Contra Costa Herald

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

Cal State East Bay President Cathy Sandeen to step down

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CSU East Bay President Cathy Sandeen. Photo: Cal State East Bay

CSU Chancellor Mildred García issues statement

By Amy Bentley-Smith & Warren Robak, Media Relations & Public Affairs, The California State University

On May 20, 2026, California State University, East Bay President Cathy Sandeen announced that she will step down from the presidency at the end of the 2026 calendar year. Sandeen is the university’s sixth president and has served in the role since 2021.

In her announcement, Sandeen wrote:

“Dear Cal State East Bay community, friends and supporters,

The end of this calendar year will mark my sixth year serving as your president, and my thirteenth year overall as a university president or chancellor. Those years have been filled with unforgettable moments, extraordinary people, and the profound privilege of serving students whose determination and dreams inspire me every day.

“As we reflect on the hope, pride, and joy that filled our recent commencement ceremonies, I want to share some deeply personal news with you. There is no easy way to say this because this community has meant so much to me, but after a great deal of reflection and consideration, I have made the decision to step down as president of Cal State East Bay at the end of 2026. This was not a decision I arrived at lightly.

“I joined Cal State East Bay in January 2021, in the depths of the Covid-19 pandemic, before vaccines were widely available. You welcomed me into this community (on Zoom, mostly!) and together we emerged from the pandemic united in our mission to serve local East Bay students. Over the years we have worked hard to adjust to declining enrollments and reduced state budget allocations all the while maintaining and even improving student success metrics, like graduation and retention rates and achieving the Seal of Excelencia.

“We brought the campus back to life while also retaining flexible learning options through online and hybrid programs. We enhanced the sense of belonging for all students through our various student success and support units. We opened two new buildings: the impressive CORE Library and the fully donor-funded Braddock Center. We created a College of Health. Our faculty developed new degrees and refined existing programs. The new BS in Civil Engineering and the online MS in Speech-Language Pathology, among others, come to mind.

“Our marketing teams elevated the awareness and reputation of the university and we all welcomed Perry the Peregrine Falcon as our new mascot. We built stronger partnerships with our surrounding community. The many new MOUs with our local school districts are a shining example. Enrollments have improved. Spirits have improved. We are on steady footing because at Cal State East Bay, when confronted by challenges, we take action.

“This clarity and focus, as reflected in our Future Directions strategic plan, caught the attention of MacKenzie Scott’s foundation culminating in a $50 million gift to our Educational Foundation last November.

“Between now and the end of December, our work will continue and I remain fully committed to building on current progress. We will check in on our Future Direction priorities as well as our planning for the upcoming WSCUC special visit. We will continue our efforts to increase enrollments and generate new non-state, non-tuition revenue streams. We will launch our brand new Staff Council, expanding shared governance to staff members. I am confident in our ability to maintain our positive momentum before “passing the baton” to the next leader.

“As a first-generation college graduate, born and raised in the East Bay—and a double CSU alum—it has been the honor of a lifetime to bring the experience I gained throughout my career right back home where I got my start. In my Commencement remarks this weekend, I shared what has been deeply true throughout my time here: it has been an extraordinary privilege to be part of our students’ educational journeys. Watching them grow, persevere, and achieve their dreams has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. It has also been a true gift to work alongside so many talented, compassionate, and dedicated people who care so deeply about our mission and each other. Together, we have changed lives in ways that ripple far beyond our campus.

“I look forward to working with purpose and determination from now until the end of December, because what we do matters immensely. No one creates life-changing opportunities for students, families, communities, and our region the way we do. This place will always hold a special place in my heart—I am Pioneer for life.

“With deepest gratitude to all of you,

Cathy Sandeen

President

——–

In response, CSU Chancellor Mildred García issued the following statement:

“Since joining Cal State East Bay in January 2021, President Sandeen has led with clarity, resilience and purpose, while positioning the university for long-term growth, regional impact and deeper community connection.

“Under her leadership, Cal State East Bay has strengthened enrollment, elevated its brand identity, revitalized campus pride and advanced a clearer sense of the university’s distinctive role in the East Bay region and beyond. President Sandeen has also strengthened the university’s academic mission and alignment with regional workforce needs through the creation of new academic programs and the expansion of pathways that prepare students for high-demand fields.

“During her tenure, the university also opened two new buildings and has seen consistent growth in sponsored programs and private giving, culminating in the landmark $50 million gift from MacKenzie Scott in November 2025 – one of the largest in CSU history.

“Guided by a deep commitment to student success, particularly those who are the first in their families to attend college, President Sandeen’s proactive and thoughtful engagement has fostered a more inclusive and equitable campus community and expanded meaningful connections across the East Bay region. This includes her instrumental role in re-energizing collaboration with the city of Hayward to foster a college-going culture in marginalized communities.

“President Sandeen will leave Cal State East Bay stronger, more connected to its community and better positioned for the future. On behalf of the entire California State University, I offer my deepest gratitude for her partnership, her integrity and her unwavering commitment to student success.”

The CSU will soon launch a national search for Sandeen’s successor. Under university policy, the chair of the CSU Board of Trustees and the chancellor will select a committee comprised of campus and community stakeholders to lead the search.

About Cal State East Bay

Cal State East Bay serves the East Bay through its Hayward campus and Concord center. The university was originally named the State College for Alameda County when it was officially established by the California State Assembly in 1957. The first academic year began in 1959. The university expanded its reach to Contra Costa County in 1992, opening a branch in Concord. The university changed its name to California State University, East Bay in 2005 to reflect its new regional service to Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

For nearly 66 years, Cal State East Bay has served the Bay Area as part of the California State University system, providing access to higher education for a diverse student body and advancing regional engagement through its academic programs and leadership. The university is a federally designated Asian American, Native American, Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI) and Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI).  Cal State East Bay has been recognized from everything from its diversity and social mobility potential to its business school and online education. For more information visit www.csueastbay.edu.

About the California State University

The California State University is the nation’s largest four-year public​ ​university system, providing transformational opportunities for upward mobility to more than 470,000 students from all socioeconomic backgrounds. More than half of CSU students are from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds, and more than one-quarter of undergraduates are first-generation college students. Because the CSU’s 22 universities* provide a high-quality education at an incredible value, they are rated among the best in the nation for promoting social mobility in national college rankings from U.S. News & World Report, the Wall Street Journal and Washington Monthly. The CSU powers California and the nation, sending more than 123,000 career-ready graduates into the workforce each year. In fact, one in every 20 Americans holding a college degree earned it at the CSU. Connect with and learn more about the CSU in the CSU newsroom.

*Transition to 22 universities in progress (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Cal Maritime integrating)—​official fall 2026​.​

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

City of Concord offers first time homebuyer subsidy program

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Up to $60,000 for downpayment; Introductory Workshop May 19th

By Walter Zhovreboff, Administrative Director, Bay Area Affordable Homeownership Alliance, City of Concord Program Administrator

Tuesday May 19, 2026 6PM to 7:30PM

The City of Concord, along with the Bay Area Affordable Homeownership Alliance (BAAHA) and A-1 Housing Community Services (A-1 CHS), is hosting a workshop to introduce Concord’s First Time Home Buyer program. The virtual zoom workshop will be held from 6:00pm to 7:30pm on Tuesday May 19, 2026.

Concord’s First Time Home Buyer Program (FTHB) assists low- to moderate-income first-time homebuyers with purchasing a home in Concord. The FTHB loan does not charge an interest rate or require monthly payments. The loan must be repaid in full within 15 years, at which point the City receives the original principal amount plus a share of the home’s increased value.

The FTHB program provides the following valuable resources.

  • Down Payment Assistance Funds – Eligible low- to moderate-income first-time homebuyers could receive up to $60,000 through the City FTHB; and up to an additional $40,000 provided through other organizations. FTHB funds can either increase the purchase power and/or decrease the cost of ownership for eligible first-time homebuyers. FTHB funds are strictly limited to purchasing homes within Concord city limits.
  • Homebuyer Education and Counseling – A-1 CHS, a HUD approved non-profit homebuyer education and counseling organization, will be delivering free homebuyer education and counseling to interested applicants. Education and counseling assists homebuyers with establishing a stronger understanding of the requirements, steps, and capacity for households to purchase a home. FTHB homebuyers must secure a HUD approved education and counseling certificate of completion in order to secure Concord’s FTHB funds and other partnering funding sources.

The FTHB introductory workshop will provide additional details on:

  • FTHB Funds – directed towards assisting low- to moderate-income first-time homebuyers to purchase a home in Concord.
  • FTHB Participation Guidelines – an overview of Program requirements and guidelines to receive access to FTHB resources and funds.
  • Next Steps – for eligible first-time homebuyers to take in order to access FTHB’s beneficial homebuyer resources.

Workshop presenters will include:

  • City of Concord – housing staff will introduce the FTHB program.
  • Bay Area Affordable Homeownership Alliance (BAAHA) – the City’s contracted FTHB administrator will provide additional information on FTHB and the steps required to become an FTHB participant.
  • A-1 Community Housing Services – a representative will provide information on HUD approved required FTHB homebuyer education; and on financial and homebuyer counseling available for eligible Concord residents and workforce.

A reservation is required to attend the free FTHB Informational Virtual Zoom workshop. To make a reservation please go to BAAHA’s FTHB workshop webpage at https://www.myhomegateway.org/concord-fthb-introworkshop.html. Reservations must be submitted by no later than 7:00PM Monday May 18, 2026.

About BAAHA

The Bay Area Affordable Homeownership Alliance, Inc., or BAAHA, is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that was formed as the successor organization of a public joint powers authority, the East Bay Delta Housing & Finance Agency (AKA the Bay Area HomeBuyer Agency). BAAHA’s mission is to promote homeownership for low to moderate income and workforce homebuyers in the San Francisco Bay Area region. We will accomplish our mission by: Supporting the preservation of affordable homeownership in the community Expanding affordable homeownership opportunities Structuring a comprehensive, informational and educational resource and service clearinghouse

 

Concord City Council approves Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Program for 1,000 affordable units

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Examples of multifamily housing located within the Study Area include the Argent (left) and Galindo Terrace (right) projects currently under construction. Renderings source: City of Concord

Rezoned 10 parcels for five development sites

By Colleen Awad, City of Concord Community Relations Manager

Concord, CA – On Tuesday, March 10, 2026, the Concord City Council approved the City’s Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) Program, a key initiative designed to expand equitable housing opportunities and support Concord’s long-term housing strategy.

The AFFH Program fulfills requirements under California state law, which directs jurisdictions to proactively plan for a diverse range of housing opportunities, particularly in higher-resource areas with strong access to employment, education, transit, and community services. Implementation of the program was identified as a commitment in the City’s state-certified 2023–2031 Housing Element.

In Concord, the AFFH program is being implemented through an overlay zoning approach, allowing up to 60 dwelling units per acre on approximately 20 acres of land. The overlay zoning district allows higher-density residential uses in addition to the uses already permitted. This approach enables residential development consistent with the AFFH Program while preserving the underlying zoning regulations and currently permitted uses.

As part of the approval, the City Council amended the Concord Municipal Code to apply the AFFH Overlay Zoning District to five sites that include 10 parcels: the former Kmart property; Clayton Faire near Centre Concord, along Clayton Road; Palm Lake Apartments at 780 Oak Grove Road; 5390 Myrtle Drive; and 1539 Kirker Pass Road. In total, the program allows for the potential development of up to 1,000 new housing units across these five sites.

“The AFFH Program represents an important milestone in Concord’s efforts to expand housing opportunities throughout the community,” said Mayor Nakamura. “This program, shaped through robust public engagement, supports the City’s commitment to fair and equitable housing while maintaining flexibility for property owners and ensuring thoughtful growth in areas with strong access to jobs, transportation, and services.”

For more Existing Multifamily Housing Examples located within the Study Area click, here.

For more information about the AFFH Program, please visit www.cityofconcord.org/AFFH.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Suspect in 2023 Pleasant Hill homicide found guilty of first-degree murder of Concord man

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Andre Aaron Barocio, Jr. was arrested in Mexico in May 2023. Photo source: Pleasant Hill PD

37-year-old Hercules man fled to Mexico, has history of arrests

By Pleasant Hill Police Department

On April 3, 2023, around 1:15 am, Pleasant Hill Police officers responded to the parking lot in front of Farrington’s Bar at 1938 Contra Costa Blvd. for the report of a shooting. Officers found a 37-year-old Oscar Laredo-Arellano, deceased in the parking lot from a gunshot wound to his head and determined he had been shot following an argument. 37-year-old Andre Aaron Barocio, Jr. (born 4/21/1988) of Hercules was identified as the suspect in the shooting.  (See related article)

In May of 2023, PHPD detectives, with the help of federal law enforcement and Mexican state police, located Barocio, Jr. in Mexico. Barocio Jr. was arrested and returned to the United States for trial.

In March 2026, Barocio, Jr.’s murder trial began in Contra Costa County Superior Court. On April 8, 2026, Barocio, Jr. was found guilty of first-degree murder and will be sentenced in June 2026.

In addition, then-32-year-old Angelo Martinez Delacruz of Antioch (born 5/31/90) was identified as a suspect in the shooting. In April 2023 he was arrested in Douglas County, Nevada. Upon extradition, police booked him into the Martinez Detention Facility for assault with a firearm. (See related article)

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, eight-inch tall, 260-pound Barocio, Jr. is being held in the Martinez Detention Facility and his next court appearance is scheduled for June 25, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. in Martinez Superior Court.

According to localcrimenews.com, he has a history of arrests dating back to 2014 by a variety of agencies in Contra Costa and Alameda counties on multiple violence, gun and drug charges and driving violations.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Kit Jory promoted to role of Concord Public Works Director

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Kit Jory is the new Public Works Director for the City of Concord.

By Colleen Awad, City of Concord Community Relations Manager

Concord, CA (February 10, 2026) – City Manager Valerie Barone announced today that Public Works Division Manager Kit Jory has been promoted to Public Works Director for the City of Concord, effective February 16, 2026. He replaces Director William Tarbox who served in the position since December 2021 according to his LinkedIn profile.

“Over the past several years, Kit Jory has demonstrated strong leadership and a deep understanding of the needs of our city’s residents. He has led numerous initiatives to effectively and efficiently deliver public works services to our community and to beautify our City; and I look forward to seeing the lasting impact of his leadership,” said Barone.

In this new role, Jory will be responsible for the City’s infrastructure maintenance (roads, trees, buildings, medians, sewer, stormwater, and parks) and will oversee a team of 94 skilled and dedicated public employees.

Since 2022, he has served as the Public Works Division Manager. In this role, he has led the City’s successful overhaul of maintenance operations across parks and made substantial advances in the City’s Urban Forestry Program.

Prior to joining the City of Concord, Jory served as Community Services Superintendent and City Arborist for the City of Fremont, and as an Operations and Management Crew Leader in Public Works for the City of Modesto. He brings over 20 years of experience in both private industry and public agencies. He holds a Master of Science Degree in Management and Leadership and a Master of Public Administration with an emphasis on organizational change.

On accepting the position, Jory said, “I am extremely grateful and excited for the opportunity to continue to serve such a diverse community, professional and collaborative City staff, and a forward-thinking City Council in this leadership role.”

For more information about the City of Concord Public Works Department visit Public Works | Concord, CA.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

 

Antioch co-op store vendor finds early, autographed Beyoncé poster

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Derek Baker with his valuable and rare Solano Swap Meet find of the Girls Tyme poster with Beyoncé’s autograph inside his space at Rivertown Treasure Chest in downtown Antioch. Photos courtesy of Derek Baker.

Local treasure hunter buys it at Concord drive-in swap meet, offers it for sale at $4 million

Oakley resident Derek Baker is a part time vintage treasure hunter who frequents garage sales, estate sales and flea markets looking for interesting items he can flip for profit.  He sells on eBay, through his own personal network and at a vintage co-op store in downtown Antioch called the Rivertown Treasure Chest.  Comic books are his focus, but he tries to keep his mind open to anything that comes his way.

One Sunday morning, Baker was at the West Wind Solano Swap Meet & Public Market at the drive-in in Concord, when he noticed a pile of concert posters on the ground.  The vender was the type of person who cleaned out homes or storage units and likely had no idea of what they really had.  Many of the posters had the kind of art that would be associated with The Grateful Dead or other similar bands, which can fetch a good price. Some of the posters had inscriptions and signatures on them.  So, he grabbed a stack, making sure to include all those with writing and got a bulk deal – 29 posters for $20.

Baker found his treasure at the Solano Swap Meet at the Westwind Drive-In in Concord.

They were almost all good posters that, in turn, can be sold for $10 to $30 each.  One poster was even related to the Grateful Dead as it appears to have a signature from Vince Welnick, who played for the band at one time.  However, the real gem was a pop culture piece of history from 1992.  A poster of “Girl’s Tyme” – later known as Destiny’s Child – from their performance on Star Search.

The poster was printed and displayed for the live studio audience of Star Search to view as they attended the performance.  It is unknown how many of these were actually printed for use inside the theater.  Being that they lost that night, it is likely almost all of them, if not all the rest of them, were thrown in the trash when the theater was being prepared for the next evening’s performances.  This particular copy appears to have been saved by one of the band’s managers at the time, Alonzo ‘Lonnie’ Jackson, who had several of the girls personalize it for him.

Beyoncé Knowles was 11 years old, and she already knew she was going to be a star.  Not only did she sign her name but also added her autograph. Only one other girl even thought to sign her name, Ashley Tamar Davis.  Two others inscribed notes but didn’t even put their names down. But Beyoncé already knew one day she would be the Queen B.

Baker’s poster appears to be the first signature and autograph of Beyoncé on any professional promotional material. Some baseball card collectors have told him that it’s like having the signature on a rookie card of one of the most popular players of all time.

The section of the poster with Beyoncé Knowles’ (now Carter) signature and autograph.

Baker purchased the poster in April 2025 and since then, he has had James Spence Authentication (JSA) certify that they believe it to be genuine. Star Search has since been rebooted on Netflix, making this a ‘Tymely’ treasure find.  Being a piece of pop culture history for both Star Search and Beyonce, it may be a museum-worthy artifact. Baker thinks the new Hip Hop museum opening in the Bronx this year would be a good home.

The poster may be a ‘unicorn’ with no other piece to compare it to.  How much is it worth?  Is it a $1,000 poster or a $10 million poster? One suggestion is that he travel to Las Vegas to have it valued by Pawn Stars from the famous TV show which Baker said he might do.

The value or rather price he can get for the poster – which is the only true value of such an item – is unknown, for now. But Baker will eventually find out as he has it up for sale, asking $4 million.  Maybe a super-fan from the BeyHive, as Beyoncé’s fanbase is known, or a museum benefactor will let him know.

Interested? Stop by and see Baker and more of his treasures for sale at the Rivertown Treasure Chest in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown at 306 G Street. Or make him an offer on ebay.

Good luck Derek!

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Two Concord men among four charged in Fremont jewelry store heist

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20-year-old Jose Herrada-Aragon, 19-year-old Andres Palestino, two others stole $1.7 million of merchandise, each face 20 years in prison and $250,000 fine

By Michelle Lo, PIO, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of California

OAKLAND – A federal grand jury has indicted four defendants, Afatupetaiki Faasisila, 20, of San Bruno, Jose Herrada-Aragon, 20, of Concord, Andres Palestino, 19, of Concord, and Tom Parker Donegan, 19, of Fairfield, in connection with the June 18, 2025, robbery of a jewelry store in Fremont.  Faasisila and Palestino were arrested yesterday and made their initial appearances in district court today.  Herrada-Aragon and Donegan are currently in state custody on other charges and will be transferred to federal custody.

Faasisila, Herrada-Aragon, Palestino, and Donegan were initially charged by complaint on December 8, 2025, and subsequently indicted on December 18, 2025.  The indictment, unsealed today, charges each defendant with one count of robbery affecting interstate commerce.  According to the criminal complaint and other court documents, on June 18, 2025, over two dozen masked individuals conducted a takeover-style robbery of a Kumar Jewelers located on Mowry Avenue in Fremont.  Surveillance video captured a gray Honda ramming into the store’s front façade to force entry.  One individual brandished a firearm at the store’s security guard, while another held the guard’s arms and forced him to the ground.  Dozens of masked individuals, including Faasisila, Herrada-Aragon and Palestino, allegedly stormed the business, which was occupied at the time.  Once inside, the robbers used hammers and other tools to smash display cases and grab the jewelry contained within, resulting in an estimated loss of approximately $1.7 million worth of jewelry.  After ransacking the store, the robbers left with the stolen goods and got into waiting vehicles to flee. (See additional details in the NBC Bay Area news report)

The complaint alleges that Donegan drove one of the getaway vehicles, leading responding police officers on a vehicle pursuit before eventually crashing the car in another part of Fremont.  There, the four defendants exited the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot, only to be apprehended by officers.  Several pieces of stolen jewelry were recovered in the defendants’ flight path and the abandoned vehicle, which had also been reported stolen.

United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani made the announcement.

Palestino is next scheduled to appear in federal court in Oakland for an arraignment on January 14, 2026, and Faasisila is next scheduled to appear for a detention hearing on January 16, 2026.

A complaint or indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  If convicted, the defendants each face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the count of robbery affecting interstate commerce in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1951(a) and 2.  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.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sloan Heffron and Wendy Garbers of the Violent Crime Strike Force are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Lakisha Holliman and Yenni Weinberg.  The prosecution is the result of a joint investigation by the FBI and the Fremont Police Department.

Anyone who has information relevant to this case can report it by contacting the FBI at (415) 553-7400 or tips.fbi.gov.

According to localcrimenews.com, Herrada-Aragon was also arrested on Aug. 31, 2025, by Concord Police for warrants or holds only.

According to the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, as of this morning, Palestino was being transferred to another facility.

Further Information:

Case No. 25-cr-00435-HSG

Electronic court filings and further procedural and docket information are available at https://ecf.cand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.  Judges’ calendars with schedules for upcoming court hearings can be viewed on the court’s website at www.cand.uscourts.gov.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

Concord man charged with murdering parents on New Year’s Eve

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61-year-old Kirk Laroy Richardson held on $4 million bail

By Allen D. Payton

As previously reported, on Dec. 31, 2025, at approximately 7:00 a.m., Concord Police Department officers responded to a 911 call reporting a family disturbance in the 3900 block of Walnut Avenue. Upon arrival, officers located two individuals, a 90-year-old man and an 85-year-old woman, who were deceased from apparent gunshot wounds. A third individual at the residence was detained and subsequently arrested in connection with the incident.

According to the Concord Police Department in a Facebook post on Jan. 2, 2026, “This case was referred to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office for filing considerations. This morning, the District Attorney’s Office filed two counts of Murder (PC187) with enhancements for use of a firearm, against 61-year-old Kirk Richardson for the murder of his parents. Richardson remains in custody and is being held in lieu of $4 million bail.”

According to Ted Asregadoo, PIO for the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office, “Kirk Laroy Richardson was arraigned today, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at 1:30 pm in Martinez in Department 6 (Judge David Goldstein). Richardson is in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility. His bond is currently listed on the Sheriff’s In-Custody Locator at four million dollars.”

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, ten-inch tall, 200-pound Richardson is Hispanic and has another court date scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 8, also at 1:30 p.m. in Superior Court Department 5 in Martinez.

“Attached is the complaint our office filed with the court on 1/2/26 that lists the charges,” Asregadoo added. According to the complaint, Richardson is charged with two counts of murder and faces 25 years to life in prison for each count.

01-26-00001 – KLRichardson Charging Document

Ex-Danville biology teacher, San Ramon cheer coach from Concord gets prison for child exploitation

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Nicholas Brandon Moseby. Photo source: The Rob Harvey on Facebook

44-year-old Nicholas Brandon Moseby sentenced to the maximum 3 years, 8 months

Following arrest in September 2022, conviction last October and investigation by multi-agency task force

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

Martinez, California – Former San Ramon Valley School District biology teacher and cheerleading coach Nicholas Brandon Moseby, 44, from Concord, was sentenced to state prison on December 31st, 2025, after being convicted of sexually abusing and exploiting minors.

Moseby was sentenced by the Honorable Joni T. Hiramoto to three years and 8 months in state prison — the maximum term of incarceration allowed by law — and ordered to register for life as a sex offender.

After the court proceedings, Moseby was remanded into custody to immediately serve his prison sentence.

The investigation into and eventual arrest of Moseby occurred on September 14th, 2022. That’s when the Contra Costa County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force served a search warrant at Moseby’s residence in Concord after receiving a report he had sent harmful material to a minor. The subsequent investigation determined Moseby had also unlawfully touched several different minors at schools he taught at, and during cheerleading training session in the San Ramon area.

After a five-week trial in September and October 2025, Moseby was found guilty of lewd acts with a child and sending harmful material to a minor, both felonies. Moseby was also convicted of two misdemeanors, sexual battery and annoying and molesting a minor.

“This sentencing marks the end of a three-year legal process and delivers long-awaited justice for the brave victims who came forward,” said Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton. “We hope this outcome brings them a measure of closure and affirms that their voices were heard.”

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Jessica Murad with the Sexual Assault Unit for the District Attorney’s Office. The Contra Costa County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force led the investigation with significant assistance from the Danville Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations. The Task Force includes detectives and investigators from the police departments of Walnut Creek, Concord, Pleasant Hill, Brentwood, Pittsburg, San Ramon, Danville, Oakley and Moraga, as well as the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Secret Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and Inspectors from the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office.

Case No. 01-22-01583 | The People of the State of California v. Moseby, Nicholas Brandon

Two shot, killed in Concord during family disturbance

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By Concord Police Department

CONCORD, CA – This morning, at approximately 7:00 a.m., Concord Police Department officers responded to a 911 call reporting a family disturbance in the 3900 block of Walnut Avenue. Upon arrival, officers located two individuals who were deceased from apparent gunshot wounds. A third individual at the residence was detained and subsequently arrested in connection with the incident.

There are no outstanding suspects and there is no active threat to the community. CPD detectives responded and the investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact CPD Major Crimes Unit Detective Luciano at (925) 603-5831.