Contra Costa Herald

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

Contra Costa Deputy Sheriffs help save arrested man’s life Tuesday morning

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By Jimmy Lee, PIO, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

Narcan. Photo: CCCSO

Tuesday morning, July 19, 2022, at about 7:10, Contra Costa County Deputy Sheriffs at Martinez Detention Facility (MDF) intake were notified about an unconscious and unresponsive arrestee in the sally-port area.

The person, who was arrested by the San Pablo Police Department, was transported to MDF by a jailer, who attempted to revive the 40-year-old man before notifying deputies.

Deputies responded to the sally-port and provided two doses of Narcan, which is used in cases of suspected opioid overdose. Contra Cos-ta Health Services medical staff at MDF arrived and provided additional doses of Narcan.

The fire department and an ambulance responded to MDF. The arrestee was taken to Contra Costa Regional Medical Center in Martinez. The man later recovered and was dis-charged from the hospital this afternoon.

Young Pittsburg man shot early Sunday morning

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Evidence shows multiple suspects targeted victim

By Pittsburg Police Department

On Sunday morning at approximately 7:20 AM, Pittsburg Police officers responded to a residence on East 12th Street in regards to a shooting that had occurred several minutes prior. When officers arrived, they found the victim of a shooting and immediately began providing medical aid to the victim. The victim, a 24-year-old male resident of Pittsburg, sustained a single gunshot wound to the lower body. He was transported to John Muir Medical Center where he underwent emergency surgery and is currently listed in stable condition.

Shortly thereafter officers located the scene of the shooting, which was near the intersection of Railroad Avenue and E. 10th Street. Officers collected multiple items of evidence from the shooting and based on initial information, it appears there were multiple suspects that targeted the victim. Officers are currently contacting witnesses and collecting surveillance video from the area in order to identify the suspects. Additional information is not available at this time.

The Pittsburg Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance and asks anyone with additional information to please contact the Pittsburg Police Department tip line at (925)-252-4040.

Brentwood City Council increases penalties for illegal marijuana cultivation

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Citations are $100 daily on each and every marijuana plant for first violation, $200 for the second, $500 for third and subsequent violations.

By Darin Gale, Assistant City Manager, City of Brentwood

The Brentwood City Council approved a new ordinance clarifying that administrative fines can be placed daily on each and every marijuana plant cultivated in excess of the number of plants allowed by state law to combat illegal grows.

Since 2017, the City has regulated marijuana activity in the City and incorporated the requirements of State law into its Municipal Code, allowing the City to levy administrative citation fines for marijuana violations of cultivation of over six plants.  Unfortunately, since 2017 the City has had numerous illegal indoor grows of marijuana, including grows of thousands of plants in a single-family residential homes. This degree of illegal marijuana cultivation poses significant health and safety risks to residents and is likely part of larger criminal networks. Moreover, this illegal activity is extremely profitable, making deterring the activity difficult.

The Brentwood Municipal Code was unclear on whether administrative citations may be issued on a per property or on a per plant basis.  On July 12, 2022 the Brentwood City Council approved a new ordinance clarifying that an administrative fine can be placed on each and every marijuana plant cultivated in excess of the number of plants allowed by state law.  The updated ordinance states the following:

Each and every marijuana plant cultivated in excess of the number of plants allowed under this section shall be a separate offense, and each such plant subject to a separate administrative citation fine under Chapter 1.24 of the Municipal Code. Each and every day a violation is maintained, caused, aided, abetted, concealed, suffered, or permitted is a separate offense.

Mayor Joel Bryant stated, “Public safety is the top priority for the City and Brentwood and we will not tolerate illegal criminal activity.  This new ordinance will allow staff to enforce fines and deter criminal networks from setting up illegal marijuana grows in our community.”

Citations are $100 for the first violation, $200 for the second and $500 for the third and subsequent violations.

If residents believe an illegal marijuana grow is located in their neighborhood they can report it through the City’s community enrichment app, Brentwood Connect Service Request | Brentwood, CA (brentwoodca.gov)or by calling Community Enrichment at (925) 516-5405 or the Police Department non-emergency number at (925) 809-7911

 

Oakley woman arrested on 21 counts of illicit behavior with juveniles

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Victims were ages 13 to 16; bail set at $1,160,000

Jennifer Decarlo. Photo: OPD

By Oakley Police Department

In March 2022, the Oakley Police Department received a report involving lewd and lascivious acts between an adult female and a juvenile male victim. The suspect was identified as Jennifer Decarlo, a 34-year-old female and Oakley resident.

Oakley Police detectives immediately began investigating the allegations. Several interviews and search warrants were conducted, in addition to several items of evidence being collected and analyzed. The ongoing investigation revealed multiple lewd acts with the original victim and additional male victims, between the ages of 13 and 16 years old. The alleged criminal acts occurred between January 2022 to March 2022. Decarlo is believed to have met each victim through family, friends, or acquaintances.

On May 11, 2022 Oakley Police Detectives arrested Decarlo at her residence and she was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility. The Oakley Police Department presented the case to the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office and 21 felony charges were filed. See list of charges below. Decarlo remains in custody on bail of $1,160,000.

Based on the facts gathered in this case, the Oakley Police Department believes there may be additional victims of Decarlo. Any additional victims are urged to contact Detective Minister at 925-625-8822 or Dispatch at 925-625-8060.

List of charges:

Count 1) PC288(a) – Lewd act with a child under 14

Count 2) PC288(a) – Lewd act with a child under 14

Count 3) PC288(a) – Lewd act with a child under 14

Count 4) PC261.5(d) – Unlawful intercourse with minor under 16

Count 5) PC287(b)(2) – Oral copulation with minor under 16

Count 6) PC288(c)(1) -Lewd act with a child 14 or 15; 10< year age difference

Count 7) PC288(c)(1) -Lewd act with a child 14 or 15; 10< year age difference

Count 8) PC288(c)(1) -Lewd act with a child 14 or 15; 10< year age difference

Count 9) PC288(c)(1) -Lewd act with a child 14 or 15; 10< year age difference

Count 10) PC288.2(a) – Sending harmful matter with intent to seduce minor

Count 11) PC288.3(a) – Communicating with minor for purpose of lewd act

Count 12) PC288.4(b) – Arranging to meet minor for purpose of lewd act

Count 13) PC261.5(c) – Unlawful intercourse with minor

Count 14) PC287(b)(1) – Oral copulation with minor

Count 15) PC288.3(a) – Communicating with minor for purpose of lewd act

Count 16) PC288.4(b) – Arranging to meet minor for purpose of lewd act

Count 17) PC288(c)(1) -Lewd act w/ a child 14 or 15; 10< year age difference

Count 18) PC287(b)(2) – Oral copulation with minor under 16

Count 19) PC261.5(d) – Unlawful intercourse with minor under 16

Count 20) PC288.3(a) – Communicating with minor for purpose of lewd act

Count 21) PC288.4(b) – Arranging to meet minor for purpose of lewd act

Contra Costa DA dismisses 40 cases due to Pittsburg, Antioch officers’ crimes of moral turpitude

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Won’t be prosecuted because the cases are “compromised to the point they can’t be salvaged” – Ted Asregadoo, CCDA PIO

By Allen D. Payton

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office has dismissed 40 cases from prosecution as part of the investigation into crimes of moral turpitude by Pittsburg and Antioch Police Officers announced in March. As previously reported, several officers were placed on paid administrative leave due to the accusations against them. (See related articles here, here and here)

Asked for details about the 40 cases, CCDA Public Information Officer Ted Asregadoo said he could not provide it as “it’s still an active investigation of the Pittsburg and Antioch officers.”

Out of a group of the cases, there are 40 cases that can go forward in the investigative process. Approximately 40 of those cases were dismissed,” he continued.

Asked how cases were from which agency Asregadoo responded, “I can’t talk about that.”

“The DA’s office is involved in ongoing evaluations of the cases to determine if the cases are compromised due to the criminal wrongdoing and misconduct,” he stated. “Those 40 have been compromised to the point they can’t be salvaged so they were dismissed.”

“The Antioch and Pittsburg Police Departments are cooperating with us and are assisting,” Asregadoo shared. “It’s a complex endeavor and is wide ranging. The scope of it is not a single incident.”

Chief Assistant District Attorney Simon O’Connell offered the following statement about the matter:

“There are multiple officers who are subjects of an ongoing criminal investigation involving a range of offenses which constitute crimes of moral turpitude. The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office is actively engaged in evaluating these cases to determine whether the charged case is compromised or whether the case can proceed. Community safety remains paramount, and the District Attorney’s Office remains steadfast in preserving as many cases as possible.”

An estimated three or five Antioch Police Officers are involved.

Antioch Police still won’t say how many Antioch officers are under investigation, APD Public Information Officer Darryl Safford said. But he did confirm they are still on paid administrative leave. Asked if the DA’s office shared how many of the 40 cases were from Antioch Saffold said, “they have not informed us.”

In addition, an effort to reach new Pittsburg Police Chief Steve Albanese for details from his department was unsuccessful prior to publication time. Please check back later for any updates to this report.

Martinez man arrested, charged in sexual assaults in Central Contra Costa

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Also charged with elder abuse; bail set at $8 million

By Jimmy Lee, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

Christopher David Owens. Photo: CCC Sheriff’s Office

Detectives from the Investigation Division of the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff served a search warrant on July 7, 2022, at a residence in Martinez. At that time, they arrested 39-year-old Christopher David Owens of Martinez. Detectives identified Owens as the suspect in sexual assaults that occurred in the Pacheco area this year. During the investigation, detectives worked with other local law enforcement agencies, which identified Owens as a suspect in their cases. These include:

-A rape that occurred in Walnut Creek in March 2017

-A rape in Concord in August 2017

-An attempted rape in Pleasant Hill in October 2020

Owens was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on numerous sexual assault and other felony charges. He is currently being held in lieu of $8 million bail.

Detectives presented the case to the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office on Monday, July 11, 2022. He was charged with numerous felonies to include three counts of rape, assault with intent to commit rape, forced oral copulation, sexual penetration by a foreign object, elder abuse, and sexual battery.

The cases remain under investigation. Detectives believe there may be additional victims. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division. Detective A. Kotchevar can be reached at (925) 313-2623 or by email at: akotc@so.cccounty.us. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

According to localcrimenews.com, Owens was arrested by Walnut Creek Police in 2018 for inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant, and again, later that year by Martinez Police on an outstanding warrant.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Three suspects arrested for Friday armed robbery in Danville grocery store parking lot

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18-year-old from San Jose and two juveniles; Antioch Police, Sheriff’s Office STARR helicopter assist in search

By Danville Police Department

On Friday, July 1, 2022, at about 4:36 PM, Danville police officers were dispatched to a report of an armed robbery that occurred at the Trader Joe’s grocery store parking lot located on Railroad Avenue in Danville.

The victim reported he was held up at gunpoint by two suspects as he exited his car. The suspects fled in a waiting vehicle with the victim’s personal property.

Danville police and Contra Costa County Deputy Sheriffs along with Sheriff’s Office STARR helicopter began an extensive search for the suspects. Other law enforcement agencies were also notified.

Detectives from the Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division located the suspect vehicle in Antioch. With the assistance of the Antioch police department and STARR helicopter, all three suspects were arrested.

One suspect is identified as 18-year-old Leon Cathay Fountain of San Jose. He was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on charges that include armed robbery, conspiracy, participating in a criminal street gang, and several weapons violations. He is being held in lieu of $380,000 bail.

The two other suspects are juveniles and are not being identified.

The investigation is ongoing.

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

Armed Robbery at Trader Joe’s in Danville this afternoon. Vehicle fled the scene. No injuries.

Concord man charged with multiple felonies for attempted sex with minor

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Arrested in Danville park

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Office of the Contra Costa County District Attorney

A 43-year-old resident of Concord has been charged with nine felony counts related to arranging to meet a minor for sex.

On July 1, 2022, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office filed charges against Phillip Soliman Moussa. Police arrested Moussa in Danville on June 29, 2022, after he engaged in online communications with an individual he believed was a 14-year-old child. During the course of their communications, Moussa allegedly sent the minor a text requesting to meet at a park in Danville to engage in prohibited sex acts. When Moussa arrived at a park, he was arrested by police. He remains in the custody of the Contra Costa County Sheriff. His bail has been set at $675,000.

Moussa is scheduled to be arraigned on July 5, 2022, on the following charges: three counts of arranging to meet a minor for sex, three counts of online enticement of a minor, and three counts of attempted lewd acts with a child.

The case was investigated by the Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. In Contra Costa County, detectives and investigators from the Walnut Creek, San Ramon, Concord, and Moraga Police Departments, the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, United States Secret Service, Homeland Security Investigations, the Contra Costa County Probation Department, and Inspectors from the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office participate in the task force.

Anyone with information about this case should contact Sheriff’s Detective Andreas Gianopoulos at 925-313-2621.

Parents are encouraged to discuss online safety with their children and can visit the website www.kidsmartz.org or the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s website for further information.

Case information: People v. Moussa Docket # 01-22-00955

Contra Costa DA’s Office, U.S. Department of Labor announce partnership to combat wage theft

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By Ted Asregadoo, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

On June 17th, 2022, Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton and U.S. Department of Labor Assistant District Director for San Jose Alberto Raymond formalize a partnership to combat wage theft and protect workers’ rights.

Both agencies commemorate the agreement by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the District Attorney’s Office in Martinez. The MOU means the DA’s Office will be devoting resources to prosecute criminal wage theft cases to curtail labor trafficking, unfair business practices, payroll tax evasion, and wage and hour violations. To do this, District Attorney Becton will create a Workplace Justice Unit that’s committed to a fair and equitable workplace.

Becton noted, “While the DA’s Office and the Department of Labor have had an informal relationship on human labor trafficking and wage theft cases since 2014, this Memorandum of Understanding marks the start of a formal five-year partnership to continue our efforts to seek justice for victims of crime.”

Wage theft affects victims in various ways – and at all income levels. Some workers are denied overtime or are paid less than the minimum wage per hour. Some employers also refuse to pay bonuses, vacation pay, or reimbursement of business expenses. According to investigations by the DOL’s Wage and Hour Division in 2021, U.S. workers were denied over 230-million dollars in back pay.1

“Cooperation between federal and local agencies is critical in the fight against all forms of wage theft here in Contra Costa County and elsewhere in the country,” Assistant District Director Raymond said. “The formal renewal of this longstanding partnership highlights our determination and commitment to combat wage theft and to hold their perpetrators accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

Wage theft is a felony punishable by up to three years in jail. Employers caught stealing from their employees may be personally liable for unpaid wages and face criminal asset forfeiture actions.2

In addition to investigating and prosecuting cases, both agencies will conduct community outreach programs to inform the public about reporting wage theft — as well as provide resources for employers to help them follow labor and payroll tax laws.

If you are a victim of wage theft, call 1-866-4-USWAGE or contact the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office at: DA-ReportFraud@contracostada.org.

1 U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Labor Division (FY 2021) data found a total of $234,280,603.96 in back pay was owed to workers.

2 Pursuant to PC section 186.11

East County police departments, CHP to conduct joint traffic enforcement May 27 to 29

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Source: APD

Will focus on reckless driving and sideshows, plus conduct emissions inspections for illegal equipment

By Sergeant Rob Green #3639, Antioch Police Traffic Unit

The Antioch Police Department in partnership with the Brentwood Police Department, Pittsburg Police Department, Oakley Police Department, and California Highway Patrol will conduct a joint traffic enforcement detail May 27 to 29, 2022. The joint operation will focus on reckless driving and sideshow activity in the East County and conduct vehicle emissions inspections. Any vehicles found with illegal emissions equipment will be referred to a California Smog Referee. This is in response to information provided by citizens regarding a planned sideshow event to take place in the East County area.

Antioch PD would like to thank our law enforcement partners and the citizens who help aid in our investigations.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.