Contra Costa Herald

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

Pharmacist charged with robbing local pharmacy in Danville

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Pharmacist Jonathan Szkotak.

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

The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office charged defendant Jonathan Szkotak with one felony count of second-degree robbery. On April 3, 2018, Szkotak allegedly went to a CVS pharmacy in Danville where he brandished a firearm at the pharmacy staff and demanded specific pills. Szkotak is a registered pharmacist with the California Board of Pharmacy. He works in Alameda County for the Alameda Alliance for Health.

Szkotak allegedly approached the pharmacy counter wearing a blue surgical mask and displayed a firearm. Given that he used a gun during the course of the robbery, our office charged Szkotak with a firearm enhancement.

CVS reported to the Drug Enforcement Agency a loss report of Clonazepam and Buprenorphine. In total, 17 tablets of Clonazepam were missing and 57 tablets of Buprenorphine (three different brands) as a result of the April 3rd robbery. Upon Szkotak’s arrest, the police found a quantity of crushed Buprenorphine in the defendant’s wallet.

Szkotak’s court appearance is January 14, 2019 in Martinez. He is out of custody on a $200,000 bond.

He was charged with the following: Second Degree Robbery –  Enhancement 1, Personal Use of a Firearm

Case information: People v. Jonathan Szkotak, Docket Number 01-187866-9.

Oakley teen charged with making criminal threats, stalking and threatening a school official

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Arrested in Texas, awaiting extradition back to Contra Costa County

By Scott Alonso, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

On Wednesday, November 28, 2018, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office charged 19-year-old Tristan Amir Curl, a resident of Oakley, California and a student living in Austin, Texas, with six felony counts of making criminal threats, one felony count of stalking and one felony count of threatening a school official.

The charges are a result of a two-month investigation by the Oakley Police Department, District Attorney’s Office and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) into a series of threats on social media. In September, several underage females were contacted by an unknown person on social media who was threatening to rape and kill them.

The same subject threatened to shoot students at Freedom High School in Oakley and then threatened to murder the school principal. Investigators subsequently identified Curl as the suspect and obtained an arrest warrant for him, which was approved by a Superior Court Judge in Contra Costa County.

On November 20, 2018, Curl was arrested in Austin, Texas where he attends college. The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office had a senior inspector in Austin to assist the Oakley Police Department with the arrest and collection of forensic evidence.

Curl remains in the custody of the Travis County, Texas Sheriff’s Department while awaiting extradition back to Contra Costa County. The Austin Police Department and FBI provided substantial assistance with the investigation.

Case information: People v. Curl, Dockett Number 01-187978-2

Man found guilty of animal cruelty for dog attack on calves in Contra Loma Regional Park

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

On October 31, a Contra Costa County jury found defendant Vinicio Santos of Antioch guilty of three misdemeanors, including animal cruelty. On December 1, 2017, Santos’ dog attacked the three calves owned by grazer Paul Daysh. The brutal attack left the three calves permanently injured.

Santos now faces a sentence of up to three years in county jail. Sentencing for Santos will occur on November 30 by the Honorable Leonard Marquez in Department 34 at the Contra Costa County Superior Court in Pittsburg. Restitution for Daysh will also be decided on November 30. Contra Costa County Deputy District Attorney Whitnee Goins prosecuted the case on behalf of the People for this misdemeanor jury trial.

“I am grateful the jury held the defendant accountable for his crimes. He ignored repeated orders from East Bay Regional Parks Rangers to control his dog. Consequently, these calves needlessly suffered serious injuries. We will continue to prosecute animal cruelty cases to ensure the public is protected and animals are cared for in a humane manner,” DDA Goins stated.

Santos and his dog were at the Contra Loma Regional Park in Antioch on December 1, 2017. Santos’ dog was not on leash when spotted by park rangers. After rangers saw Santos, they heard animals in distress. When the rangers connected again with Santos they saw the white Husky mix dog viciously attacking one calf, then moving to attack two more calves. Santos was told repeatedly to leash his dog and bring the dog under control. Santos ignored the rangers’ commands.

Santos was found guilty of the following misdemeanor offenses:

·         Animal Cruelty

·         Vandalism Over $400 Damage

·         Resist, Obstruct, Delay of Peace Officer

Case information: People v. Vinicio Arturo Santos, Docket Number 04-193968-5.

Martinez man charged with child molestation and production, distribution and selling child pornography

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On Thursday October 25, 2018, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office charged 21-year-old Martinez resident Aaron Kurtis Mikkelsen with multiple felony violations including committing lewd acts with a minor under 13, producing child pornography, as well as selling and distributing child sexual abuse material online.

On October 23, 2018, the Contra Costa County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force executed a search warrant in Martinez related to Mikkelsen selling child pornography on social media. During the search, investigators located evidence that Mikkelsen had sexually abused a child under 13 years old. Investigators located a significant amount of child sexual abuse material on his cell phone and in various social media accounts.

Mikkelsen will be arraigned in Martinez at the Contra Costa County Superior Courthouse this morning. Mikkelsen remains in the custody of the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office on $500,000 bail. Deputy District Attorney Jeffrey Kolko is prosecuting the case on behalf of the People.

The investigation was conducted by a multi-agency Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which is managed by the San Jose Police Department. In Contra Costa County, detectives and investigators from the Walnut Creek, Martinez, San Ramon, Concord and Moraga Police Departments, the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, United States Secret Service, Homeland Security Investigations, the Contra Costa County Probation Department, and Inspectors from the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office participate in the task force.

Parents are encouraged to discuss online safety with their children, and can visit the website www.kidsmartz.org or our website for further information.

Case information: People v. Mikkelsen, Dockett Number 01-187610-1

Contra Costa DA, police agencies to hold Family Violence Prevention Forum Thursday, Oct. 25 in Antioch

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On October 25, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office along with our justice partners, is hosting a community forum and resource fair which will address what family violence looks like in Contra Costa County, what Contra Costa County’s response is to family violence and how law enforcement responds to family violence. Victims may feel conflicted about reporting violence in the home or may not be aware of the wide range of resources in our community that can respond to, intervene in and work to prevent these issues and keep our families safe.

32.9 percent of California women and 27.3 percent of California men experience physical violence, sexual violence and/or stalking in their lifetimes. In 2016, the National Domestic Violence Hotline received over 28,000 calls from California and nearly one-third of these had children in the home. Research has shown that only 4 percent of domestic violence murder victims nationwide had ever availed themselves of domestic violence program services. Our goal is to increase that number by letting our community members know how to get help right here in Contra Costa County.

The event will occur in Antioch at the Antioch Water Park (4701 Lone Tree Way) starting at 5:00 p.m. with the resource fair. Community members will receive a “passport” to use when visiting providers at the resource fair and will be eligible for prizes if they collect a “stamp” from each provider. A blue ribbon panel of experts from many levels of our County’s family violence response system will address the audience at 6:00 p.m. and be available for questions. After the panelists finish, the resources fair will be continue until 8:00 p.m. Food and drinks will be provided.

 Victims of family violence can get help by reporting the conduct to the police, by calling the STAND! for Families Free of Violence 24-hour toll free crisis line at 1-888-215-5555 or contacting the Family Justice Centers in Richmond (256 24th St.) or Concord (2151 Salvio St., Suite 201). In any life-threatening emergency, victims should always call 911. In 2019, a new Family Justice Center location will open in Antioch to serve East County residents.

The entire program will be moderated by KTVU’s Candice Nguyen. Panelists will include:

·         Dana Filkowski, Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office

·         Rhonda James, STAND! For Families Free of Violence

·         Devorah Levine, Contra Costa Alliance to End Abuse

·         Kevin McAllister, Rainbow Community Center

·         Nicole Riddick, Pittsburg Police Department

·         Jason Vanderpool, Antioch Police Department

The participating agencies are as follows: 

·         Antioch Council for the Teens

·         Antioch Police Department

·         Bay Area Rapid Transit

·         Brentwood Police Department

·         Brentwood Union School District

·         Catholic Charities of the East Bay

·         Community Violence Solutions

·         Contra Costa Family Justice Centers

·         Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office

·         Contra Costa County Employment and Human Services Department

·         Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office

·         International Rescue Committee

·         Mexican Consulate

·         Oakley Police Department

·         Ombudsman Services of Contra Costa, Inc.

·         Opportunity Junction

·         Pittsburg Police Department

·         Planned Parenthood

·         Rainbow Community Center

·         Rubicon Programs

·         Ruby’s Place

·         STAND! For Families Free of Violence

·         Tourette Association of America

·         Village Community Resource Center

 October is National Domestic Violence Awareness month.

 

East County transient man convicted of felony vehicular manslaughter in 2017 Hwy 4 fatal crash

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Crash in Pittsburg on Oct. 4, 2017 took life of Discovery Bay woman

On October 2, a Contra Costa County jury found defendant Frank J. Newkirk, a 26-year-old transient, guilty of gross vehicular manslaughter. The victim, Theresa Frazer, was killed on October 4, 2017 during the morning commute on Highway 4 in Pittsburg. Newkirk was driving westbound on Highway 4 in a 2004 Chevy Tahoe in the slow lane when the incident occurred.

Newkirk now faces a sentence of up to six years in state prison. According to the D.A.’s Office Public Information Officer Scott Alonso, “Newkirk was a transient and his last known address according to court documents was Discovery Bay. But he lived all over including Bay Point and may have lived in Antioch at the time of the crash.”  Contra Costa County Deputy District Attorney Aron DeFerrari prosecuted the case behalf of the People for this felony jury trial. Sentencing for Newkirk will occur on November 16 by the Honorable Barry Baskin in Department 7 at the Contra Costa County Superior Court in Martinez.

On the morning of October 4, 2017, Newkirk was driving his girlfriend’s 2004 Chevy Tahoe without a license and careened into Frazer’s Nissan Sentra. Frazer was driving her friend to work when the accident occurred. The impact of the crash spun the Nissan around and crushed the vehicle. In total, five cars were impacted by Newkirk’s crash into Frazer.

California Highway Patrol investigated the crash and found Newkirk was traveling at an unsafe speed between 54 to 61 miles per hour in traffic with cars slowed in front of him due to an unrelated accident. Evidence gathered by CHP showed the vehicle’s brakes were never activated before the crash. Newkirk also did not take his foot off the throttle. Newkirk’s collision led to the unfortunate death of Frazer, a 47-year-old mother of three children. Restitution for this case will be determined at a later date.

Traffic collisions can cause very serious injuries and even result in fatalities. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, traffic fatalities are increasing, totaling 3,623 in 2016 and serious traffic injuries are on the rise.

Earlier this year our office filed the following counts against Newkirk:

  • Count 1, Vehicular Manslaughter – Felony
  • Count 2, Driving Without a License – Misdemeanor

Case information: People v. Frank J. Newkirk, Docket Number 05-181281-7.

Golden State Killer suspect charged with four felonies from alleged attacks in Contra Costa County

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Golden State Killer suspect Joseph DeAngelo. Photo courtesy of Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office.

All cases to be prosecuted in Sacramento County

Martinez, Calif. – The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office announced today, Tuesday, August 21, 2018 that Joseph DeAngelo, the 72-year-old Citrus Heights man suspected of being the East Area Rapist/Golden State Killer, is charged with four felonies from the alleged attacks in Contra Costa County from 1978 to 1979. DeAngelo could face four life sentences plus ten years for his alleged crimes of kidnapping during the course of a robbery in Contra Costa County if he is convicted.

The Contra Costa D.A. announced that these cases will be prosecuted jointly by the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office in Sacramento County. This joint prosecution includes cases from Sacramento, Orange, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Tulare and Contra Costa Counties. An amended complaint, charging crimes from all six counties was filed today in Sacramento County Superior Court. A copy of the amended complaint is available here. (See counts 23-26 on pages 16-18)

In announcing this decision, District Attorney Diana Becton stated, “The horrific crimes committed by Joseph DeAngelo terrorized the victims and residents of Contra Costa County. For decades he evaded justice and devastated communities across California. Today, I am pleased to announce that four Contra Costa County cases are filed in Sacramento County. As we take another step today toward justice, our office will continue to support the victims and their families through this difficult time.”

DeAngelo now faces 13 felony counts of murder. Special circumstances sentencing enhancements include: multiple murders, murder during the commission of rape, robbery, and burglary, and personal use of a firearm. DeAngelo was charged today in an amended complaint with 13 felony counts of kidnapping to commit robbery with sentencing enhancements for personal use of a firearm and personal use of a knife during the commission of the offenses. He faces a minimum sentence of life in state prison without the possibility of parole.

DeAngelo is expected to appear in Sacramento County for his arraignment on Thursday, August 23rd at 1:30 p.m. in Department 61 at the Sacramento County Superior Court.

Watch the video of the press conference by the six District Attorneys on YouTube.

Update on investigation into Saturday’s fatal Hwy 24 collision after suspects flee from officer

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The burned suspect’s vehicle following CHP chase and collision on Highway 24 in Orinda, Saturday, July 21, 2018. Photo by KTVU Fox2 News.

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

The investigation into a fatal single vehicle collision after two suspects fled from an Orinda Police Officer on Saturday is ongoing. The investigation is being conducted by the District Attorney’s Office, Office of the Sheriff and CHP per the county fatal incident protocol.

On Saturday, July 21, 2018, at about 9:02 AM, an Orinda Police Officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a Nissan Altima for vehicle code violations in the area of St. Stephens Drive and Tahos Road in Orinda. As the officer approached the vehicle, it fled at a high rate of speed leading the officer on a pursuit. The suspect vehicle entered westbound Highway 24. The officer lost sight of the suspect vehicle and later came upon a single vehicle collision involving the car on Highway 24 near the BART station.

First aid was rendered to the two occupants of the vehicle. They were taken to a local hospital, where one was pronounced deceased. He is identified as 20-year-old Lawrence Mar-tin of Oakland.

The other occupant of the vehicle, 20-year-old Danny Lockett of San Francisco, was arrested for felony evading causing death and a probation violation. He is being held without bail at the Martinez Detention Facility.

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

Nine Contra Costa County restaurants cited for failing to provide Workers’ Compensation Insurance

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Four in Pleasant Hill, two in Concord, two in Brentwood and one in Pittsburg

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

A joint enforcement strike force issued over $200,000 in administrative fines to nine Contra Costa County restaurants for failing to provide workers’ compensation insurance, announced District Attorney Diana Becton. On June 26 and July 20, 2018, investigators from the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office, Department of Industrial Relations’ Labor Commissioner’s Office, and Employment Development Department conducted surprise inspections at Contra Costa County restaurants suspected of deliberately evading the obligation to provide workers’ compensation insurance to employees.

The citations issued by the Labor Commissioner’s Office allege that the restaurants cumulatively employed 55 workers without providing insurance coverage in the event of an injury on the job. The restaurants failed to respond to a warning letter from the District Attorney’s Office in July of 2017.

District Attorney Diana Becton said, “The District Attorney’s Office is committed to protecting the workers of Contra Costa County. Operations like these are an important part of obtaining compliance before an employee finds out the hard way that their employer did not have coverage for a severe injury.”

The Labor Code requires employers to provide workers compensation insurance to cover employees in the event of an on-the-job injury.

“This operation protects employers who are playing by the rules from being undercut by those who don’t,” said California Labor Commissioner Julie A. Su. “We also issued these citations because employees are entitled to workers’ compensation insurance if they are hurt on the job.”

Willful failure to provide the insurance is punishable by substantial fines and misdemeanor criminal prosecution. Employees that do not know whether they are covered can check their employer’s notices board or ask a manager. Labor Code section 3550 requires the employers to post a notice identifying the current insurance at a conspicuous location.

Anyone with information about employers who dissuade employees from filing claims after they are injured, lie to a workers compensation insurance carrier about who is employed and what jobs they actually do, or fail to provide workers’ compensation insurance coverage at all, can report that information to DA-ReportFraud@contracostada.org. Labor Code section 1102.5 prohibits an employer from retaliating against an employee who reports a violations of a California statute, rule, or regulation to a supervisor or government agency.

Joint Enforcement Strike Results:

  • Meson Azteca, 2237 & 2239 Morello Ave., Pleasant Hill ($71,668)
  • New Lim’s Garden, 4340 Clayton Rd., Concord ($51,262)
  • Dragon City Restaurant, 71 Sand Creek Rd., Brentwood ($28,500)
  • La Mordida, 607 Gregory Lane, Ste. 140, Pleasant Hill ($16,500)
  • Sushi One, 3111 Balfour Rd., Brentwood ($15,000)
  • Sunshine Café, 1908 Oak Park Blvd. Pleasant Hill ($7,500)
  • Tacos El Patron, 2290 Monument Blvd., Pleasant Hill ($7,500)
  • Grant Street Pub and Pizzeria, 1822 Grant St., Concord ($6,500)
  • Sunshine Café, 2227 Railroad Ave, Pittsburg ($4,500)

San Pablo man found guilty of 2015 torture, violent sexual assault of female victim

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Branded victim with initial of his nickname

Aleem Niweigha. Photo from his Facebook page posted on June 29, 2015.

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

On June 28, a Contra Costa County jury found defendant Aleem Niweigha guilty of three felony counts for torturing his victim by making her strip naked and repeatedly burning his victim with scalding hot water and metal objects he heated on their stove. The defendant also branded the letter “Z” onto her back and violently sexually assaulted her.

Niweigha now faces a sentence of 39 years to life in State Prison. The District Attorney’s Office wants to thank the jury for their work on this domestic violence case. The victim, Jane Doe, suffered immense emotional and physical harm at the hands of Niweigha.

Contra Costa County Deputy District Attorney Nichelle Holmes prosecuted the case on behalf of the People. The jury trial lasted ten days before the Honorable Charles Burch in Department 23 at the Martinez Superior Court. Sentencing for the defendant will occur on July 13.

“Jane Doe displayed tremendous courage by coming forward and confronting her abuser when she took the stand and testified against him. She disclosed extreme physical and psychological torture the hands of the defendant that lasted for years. During this process, we watched Jane Doe transform from a victim to a survivor,” said DDA Holmes. Holmes is a prosecutor in the Community Violence Reduction Unit. She also served as a prosecutor in the Domestic Violence Unit for four years and was the first prosecutor to be co-located at the Richmond Family Justice Center.

In the spring of 2015, a friend of Jane Doe’s called Children and Family Services’ emergency hotline to report concerns about the wellbeing of Jane Doe and her children. In an investigation that also included the Richmond Police Department, significant burns were discovered on Jane Doe’s face, neck and arms. Officials later discovered that Jane Doe had burn marks covering most of her body and a large initial “Z” branded onto her back.

Jane Doe later disclosed that while they lived together, Niweigha repeatedly used boiling hot water mixed with peanut butter and oil to burn her. Before he threw the boiling water on Jane Doe, Niweigha would order Jane Doe to take off her clothes and remain naked while she was burned. Niweigha mixed the hot scalding water with these ingredients to ensure they stuck on Jane Doe’s body. Jane Doe suffered immense burns from her face down to her knees.

In addition, Niweigha used a metal pipe that was heated on the stove to burn the initial “Z” on Jane Doe’s back against her will while she was restrained on his lap. Niweigha’s nickname was “Zeem.” He also burned her with a heated metal screw attached to a stick. On Mother’s Day, Niweigha committed a violent sexual assault against Jane Doe, which resulted in her hospitalization for two days.

Jane Doe was able to obtain services and support from the Family Justice Center. All victims of interpersonal violence (domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, elder/dependent adult abuse and child abuse) can get help by visiting the Family Justice Centers in Richmond (256 24th St.) or Concord (2151 Salvio St., Ste. 201). DA Holmes believes that it was with this support that Jane Doe was finally able to disclose the full magnitude of the abuse she suffered to Richmond Police Detectives co-located there and break free from the cycle of domestic abuse. Law enforcement officials, Contra Costa County Children and Family Services Division and the District Attorney’s Office were then able to make a case against Niweigha and hold him accountable for these crimes. The District Attorney’s Victim-Witness Assistance Center continues to provide services to Jane Doe and her children.

If you or someone you know has been affected by interpersonal violence – get help by reporting the abuse to police, by calling the STAND! for Families Free of Violence 24-hour toll free crisis line at 1-888-215-5555 or visiting the Family Justice Centers in Richmond (256 24th St.) or Concord (2151 Salvio St., Ste. 201). In an emergency, always call 911.

The complete list of charges and enhancements against the defendant are as follows:

  • Count 1, Torture
  • Count 2, Aggravated Mayhem
  • Count 3, Sexual Penetration by Foreign Object
  • Enhancement 1, Special Allegation-Great Bodily Injury
  • Enhancement 2, Special Allegation-Aggravated Circumstances

Case information: People v. Aleem Niweigha, Docket Number 05-160618-5.