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Contra Costa Public Defender calls on DA to pause all criminal filings, prosecutions over Antioch cops’ racist texts

April 12, 2023 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Report released to defense on attorneys on Monday, Mercury News obtained, reported on it; DA’s office redacting report before releasing to other media

By Allen D. Payton

Following the release to defense attorneys on Monday, April 10, 2023, of the 21-page report of racist and offensive texts by Antioch Police Officers, which was obtained and reported on by the Mercury News on Tuesday, Contra Costa Public Defender Ellen McDonnell issued a statement calling on D.A. Diana Becton to pause all criminal filings and current prosecutions involving the department.

“I have reviewed these text messages, they are abhorrent and reprehensible. They reveal an entrenched culture of hatred, racism, homophobia, misogyny, and violence throughout the Antioch Police Department,” McDonnell wrote, “The racist, homophobic, and violent behavior of these officers will impact thousands and thousands of criminal cases including pending cases and past convictions related to the Antioch Police Department.  I have reached out to District Attorney Becton and asked that she immediately pause all criminal filings and current prosecutions involving the Antioch Police Department.  I have also requested that her office evaluate pending Antioch cases for immediate dismissal, and that they begin a comprehensive review of the many thousands of Antioch Police Department related convictions to determine which cases should be dismissed.”

“These racist text messages and the continued disclosures regarding the Antioch Police Department expose a pervasive and troubling culture which should undermine any reliance on the credibility of officers from the force,” she continued. “These text messages clearly constitute textbook violations of the California Racial Justice Act. Our office will initiate a widespread review of all cases involving the Antioch Police Department and will immediately begin seeking justice for those targeted by these officers.”

The unredacted text messages were released to the Times by attorneys for the defendants in the murder case currently being adjudicated in Contra Costa Superior Court, but not to other media. According to Contra Costa DA’s Office PIO Ted Asregadoo they will be released to the media once they’ve been redacted.

“Per Judge Clare Maier’s order on Friday, we did disclose the investigative reports in the Pugh, Windom, et al case. These are unredacted reports and they were delivered on Monday,” he wrote. “Judge Maeir’s order also specified that redacted reports could be released. We are in the process of redacting the information in the reports ordered by the judge and will notify the press when those reports are available and how to obtain them.”

Filed Under: Crime, District Attorney, East County, News, Public Defender

DA’s Office charges Pittsburg man in murder of convenience store clerk

April 8, 2023 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Gregory Rossignon was charged with murder by the Contra Costa DA’s Office. Photo: Pittsburg PD

Following search in Antioch, arrest in Modesto

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

A Pittsburg man faces a four-count felony complaint related to the murder of a convenience store clerk on March 22nd. (See related articles here, here and here)

37-year-old Gregory Rossignon of Pittsburg has been charged by the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office with the murder of 44-year-old Abdul Raouf. Rossignon also faces a charge of discharging a firearm with gross negligence, dissuading a witness by force or threats, and possession of a firearm with prior felony convictions. The murder charge comes with an enhancement for the intentional discharge of a weapon that killed Mr. Raouf and special allegations related to Rossignon’s prior felony offenses.

The incident occurred around 9:40 pm at the E-Z Stop Convenience Food shop on Power Avenue in Pittsburg. An argument between Rossignon’s girlfriend and another employee at the shop occurred. A short time after the disagreement between the clerk and Rossignon’s girlfriend, Rossignon entered the store and shot Raouf – who was not involved in the argument. He died at the scene. Police located and arrested Rossignon in Modesto on April 5th and booked him into the Martinez Detention Facility. His arraignment is set for April 10th in Martinez at 1:30 pm.

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office thanks the law enforcement and investigative work of the Pittsburg Police Department in this case.

Case No. 04-23-00555 | The People of the State of California vs. Rossignon, Gregory

Filed Under: Crime, District Attorney, East County, News

Judge rules Antioch Police officers’ racist texts will be disclosed to defense in felony court case

April 7, 2023 By Publisher 1 Comment

“contain unambiguously and historically racist speech directed toward the suspects the officers were investigating.” – DA Diana Becton

By Allen D. Payton

Following a Friday, April 7th ruling by Contra Costa Superior Court Judge Clare M. Maier during a felony court case involving Antioch Police officers, racist texts exchanged by the officers and directed toward the suspects will be disclosed to the defense, District Attorney Diana Becton announced. Several Antioch officers are currently on paid leave and under investigation for alleged racist and other offensive texts, in addition to the remaining seven out of eight officers that have been under investigation by the FBI and DA’s Office since March 2022. One Antioch officer resigned, recently. (See related articles here and here)

According to Contra Costa DA’s Office PIO Ted Asregadoo, Judge Maier “oversaw the court procedure to balance the integrity of the Antioch Police Department and Pittsburg Police Department criminal investigation with the constitutional requirement of the disclosure of exculpatory information (i.e., info that is beneficial to a defendant) in criminally charged cases.”

Judge David E. Goldstein is the presiding judge in the felony case against Terryonn Pugh, 20; Eric Windom, 21; Keyshawn McGee, 22, Trent Allen, 20, et al, #01oo1976380.

Statement By DA Diana Becton on Disclosure of Racist Texts in Felony Case

“Today, Contra Costa Superior Court Judge Clare Maier ruled on the disclosure of information that centers on racist text messages exchanged by Antioch Police officers.

For over a year, the FBI and the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office have engaged in a joint federal and state criminal investigation of sworn law enforcement officers from the Antioch Police Department and Pittsburg Police Department. The broad range of offenses under investigation involve crimes of moral turpitude.

Due to the sensitivity and scope of the investigation, a court procedure was established to balance the integrity of the criminal investigation with the disclosure of exculpatory information (i.e., evidence that is beneficial to a defendant).

In accordance with legal precedent, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office has been scrupulous in maintaining the balance as the court constructed.

Recently, additional information has come to light in which police misconduct directly overlaps and impacts a charged felony case.

The joint investigation with the FBI has revealed that Antioch Police officers exchanged text messages which contain unambiguously and historically racist speech directed toward the suspects the officers were investigating.

The racial animus expressed by officers in the recovered text messages trigger additional statutory concerns under the Racial Justice Act.

In seeking further direction from the court, the DA’s Office and the defense appeared in front of Judge Maier on April 4th to present information detailing the overlap of the officers’ misconduct and a charged felony case.

In her ruling today, Judge Maier said that the offensive texts in the two investigative reports shall be disclosed to the defense in the charged felony case. She added, the reports will be redacted to shield cell phone numbers and urged caution in the distribution of the language and images contained in the texts as they can spark more hatred toward Blacks and Latinos.

The integrity of the joint investigation and legal requirements for the disclosure of exculpatory evidence is of paramount importance to the District Attorney’s Office. Our office will continue to work tirelessly to ensure public trust and public safety for the residents of Contra Costa County.

Diana Becton

District Attorney, Contra Costa County”

Filed Under: Courts, District Attorney, East County, News, Police

Second suspect arrested in June 2022 Walnut Creek Macy’s smash-and-grab case

April 7, 2023 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Suspect Gerald Dial of Vallejo was arrested on March 23, 2023 in the June 2022 smash and grab theft at Macy’s in Walnut Creek. WCPC video screenshot

By Lt. Holley Connors, Walnut Creek Police Department

A 19-year-old Vallejo man is in custody following his arrest in connection with the June 18 robbery at the Macy’s in Walnut Creek’s Broadway Plaza. Walnut Creek Police identified Jammoni Simon as one of the suspects in the robbery. Patrol and Investigations worked together to identify the suspect and a warrant was subsequently authored for his arrest. Simon was taken into custody by the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s office on July 5, 2022. During his arrest, Simon was found to be in possession of a loaded firearm.

Walnut Creek Police Chief Jamie Knox said the arrest is a signal to others involved in that crime and to the public. “Walnut Creek Police Department puts the public safety of those who live, work, or visit here at the highest priority,” Knox said. “We will continue to actively pursue this case; Walnut Creek is not an open target for criminals.”

The case was presented to the District Attorney’s Office on July 8th and Simon remains in custody on the following charges:

PC 211, Robbery

PC 459, Burglary

PC 25850(a)(c)(6), Possession of a Loaded Firearm

Detectives continued to develop leads and determined Gerald Dial, a 20-year-old male from Vallejo, was involved and presented this case for review to the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office. On February 28th, 2023, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office filed the following felony charges against Dial:

PC 211 Robbery

PC 459 Burglary

PC 487 Grand Theft

On March 23rd, 2023, WCPD Detectives located and arrested Dial on a warrant at the San Francisco Airport. Dial was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility. Dial is no longer in custody, as he posted bail.

Walnut Creek Police would like to thank the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in locating and apprehending Simon.

The Department is still actively conducting this investigation. If you have any information related to this case, please contact the Walnut Creek Police at 925-943-5844 or call our anonymous tip line at 925- 843-5865.

Filed Under: Central County, Crime, District Attorney, News, Police

Pittsburg woman pleads guilty to major financial crime scheme at Filipino food business

March 31, 2023 By Publisher 1 Comment

Embezzled almost $1.4 million, paid $410K in restitution

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

A former employee of Ramar Foods International in Pittsburg has pleaded guilty at her arraignment on March 30th to felony grand theft embezzlement, identity theft, money laundering, and tax evasion. The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office reached a negotiated disposition or plea agreement with 60-year-old Mary Antoinette Narvaez Hernandez of Pittsburg. Hernandez was the accounting manager at Ramar Foods International when she committed financial crimes between 2016 and 2021.

During that time, she embezzled a total of $1,399,342.84 from the company and failed to pay $97,568 in taxes to the State of California.

District Attorney Diana Becton noted that, “Financial crimes are often complicated. That’s why our Major Financial Crimes Unit has forensic accountants who can investigate complex illegal schemes and why we have attorneys with expert knowledge of white-collar crime. The goal is always to get justice for victims. A plea agreement like this one is an effective way for the victims to receive financial restitution from what was stolen from them — and for the state to recover tax revenue that was unlawfully evaded by the defendant.”

Hernandez has already paid restitution to the victims in the amount of $410,198.90, has cooperated with Pittsburg Police, and has accepted responsibility in the matter. At the arraignment, one of the victims, the President of Ramar Foods Susie Quesada spoke in court saying Hernandez “had many friends in our company who also trusted her and helped her. It is with deep regret now that we look upon the years of working with Mary Anna tainted with lies and deception.” Ms. Quesada concluded: “It is for our employees, who like our family, were betrayed by her deception and thievery, that we applaud the myriad law enforcement professionals and this court for bringing her to justice.”

Part of the agreement includes a stay away order from Ramar Foods International, that she pays restitution, taxes owed, cannot possess firearms, arming devices, or ammunition, and must pay for the cost of the investigation and prosecution. She was sentenced to a seven-year suspended state prison sentence, three years formal probation supervision, with one year in the county jail.

She can apply to serve jail time through the Contra Costa County Sherriff’s Custody Alternative Facility. Her probation supervision includes strict terms and conditions calculated to protect the community against further financial crimes by Ms. Hernandez. A violation of any of these terms or conditions will impose the suspended seven-year prison sentence.

Case No. 04-23-00316 | The People of the State of California v. Hernandez, Mary Antoinette Narvaez

Filed Under: Business, Crime, District Attorney, East County, News

Public’s help needed in legal action against Christopher George Miller

March 30, 2023 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Arrested for sex crimes against minors in Contra Costa

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

As the seven-count felony case against Christopher George Miller continues in Superior Court in Martinez, the investigative team who arrested him in a sting operation for arranging to engage in sex acts with a minor are asking the public for help.

The investigation into Miller started in 2022 when he was employed at Deer Valley High School in Antioch as a campus supervisor. A parent of a student reported to school officials that Miller was sending inappropriate texts to the student regarding marijuana use at the school, as well as sexually suggestive messages. (See related article)

The Contra Costa County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) adopted the case about three weeks ago to see if Miller (who was then a former employee at the high school) would sell marijuana and arrange to meet for sex. Posing as a 13-year-old girl on a chat app Miller used, a Detective with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office started communicating with him. At one point while exchanging texts, Miller offered to sell the fictitious teen marijuana — and later the chats became more sexual in nature.

Miller arranged to meet the teen for sex at a park in Martinez on March 16th, 2023. Participating ICAC members from the Sheriff’s Office, Concord Police, Danville Police, Pittsburg Police, and the District Attorney’s Office met him at the park and arrested Miller on marijuana possession with the intent to sell to a minor and other charges related to contacting and arranging to engage in lewd and lascivious acts with a minor. He was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility and arraigned on a total of seven felony charges on March 21st. His preliminary hearing is set for April 3rd at 8:30 am in Department 25 in Martinez.

According to the charging document filed on March 20 by the CCDA’s Office, Miller was charged with seven felonies, including P0288.3(a), Contact with Minor for Sexual Offense on or about June 14, 2022; PC288.4(b), Meeting Minor for Lewd Purposes between March 10 and 16, 2023; PC288.3(a), Contact with Minor for Sexual Offense on or between March 10 and 16, 2023; PC288.2(a)(2), Distributing Or Showing Pornography To A Minor on or about March 14, 2023; PC288.2(a)(2), Distributing Or Showing Pornography To A Minor on or about March 15, 2023; PC 664/PC288(a), Attempted Lewd Act Upon A Child on or about March 16, 2023; PC 664/HS11360(a), Attempted Sale/Offer To Sell/Transportation Of Marijuana on or about March 16, 2023.

ICAC Senior Inspector Darryl Holcombe notes that Miller may have been in contact with other victims. He’s asking the public to email him at the District Attorney’s Office if they have information related to Miller’s case. He can be reached at: DHolcombe@contracostada.org.

Case No. 01-23-00820 | The People of the State of California v. Miller, Christopher George

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Filed Under: Concord, Crime, District Attorney, Education, News, Police, Sheriff, Youth

Vallejo man faces murder charges in crash that killed mother and son in Rodeo

March 28, 2023 By Publisher 1 Comment

Hit-and-run suspect Ralph White III. Source: KTVU

Being held on $1.32 million bail

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

Murder charges are part of a six-count felony complaint filed today by the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office against 20-year-old Ralph Ellsworth White, III of Vallejo (born Feb. 11, 2003). The charges stem from a short high-speed police pursuit that resulted in a vehicle collision that took the life of a mother and son in Rodeo. (See related article)

The incident occurred on March 23rd around 7:30 pm when Hercules Police were notified by the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office of a stolen Mazda SUV traveling eastbound on I-80 toward the City of Hercules. A peace officer with Hercules Police saw the stolen vehicle exit Willow Avenue and attempted to pull the vehicle over. White accelerated the SUV away from the police vehicle, and shortly after, collided with another vehicle near Parker Avenue and 4th Street in Rodeo. White fled from the crash on foot, but officers found him at a nearby liquor store. He was placed under arrest and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility in Martinez.

The impact of the collision killed the driver of the vehicle, 31-year-old Ryniqueka Dowell, and injured her six-year-old twin sons – one of whom died on March 27th from crash-related injuries. The other boy suffered a broken leg and other injuries.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, White is being held on $1.32 million bail in the Martinez Detention Facility, as of Tuesday, March 28, 2023.

White will be arraigned on March 29th at 1:30 pm in Martinez on the following charges: Two counts of murder with two enhancements for committing the offenses while on bail. White also faces felonies for fleeing a pursuing peace officer’s vehicle and causing serious bodily injury, a hit and run resulting in the death or injury to another person, carrying a loaded unregistered firearm, and receiving stolen property (i.e., a motor vehicle).

Case No. 02-23-00447 | The People of the State of California v. White, Ralph Ellsworth, III

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Filed Under: Crime, District Attorney, News, West County

Pittsburg man charged with vehicular manslaughter in hit-and-run death of teen girl

March 18, 2023 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Pittsburg Detectives Gutierrez and Elmore and arrest of Roberto Matthew Sainez, Jr. Photos: Pittsburg PD

Driver’s fiancé also arrested for being accessory, destroying evidence

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

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office has filed a four-count complaint against a 34-year-old Pittsburg man for his role in a hit-and-run collision that took the life of a 17-year-old female pedestrian, Brooke Jeffrey.

Roberto Matthew Sainez, Jr. was arraigned in Superior Court in Martinez Friday, on vehicular manslaughter, a hit and run that resulted in the death of another person, destroying evidence, and driving with a suspended or revoked license for a DUI conviction. The manslaughter charge comes with an enhancement of fleeing the scene after committing the offense.

The incident occurred around 7:15 pm on March 7th, 2023, near Black Diamond High School in Pittsburg. Pittsburg Police received a call about a pedestrian who appeared unconscious and likely hit by a vehicle. When police arrived on the scene at Stoneman Avenue near Briarcliff Drive, they found the teen lying in the center of the road. Police and medical personnel administered life-saving measures. However, the teen was pronounced dead after being transported to a local hospital.

Pittsburg Police initiated an investigation of the incident — which led them to Mr. Sainez as a suspect. He was arrested on March 15th and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility. During

the arraignment, Deputy District Attorney Jeff Kolko noted that Sainez not only fled the scene after striking the teen with his vehicle, but also took action to cover up the evidence. A family member of the victim also spoke in court asking Judge Nancy Davis Stark to consider the lack of

remorse in Sainez’s actions. After hearing from the victim’s family member and Mr. Kolko’s request to increase Sainez’s bail, the judge increased the bail amount from $200,000 to $1,000,000.

Case No. 04-23-00363 | The People of the State of California vs. Sainez, Roberto Matthew

Driver’s 30-year-old Fiancé Also Arrested

According to a Pittsburg Police press release on Thursday, March 16, The District Attorney’s Office filed the following charges in relation to the fatal hit-and-run crash of 17-year-old Brooke Jeffrey:

Sainez, Roberto Jr.

PC 192(c)(1) – Vehicular Manslaughter; enhancement of CVC 20001(c) – Fleeing Scene of a Crime

CVC 20001(b)(2) – Hit and Run Resulting in Death

PC 135 – Destruction of Evidence

CVC 14601.2(a) – Suspended License for DUI

Bail: $200,000

Today, Pittsburg PD investigators arrested 34-year-old Roberto Sainez from Pittsburg for the hit-and-run collision that killed a teenage girl. Sainez’ fiancé, 30-year-old Vanessa Landeros, was also arrested.

Sainez was booked on the following charges:

  • PC 192(c) – Vehicular Manslaughter
  • PC 135 – Destroying or Concealing Evidence
  • CVC 20001 Felony Hit & Run
  • CVC 20003 Hit & Run resulting in a death
  • CVC 14601.2 – Suspended License for DUI
  • CVC 14601.4 – Driving on a suspended or revoked license and causing bodily injury
  • CVC 14601.5 – Driving on a Suspended License due to DUI

Landeros was booked on the following charges:

  • PC 32 – Accessory after the fact
  • PC 135 – Destroying or Concealing Evidence

The two were arrested in the 3000 block of Gladstone Drive in Pittsburg where investigators were serving a search warrant.

On March 7th, Pittsburg police officers responded to Stoneman Avenue and Briarcliff Drive where a 17-year-old pedestrian was fatally struck by a vehicle, which then fled the area. From the onset, this case was handled with an all-hands-on deck approach and investigators worked diligently, following all investigative leads that led to these arrests. This included reviewing of countless hours of video surveillance, which aided in the identification of the suspect vehicle and ultimately the suspects. Investigators served several search warrants in this case to include two Pittsburg residences, a Pittsburg business, and a property in Sonoma County which also led to the recovery of the vehicle involved in the collision.

We are extremely proud of the swift and hard work our detectives, fatal traffic investigators and evidence technician put into this case to provide the family closure and justice. Please understand that there are times, particularly in sensitive cases, where we cannot issue information prematurely to protect the integrity of the investigation.

We would like to thank our community for their cooperation in this investigation. In the coming days, investigators will be presenting this case to the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office for the filing of formal charges. This is still an active investigation. Anyone who has additional information related to this case should contact Detective Gutierrez at 925-252-4095 or Detective Elmore at 925-252-4875.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

Filed Under: Crime, District Attorney, East County, News, Police

Former Martinez school district employee convicted of attempted sex with girl

March 13, 2023 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Arrested in 2018 at Pleasant Hill parking lot where he arranged meeting

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

On March 9th, 37-year-old Ahmed Kamal Ismaiel was convicted by a jury in Contra Costa County on three felony violations, including unlawful electronic contact with a minor and arranging to meet a minor for sex. (See related article)

Ismaiel was arrested on April 6, 2018, by the Contra Costa County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force when he arrived at a parking lot in Pleasant Hill to meet the minor. He was charged with three felony counts of child sexual exploitation and released on bail pending trial. However, as of Monday, March 13, the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office has him in custody at the West County Detention Facility in Richmond while awaiting sentencing by Judge Rebecca Hardie on April 7th. At the time of his arrest, he worked as a network engineer for the Martinez Unified School District. At the time the complaint was filed, he was a resident of Martinez.

During the trial, the prosecution established that Ismaiel attempted to coerce and entice a person he reasonably believed to be a 14-year-old girl into meeting him for sex.

“The Defendant’s behavior was clear, unambiguous, and unacceptable,” noted Deputy District Attorney Chris Sansoe. “Not only that, but so were his attempts to excuse this behavior.”

The evidence against the former Martinez resident also proved that over the course of two days, Ismaiel engaged in sexually suggestive communications with the minor, sent her sexually suggestive photos, and ultimately arranged to meet the minor for sex. Prior to that meeting, Ismaiel stopped at a local grocery store to purchase condoms.

He faces a maximum prison term of four years and a $5,000 fine.

The investigation of Ismaiel was conducted by the multi-agency Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, including detectives and investigators from the Walnut Creek, Danville, Pleasant Hill, Concord, Pittsburg, San Ramon, Brentwood, and Moraga Police Departments, the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, United States Secret Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and Inspectors from the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office.

Parents seeking additional resources can visit www.kidsmartz.org or the website for the Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force at www.svicac.org. Reports of illegal activity involving minor victims on the internet should be reported at once to your local police department.

Case #01-001853779 | The People of the State of California v. Ismaiel, Ahmed Kamal

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Filed Under: Central County, Crime, District Attorney, News, Police

DA’s Office reaches plea agreement with four defendants in 2021 Brentwood shooting death

March 3, 2023 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Father and son sentenced to 12 years in state prison

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

This week, two defendants charged with the murder of 48-year-old Justin David Silva of Brentwood have entered into a plea agreement with the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office.

45-year-old Dennis Lindsay will serve 12 years and four months in state prison for killing Justin Silva and residential burglary. His son, 21- year-old Nathan Rampone-Lindsay, will serve the same term for manslaughter and preventing a witness from filing a police report. Judge Mary Ann O’Malley will sentence both defendants on April 14th at 8:30 am in Martinez. The plea agreement reflects enhancements which add to their prison terms.

Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Tompkins said after the agreement was reached, “Justin Silva’s surviving family and loved ones can now begin the process of healing and recovery from his senseless murder. The relationships between the parties, as well as complex issues of self-defense and defense of others, created a significant legal challenge in a jury trial that Justin’s family recognized. While nothing can bring Justin Silva back to his family and friends, justice has been served on his behalf.”

On August 24th, 2021, around 4:15 in the afternoon Brentwood Police responded to reports of shots fired on Brentwood Boulevard near Sellers Avenue. When authorities arrived, they found Silva dead from multiple gunshot wounds. Dennis Lindsay and 50-year-old Daniel Marmino were also shot with non-life-threatening injuries to their leg and arms. (See related article)

During the police investigation, it was revealed Silva was living in an outbuilding on the property owned by a Lindsay family member — where he was employed doing carpentry work.

The living and employment relationship between Silva and the Lindsay family members became acrimonious. Silva was sent an eviction letter to leave the property by September 1st. However, on August 24th, Lindsay, Rampone-Lindsay, and Marmino went to Silva’s home armed with an automatic pistol with an extended magazine, a flare gun, bear spray, and a knife. Dennis and Marmino then tore down a wooden side wall of Silva’s home and entered the residence with their weapons drawn — with Nathan entering behind them. Upon their entry, Silva opened fire on the men with his firearms — shooting Dennis and Marmino. Nathan returned fire with 30 rounds from the automatic pistol, striking Silva 20 times. Silva died at the scene.

Marmino, and a fourth defendant – 74-year-old Roger Lindsay – were also charged but entered pleas in 2022 for their roles in the incident. Roger Lindsay pled to being an accessory to the crime, and Daniel Marmino entered a plea of assault with force likely to cause great bodily harm.

Both men are scheduled to be sentenced on March 27th at 8:30 am in Martinez.

04002026128 | The People of the State of California vs. Lindsay, Dennis Victor, Rampone-

Lindsay, Nathan, Lindsay, Roger Curtis, and Marmino, Daniel Vincent

Filed Under: Crime, District Attorney, East County, News, Police

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