Contra Costa Herald

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

Concord YouTuber found guilty of reckless driving, speeding, fleeing police

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Posted videos of his 2022 actions exceeding 120 mph on 680, other Bay Area freeways

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office & Officer Andrew Barclay, PIO, California Highway Patrol

On April 3, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office convicted a Concord man for multiple incidents of extreme speeding and reckless driving on Contra Costa freeways, which culminated in a police pursuit through a residential area in Concord.

In late spring of 2022, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) received public complaints about a gray BMW speeding and driving recklessly on Interstate 680 between Contra Costa and Solano counties. The CHP opened an investigation, which led officers to a YouTube channel belonging to 33-year-old Scott Andrews Kitfield (born Jan. 17, 1991). The channel contained numerous dashcam videos posted by Kitfield. These videos documented his dangerous driving behavior, including speeding well over 100 mph on Bay Area freeways, racing other cars, and weaving through traffic at high speeds while endangering nearby commuters. Kitfield’s comments on the channel further confirmed his disregard for safety by boasting about his reckless actions.

CHP investigators identified Kitfield as the reckless driver in the BMW and YouTube videos.

The investigation also confirmed Kitfield frequently sped on I-680 and other Bay Area freeways, exceeding 120 mph.

Photo: CHP Golden Gate Air Operations

On July 14, 2023, investigators from CHP’s Golden Gate Investigative Service Unit (ISU) planned an operation to arrest Kitfield and stop his reckless driving. A CHP aircraft tracked his car as he drove home from Solano County to Concord in the afternoon. CHP officers saw Kitfield speeding over 110 mph on Interstate 680 as he crossed the Benicia-Martinez bridge. He even went faster than 120 mph while racing another car through Martinez.

Just after passing a CHP patrol vehicle, Kitfield swerved abruptly across the freeway and exited at Willow Pass Road and drove into a residential area. A CHP officer in a marked patrol car followed him and tried to pull him over as he turned around at a dead end. Instead of stopping,

Kitfield led the CHP officers on a chase before finally stopping his car and surrendering. Officers from the Solano County Sheriff’s Office also helped with the arrest.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, as of May 12, 2024, Kitfield was being held under Supervised Custody in “Another Facility”.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Four suspects in 2021 Antioch murder, attempted murder convicted

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Terryonn Deshawn Pugh, Trent Allen, Eric James Windom and Keyshawn Malik McGee were among 48 gang members and associates arrested and/or contacted by Antioch and Oakland Police Departments during Operation Windstar in 2021. Source: APD

Case at the center of Racial Justice Act Violations from police text messages

Defendants receive 13 years and 8 months to 20 years in prison

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

Martinez, California – On May 6th, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office reached a resolution in the 2021 murder of Arnold Marcel Hawkins and the attempted murder of Aaron Patterson. This murder was a seminal case in Contra Costa County regarding the California Racial Justice Act.

The defendants, 23-year-old Terryonn Deshawn Pugh, 25-year-old Eric James Windom, 25-year-old Keyshawn Malik McGee, and 23-year-old Trent Allen, were charged by the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office on a six-count felony complaint with enhancements in November 2021 (People v. Pugh, Windom, McGee, and Allen).

On March 9th, 2021, the four defendants engaged in a shooting in the City of Antioch wherein they discharged firearms at a vehicle in a residential neighborhood. The barrage of bullets killed Arnold Hawkins and injured another person. (See related article)

As previously reported, on March 31, 2021, Windom was arrested in Merced, and McGee was arrested in Los Angeles, for the attempted murder and drive-by shooting perpetrated on Aspen Way in Antioch.

Later that morning, in Antioch, a fugitive apprehension team consisting of the Antioch Problem Oriented Policing Team and undercover detectives, attempted to contact Trent Allen as a passenger in a vehicle. Allen fled on-foot through a business parking lot and was chased through a residential neighborhood. The fugitive apprehension team caught Allen and took him into custody for his role in the attempted murder and drive-by shooting on Aspen Way.

Later the same day, the Antioch fugitive apprehension team located Terryonn and Armonie Pugh, both parolees-at-large, hiding out in an apartment complex in American Canyon, between Vallejo and Napa. With the assistance of American Canyon PD, and the Napa County Sheriff’s Office, Terryonn Pugh was taken into custody as he tried to flee to a waiting vehicle. Armonie Pugh was taken into custody, without incident, pursuant to a search warrant for the location.  During the search, a firearm and a large amount of cash were seized.  Terryonn Pugh was additionally arrested for the attempted murder at the Lone Tree Way gas station, and for his part in the attempted murder and drive-by shooting on Aspen Way. (See related article)

Also, as previously reported, the four were part of the arrests of 48 gang members and associates during a complex, six-month investigation involving 24 agencies, for murder, attempted murder and illegal guns. The effort removed 40 firearms, including 15 “ghost guns” off the streets and over $100,000 in cash. (See related article)

Unrelated to the shooting that killed Arnold Hawkins, a joint District Attorney’s Office/FBI investigation was initiated into allegations of police misconduct by officers in the Antioch and Pittsburg Police Departments. During that separate investigation in early 2023, investigators found a trove of racist text messages exchanged by Antioch police officers. These messages revealed that while investigating the murder suspects that took the life of Arnold Hawkins, the officers were sending and receiving messages about the murder suspects that included racist slurs, images, and written descriptions. The text messages violated the California Racial Justice Act (RJA) — a law that prohibits bias, animus, and racially discriminatory language based on race, ethnicity, or national origin in charges, convictions, and sentences. (See related articles here and here)

In March 2023, the District Attorney’s Office notified the court and the defense bar of the potential RJA violations as it related to open and adjudicated cases. Moreover, as part of the discovery process, the District Attorney’s Office disclosed investigative reports detailing incidents of racial bias and animus in the text messages sent and received by some members of the Antioch Police Department. (See related article)

Having already filed a motion challenging disproportionate filings in murder cases under the RJA, the defendants filed a second challenge predicated upon the racial bias exhibited by the Antioch police officers investigating the murder case. After multiple hearings, the court dismissed the special circumstance allegations, as well as the gang and firearm enhancements on February 5th, 2024. The case was set for trial when a resolution was reached between the District Attorney’s Office and the defendants.

In resolving the case, the four defendants have entered pleas of no contest to the following:

Terryonn Pugh: No contest on two counts of attempted murder and voluntary manslaughter – with an additional punishment for the use of a firearm. He will be sentenced in Martinez on May 8th, 2024, to 20 years in state prison.

Eric Windom: No contest on one count of attempted murder and voluntary manslaughter — with an additional punishment for the use of a firearm. He will also serve a concurrent term for a robbery that is unrelated to this case. Windom will be sentenced in Martinez on May 8th, 2024, to 19 years in state prison.

Trent Allen: No contest on one count of attempted murder and voluntary manslaughter — with an additional punishment for the use of a firearm. He will also serve a concurrent term for an unrelated robbery. Allen will be sentenced in Martinez on May 10th, 2024, to 19 years in state prison.

Keyshawn McGee: No contest on one count of attempted murder and voluntary manslaughter — with an additional punishment for the use of a firearm in both the murder and voluntary manslaughter charges. McGee will be sentenced in Martinez on May 10th, 2024, to 13 years, 8 months in state prison.

“Seeking justice for these serious offenses was complicated by violations to the Racial Justice Act,” said District Attorney Diana Becton. These lengthy prison sentences ensure accountability and promote community safety. Hopefully, the outcome will help to heal the loss the victims and survivors experienced.”

Case No. 01001976380 | The People of the State of California v. Pugh, Windom, McGee, and Allen

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Former accountant for Richmond business charged with felonies for embezzlement, ID theft money laundering

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Bail set at $2 million

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

A former accountant for a paver company in Richmond has been charged with a six-count felony complaint related to embezzlement, money laundering, identity theft, and tax evasion.

53-year-old Angela Fae Brown from Olivehurst, CA in Yuba County was arraigned today on charges in Contra Costa Superior Court. Between September 2017 and November 2022, Brown engaged in an embezzlement scheme that bilked over 800-thousand dollars from her employer, Viking Pavers in Richmond. Brown used her accounting skills to exploit financial vulnerabilities in the company to illegally enrich herself for nearly five years. She did this by:

  1. Pretending to be the owner of Viking Pavers and creating a fake online account with a payment processing service linked to her personal bank account.
  2. Generating hundreds of phony invoices for services and sending them electronically to the fake account she controlled.
  3. Brown paid these fake invoices with the company’s funds through the online payment processing platform — which funneled the money into her own account.
  4. Brown’s trusted employee status — and access to various financial controls — allowed her to conceal her embezzlement scheme for a long time.

A manager eventually suspected Brown’s fraudulent actions and confronted her. Richmond Police who, along with financial forensics analysts from the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office, investigated Brown’s actions. She was arrested on April 19th, 2024, and is currently in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility. Her bail is set at two-million-dollars. District Attorney Diana Becton said, “In white collar crimes, it’s of paramount importance for our Special

Operations Unit to use forensic tools to recover stolen funds; funds some have gone to great lengths to conceal.”

Case No. 02-24-00513 | The People of the State of California v. Brown, Angela Fae

  1. PC 530.5(a)-felony: Identity theft
  2. PC 186.10(a)-felony: Money laundering
  3. PC 487(a)-f: Grand theft of money, labor, or real or personal property exceeding $950
  4. PC 529(a)(3)-felony: False personation
  5. PC 186.10(a)-felony: Money laundering
  6. RT 19705(a)(4)-felony: Concealing property with intent to evade tax

— Special Allegation PC 186.11(a)(2) : aggravated white-collar crime – taking more than $500,000

Oregon man charged in last Sunday’s deadly hit-and-run in Concord

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Jesus Ivan Dorantes Guzman was arrested on Wed., April 10, 2024. Photo: CHP Contra Costa

22-year-old Jesus Ivan Dorantes Guzman held on $1,000,000 bail.

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

Martinez, California – A 22-year-old man from Oregon has been charged by the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office with a two-count felony complaint centering on a deadly crash that occurred in Concord on April 7th. (See related articles here and here)

Jesus Ivan Dorantes Guzman faces charges of a felony hit-and-run that resulted in the death or serious injury of another. He is also charged with child abuse for putting a minor in a situation that caused her death. The child abuse charge comes with a special allegation of great bodily injury.

The circumstances of the incident occurred around 5:20 am on April 7th. Dorantes Guzman was driving a vehicle with multiple passengers when he crashed on Northbound Interstate 680 at California State Route 242 in Concord. The vehicle overturned in a dirt area near the freeway.

The crash injured five individuals – three of whom are minors – and killed a 9-year-old girl. Dorantes Guzman fled the scene on foot after the crash. Days later, he was found by police officers in the City of Williams – which is in Colusa County.

Dorantes Guzman is currently in the Martinez Detention Facility and will be arraigned on the charges in Contra Costa County Superior Court in Martinez on April 15 at 1:30 pm. His bail has been set at $1,000,000.

Case No: 01-24-01483 | The People of the State of California v. Dorantes-Guzman, Jesus Ivan

Berkeley man charged for rape, robbery of woman near North Concord BART station

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Larry Dean Ridge, Jr. also arrested March 20th for sexual battery

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

Martinez, California — 40-year-old Larry Dean Ridge, Jr. of Berkeley has been charged by the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office with a three-count felony complaint for forcible rape, assault and second-degree robbery against a female victim in Concord.

The incident occurred on April 8, 2024, around 6:30 pm near the North Concord BART station. The victim was walking on a pedestrian/bike trail when Ridge allegedly pushed the victim to the ground and proceeded to rape her. The victim was able to strike Ridge, who grabbed the victim’s purse and stole her cell phone and wallet. He left the purse as he fled toward the BART station.

A witness biking on the trail was able to help the victim to the BART station, where a station agent called 911. Concord Police officers arrived at the station shortly after and were able to locate and detain Ridge, who was on a BART train. After both the victim and the witness identified him as the assailant, he was arrested by officers.

On Thursday, April 11, Ridge was arraigned in Martinez on the charges, including special allegations for prior serious or violent felonies in another county. He’s being held in the Martinez Detention Facility.

His bail has been set at $1,250,000.

Case No. 01-24-01348 | The People of the State of California v. Ridge, Larry Dean, Jr.

According to localcrimenews.com, Ridge was also arrested last month by the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office for sexual battery in Milbrae.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

Concord man convicted of detonating explosives during high-speed police chase

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Daniel Garcia and one of the exploded pipebombs he tossed during the police chase on Oct. 29, 2023. Photos: SFPD & SFPOA

From SF to Martinez last October

San Francisco, CA – San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced on Thursday, March, 28, 2024, that her office secured a conviction of Daniel Garcia (42), of Concord, after a trial by jury for detonating explosive devices and leading police on a high-speed chase from San Francisco to the East Bay.  Mr. Garcia was convicted of three counts of detonating an explosive device with intent to injure, (PC 18740), four counts of possession of an explosive device (PC 18710) and one count of evading an officer with willful disregard for people or property (VC2800.2(a)).

“I would like to thank the jury for their service in this case,” said DA Jenkins. “The jury’s verdict holds Mr. Garcia accountable for his brazen lawlessness which endangered countless lives, including San Francisco police officers who bravely pursued him in the face of explosive devices being thrown at them.”

According to testimony and other evidence presented at trial, on October 29, 2023, Mr. Garcia drove from his home in Concord to San Francisco and attended the 5pm mass at St. Peter and Paul Cathedral.  During mass, he confronted a parishioner and accused him of ripping his shorts and demanded $50 from the parishioner. The parishioner, who was kneeling in prayer, tried to ignore Mr. Garica who then punched him twice on the side of head, knocking him unconscious.

Mr. Garcia then fled the church and went to his car followed by parishioners who called 911. Mr. Garcia then got in his car and drove away as Police arrived. Two police cars, with three total officers inside, tried to pull over Mr. Garcia for further investigation.  Instead of complying, Mr. Garcia slowed down and tossed a pipe bomb strapped to a 40-ounce bottle of gasoline out of his window into the path of the officers.  He then sped away and the pipe bomb exploded, engulfing a police vehicle in a fireball.

San Francisco Police chased Mr. Garcia as he sped through city streets, running stop signs, red lights, and driving on road shoulders toward the Bay Bridge. At the intersection of 8th Street and Mission Street, Mr. Garcia threw a second pipe bomb strapped to a 40-ounce bottle of gasoline which again exploded.

The pursuit continued onto the Bay Bridge and into the East Bay. The chase eventually included three SFPD vehicles, three California Highway Patrol vehicles, and a helicopter. Mr. Garcia eventually failed to navigate a turn in Martinez and blew out his tire. He continued driving until the wheel literally fell off at which point he finally pulled over and surrendered.  A third pipe bomb strapped to a 40 oz. bottle of gasoline was found in his vehicle.  Garcia said he was trying to get home to Concord to barricade himself inside with the last bomb and quipped to the officers “How many GTA stars do you think I had?” which is a reference to the video game Grand Theft Auto where you earn stars based on your threat level and how many police officers are chasing you.

Garcia’s home in Concord was subsequently searched, and all of the materials used to make the pipe bombs were located there including four additional 40-ounce bottles filled with gasoline.  Garcia admitted on the stand he had built the three bombs in his home the three days prior to using them in San Francisco.

The case against Mr. Garcia was successfully prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Edward Mario, with assistance from District Attorney Investigator Gino Guerrero, paralegals Melissa Cruz, David Ma, and Jennifer Java and Victim Advocate Tony Leung who worked closely with the victims throughout the pendency of this case. Prosecutors were able to develop a strong case against Mr. Garcia because of the outstanding investigation of the San Francisco Police Department’s Arson Task Force.

“Mr. Garcia time and again placed civilians and law enforcement in danger by choosing to construct dangerous explosive devices, transport them to San Francisco, and then explode them on city streets, not to mention assaulting an innocent man while he prayed in church,” said Assistant District Attorney Edward Mario. “Mr. Garcia has shown no remorse for his actions, but the jury’s verdict ensures that he will face accountability for his unprompted violent and reckless behavior.”

Mr. Garcia is currently in custody pending sentencing. Prior to sentencing, the court will hear and rule on an outstanding allegation that Mr. Garcia committed these offenses while on bail for another felony matter in another county.  He faces up to fourteen years in state prison for his crimes. Sentencing is scheduled for April 23, 2024. Court Number: 23017823

According to the San Francisco Sheriff’s Department, Garcia was charged with the following crimes:

211 PC/F/2 SECOND DEGREE ROBBERY;

245(a)(1) PC/F ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON-NOT A FIREARM;

three counts of 69(a) PC/F THREAT TO EXECUTIVE OFFICER;

three counts of 187(a) PC/F/1 MURDER Attempted Crime;

three counts of 12305 HS/F POSSESSION OF AN EXPLOSIVE;

2800.2(a) VC/F EVADING AN OFFICER WITH WILLFUL DISREGARD;

18715(a) PC/F POSSESSION OF A DESTRUCTIVE DEVICE IN PUBLIC PLACES;

18755(a) PC/F EXPLOSION CAUSING DEATH;

six counts of 18745 PC/F EXPLOSION OF DESTRUCTIVE DEVICE WITH INTENT TO MURDER;

21453(a) VC/I FAILURE TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT;

148(a)(1) PC/M RESISTING, OBSTRUCTING, DELAYING OF A PEACE OFFICER OR EMT;

five counts of 18740 PC/F EXPLOSION OF DESTRUCTIVE DEVICE WITH INTENT TO INJURE;

three counts of 18725(a) PC/F CARRYING AN EXPLOSIVE IN A PASSENGER VEHICLE FOR HIRE;

three counts of 18710(a) PC/F POSSESSION OF A DESTRUCTIVE DEVICE;

two counts of 18715(a) PC/F POSSESSION OF A DESTRUCTIVE DEVICE IN PUBLIC PLACES; and

453(a) PC/F POSSESSION OR MANUFACTURE OF COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL OR INCENDIARY DEVICE.

NBC Bay Area previously reported Garcia was charged in 2011 with possession and use of explosive devices.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Richmond man arrested again, charged with multiple felonies for illegal weapons possession

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Guns seized from Hansen’s home in Richmond during his first arrest announced in February. Photos: CA DOJ

Cache of weapons included machine guns, assault rifles, silencers, homemade explosives

CA Attorney General announced first arrest in Feb., but state DOJ didn’t request prosecution and suspect was released, re-arrested March 17

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

Martinez, California – The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office filed a 21-count felony complaint against a Richmond man for possessing a large cache of illegal weapons, high-capacity magazines, and homemade explosives.

68-year-old Lawrence Robert Hansen (born 7/15/55) of Richmond is in custody after he was arrested on an outstanding warrant on March 17th by Richmond Police. Hansen is also listed on the Armed and Prohibited Persons System which tracks individuals who are barred from owning or possessing firearms.

Between 2022-2023, Hansen made several violent firearm-related threats to medical staff at a Walnut Creek clinic while seeking treatment. Staff members reported those threats to Walnut Creek Police on September 18th, 2023. In a separate incident, Hansen was transported to a hospital in Walnut Creek on September 26th, 2023, for a medical issue. During an examination, a staff member saw that Hansen had a handgun (later determined to be loaded) in his waistband area. The weapon was taken from Hansen and police were informed.

Because of the legal prohibition against Hansen possessing firearms, as well as threats made to medical employees, members from the Contra Costa Anti-Violence Support Effort Task Force, California Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Bureau of Firearms, and Contra Costa County Probation Officers searched Hansen’s residence with a court-ordered warrant in Richmond on January 31, 2024. During the search, agents found 11 machine guns, more than 130 handguns, 37 rifles, 60 assault rifles, 7 shotguns, 3,000 large capacity magazines, several grenades (inert), homemade explosives, incendiary ammunition, and around one million rounds of ammunition.

Hansen was arraigned on March 18th in Martinez. He entered a plea of not guilty and is being held without bail in the Martinez Detention Facility. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 27th in Department 23 at 8:30 am.

As previously reported, following the Jan. 31 search, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced on Feb. 15 the arrest of Hansen. Asked why he was out of custody and arrested again on March 17, Asregadoo responded, “Upon receiving a request for prosecution (RFP) from the arresting police agency, a case undergoes review to determine whether to file charges. The RFP should include investigative reports and evidence relevant to the case. In the instance of Lawrence Robert Hansen, the arresting agency, Cal DOJ, did not immediately request prosecution at the time of arrest. Instead, Cal DOJ chose to finalize their investigation before submitting the request for prosecution along with associated reports and evidence to the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office.”

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, Hansen is a 5-foot, 11-inch, 190-pound Hispanic man.

Case No. 02-24-00234 | The People of the State of California v. Hansen, Lawrence Robert

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Former Contra Costa Fire District Battalion Chief admits to felony grand theft

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Louis Manzo, Jr. Source: LinkedIn

Faced 9 years in prison, given 30 days in Sheriff’s Work Alternative Program, 1 year probation

Total loss to district: $65,000

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

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office secured a felony grand theft conviction against a former battalion chief with the Contra Costa Fire Protection District as part of a negotiated disposition.

58-year-old Louis Manzo, Jr. of Danville was initially charged by the District Attorney’s Office in 2019 with felony crimes related to the misappropriation of public funds that occurred between 2014-2019. Moreover, Manzo, Jr. committed theft of Contra Costa Fire Protection District funds by falsifying information on timekeeping records, paid time off requests, and then redirecting public funds for his personal use. The Fire Protection District lost over 46-thousand dollars in fraudulent salary payments. (See related article)

In total, the loss to Con Fire is $46,000 in direct salary payments and $19,000 in costs incurred to cover shifts while Manzo was out of the office or claiming to be on special assignment.

Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton said: “Acts of public corruption erode the integrity of our institutions that are here to serve our communities. The resolution in this case ensures that the misappropriated funds are returned to the Fire District.”

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Steven Bolen, who said that Manzo, Jr. pled no contest to one count of felony grand theft [PC 487(a)]. He’s been ordered by the court to serve 30 days of custody time through the Sheriff’s Work Alternative Program, one year of court probation, 30 hours of community service, must pay restitution and fines, cannot have any contact with Fire District employees, and is ordered to stay away from all official Fire District locations.

Manzo, Jr. also must comply with searches and seizures of records and other materials related to his finances. In addition to the court-ordered penalties, Manzo Jr.’s felony plea will also affect his county pension benefits under Government Code section 7522.72.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Manzo, Jr. started as a Firefighter in 1990 and had “30 years in fire safety and response, moving through the ranks from Firefighter through Battalion Chief. Manage up to seven stations, overseeing budgets up to $20 million, and leading up to 60 personnel, effectively supporting daily operations, emergency events, and apparatus shops.”

As Battalion Chief, Manzo, Jr. “Managed seven fire stations leading and supporting nine Fire Captains, overseeing up to 60 personnel and a budget of up to $20 million. Oversaw training, development, and education of personnel, driving improvements and building collaborative teams.”

Case No. 01-192362-2 | The People of the State of California v. Manzo, Louis Jr.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Hayward man charged with felonies including taking women’s Israel flags, burning one at El Cerrito protest

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Christopher Khamis Victor Husary during the Jan. 6, 2024, protest in El Cerrito (Photo: El Cerrito PD) and at another protest in his profile photo posted on his Facebook page on Feb. 7, 2024, and his Instagram account on or before Feb. 1, 2024.

For hate crimes, robbery, arson during actions at Israel-Gaza protest, counter-protest

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

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office has filed a three-count felony complaint with special hate crime allegations attached to each charge against 36-year-old Christopher Khamis Victor Husary of Hayward for criminal offenses that occurred during a protest in El Cerrito. (See related article)

On January 6th, 2024, a gathering of protesters and counter-protesters assembled in Albany for a demonstration on the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza’s Palestinian territory. While participating in the protest in El Cerrito, Husary attacked a woman, taking an Israeli flag she was carrying, and set it on fire. Also, Husary pushed another woman and took another Israeli flag that was draped around her shoulders.

The El Cerrito Police Department initiated an investigation into the incident, and with the assistance of the public, police investigators were able to identify Husary as the individual responsible for the offenses. On February 28th, a warrant for his arrest was issued. Police also served Husary with a search warrant of his residence in Hayward – which produced additional evidence that linked him to the charged crimes.

He is currently in the Martinez Detention Facility and will be arraigned in Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa on the following charges:

  • Second Degree Robbery [PC 211]
  • Grand Theft Person [PC 487(c)]
  • Arson of Property of Another [PC 451(d)]
  • Special Allegations – Hate Crimes [PC 422.75(a)]

District Attorney Diana Becton emphasized that “While the First Amendment is fundamental to our democracy, it doesn’t protect threats, injury, intimidation, or property damage. Moreover, when such actions stem from biases related to race, gender, religion, ancestry, or national origin, they become hate crimes.”

Case No. 02-24-00279 | The People of the State of California v. Husary, Christopher

Christopher Khamis Victor Husary seen with a megaphone at a protest on Solano Avenue in Albany, CA in a photo posted on his Instagram account on or before Feb. 1, 2024.

In a video posted on his Instagram account on or before Feb. 1, 2024, Husary can be seen marching with other protesters on Solano Avenue in Albany, CA and heard yelling chants through a megaphone which were repeated by the others, “Free, free, free Palestine. Occupation is a crime. Genocide is a crime. Netanyahu, you can’t hide. Killing children is a crime. Killing women is a crime.”

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Contra Costa DA secures justice for victims in 2021 Richmond mass shooting

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Enrique Anacleto Ramirez-Calmo. Photo: Richmond PD

Gang member faces life sentences without parole for triple homicide

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

Martinez, CA – Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton announced Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, the conviction of Enrique Anacleto Ramirez-Calmo on three counts of first-degree murder and four counts of attempted murder, along with gang and other special circumstances enhancements.

On June 20, 2021, 29-year-old Ramirez-Calmo of Oakland (born 7/13/94) and a fellow gang member opened fire on a group of partygoers in Richmond. The attack, fueled by mistaken identity and gang rivalry, resulted in the death of three people and bullet wounds to four others.

The jury delivered their verdict on February 21st, concluding a four-month trial that stemmed from the horrific shooting at a residential party on Father’s Day. “This was a senseless massacre that shattered the lives of innocent families,” said District Attorney Diana Becton.

In early 2022, an investigative breakthrough led to the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office filing the previously unsolved murder against Ramirez-Calmo. The prosecution presented a compelling case, including a video filmed by one of the victims that captured the moment of the shooting. Through meticulous investigation and collaboration with Richmond Police Department and other agencies, the trial included evidence from 2019 that Ramirez-Calmo was responsible for in another county.

“This was a complex case with numerous challenges,” said Deputy District Attorney Chad Mahalich, who prosecuted the case. “I am incredibly grateful for the dedication and expertise of everyone involved, including law enforcement, victim advocates, and the entire DA’s Office team. Together, we ensured that the defendant was held accountable for his actions.”

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department, the five-foot, six-inch, 175-lb. Hispanic man is being held on no bail in the West County Detention Facility

Ramirez-Calmo will be sentenced on March 11th at 10:00 a.m. in Superior Court in Martinez and faces life sentences without the possibility of parole.

Case No. 02-336043-5 | The People of the State of California v. Ramirez-Calmo, Enrique

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.