Contra Costa Herald

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

Community Safety Panelists wanted for Contra Costa DA’s restorative justice program

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

As part of National Crime Victims’ Rights week in April, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office is actively seeking Community Safety Panelists for the Neighborhood Restorative Partnership (NRP) to help survivors of crime recover from the trauma they have experienced. (See related article)

“Victims of crime are often the last ones to receive help in terms of counseling and other resources,” District Attorney Diana Becton noted after analyzing the state budget. “California spends around $50 billion a year on law enforcement, prisons, and county jails. However, for victim-centered services and programs, the state only spends around $100 million.”

The NRP is a community-based program that prioritizes victims. Its goal is to help victims heal and rebuild their lives after suffering from the effects of crime. The program was initiated by the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office as a program that moves beyond a one-size-fits-all approach to crime.

NRP addresses low-level misdemeanors, such as vandalism, alcohol control violations, and other quality of life crimes by partnering with members of the community as Safety Panelists. Panelists are chosen through an application and screening process. They receive training at the DA’s Office and are then empowered with the authority – pursuant to PC 14150-14156 — to mediate certain types of misdemeanor offenses.

Safety Panelist Susan Hildreth said the NRP program “is a great opportunity for community members to work together in a safe, open and confidential setting, to achieve positive outcomes or victims, participants, and the community.”

Contra Costa residents interested in becoming a Community Safety Panelist can apply here. Email completed applications to: DA-NRP@contracostada.org, or by mail to the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office, Attn: Janet Era, Neighborhood Restorative Partnership, at 900 Ward Street, 2nd Floor, Martinez, CA 94553.

Redacted version of DA’s report on Antioch Police officers’ racist, offensive texts leaked

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Covers period from Sept. 2019 to April 2022

“text communications between sworn law enforcement members of the Antioch Police Department we believe may have violated the Racial Justice Act.” – Report

DA issues further redacted report Thursday afternoon

WARNING: Contains offensive words and images

By Allen D. Payton

On Monday, April 10, 2023, under order of a Contra Costa Superior Court judge the District Attorney’s Office released the unredacted report of racist and other offensive texts by Antioch Police officers to the defense attorneys in a murder case of four suspects in which officers are involved. Then on Tuesday a redacted version was exclusively shared with reporters for the Mercury News for an article published that day. That same day the DA’s Office PIO Ted Asregadoo said they were redacting the report further before issuing it to other media and on Wednesday he said it wasn’t ready yet and will “have more info on Friday.” But today, Thursday, April 13 the report provided to the Mercury News was leaked by someone and posted on social media.

“The judge said to the DA’s office we had to provide the unredacted version to the defense for discovery,” Asregadoo explained. “But she also ordered redactions had to be made such as officers’ cell phone numbers and other information for disclosure.”

He said the leaked redacted version did come from the DA’s Office but he didn’t know who leaked it. But they will be releasing a further redacted version of the report, later today. That was issued about 4:30 p.m.

The texts included in the report, by CCCDA Senior Inspector Larry J. Wallace, were sent and received by officers from September 2019 to April 2022. The report lists the 14 “Antioch Police Department Officers Sending Communications”: Sergeants Josh Evans and Rick Hoffman, who is also president of the Antioch Police Officers Association, Detective Robert Gerber, and Officers Jonathan Adams, Morteza Amiri, Scott Duggar, Aaron Hughes, Brayton Milner, Calvin Prieto, John Ramirez, Andrea Rodriguez, Eric Rombough, Kyle Smith and Devon Wenger.

The report also claims, “the CCCDAO and the FBI found text communications between sworn law enforcement members of the Antioch Police Department that we believe may have violated the Racial Justice Act. This report documents some of the derogatory, homophobic, and sexually explicit language and photographs shared by members of the Antioch Police Department that demonstrates their racial bias and animus towards African Americans and other people of color in the community. This report does not include every derogatory text message retrieved during our review of the above listed (redacted) cellular telephones. This is an ongoing state and federal criminal investigation which may lead additional disclosures. This report also documents potential dishonesty, perjury, abuse of authority, and the violation of individual’s civil rights.”

The California Racial Justice Act, AB2542, passed in 2020, prohibits “the state from seeking a criminal conviction or sentence on the basis of race, ethnicity, or national origin.”

The report further reads, “This is a joint investigation being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office (CCCDAO) involving law enforcement officers currently and formerly employed by the Antioch Police Department (APD) and the Pittsburg Police Department (PPD) regarding crimes of moral turpitude and criminal offenses.”

Asked if the 14 officers on the list are now included in the FBI investigation, the DA’s PIO Asregadoo said, “I can’t confirm that because I don’t know the scope of the FBI investigation.”

Other Sergeants and Officers Received Text Messages

The report also shows other officers received one or more of the text messages, including Sergeants Jimmy Wisecarver, Matthew Koch, James Stenger, Trevor Fortner, and Loren Bledsoe, the current Vice President of the APOA, and Officers Daniel Harris, John Cox, Jonathan Adams, Kyle Smith, Jacob Ewart, Ryan McDonald, Joseph Magana, Casey Brogdon, Tom Lenderman, Aaron Hughes, Adrian Gonzalez, Matthew Nutt; Brock Marcotte, Scott Duggar, Timothy Manly Williams, Kelly Inabett, Zechariah Matis, Brock Marcotte, Ryan McDonald, Brittney Crites, Quamaine Murphy, Johnathan Adams, Jiseok Jeong, Adam Duffy, Casey Brogdon, Matthew Summers, Tom Smith, Marcos Torres, Randall Gragg, Samantha Peterson, Brayton Milner and Arturo Becerra, as well as Brentwood Police Officer Lindzie Laughridge.

Examples of Offensive Messages

The texts include words and memes using derogatory terms, such as, “Ni–a”, “Beaner”, “gorillas”, “I’ll bury that ni–er in my fields”; “monkeys”, “f-g–ot” and more.

The report also shows other text messages in which officers claimed they were breaking the law and violating citizens’ rights. For example, the report reads, “On 04/29/2020, at 5:10 p.m., APD Officer Amiri text Brentwood Police Department (BPD) Officer Lindzie Laughridge, ‘Since we don’t have video I sometimes just say people gave me a full confession when they didn’t. gets filed easier.’”

Another message sent threatened harm to Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe. The report reads, “On 06/08/2020, at 9:27 a.m., Officer Ramirez text to APD Officers, “I’ll buy someone a prime rib dinner at House of prim rib to 40 that mfr (Thorpe) during the protest today.” This is a reference to the potential use of a .40mm less lethal launcher being utilized on current Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe. The following APD Officers received the above listed text message: Sgt.’s Josh Evans, James Wisecarver, Rick Hoffman, Loren Bledsoe, and James Stenger; Detective Robert Gerber; APD Officers John Cox, Jonathan Adams, Kyle Smith, Jacob Ewart, Ryan McDonald, Joseph Magana, Eric Rombough, Daniel Harris, Casey Brogdon, Tom Lenderman, Aaron Hughes, Adrian Gonzalez, Matthew Nutt, Brock Marcotte, Scott Duggar, and Timothy Manly Williams.”

The report also includes text messages about specific cases. It reads, “At 6:28 p.m., APD Sgt. Wisecarver text, ‘Baldwin was the one providing the grades.’ APD Officer Aaron Hughes adds, ‘84% percentile for deadly force.’ APD Officer Inabnett responds, “But we kill more mexicans than anything else. Soo blacks can feel safe.” This is a reference to Malad Baldwin who was assaulted by the APD in 2014, and his mother, Kathryn Wade, later stated this incident led to him suffering from mental illness, and he later died.”

The report reads about another offensive text that “On 06/22/2020, at 9:04 a.m., APD Officer Rombough text a private citizen a photograph depicting a large naked African American male, with his penis exposed, sitting on the neck of George Floyd.”

The report also shows officers conspiring to write false information about a suspect. It reads, “On 07/02/2020, at approximately 9:55 a.m., APD Officer Rodriguez text APD Officer Prieto, ‘I don’t know if I can do the DRE (drug recognition evaluation) cuz he’s knocked out now. APD Officer Prieto responds, ‘No we’ll just say he refused to comply and take the blood. Sh-t aint going anywhere. If anything he’ll get hit for the 2800.4 (California Vehicle Code Section 2800.4 Evading an officer by driving opposite of traffic).’

At approximately 9:56 a.m., APD Officer Rodriguez responds, ‘Okay that’s cool then. What’s the case number again’. APD Officer Prieto responds, ‘5516’.”

The report also shows texts by officers of how they would destroy evidence on their phones if an investigation occurred. It reads, “On 01/13/2021, at 8:22 p.m., APD Officer Morteza Amiri sends information regarding an article where cellular telephones were seized from 100 Oakland Police Officers. At 8:26 p.m., Sgt. Hoffman text, ‘If anyone tries to grab my personal phone I’m gonna smash it Theresa Conde style.’ At 8:27 p.m., APD Officer Cox responded, ‘mines going on the nearest microwave.’ At 8:43 p.m., APD Sgt. Stenger responded, ‘And I never hooked my work phone to the icloud or an email.’”

An exchange racist texts on 03/25/2021, reads, ‘At 5:52 p.m., APD Rombough text, “Sooo many black people (sic).’ At 6:22 p.m., APD Officer Adams responds, ‘Bro. They all look the same.’ APD Officer Rombough laughs at the above comment and responds, ‘Tell me about it’ and ‘I feel like I’m at the zoo.’ At 6:39 p.m., APD Officer Rombough text, ‘I bet it’s chicken.’ APD Officer Adams responds, ‘Could be ribs.’ APD Officer Rombough continues, ‘For sure watermelon and kool aid.’ At 7:14 p.m., APD Officer Rombough to APD Officer Adams, ‘I hate these idiots.’”

DA’s Statement on the Release of Redacted Investigative Report

Thursday afternoon, DA’s Office PIO Ted Asregadoo issued the following statement about the release of the initial redacted report on the officers’ texts.

“The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office is aware an investigative report detailing texts and images sent and received by certain members of the Antioch Police Department has been obtained and distributed beyond the parties of a criminal case.

The court ordered the release of the investigative report on April 7, 2023, to defense attorneys representing clients in a felony criminal case. The court also advised caution in the distribution of the contents of the report. The District Attorney’s Office agrees with the court advisory in the distribution and publication of this document as it contains explicit words and images that are hurtful, offensive, and inflammatory.

The DA’s Office has received multiple media requests for access to the 21-page investigative report concerning racial, homophobic, and derogatory text communications; a report that contained information that overlapped with a charged felony criminal case.

In light of those requests, and the recent distribution of the report, the District Attorney’s Office is releasing a redacted investigative report that balances public interest with the sensitive nature of what is contained in the report.

To view or download the redacted report, click here.”

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

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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.”

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

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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

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

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“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”

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

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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.

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

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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

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

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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.

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

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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.

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

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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.