Contra Costa Herald

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

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.

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.

Three shot in Rodeo Wednesday morning, Deputy Sheriffs search for shooter

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

Wednesday morning, Aug. 14, 2019 at about 1:05 a.m., Contra Costa Sheriff dispatch received multiple calls of a shooting on the 1200 block of Mariposa Street in Rodeo.

Deputy Sheriffs arrived on scene finding two gunshot victims. They were taken to a local hospital, one by ambulance and another by helicopter. Another shooting victim went to the hospital on his own.

The gunshot victims are a 41-year-old woman, a 54-year-old woman, and a 23-year-old man. They are said to be in stable condition.

The investigation is ongoing. Suspect descriptions are not available at this time.

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

Martinez, Sacramento teenage women arrested for attempted murder in stabbing of Antioch man

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By Acting Sergeant Loren Bledsoe #4055, Investigations Bureau, Antioch Police Department

On Wednesday, August 7, 2019 at approximately 9:33 PM, a 50-year-old Antioch male victim called 9-1-1 to report he had been stabbed in his apartment. Officers arrived to find the victim suffering from multiple life-threatening stab wounds. Officers on scene rendered first aid until fire department and ambulance paramedics arrived. The victim was transported to a local area trauma center and is currently listed in critical condition.

Prior to being transported, the victim reported being attacked by two female visitors. Both suspects fled the scene with the victim’s vehicle and personal belongings.

On Thursday, Aug. 8, at approximately 11:58 AM, Elk Grove PD officers located the victim’s vehicle in their city, occupied by two 19-year-old females, one, a Martinez resident and the other, a Sacramento resident. Both female adults were taken into custody without incident and transported back to APD for questioning. This case is still being investigated.

This preliminary information is made available by the Investigations Bureau. There will be no further information released regarding this case at this time.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Adrian Gonzalez at (925) 779-6923 or 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.

Thirteen charged in cross-bay drug trafficking conspiracy

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Complaint describes drug dealers housed in the East Bay and carpooling across the Bay Bridge who distributed heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl in the Tenderloin

SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged thirteen defendants with engaging in a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Chris Nielsen.  The charges were made in a complaint filed July 31, 2019 and unsealed Wednesday following the arrest of 11 defendants.

The complaint, described by U.S. Attorney Anderson in a press conference today, is one of the first steps in the Federal Initiative for the Tenderloin (FIT).  The initiative seeks to reduce crime in the Tenderloin neighborhood of San Francisco and is described here.

The complaint describes a conspiracy involving a large-scale drug-trafficking organization with networks extending across the Bay Area.  According to the complaint, from at least January 15, 2019, to July 31, 2019, Andy Reanos-Moreno worked with Karol Erazo-Reanos to rent housing throughout the East Bay for persons, including “redistributors,” who were part of the drug-distribution network. Reanos-Moreno, Erazo-Reanos, and Manuel Arteaga allegedly also supplied the redistributors with heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine.  The redistributors, including Allan Josue Funez Osorto, Brayan Martinez, Josue Natanael Perdomo Moreno, Jose Franklin Rodriguez Garcia, Cesar Estrada Cruz, Arnold Cruz Rodriguez, Christian Rodriguez-Valle, Alex Gomez Barrientos, Eric Montoya Marquez, and Kevin Arteaga-Morales, allegedly traveled to the Tenderloin neighborhood to sell drugs, often by carpooling together across the Bay Bridge.

According to the criminal complaint, Reanos-Moreno, along with Arteaga, took drug orders on a nearly daily basis from the individuals living in houses across the East Bay.  The persons living in the houses occasionally would negotiate prices and would specify daily the quantities of heroin, cocaine powder, cocaine base, and methamphetamine they wanted to receive.  Reanos-Moreno and Arteaga would then deliver these drugs to redistributors who would travel to the Tenderloin neighborhood to sell the drugs, referring to the neighborhood as “Civic Cen.”  The complaint describes numerous alleged seizures of heroin, cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine from houses where the redistributors lived as well as numerous seizures of drugs from the redistributors in the Tenderloin, including near several federal buildings.

All defendants are charged with engaging in a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846 and 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C).  If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years’ imprisonment and between 3 years and a lifetime term of supervised release.  Further, additional fines, forfeitures, and restitution may be ordered; however, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

The complaint contains allegations only and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Several of the defendants were arrested on Tuesday, August 6, 2019, as part of a criminal enforcement operation.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julie Garcia, Sailaja Paidipaty, and Ryan Rezaei are prosecuting the case.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the DEA, San Francisco Police Department, and Richmond Police Department.

Nine defendants charged in international drug-trafficking conspiracy, Richmond Police assist in investigation

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Complaint describes drug dealers with ties to Mexico and Honduras who transported drugs from Los Angeles to the Bay Area and Seattle

SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged nine defendants, many members of the same family, with engaging in a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Chris Nielsen.  The charges were made in a complaint filed July 26, 2019 and unsealed Wednesday following the arrest of eight defendants.

The complaint, described by U.S. Attorney Anderson in a press conference today, is one of the first steps in the Federal Initiative for the Tenderloin (FIT).  The initiative seeks to reduce crime in the Tenderloin neighborhood of San Francisco and is described here.

The complaint describes a conspiracy involving a large-scale drug trafficking organization, a network extending across the Bay Area.  According to the complaint, between March 4, 2019, and July 26, 2019, Eduardo Alfonso Viera-Chirinos, a/k/a “Rojo”, worked with his family members Victor Viera-Chirinos, a/k/a “Mojarra”; Jorge Alberto Viera-Chirinos; Jorge Enrique Torres-Viera, a/k/a “Enrique”; and Karen Castro-Torres, a/k/a “Delany Ellieth Cardona Velasquez”, a/k/a “Belanie Elyzabeth Artiaga”, to obtain drugs.  The defendants brought the drugs from Mexico through Los Angeles to the Bay Area.  The defendants then repackaged the drugs for redistribution both in the Bay Area and in Seattle.  The complaint also describes the execution of search warrants in June 2018 by the Richmond and San Francisco Police Departments and how Jorge Alberto Viera-Chirinos thereafter remained in the Bay Area to run the family drug-trafficking business while Eduardo Alfonso Viera-Chirinos and his partner, Karen Castro-Torres, moved to Seattle.

Also described in the complaint is how Karen Castro-Torres, Cilder Velasquez, and Jorge Enrique Torres-Viera coordinated housing for individuals who redistributed drugs for the drug-trafficking organization.  Drug redistributors, including Gustavo Adolfo Gamez-Velasquez and Luis Almicar Erazo-Centeno, allegedly placed orders for drugs on a regular basis from Cilder Velasquez and Jorge Enrique Torres-Viera.  The complaint includes excerpts from calls and text messages intercepted over federally authorized wiretaps.  According to the complaint, the Viera family obtained drugs in Los Angeles, packaged them for local redistribution in Livermore, Calif., and then shipped the drugs to the Seattle area.  Eduardo Alfonso Viera-Chirinos, speaking with an individual using a Honduras-based area code, also allegedly plotted to murder an individual in Honduras.  The complaint also describes a traffic stop in Washington State during which Alexander Gonzalez-Vasquez and Eduardo Alfonso Viera-Chirinos allegedly concealed cocaine and heroin in a hidden compartment inside Gonzalez’s truck.

DEA Special Agent in Charge Chris Nielsen stated, “Street-level drug dealing has, unfortunately, become somewhat ‘normalized’ in the Tenderloin. As for me and my law enforcement partners, and I suspect most people in this community, we are tired of drug traffickers preying on and profiting from the vulnerable. This case and the Federal Initiative for the Tenderloin is a sustained effort, and we are focused on drug dealers, their sources of supply and anyone else who assists them, while keeping in mind we need to help those suffering from addiction.  Our message is simple: we will continue to do our best to prevent these bold criminals from destroying any more lives.  There is much work to be done.”

All defendants are charged with engaging in a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846 and 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C).  If convicted, defendants face up to 20 years’ imprisonment and between 3 years and a lifetime term of supervised release.  Further, additional fines, forfeitures, and restitution may be ordered; however, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

The complaint contains allegations only, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Several of the defendants were arrested on July 26, 2019, as part of a criminal enforcement operation.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julie Garcia, Sailaja Paidipaty, and Ryan Rezaei are prosecuting the case.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the DEA, San Francisco Police Department, and Richmond Police Department.

Richmond man pleads guilty to first degree murder from 2015 shooting

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

On Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019, Seth Sears a 39-year-old resident of Richmond, CA, pled guilty to first degree murder during his trial for the 2015 killing of victim Neil Akin. Sears will be formally sentenced on September 27 before the Honorable Judge Charles Burch in Department 23 of the Contra Costa County Superior Court in Martinez. Sears in his pleading also admitted to using a firearm during the murder. He is expected to receive 25 years to life in state prison.

“The defendant pled guilty as charged to the first degree murder of Neil Akin, and further admitted that he personally used and fired the weapon that killed Mr. Akin. We hope that the defendant’s full admission of responsibility will help the victim’s family find closure after four long years,” Contra Costa County Deputy District Attorney Satish Jallepalli stated. DDA Jallepalli prosecuted the case and is assigned to our Office’s Homicide Unit. DDA Alison Chandler and DDA Colleen Gleason also prosecuted the case for our Office.

In September 2015, the victim’s body was found deceased in Oakland with a gunshot wound to the head.  Days earlier, the defendant shot Akin and left his body initially in the defendant’s apartment in Richmond. Sears wrapped the body in trash bags and used silver tape to bind the bags together to try to conceal the body. He rented a white van in El Cerrito and used the van to transport the body from his apartment to Oakland. Surveillance video in Oakland showed a similar white van in the vicinity of where the body was found.

Fortunately, a witness came forward to report that Sears had invited her over after the murder while the victim’s body was still in his apartment, and implored her to help him dispose of the body. She refused to help him cover up the crime and later met with the Richmond Police Department to describe what she had seen.

Case information: People v. Seth Rumi Sears, Docket Number 05-171844-4

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

 

Delano man sentenced to life in state prison for sexually abusing Antioch girl

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

Last week, Donaciano Rodriguez a 66-year-old resident of Delano, California, was sentenced to 94 years to life in state prison for sexually abusing a minor in Antioch. His sentence was determined by the Honorable Judge Laurel Brady in Department 31 of the Contra Costa County Superior Court in Martinez.

The jury in this case found Rodriguez guilty of 11 felonies ranging from oral copulation, sexual penetration with a child 10 years old or younger and forced lewd acts upon a child. Deputy District Attorney Bryan Tierney with our Sexual Assault Unit prosecuted the case on behalf of the People. The trial occurred in late June and lasted eight days. Our Office would like to extend gratitude for the Antioch Police Department for their work investigating the case.

“The victim in this case and her family were very cooperative during the investigation and trial. Without their help there would be no justice. The defendant committed heinous crimes against Jane Doe that will forever impact her. I am thankful that the jury followed all the evidence and held the defendant accountable,” DDA Tierney stated.

In 2017, Jane Doe bravely came forward to the police to report the assaults which occurred years earlier. The victim reported that the defendant repeatedly assaulted her and threatened her if she came forward to authorities. Antioch Police continued the investigation and the defendant was eventually arrested later that year in Kern County. He has remained in custody since his arrest.

When the defendant was arrested by police, he admitted he molested the minor multiple times. He even demonstrated to the investigators what he did to Jane Doe. The attacks against Jane Doe occurred in multiple locations in Antioch.

Case information: People v. Donaciano Rodriguez, Docket Number 05-182336-8

 

Antioch foster father and son charged with sexual abuse of multiple children

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

Earlier this month, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office charged defendant Simon Chavez, a 64-year-old resident of Antioch, California and his son Simon Magana Chavez, 31-year-old resident of Atwater, California for the sexual abuse of multiple children and unlawfully having sex with a minor.

The elder Chavez was a foster father at his home in Antioch with Contra Costa County’s Children and Family Services. Overall, he fostered young children under his care for at least 18 years.

Simon Chavez entered a not guilty plea to the 63 felonies on July 16 in the Pittsburg Superior Court before the Honorable Leonard Marquez. Chavez is in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility and his bail is $31.5 million.

Chavez’s son, Simon Magana Chavez was arraigned this past Friday in the Pittsburg Superior Court. He pleaded not guilty to the complaint. The younger Chavez is charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors related for crimes against two children, including lewd acts against a child and unlawful sex. As recently as 2018, Simon Magana Chavez was a correctional officer with the state of California. The bail for Simon Magana Chavez is $1.23 million.

Both cases are assigned to Deputy District Attorney Diana Weiss with our Office’s Sexual Assault Unit.

Our Office does not release how a victim may know a defendant in a sexual assault case as well as the age or name of a victim to protect their confidentiality.

The investigation is ongoing and active. Members of the public with information about the case should call Antioch Police Detective Kelly Inabnett at 925-779-6932.

Case information: People v. Simon Chavez, Docket Number 04-197245-4; People v. Simon Magana Chavez, Docket Number 04-197264-5.