like to thank our partners with the San Francisco Police Department and the US Marshal’s for their assistance in bringing both of these suspects safely into custody.

The security guards working at Round 1 at the time of this robbery were employed by an outside security contractor. This information is being shared with the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, a regulator of the private security industry.

Anyone with information about this case may call the Concord Police Department Tip-line at ‪(925) 603-5836.

Brentwood man suspected in Concord homicide arrested in South Dakota

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Adam Renfroe. Photo courtesy of Concord PD.

By Concord Police Department

Earlier this month, Concord Police Officers responded to Motel 6 on Clayton Road for a possible shooting. When they arrived, they found the victim suffering from gunshot wounds. He was taken to the hospital where he died from his injuries. Information was quickly gathered, and the suspects were identified as Adam Renfroe and Robert Brown. Detectives from the Major Crimes Unit immediately obtained arrests warrants for Renfroe and Brown. (See related article.)

Yesterday morning, July 24, 2019, Adam Renfroe was arrested by US Marshals in Pierre, South Dakota on the murder warrant. Concord Detectives are in South Dakota to continue this investigation and arrange extradition to California. The second suspect, Robert Brown remains wanted in connection to this homicide. His whereabouts are unknown. No further information is available for release at this time.

Anyone with information about this case can contact Detective Giacoletto at (925) 671-3040 or the Anonymous Tip-line at (925) 603-5836.

Arrest made in Six Flags Hurricane Harbor shooting in Concord

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Donald Sims. Photo by Concord PD.

Felony attempted murder charges filed against him

By Concord Police Department

A nearly week-long investigation into a shooting at the Six Flags Hurricane Harbor shooting has ended in an arrest. (See related article)

On July 13th just before ‪5p.m., a man was shot in the parking lot of Six Flags Hurricane Harbor. Officers responded to the parking lot where they found a man suffering from a gunshot wound to his lower body. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was treated for serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

With the help of victim interviews and surveillance videos, Concord Police Detectives identified 28-year-old Donald Sims of Oakland as the shooter. Sims already had a warrant issued for his arrest out of the Oakland Police Department for an assault that happened several weeks before the shooting in Concord. On Thursday July 18th, Sims was captured by U.S. Marshals in Sacramento and was transferred to Santa Rita Jail on the Oakland PD warrant.

Our investigation revealed Sims and the victim were involved in a minor dispute in the parking lot of the water park. The victim was sitting in his car when Sims unexpectedly pulled a handgun from his car and fired at the victim.

On Monday July 22nd, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office filed felony attempted murder charges against Sims along with weapon enhancements for the shooting at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor. Additionally, Sims was charged by the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office with an unrelated assault with a firearm case out of Oakland. Sims remains in custody.