Contra Costa Herald

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Contra Costa Public Defender wants DA to drop all cases, release suspects of Antioch Police Department

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Claims “At least 45 APD officers were on the text chains”

“I request you immediately dismiss all pending Public Defender cases involving APD, agree to release our incarcerated clients, and cease filing any APD related cases.” – Public Defender Ellen McDonnell

“Text messages… reveal a deeply entrenched, department-wide culture of racism, homophobia, targeted violence against Black people, selective enforcement of laws against Black people, fabrication of evidence, and utter disregard of civil and human rights.”

By Allen D. Payton In response to the reports of Antioch Police Officers’ racist texts released this past week, Contra Costa Public Defender Ellen McDonnell sent a letter to DA Diana Becton on Friday, April 14, 2023, requests she “dismiss all pending Public Defender cases involving APD, agree to release our incarcerated clients, and cease filing any APD related cases.” (See related articles here and here) McDonnell had previously asked Becton to pause all criminal filings and prosecutions of the Antioch officers involved in the text scandal and investigation. Now, based on the additional information that more officers including department leaders were included in the text messages exchanged, she’s requesting much more. Public Defender Letter to DA Becton_4-14-22 McDonnell’s letter reads as follows:

April 14, 2023

Diana Becton

Office of the District Attorney

900 Ward Street Martinez, CA 94553

Dear Diana,

I am in receipt of redacted versions of Contra Costa County District Attorney Senior Inspector Larry Wallace’s investigative reports.1 The Antioch Police Department (APD) text messages discussed in the reports reveal a deeply entrenched, department-wide culture of racism, homophobia, targeted violence against Black people, selective enforcement of laws against Black people, fabrication of evidence, and utter disregard of civil and human rights. At least forty-five APD officers2 were on the text chains disclosed thus far. The officers run the gamut from patrol officers to lieutenants. Of the twelve non-CSO senior officers3 in APD’s investigations bureau4, eleven were recipients or active participants in the text chains. The president of the Antioch Police Officers Association, an APD sergeant, was actively involved. Even the internal affairs sergeant participated in the group sending these vile text messages.

At least sixteen of the forty-five officers are in leadership roles at APD as detectives, sergeants, and lieutenants showing they endorsed and shared in these views.

The public simply cannot have trust or confidence in any criminal prosecution involving APD. No one should be charged with a crime based on the report of a police department so thoroughly riddled with corruption. I request you immediately dismiss all pending Public Defender cases involving APD, agree to release our incarcerated clients, and cease filing any APD related cases.

Following up on my March 30, 2023 letter, incorporated by reference, I request you identify all law enforcement officers involved in the text messages (whether as active participants or recipients), as well as all Public Defender and Alternate Defender pending and closed cases where the officers were involved in the investigation. I also request that you provide unredacted copies of Inspector Wallace’s reports and further disclose all of the text messages themselves.

The vile text messages were apparently discovered while investigating other acts of moral turpitude by members of APD and the Pittsburg Police Department (PPD). News reports have characterized the acts being investigated as “using cocaine and steroids, cheating on tests or misrepresenting their own training, and assaulting people, among other offenses”5 and “trying to fraudulently obtain college degrees in order to collect pay bumps.”6 At least one PPD officer has been charged with selling AR-15 firearms. {People v. Armando Montalvo, Contra Costa Superior Court docket no. 01-22-02142.)

News reports indicated a grand jury was convened and indictments were expected in or around December 2022.7 It has now been over a year since the news first broke of your office’s joint investigation with the Federal Bureau of Investigations of criminal conduct by APD and PPD police officers. I request information regarding the status of this investigation and its estimated end date.

Following up on my March 28, 2022, letter, incorporated by reference, I request you identify all APD and PPD officers that were or are being investigated for crimes of moral turpitude, as well as all Public Defender and Alternate Defender pending and closed cases where the officers were involved in the investigation. I further request you provide police reports and other investigative materials without insisting on a protective order. The extent of the hatred and lawlessness that has recently been revealed within APD is unfathomable. Continuing to prosecute the victims of APD’s targeted, violent, racist policing while simultaneously shielding the officers’ identities and the full extent of their misconduct and criminal activities is manifestly unjust. I request immediate full discovery and complete transparency. Please see the attachment for a specific list of items requested.

Thank you in advance for your assistance and cooperation with this matter. If you have any questions about this request, please let me know. I look forward to discussing this matter with you on Monday, April 17 at 1:00 p.m.

Sincerely,

Ellen McDonnell

Public Defender Contra Costa County

1 Nos. 01-1046493/21-001905, dated March 28, 2023, and 013-1046493, dated March 27, 2023.

2 As of March 14, 2019, APD’s roster contained 115 staff. Assuming the current roster is similarly sized and consists entirely of sworn officers, approximately 40% of APD officers are party to the text message chains.

3 Nine are detectives, two are sergeants and one is a lieutenant. 

4 https://www.antiochca.gov/police/contact-information/

5 https://www.mercurynews.eom/2022/09/10/exclusive-fbi-criminal-investigation-of-antioch-pittsburg-cops-grows-grand- jury-convening/

6 https://www.ktvu.com/news/antioch-pittsburg-police-under-investigation-for-ffaudulent-college-degrees-report

7 Id.

Attachment to April 13,2023 Letter to Diana Becton – Discovery Request

This discovery request is made pursuant to the United States Constitution, Amendments V, VI, and XrV; Brady v. Maryland (1963) 373 U.S. 83 and its progeny; California Penal Code section 1054,1; and California case law. The requested material does not constitute personnel records protected by Pitchess, as it was not generated in coimection with appraisal or discipline, was generated independently of internal investigation, and arose in the context of a criminal investigation. {Pasadena Police Officers Association v. Superior Court (2015) 240 Cal.App.4th 268, 287-288, 292; City of Eureka v. Superior Court (2016) 1 Cal.App.5th 755.) Please provide the following materials:

  1. A list of all Antioch Police Department (APD) and Pittsburg Police Department (PPD) officers being investigated by Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office and/or the Federal Bureau of Investigations for acts of moral turpitude;
  2. Investigative reports, recordings, videos, phone records, and/or any other materials gathered during the course of the investigation, in complete and unredacted form, without any limiting protective order;
  3. A list of all law enforcement officers involved in the text chains that were discovered by your office during the investigation of acts of moral turpitude, and the agency each officer is employed by;
  4. Unredacted copies of any reports regarding the text messages, including but not limited to Contra Costa County District Attorney Senior Inspector Larry Wallace’s reports;
  5. Copies of all the text messages discovered to date, including any that may have also been sent or received by PPD officers or officers in any other law enforcement agencies;
  6. Any other investigative reports, recordings, videos, phone records, and/or any other materials gathered during the course of investigating the text messages, in complete and unredacted form, without any limiting protective order;
  7. A complete list of all pending and closed Public Defender and Alternate Defender cases in which the officers engaged in the text messages, whether as recipients or active participants, and/or under investigation for crimes of moral turpitude, were involved;

Please consider this request as ongoing. As your office obtains new material, please continue to provide complete, unredacted discovery and provide an updated list of affected cases.”

Questions for DA Becton, Antioch Police Chief Ford

Becton and Antioch Police Chief Steve Ford were asked via email Saturday afternoon if they had responses to McDonnell’s request.

4/17/23 UPDATE: DA’s Office PIO Ted Asregadoo responded Monday morning, “DA Becton and PD McDonnell are scheduled to meet this afternoon at 1 pm at the DA’s Office on Ward Street in Martinez.”

Please check back later for any additional other updates to this report.

 

Second DA report leaked, posted on social media shows texts by Antioch Police officers about two suspects in murder case

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Focuses on Officer Eric Rombough, involves seven others including sergeant, detective, plus, U.S. Postal Inspector

“Nice babe, another one for the mantle.” – from an unidentified person in response to Rombough bragging about beating and shooting one of the suspects with a non-lethal weapon

WARNING: Contains offensive language

By Allen D. Payton

Another report by Larry J. Wallace, Senior Inspector with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office was leaked and posted on social media on Saturday, April 15, 2023 about the two suspects and the eight Antioch Police Officers involved in a murder case, plus, a U.S. Postal Inspector, and their racist and other offensive texts. Some of the texts were included in the previously released 21-page report dated March 27, 2023. (See related article)

The 14-page report, dated March 28, 2023, focuses on the “text messages derived from the personal cellular telephone belonging to Antioch Police Department (APD) Officer Eric Rombough” and include “conversations between APD Officer Rombough and the following APD Officers regarding an investigation into Teryon Deshon Pugh and Trent Allen in March of 2021: APD Sergeant (Sgt) Josh Evans, Detective Robert Gerber, Johnathan Adams, Scott Duggar, Timothy Manly Willams, Tom Smith, and Brock Marcote.” The report also shows offensive texts between Rombough and U.S. Postal Inspector Francisco Garcia. Many of the texts reveal mistreatment of the two suspects. Redacted APD Officer texts investigation report 32823

Examples of Text Messages

On March 20, 2021, the report shows text message exchange between Rombough and Gerber:

At 9:16 p.m., APD Officer Rombough responded, “Bro I can’t wait to forty all of them (“forty” or “40” are references to the deployment of the 40mm less-lethal launcher)”

At 9:16 p.m., APD Detective Gerber text, “Hell yeah.”

The report shows more racist texts sent on March 25, 2021:

At 7:36 p.m., APD Officer Rombough texted, “Well we knew they wouldn’t be by the pool.”

At 7:39 p.m., APD Officer Rombough text, “Look at all the Infiniti’s.”

At 7:40 p.m., APD Officer Rombough text, “And cuz they’re dark black.” APD Officer Adams responded with “(laughing emoji).”

At 7:41 p.m., APD Officer Rombough text, “Gotta get them to smile.”

At 8:02 p.m., APD Officer Rombough continued, “Definitely can’t see them.”

The report reads: On 3/30/202 at 8:22 p.m., APD Officer Rombough text APD Detective Gerber, “This looks like dudes car from his ig.” – a reference to Instagram.

At 8:23 p.m., APD Officer Rombough text, “And he’s chilling at ruth Chris steakhouse”. I hate all of them.”

At 8:24 p.m., APD Detective Gerber text, “Turds… all turds”, a comment that APD Officer Rombough “liked”.

The texts on the final day of the report’s time period included exchanges with an unidentified person who praised Rombough for mistreating suspects and claim by Marcotte that a nurse laughed about a suspect being in pain:

On 03/31/2021, at 8:29 a[sic].m., APD Officer Rombough text “Yeah 40 deployment” and “F-g–t got his ass whooped.”

At 9:09 a.m., (An unidentified person) text, “Nice babe, another one for the mantle.”

At 9:1 0a.m., APD Officer Rombough texted, “Murder suspect. In custody and that a–hole made me run.” (An unidentified person) text, “Good thing you fast honey.”

At 9:12 a.m., APD Officer Rombough text, “We managed to setup a perimeter and he ‘got his ass whooped in the back yard and I field goal kicked his head. (An unidentified person) responded, “I thought that was a no no.”

At 9:13 a.m., APD Officer Rombough text, “No we can do that just no chokes” and “I tried to knock him unconscious. And he got muzzle thumped 6 times before he gave us his hands.”

At 9:12 a.m., APD Officer Marcotte responded, “The nurse saw me smiling when he was ‘making noises in pain and she started laughing (laughing emoji).”

At 9:13 a.m., APD Officer Rombough text, “Lmao.”

At 9:15 a.m., APD Officer Rombough added, “What a b–ch.”

At 9:24 a.m., (An unidentified person) texted, “Glad you’re havin fun babe.”

At 9:25 a.m., APD Officer Rombough text, “It was nice after a very boring swat op.”

During this same time, APD Officer Rombough also group text his co-workers, APD Officers Brock Marcos, Timothy Manly Williams, (An unidentified person) and Scott Duggar, (An unidentified person)

At 8:45 a.m., APD Officer Rombough texted the group, “Lol I 40d him right next to his throat.”

At 8:46 a.m., APD Officer Marcotte responded, “Oh f–k” and “Cuz he ducked so fast.”

Later that day the report reads, At 4:43 p.m., APD Officer Rombough replied, “Yup and another f–g-ot in the butt” and “2 for the day.”

At 4:49 p.m. (An unidentified person) responded, “Nice babe.”

Only One Reference to Officers Being Corrected by Department Leader

During an exchange with Rombough on March 31, 2021 the report reads, At 3:11 p.m., APD Officer Adams texted, and “…I forgot that Koch wanted us to stop sending dumb sh-t. Oops.” He was referring to Sgt. Matthew Koch. This is the only text in the report that references any department leader correcting officers for their offensive texts.

Text Exchange Between Rombough & Postal Inspector Garcia

The text message exchange with Postal Inspector Garcia in the report reads: On 03/31/2021, a 3:10 p.m. APD Officer Rombough text United States Postal Inspector Francisco Garcia, “I 40d and field goal kicked one that fled from us on foot today.”

At 3:11 p.m., United States Postal Inspector Garcia responded, “(laughing emoji)”.

At 3:12 p.m., APD Officer Rombough text, “Bro but my foot f—ing hurts.”

At 3:16 p.m., APD Officer Rombough sent the following GIF:

At 5:13 p.m., United States Postal Inspector Garcia asked, “Did you find any guns on any of them?”

At 5:21 p.m., APD Officer Rombough replied, “Sorry we were taking down a second ‘murder suspect and he got 40d too.”

At 5:58 p.m., United States Postal Inspector Garcia texted, “(laughing emoji)….That 40 flag is coming along!! Murica!!”

Questions for DA’s Office

Questions were sent to DA’s Office PIO Ted Asregadoo Saturday afternoon asking to whom the report was sent, why it was prepared separately from the 21-page report, why it wasn’t sent to the media and was it intended to be shared with the media. He was also asked how the East Bay Times obtained it earlier this week, was it leaked by someone in the DA’s Office and if so, who. Finally, Asregadoo was asked if there is an investigation in the DA’s Office to determine who leaked the 21-page report and this other, 14-page report.

4/17/23 UPDATE: Asregadoo responded Monday morning, “Our inspectors have investigated the matter and determined someone outside of our organization disclosed the reports to the public and press.”

He was then asked again, to whom were the redacted reports sent from the DA’s Office and who in the DA’s Office sent them out. Asregadoo later sent out a press release about the matter with a further redacted copy of the 14-page report.

 

 

Con Fire delivers increased operational capacity in East County

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Adds four-firefighter crew at Fire Station 92 in Brentwood, Advanced Life Support capability now districtwide

By Steve Hill, PIO, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District

The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) announced, Thursday, April 13, 2023, operational staffing of a completely new crew at Fire Station 92 in Brentwood and availability of Advanced Life Support emergency medical service on all operational crews districtwide.

Beginning April 11, the four-firefighter crew of the new Engine 90 was fully operational, more than doubling firefighting resources dispatched from Fire Station 92 located at 201 John Muir Parkway in Brentwood. This unique engine crew is specially equipped and staffed to perform fire scene searches and rescues, vehicular extrications, and other rescues. The additional crew will also support quicker assembly of firefighting forces in east county’s Battalion 9 and neighboring Battalion 8.

Additionally, on April 1, all Con Fire crews in the former East County Fire Protection District area of responsibility became Advanced Life Support capable for the first time since the annexation of that fire district in July 2022. With this change, all operational Con Fire crews across the district are ALS, meaning at least one of the assigned firefighters is a paramedic. Con Fire has been able to upgrade east county crews from their former Basic Life Support capability as a result of its inherent operational efficiencies.

The combination of these two major post-annexation improvements reinforce the benefits of consolidation of firefighting resources into a single, larger, more capable organization able to more efficiently deliver comprehensive fire, rescue, and EMS services across the county.

“I am proud of the work that has been done by so many, including firefighters, elected officials, and staff at all levels, to position us to deliver these life- and property-saving resources to residents of east county and our entire district,” said Lewis Broschard, fire chief, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. “The additional four-person crew on Engine 90 adds immensely to our response capability in east county and benefits central residents, as well, while districtwide ALS capability assures all district residents of receiving paramedic care in a timely manner anywhere Con Fire serves.”

“This is another milestone to celebrate as we work towards making east Contra Costa County safer after the annexation of East Contra Costa Fire Protection District to the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District,” said Contra Costa County Supervisor Diane Burgis. “With the addition of four new firefighters in Brentwood, and assignment of Engine 88 to east county’s Battalion 9, there are now 19 firefighters where there used to be nine. This, and with the transition from EMTs to paramedics, we are providing more resources to east county cities and unincorporated areas, enhancing the quality of service, ensuring response times are faster, and we are all safer. I also look forward to the two new stations to be built in the next few years.”

Engine 90 is uniquely configured and staffed as a virtual ladder truck company on a fire engine platform. This means the new engine is equipped with all the specialized equipment, including rescue and extrication tools, typically found on a fire truck, with the exception of a 100-foot aerial ladder and master stream water nozzle system. It is also staffed with four firefighters, as opposed to the three normally found on a fire engine. These four crewmembers are able to work as two separate teams, essentially doubling the tasks that can be accomplished at an incident scene by this single apparatus and crew.

Engine 90’s innovative ladder truck-like configuration comes as a result of a districtwide shortage of ladder trucks due to the recent highway accident that took one such apparatus permanently out of service and nationwide supply chain issues creating extended delays in new equipment delivery times. Con Fire expects to be able to replace Engine 90 with a new ladder truck sometime in 2024. Until that time, Engine 90 will deliver most of the many capabilities of a ladder truck, minus its aerial ladder.

All of Con Fire’s operational crews are ALS capable, staffed with at least one paramedic on board, along with other crew members who are emergency medical technicians. Our apparatus are properly equipped and supplied with the medications needed to provide patients with a higher level of medical care including those in cardiac arrest and respiratory distress, and who need advanced trauma care, continuous IV drips, on a chronic ventilator, and those who require cardiac monitoring.

Paramedics and EMTs who staff the Con Fire ALS apparatus have a higher level of training than those who provide BLS services at other organizations. Due to their advanced training, ALS personnel are allowed to start IVs, administer medications, and give injections to help stabilize the patient on the way to emergency rooms or trauma centers.

Measure X is a countywide 20-year, ½ cent sales tax approved by Contra Costa County voters on November 3, 2020. Collection of the tax began on April 1, 2021. The ballot measure stated the intent of Measure X is “to keep Contra Costa’s regional hospital open and staffed; fund community health centers, emergency response; support crucial safety-net services; invest in early childhood services; protect vulnerable populations; and for other essential services.”

A board of supervisors created Measure X Community Advisory Board oversee an annual assessment of community needs, focusing primarily on the priority areas identified in the Measure X Needs Assessment, including emergency response (fire/medical), health care, safety net services, preventative care, affordable housing, and support for early childhood, youth, families, and seniors.

About Contra Costa County Fire Protection District – With implementation of a contract for service with the City of Pinole in March, 2023 and annexation of the former East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) in July, 2022, Contra Costa Fire now provides fire and emergency medical services to more than 770,000 residents in 12 cities and 11 unincorporated areas across our expanded 557 square-mile jurisdiction. The district now comprises 34 ire stations and more than 600 employees. Through our unique ambulance “Alliance,” the district delivers EMS and ambulance transport services to much of Contra Costa County. In 2022, the district responded to nearly 100,000 incidents of all types, including 67,000 fire medical emergencies, and dispatched some 100,000 ambulances, conducting more than 75,000 ambulance transports. Contra Costa Fire remains dedicated to preserving life, property, and the environment.

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.”

Supervisor Glover announces Grant Cycle for Keller Canyon Mitigation Fund now open

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Offering grants from $500 to $10,000 in East County; Mandatory Virtual Bidder’s Conference May 2

The Office of Supervisor Federal Glover is pleased to announce that the 2022–23 grant cycle for the Keller Canyon Mitigation Fund is now open. Grant applications ranging from $500 to $10,000 will be accepted via the online application portal beginning May 2, 2023, following a mandatory bidder’s conference. The link for the application portal will be accessible and publicly announced on May 2.  Applications for services must fall within one of the broad categories previously approved by the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors:

  • Code Enforcement
  • Community Beautification
  • Community Services
  • Public Safety (Including Public Health)
  • Youth Services

Additionally, services funded by the Keller Canyon Mitigation Fund must be offered in the mitigation area, which includes the unincorporated community of Bay Point, the City of Pittsburg, and the City of Antioch. The target area is divided into a primary area (Bay Point and Pittsburg from its western border to Harbor Street) and a secondary area (Pittsburg from Harbor Street east to the entire City of Antioch). Services may also be provided to organizations outside the mitigation area only when the beneficiaries reside within the mitigation area.

To apply for Keller Canyon Mitigation grant funds, organizations must be designated either a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) corporation under the Internal Revenue Code or be a public agency (city, special district, county department, etc.).

MANDATORY VIRTUAL BIDDER’S CONFERENCE—TUESDAY, MAY 2, 202

To be eligible to apply for Keller Canyon Mitigation funds, public agencies and eligible nonprofit organizations must have at least one representative attend and remain for its duration a mandatory virtual bidder’s conference on Tuesday, May 2 at 9:00 a.m. The bidder’s conference is expected to last for approximately 90 minutes and will include detailed presentations on the grant process as well as allow for questions and answers. To have a record of attendees, registration for the bidder’s conference is required.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE MANDATORY BIDDER’S CONFERENCE

Should you have any questions, please call the District 5 office at 925-608-4200 or send an email to district5@bos.cccounty.us.

 

Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra to perform Brits & Brahms at Antioch’s El Campanil April 15

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The Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra will perform Brits & Brahms on Saturday, April 15 at 2 pm at the historic El Campanil Theatre in Antioch’s Rivertown. The concert offers a timely message of hope through a captivating three-part musical experience. The orchestra will perform spectacular pieces that explore humanity’s astounding ability to thrive despite hard times.

Tickets can be purchased at ElCampanilTheatre.com or at the door (Adults $20, Seniors $15, Students $7).

The theater is located at 602 W. 2nd Street.

Cancer Support Community and BASS Medical Group form collaboration to increase support to cancer patients, families

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In picture from BASS: CEO Inez Wondeh, MPA, MBA; Jesse Kaestner, BS, RT(T); K. Kenneth Chao, M.D.; Dr. Soheila Azghadi, BASS Medical Group; From CSC: Board President, Donald Duggan; Board VP, Patricia Falconer, MBA; Danielle Bertoni (and BASS), Rob Tufel, MSW, MPH; Margaret Stauffer, LMFT. Source: CSC

Cancer Support Community San Francisco Bay Area (CSC) and BASS Cancer Center, a division of BASS Medical Group, have partnered to develop an automated patient screening process to identify and refer patients at an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and stress to free mental health services provided by Cancer Support Community.

This new referral process is now integrated into BASS Cancer Center’s electronic medical record system. Patients will automatically be provided information for CSC’s services when they indicate an increased risk of mental and emotional stress related to their cancer diagnosis.

“As many as three out of every four cancer survivors experience symptoms of psychological distress which can negatively impact clinical outcomes and quality of life,” says Rob Tufel, MSW, MPH, Chief Executive Officer of Cancer Support Community. “Unfortunately, fewer than 10% of patients are referred for support by their medical team. The lack of support is even more pronounced among cancer patients from communities of color and those who have lower incomes as well as older adults.”

CSC Board Member, Patricia Falconer, MBA, notes that “40% of Cancer patients experience financial hardship as a result of their diagnosis. This unique collaboration between CSC and community-based cancer providers is a model of how to increase patients’ access to vital support including financial assistance and navigation.”

This new screening tool was developed by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network––an alliance of 32 leading cancer centers devoted to patient care research, and education––and is designed to look for evidence of psychological, social, spiritual, and physical indicators that may interfere with one’s ability to cope effectively with cancer, its physical symptoms, and its treatment.

“As the number of cancer patients continue to increase, it is vital that we offer not only high-quality medical care but also comprehensive support,” explains Inez Wondeh, MPA, MBA, Chief Executive Officer of BASS Medical Group, “It was really important to us to develop a streamlined process to better address our patient’s needs and partnering with Cancer Support Community, who already provides excellent psychosocial services for patients and families at no cost, was a natural fit. This will make an incredible impact for our patients.”

CSC has locations in Walnut Creek and Antioch. To learn more visit cancersupport.net.

Andreotti opens BCRA Midgets Triple Crown Series with win at Antioch Speedway

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Jake Andreotti #00 opened the BCRA Midget Triple Crown series with a $2,000 win. Photo by Katrina Kniss

By Candice Martin, DCRR Racing Media

Antioch, CA…April 8…Jake Andreotti of Castro Valley won the 30 lap BCRA Midgets Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. This was the 63rd season opening race at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds venue. It was also the opening round of the three-race special BCRA Triple Crown Series at the track, which pays $2,000 to win each race and has a special point fund.

Past USAC Western States Midgets and WMR Midgets champion Blake Bower of Brentwood raced into the early lead ahead of Caden Sarale of Stockton. Andreotti found his way into third by the sixth lap. A Turn 4 pass on Lap 9 gained Sarale the lead. Andreotti motored into second on Lap 11.  Andreotti quickly started to challenge Sarale,, and they caught a slower car on Lap 14. Andreotti went high in Turn 2, while Sarale went low and surrendered the lead. Through a pair of slowdowns during the second half of the race, Andreotti stayed smooth and went on to score the impressive win. Sarale settled for the $1,150 second place finish, followed by Bower, Jake Morgan of Fair Oaks and Bryant Bell of Oakley.

Matt Kile #5 returned to Hobby Stock racing with an impressive feature win. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Matt Kile of San Jose won the 20 lap Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stock Main Event. Kile charged into the lead at the start ahead of Jared Baugh of Pittsburg. Kile didn’t receive much of a threat in this race, but Baugh, Danny Wagner of Bay Point and Grayson Baca of Brentwood had a spirited battle going for second. Baugh held the spot until being passed by Baca on Lap 11. Wagner quickly moved into third and executed to Turn 2 pass on the last lap for what he thought would be second. However, Baca came back strong and beat Wagner back to the line by inches. Kile cruised to the well-earned victory. Baugh settled for fourth ahead of Kevin Brown of Oakley.

David Michael Rosa #2d won the Delta Dwarf Car season opener. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Antioch’s David Michael Rosa won the 20 lap Delta Dwarf Car Main Event. Several drivers were involved in different mishaps during the first 14 laps that caused five yellow flags. Through it all, reigning Delta Dwarf Car champion Danny Wagner of Bay Point led the way. Dublin’s Devan Kammermann spun out of second on Lap 7, moving Ellie Russo of Bay Point into the position. However, Chance Russell of Antioch gained second a lap later. Rosa slipped past Russell for second on a Lap 14 restart and gained the lead when Wagner slowed on Lap 18 with mechanical issues. Rosa went on to win ahead of Russell, Russo, Travis Day of Concord and Pete Piantanida of Discovery Bay.

Greg Dennett #47 dominated the BCRA Lightning Sprint Main Event. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Greg Dennett of Livermore won the 20 lap BCRA Lightning Sprint Main Event. Scott Kinney led two laps before being passed by Dennett on the back stretch on Lap 3. Dakota Albright of Waterford made a Turn 4 pass on Kinney for second on Lap 5, but Dennett had already built a straightaway advantage by then. Dennett cruised to victory ahead of Albright, Harlee Aguilera of Orangevale, Josef Ferolito of Modesto and Cody Meyer of Placerville.

Joel Hannagan piloted The Junkyard Dog #16 Hardtop to an impressive win. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Joel Hannagan of San Jose won the 15 lap Hardtop Main Event. Ronnie Ruiz of West Sacramento led two laps before Brad Coelho of Oakley got by in Turn 4 for the lead. Hannagan followed closely into second, and Hannagan made a Turn 4 pass a lap later to take the lead from Coelho. As Hannagan pulled away, Coello and Ruiz battled fiercely for second. Ruiz made a Turn 4 pass to gain the spot in Lap 7, only to surrender the position to Coelho with an inside move on the frontstretch on Lap 11. Hannagan went on to victory ahead of Coelho, Ruiz, Joe Shenefield of Antioch and Ken Clifford of Placerville.

Dana Gardner #37 remained hot with his Print Club Mini Stock feature win. Photo by Katrina Kniss

After a strong postseason effort last year, San Bruno’s Dana Gardner resumed his impressive efforts with a 20 lap Print Club Mini Stock Main Event win.  Gardner led from the outside with Eddie Humphrey III of Torrance an early second. Humphrey held the position until a Lap 9 yellow flag. Humphrey pitted, and Gardner resumed command ahead of reigning champion Tom Brown of Santa Rosa and Tony Quinonez of Corning. As Gardner sped to the impressive win by a wide margin, Brown managed to hold off Quinonez in a close battle for second. Newcomer Max Finley of Santa Rosa wheeled his Ford Pinto Wagon to a fourth place finish ahead Don Abitz of Pittsburg.

At the opening ceremonies, several drivers came out to do a memorial lap for BCRA Hall of Fame member Jim Screeton, who died in a motorcycle accident back in March. Racing continues next weekend with the Hunt Wingless Spec Sprint Tour, the IMCA Sport Modifieds and 600 Micro Sprints competing. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.

Unofficial Race Results – April 8, 2023

BCRA Midgets 

FT-Jake Andreotti 14.312. Heat Winners (8 laps)-Jake Andreotti, Jake Morgan, Bryant Bell. Main Event (30 laps)-Jake Andreotti, Caden Sarale, Blake Bower, Jake Morgan, Bryant Bell, Michael Snider, Sage Bordeneve, Logan Mitchell, Danika Jo Parker, Kevin Box.

Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks 

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Jared Baugh, Danny Wagner, Matt Kile. Main Event (20 laps)-Matt Kile, Grayson Baca, Danny Wagner, Jared Baugh, Kevin Brown, Ken Johns, Colten Haney, Michaela Taylor, James Graessle, Aidan Ponciano.

BCRA Lightning Sprints 

FT Greg Dennett 13.852. Heat Winners (8 laps)-Greg Dennett, Dakota Albright. Main Event-Greg Dennett, Dakota Albright, Harlee Aguilera, Joseph Ferolito, Cody Meyer, Scott Kinney, Hunter Kinney. Daniel Caughran DNS.

Delta Dwarf Cars 

Heat Winners (8 laps)-David Michael Rosa, Danny Wagner. Main Event (20 laps)-David Michael Rosa, Chance Russell, Ellie Russo, Travis Day, Pete Piantanida, David Rosa, Joe LeDuc, Danny Wagner, Devan Kammermann, Bobby Motts Jr DNS.

Print Club Mini Stocks 

Heat Winners (8 laps)-Dana Gardner, Eddie Humphrey III. Main Event (20 laps)-Dana Gardner, Tom Brown, Tony Quinonez, Max Finley, Don Abitz, Cody Bolles, Eddie Humphrey III, Laina Bales, David Carson, Roberto Monroy DNS.

Hardtops

Heat Winner (6 laps)-Joel Hannagan. Main Event (15 laps)-Joel Hannagan, Brad Coelho, Ronnie Ruiz, Joe Shenefield, Ken Clifford.

 

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