Contra Costa Herald

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

Antioch teen, two men charged with March murder near Pleasant Hill are Tre-4 gang members

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Also charged by DA for armed robbery, conspiracy

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

Members of the Tre-4 street gang are being prosecuted by the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office on murder, armed robbery, and conspiracy charges. Jalin Washington of San Francisco, Don Juan Defore Watson, Jr. of Antioch, and Amir Anderson-Roof (city unknown) all face charges for a series of crimes that include the killing of 20-year-old Basel Jilani of Lafayette on March 23, 2022. (See related articles here and here)

In that incident, the victim Jilani was chased by Washington and Watson after they spotted him driving a high-end Mercedes on the freeway in Concord. Jilani tried to elude his pursuers but crashed his vehicle on Taylor Boulevard near the border between Pleasant Hill and Lafayette. He was shot, killed, and robbed of his Rolex watch.

Washington, Watson, and Anderson-Roof are also at the center of several crimes in Bay Area in 2022 that include automobile thefts and armed robbery.

The People of the State of California v. Jalin Washington, Case Number: 01-22-01088

The People of the State of California v. Don Juan Defore Watson, Jr., Case Number: 01-22-01086

The People of the State of California v. Amir Anderson-Roof, Case Number: 01-22-01087

Contra Costa Neighborhood Restorative Partnership opening in East County in August

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Deadline to participate as panelist is July 31

Have you heard of the Neighborhood Restorative Partnership program that the Contra Costa DA’s Office has?

The goal of the Neighborhood Restorative Partnership is to address low-level misdemeanors or infractions, such as vandalism, assault/battery, alcohol control violations, and other quality of life crimes by partnering with our local law enforcement agencies and with community volunteers.

Residents of Contra Costa County, who wish to volunteer in this program, will be trained to serve as panelists and develop community-based solutions to redress the harm caused by these low-level offenses.  Pursuant to Penal Code §14150 – 14156, the District Attorney’s Office empowers panelists with the authority and responsibility to adjudicate certain infraction/misdemeanor offenses, and it empowers facilitators with the authority to facilitate the restorative justice process.

“We’re opening an East County version of the program next month, and we’re looking for Community Safety Panelists to participate in the program,” said Ted Asregadoo, CCDA’s Office PIO. “The application deadline is on July 31st.”

If you are interested in becoming a panelist in the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office Neighborhood Restorative Partnership program, please complete the application below and submit it to:

Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

Attn: Janet Era, Neighborhood Restorative Partnership

900 Ward Street, 2nd Floor, Martinez, CA 94553

DA-NRP@contracostada.org

Click on this link to download the Application.

Click on this link to download the NRP Flyer.

Antioch teen, SF man arrested for March murder near Pleasant Hill

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Older suspect arrested in 2021 and last month on multiple gun, drug charges

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

On Wednesday, July 20, 2022, at about 10:45 AM, Contra Costa County Deputy Sheriffs served arrest warrants at a home on the 4800 block of Vinewood Way in Antioch. They arrested, without incident, 19-year-old Don-Juan Defore Watson of Antioch/San Francisco and 20-year-old Jalin Washington of San Francisco.

The two are suspects in the March 23, 2022, killing of 20-year-old Basel Jilani in the unincorporated area of Taylor Road and Gloria Terrace. (See related article)

Homicide detectives from the Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division have worked continuously on the case identifying the two, who are also suspects in robberies in the Bay Area.

Watson was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility (MDF) on the following charges: murder, two counts of robbery, and conspiracy. He is being held without bail.

Washington was booked into MDF on the following charges: murder, two counts of robbery, conspiracy, burglary, felon in possession of a firearm, and allowing someone to discharge a firearm from his vehicle. He is being held without bail.

According to localcrimenews.com, he was previously arrested in March 2021 by San Francisco County Sheriff’s Department for being armed with a firearm during a felony, resisting / obstructing / delaying a Peace Officer, conspiracy to commit a crime, burglary, possession of burglar’s tools, receiving or concealing stolen property, carrying a loaded firearm on person or In a vehicle while in a public place, and carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle.

Washington was arrested again last month by the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department for possession of a narcotic controlled substance, possession of 28.5 grams or less of marijuana,
discharging a firearm in a negligent manner, possession of a controlled substance while armed with a loaded firearm, concealed firearm – unregistered gun with ammunition, and
carrying a loaded concealed weapon.

The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information 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.

Antioch teen charged for armed robberies in Walnut Creek, Danville

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Part of street gang

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

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office filed three felony counts with enhancements against an Antioch man in connection with armed robberies in Walnut Creek and Danville. He was previously listed as a resident of San Jose. (See related article)

18-year-old Leon Cathay Fountain was arraigned in Martinez on July 7th. Fountain entered a plea of not guilty to one felony count with an enhancement for armed robbery on June 24, 2022, in Walnut Creek. Fountain also pleaded not guilty to two felony counts with three enhancements – which includes one gang enhancement – for armed robbery on July 1st at a Trader Joe’s parking lot in Danville. In both incidents, Fountain and a minor used an illegal AR-style assault firearm and other guns to steal Rolex watches. The robbery in Danville was carried out at the direction of the Klap street gang, who also told Fountain where to sell the watch. Authorities say the estimated value of the luxury timepieces is between 30-thousand and 40-thousand-dollars.

In both robberies, the perpetrators followed their victims in vehicles. When the victim reached a location and exited their vehicle, Fountain and one of the minors would surround them at gunpoint and demand they hand over their watches. In the Danville robbery, a Black Acura was used that witnesses said had a distinctive marking.

After detectives with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office got a description of the suspects and their vehicle from witnesses, they were apprehended by police at a residence in Antioch approximately two hours after the robbery at Trader Joe’s.

Fountain is currently in the Martinez Detention Facility. The minors are in Juvenile Hall and have been charged with Second-Degree Armed Robbery.

The People of the State of California v. Leon Cathay Fountain, Case Number: 01-22-00977

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.