Contra Costa Herald

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

Brentwood police arrest San Francisco man for attempting to force female into prostitution

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By Brentwood Police Department

Thanks to a collaborative effort between officers and detectives, Kevin Winans (30-year-old San Francisco resident) was taken into custody on pandering charges. On Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019, Winans was arrested in Brentwood after attempting to coerce a female into prostitution. At the time of arrest, Winans drove his vehicle from the Bay Area to pick up the female in Brentwood. Inside Winans vehicle, detectives located an amount of supporting evidence. Winans remains in county jail on pandering and obstruction charges.

Fortunately, in this case, officers and detectives were able to make an arrest before someone became a victim of sex trafficking.

For more information on the National Human Trafficking Hotline, Child Sex Trafficking or Sextortion please visit:

https://humantraffickinghotline.org/

http://www.missingkids.com/theissues/trafficking

http://www.missingkids.com/theissues/sextortion

Walnut Creek man indicted by Contra Costa Grand Jury for child porn possession

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William Cashell arrest photo. Courtesy of Johnson County, KS Sheriff.

William “Will” Cashell. Photo from his Facebook page.

Martinez, Calif. – Yesterday, Tues., August 27, 2019, a grand jury indictment was unsealed against defendant William Cashell, a 44-year-old resident of Walnut Creek, California and Johnson County, Kansas. He was indicted for two counts of possession of child pornography.

Cashell appeared in Martinez, California for an arraignment in Department 263 before the Honorable David Flynn. Cashell pleaded not guilty to the charges alleged in the indictment. Cashell remains out of custody on his own recognizance. Deputy District Attorney Scott Prosser is the prosecutor assigned to the case on behalf of the People. DDA Prosser is with our Sexual Assault Unit.

On May 2, 2019, investigators from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force served a warrant at Cashell’s residence after it was discovered he was storing child pornography in his e-mail account. Investigators also located child pornography on a smartphone belonging to Cashell. Cashell was initially charged in a criminal complaint on June 11, 2019 and remained at large until July 20, 2019 when was arrested in Johnson County, Kansas and extradited back to Contra Costa County.

The Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is managed by the San Jose Police Department. In Contra Costa County, detectives and investigators from the Walnut Creek, Concord and Moraga Police Departments, the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, Contra Costa County Probation Department and Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office participate in the task force along with Special Agents from the United States Department of Homeland Security and the United States Secret Service.

Parents are encouraged to discuss online safety with their children and can visit the website www.kidsmartz.org for further information. If you believe your school or community organization would benefit from a smartphone and social media awareness presentation, please contact the District Attorney’s Office at DA-Commentary-Feedback@contracostada.org.

Case information: People v. Cashell Docket Number 05-191603-0

Concord man found guilty of first degree residential burglary

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

Last week, defendant Curtis Hill, a 59-year-old Concord resident, was convicted, by a Contra Costa County jury, of first degree residential burglary. On August 16, 2019, the jury returned findings that the Defendant had been convicted of three prior strike offenses – two prior residential robberies and a residential burglary. In his prior residential robbery conviction, he committed great bodily injury on a person over the age of 60.

The charges stem from the evening of August 3, 2018, when Hill entered the victim’s Concord home. He selected jewelry from a bedroom in the home and then fled the scene. Later that same evening, he was arrested by the Concord Police Department.

Hill has a long history of theft, violence, and disorderly conduct in the downtown Concord area. His behavior has made him a longstanding nuisance and danger to the residents of Concord and law enforcement in the area.

This conviction constitutes a third strike for the defendant. He is next in court on September 27, 2019, to set a sentencing before Judge Christopher Bowen.

Deputy District Attorney Chris Sansoe prosecuted the case on behalf of the People. DDA Sansoe is assigned to our Office’s Victims of Violent Crime Unit. The trial lasted 14 days in Department 40 before Judge Bowen.

Case information: People v. Curtis Lee Hill, Docket Number 05-181909-3

Walnut Creek man sentenced to over two years in prison for mail theft conspiracy targeting San Francisco apartment complex

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Tyler Goforth with his girlfriend and co-defendant, Jesslyn Felix in a photo posted on his Facebook page Oct. 3, 2017.

Girlfriend and co-defendant who also pleaded guilty, to be sentenced in September

By United States Attorneys Office, Northern District of California

Tyler Goforth was sentenced to 27 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution for his role in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud stemming from a mail theft scheme, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and United States Postal Inspection Service Inspector in Charge Rafael Nuñez.  The Honorable Maxine M. Chesney, U.S. District Judge, handed down the sentence.

Goforth, 35, of Walnut Creek, Calif., pleaded guilty to the charge on May 29, 2019.  According to his plea agreement, Goforth admitted that he and his co-defendant, Jesslyn Felix, 35, also of Walnut Creek, traveled repeatedly to the Beacon Apartment Complex, a large apartment building in San Francisco, to steal mail from Beacon residents.  The defendants visited the Beacon more than a dozen times between August 2017 and February 2018.  Goforth and Felix entered one of the mailrooms at the Beacon, forced open mailboxes, and then stole mail.  They then used personal information and documents found in the stolen mail to steal money from Beacon residents, which they spent for personal gain.  Specifically, Goforth and Felix activated credit and debit cards in the victims’ names, stole checks and gift cards, accessed bank accounts belonging to Beacon residents, and stole photo identifications which they then used to carry out their scheme to steal money.  In total, Goforth and Felix stole mail from more than 80 residents of the Beacon and stole more than $40,000 from them.

A federal grand jury indicted Goforth and Felix on January 15, 2019.  The 14-count indictment charged each defendant with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349; five counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §1343; six counts of theft of mail, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §1708; one count of aggravated identity theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §1028A; and one count of possession with intent to use or transfer five or more documents or authentication features, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §1028(a)(3).  Goforth and Felix both pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge on May 29, 2019.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Chesney ordered Goforth to serve a three-year period of supervised release to begin at the completion of the prison term.  Goforth has been in custody since May 6, 2019.

Judge Chesney scheduled Felix’s sentencing for September 18, 2019.  Like Goforth, if Felix complies with the plea agreement, the remaining counts pending against her will be dismissed at sentencing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ross Weingarten is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Marina Ponomarchuk. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service.

County’s CASE Team arrests Rodeo man on drug, gun charges following investigation

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Drugs, cash and gun seized by the county’s CASE Team. Photo by CCCSheriff.

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

Earlier this month, the CASE Team started an investigation into a person who allegedly possessed a handgun through an illegal transfer. The CASE Team later obtained a search warrant for the suspect and his home.

On August 16, 2019, the CASE Team executed the search warrant at a residence on the 300 block of California Street in Rodeo. The suspect was detained and later arrested without incident at this home. He is identified as 32-year-old James Runkle of Rodeo. The following were recovered at his residence: 9mm semi-automatic pistol, approximately two pounds of methamphetamine, approximately three pounds of marijuana, heroin and U.S. currency.

Runkle was later booked at the Martinez Detention Facility on the following charges: illegal transfer of a firearm, possession of a controlled substance while armed, possession of methamphetamine for sales, possession of heroin for sales, possession of marijuana for sales, and child endangerment. Runkle remains in custody in lieu of $385,000 bail. The investigation will be forwarded to the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

CASE (Contra Costa County Anti-Violence Support Effort) is a joint effort by the Office of the Sheriff, California Department of Justice, California Highway Patrol, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Pittsburg Police Department, and Probation Officers from the Contra Costa County Probation Department. CASE was created in November 2011 as a collaborative effort to reduce violent crimes in Contra Costa, especially those related to illegal firearms.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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Martinez Dentention Facility. Photo by Harry H. on Foursquare

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.