Contra Costa Herald

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

Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office investigates death of inmate at local hospital following fight

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

The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff and the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office are investigating the death of inmate Levele Williams which occurred at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek on Thursday, September 24, 2020, at about 9:04 PM.

Earlier, on Wednesday, September 23, at about 7:20 PM, Williams was involved in a fight with other inmates at the Martinez Detention Facility (MDF). He was seen by Contra Costa Health Department medical staff at the facility.

At about 10 PM, Williams was transported to Contra Costa Regional Medical Center in Martinez after complaining of pain to his jaw. On Thursday, September 24, at about 2:15 AM, he was transported to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek where he later underwent surgery for a broken jaw.

Williams apparently suffered from complications during surgery and was later pronounced deceased while at the hospital.

32-year-old Williams of Oakland was arrested by the Pittsburg Police Depart-ment on September 9, 2020. He was booked into MDF on the following charges: as-sault with a deadly weapon (firearm), felon in possession of a firearm, carrying a load-ed firearm, and having a concealed weapon in his vehicle. In addition, there was a Ramey warrant for his arrest for murder and another warrant with charges that include domestic violence and making criminal threats.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600 or through Sheriff’s Office dispatch at (925) 646-2441. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

State grants $21.5 million for County to buy Pittsburg motel for homeless transitional care center

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Gov Newsom speaks at Motel 6 in Pittsburg to announce the state’s new Homekey program on Tuesday, June 30, 2020. Screenshot from press conference video.

Motel 6 to be repurposed through a California Homekey Grant; site of Gov. Newsom’s press conference about Project Roomkey in June

A 174-room motel in Pittsburg now sheltering homeless Contra Costa residents at high risk from COVID-19 will become a permanent service hub to help county residents transition into stable living situations, thanks to a $21.5 million state grant.

Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) rented rooms at the Motel 6 at 2101 Loveridge Road in Pittsburg to provide temporary housing through the state’s Project Roomkey program, which funded hotel rooms for residents who could not effectively isolate themselves during the COVID-19 pandemic because they had lost their housing. Gov. Newsom held a press conference at the motel about the program on June 30th. (See related article)

Homekey, the state’s follow-up program, will commit $17.4 million toward the county’s purchase and renovation of the motel, for a cost of $100,000 per room. The state will provide another $4.17 million toward staffing and operating the former motel as temporary housing for county residents experiencing homelessness, with on-site healthcare and behavioral health services, meals and assistance connecting with the services they need to regain housing.

“We are proud to partner with California in our work to provide safe, sustainable services for vulnerable members of our community,” said Candace Andersen, chair of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors.

There were only 20 shelter beds available in East County for more than 500 people living outside there in January 2020, most in Antioch and Pittsburg. The county’s most recent homeless point-in-time count showed that 33 percent of residents living outside in Contra Costa were in East County, compared to 27 percent recorded there during the 2019 count.

CCHS will add the new East County CARE Center and interim housing program to its network of homeless service centers, shelters and outreach programs, helping to address an acute shortage of those services in the area.

“This is a great start toward the building services and resources East County needs to address homelessness,” said Contra Costa Supervisor Federal Glover, whose district includes the site. “There is a critical need for this project in our community.”

The grant includes funding for case management, housing navigation services, meals and a robust peer support program, among other services.

“The funding allows us to accelerate our efforts to provide shelter for people living without housing in the eastern region of our county,” said Lavonna Martin, CCHS’s Director of Heath, Housing and Homeless Services. “This project creates a new interim housing option that allows for a greater degree of privacy and flexibility in household configurations we can serve, with the critical services and supports they need to regain permanent housing.”

Motel 6 was one of four in Contra Costa contracted to shelter vulnerable residents who had no housing early in the COVID-19 pandemic, partially funded by California’s Project Roomkey. CCHS is now renting 494 rooms at these motels to house people experiencing homelessness, including more than 200 people at Motel 6 who will continue to receive services and progress toward self-sufficiency under Homekey.

Visit cchealth.org/h3 for recent data about homelessness in Contra Costa County. Annual point-in-time count information is available in the Data Reports section.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

 

15 charged for drugs, guns in anti-gang sweep in Concord, surrounding areas

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Some of the over 70 guns confiscated from suspected gang members. Photo: Concord PD

Alleged Sureños used Concord shopping center as “One-Stop Shop” for guns and drugs

Confiscated over 70 firearms, including a machine gun, AK-47 with 100 round drum, over $50,000 in cash, about 10 pounds of methamphetamine, over 400 grams of heroin, over 2,500 grams of cocaine and over 900 fentanyl pills – Concord Police Dept.

4 homicides solved as a result, three in Concord, one in Antioch

SAN FRANCISCO – Complaints were unsealed in federal court today charging 15 individuals with trafficking drugs and firearms in connection with the Sureños street gang, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson, ATF Special Agent in Charge Patrick Gorman, FBI Deputy Special Agent in Charge Craig D. Fair, DEA Special Agent in Charge Danny Comeaux, and Concord Police Chief Mark Bustillos.

According to affidavits filed in connection with the complaints, multiple individuals affiliated with the Sureños street gang are alleged to have conspired to sell methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and firearms.  According to the complaint, the alleged sales occurred across Contra Costa County, but primarily in Concord, with numerous transactions occurring in a shopping center parking lot at 1500 Monument Boulevard.  According to the complaint, Sureño gang members claimed control over this shopping center, referring to it as “The Block” or “The Box,” and described it to undercover officers as a kind of “one-stop shop” for guns and drugs.

“Today’s charges explode the myth of the non-violent drug dealer,” said U.S. Attorney David L. Anderson.  “Drugs are expensive.  Drugs are dangerous.  Where we find drugs, we almost always find guns.  What is particularly appalling about today’s charges is that the defendants did not even bother to hide the guns or drugs.  Rather, the defendants allegedly peddled their products in broad daylight in public spaces.”

Locations in Concord where police raids took place. Courtesy of Concord PD.

The following was posted on the Concord Police Department’s Facebook page on Tuesday morning: “We’re proud to announce Concord PD recently led a large scale multi-agency anti-violence operation that resulted in multiple arrests, including arrests connected to several unsolved murders.

Operation “Boulevard Blues” ended Thursday morning with 30 search warrants executed across Solano, Sonoma, and Contra Costa Counties. Nine of those warrants were conducted in Concord. The focus of the investigation was the Sureño gang along Monument Blvd.

Our operations resulted in over 26 individuals charged with state and/or federal charges that include murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit robbery, illegal weapons, and gang violations.

‘Boulevard Blues’ resulted in solving 4 murders (three in Concord and one in Antioch).

  • 2014: Victor Gutierrez on Adelaide Street
  • 2015: Erick Cruz on Meadow Lane
  • 2015: Luis Estrada at Hillcrest Park
  • 2015: Homicide that occurred in Antioch

In addition, the operation recovered over 70 firearms, including a machine gun, an AK-47 with 100 round drum, suspected firearm suppressors, ammunition, over $50,000 in cash, approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine, over 400 grams of heroin, over 2,500 grams of cocaine and over 900 fentanyl pills.

As always, keeping our community safe remains a priority for our department. We want to thank our community for your unwavering support and cooperation.”

“Throughout this investigation, ATF has worked side by side with our partners to fulfill ATF’s mission of protecting the public by investigating the criminal misuse and trafficking of firearms in the Contra Costa county area,” said Special Agent in Charge Patrick Gorman, San Francisco Field Division, ATF.  “In April 2019, ATF began working with the Concord Police Department and then with other agencies to address problematic gang activity that was occurring within Contra Costa county. Law enforcement partnerships create an unwavering unified front against violent crime and this collaborative effort between local and federal agencies is evidence of our shared focus. ATF remains committed to working hard and doing our part to make this region a safer place as our pledge to protect the public is one ATF takes very seriously.”

Law enforcement representatives from various agencies, including Contra Costa DA Diana Becton (back left) and Concord Police Chief Mark Bustillos (front left) participated in the press conference Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020. Photo by Concord PD.

“This operation exemplifies the dedication of the FBI and our task force partners to disrupt dangerous gang activity and remove the threat of criminals who endanger our neighborhoods,” said FBI Deputy Special Agent in Charge Craig Fair.  “We are committed to improving the quality of life in our Bay Area communities and ensuring the safety of our citizens.”

“Nobody wins in a community where street gang activity exists. It threatens public safety and the security of our neighborhoods,” stated DEA Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux. “These indictments send the message that law enforcement at all levels will work as one to pursue and prosecute criminal gangs and their associates.”

“We are thankful for our close working relationship with our federal partners,” said Concord Police Chief Mark Bustillos. “Violent crime does not stop at a city’s border, and our relationship with our federal partners allows us to bring those who use violence and intimidation in Concord to justice.”

Of the fifteen defendants charged federally, eight were taken into custody on September 10, 2020.  Three additional defendants are due to be transferred from state to federal custody, while two more will stay in state custody as of today.  The whereabouts of the remaining two federal defendants are unknown.  The following chart summarizes the charges, custodial status, and next court dates for of each of the 15 federal defendants:

 

Name Age Custodial status Case number Charges Next court date
Luis CRUZ 24 State custody 20-71278 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B(viii) and (b)(1)(C) (drug conspiracy) TBD
Luis RAMIREZ-CARRANZA 31 Federal custody 20-71278 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B(viii) and (b)(1)(C) (drug conspiracy) 9/15/20
Phabel GUTIERREZ 38 State custody 20-71278 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B(viii) and (b)(1)(C) (drug conspiracy) TBD
Angel MAGAÑA 26 State custody 20-71278 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B(viii) and (b)(1)(C) (drug conspiracy) TBD
Ernesto MISSIEGO 18 State custody 20-71278 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B(viii) and (b)(1)(C) (drug conspiracy) TBD
Christian CERVANTES 23 State custody 20-71278 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B(viii) and (b)(1)(C) (drug conspiracy) TBD
Francisco CANO 34 Federal custody 20-71278 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B(viii) and (b)(1)(C) (drug conspiracy) 9/17/20
Armando NAVARRO 42 Federal custody 20-71278 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B(viii) and (b)(1)(C) (drug conspiracy) 9/29/20
Sheena MIDDLETON 35 Federal custody 20-71278 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B(viii) and (b)(1)(C) (drug conspiracy) 9/16/20
Luis CABRERA 28 Wanted 20-71278 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B(viii) and (b)(1)(C) (drug conspiracy) TBD
Alexis PEREZ 23 Federal custody 20-71278 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C) (drug distribution) 9/18/20
Brian ALVARENGA 30 Wanted 20-71278 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C) (drug distribution) TBD
Eric CARRILLO 23 Federal custody 20-71283 18 U.S.C. 371 (firearms trafficking conspiracy) 9/15/20
Juan CONCHAS-CARRILLO 25 Federal custody 20-71283 18 U.S.C. 371 (firearms trafficking conspiracy) 9/16/20
Kevin VIDAL 23 Federal custody 20-71284 26 U.S.C. § 5861 (unlawful possession of unregistered firearm) 9/21/20

A complaint merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted of a drug conspiracy in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B)(viii) and 846, the defendants face a sentence of at least 5 and up to 40 years in prison, along with at least 4 years and up to life on supervised release, up to a $5 million fine, forfeiture, and denial of federal benefits.  If convicted of a drug conspiracy in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C) and 846, the defendants face a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison, along with at least 4 years and up to life on supervised release, up to a $5 million fine, forfeiture, and denial of federal benefits.  If convicted of possession of an unregistered firearm, the defendants face a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison, along with up to 3 years of supervised release, a $10,000 fine, and forfeiture.  If convicted of conspiring to deal firearms without a license, the defendants fae up to 5 years in prison, along with up to 3 years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and forfeiture.  However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

The case is being prosecuted by the Oakland branch of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.  The prosecution is the result of a 2-year investigation led by the ATF and the Concord Police Department, along with the DEA and the FBI, as part of the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

 

Owner, bartender of Pittsburg bar charged for violating county health order, unlicensed sale of alcohol

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Open in June when not allowed to be, ABC suspended license for not paying taxes, unlicensed sale of alcohol

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

Martinez, Calif. – Kimberly Beatrice Dixon of Pittsburg (52-years-old) was charged today by the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office for a violation of the Contra Costa County Health Officer Order related to COVID-19. In addition, Dixon was charged for operating her bar with a suspended alcohol license. The case was investigated by the state Alcoholic Beverage and Control agents. The bar is located at 3742 Railroad Avenue in Pittsburg.

Dixon is the owner of Skorz Sports Bar in Pittsburg. Earlier this summer on June 11, the bar was open, and patrons were inside drinking alcohol. The bar was not deemed an essential business and therefore not allowed to be open. Currently, bars are not allowed to be open to the public. Further, earlier this year, ABC suspended Dixon’s license for the failure to pay taxes.

“Our office has received hundreds of complaints from the public reporting non-essential businesses operating during the COVID-19 pandemic,” stated District Attorney Diana Becton. “These businesses are putting the public’s health in jeopardy by violating the health officer orders. These orders are necessary to stop the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus. We will continue to investigate reports of violations of the health officer order.”

The bartender at Skorz, Carla Kacprzak, was also charged with a misdemeanor violation for the unlicensed sale of alcohol.

Anyone with information about possible COVID-19 violations can report that information to the District Attorney’s Office via email at DA-ReportFraud@contracostada.org.

Case information: People v. Kimberly Beatrice Dixon and Carla Kacprzak, Docket Number 04-200281-4.

Seeno partners with Brentwood school district, agreement reached on valuable land for school site

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See the school site in the large open area toward the bottom of the site map, and the potential overlay of 63 additional homes to the right.

Results in 63 fewer homes built

BRENTWOOD, Calif., Sept. 11, 2020 – West Coast Home Builders, Inc., a development company owned by the Seeno family, and the Brentwood Union School District have entered into an agreement that opens the door for the district to acquire a prime piece of Bay Area real estate, well below market value, for the construction of a new elementary school.

School district staff recommended approval of the agreement, and the school board members unanimously approved the agreement on Aug. 19, 2020.

The Brentwood Union School District has been trying for years to find suitable land to build a much-needed elementary school to help relieve overcrowding at some of its elementary schools and accommodate future growth in the district. The agreement between West Coast Home Builders and the district is a significant step forward and an important opportunity toward making this new elementary school a reality.

The impact on the district will include reducing overcrowding, a lower student-teacher ratio, and reducing the use of portables.

“We’ve been negotiating a school site there for a very long time,” BUSD Board Trustee Emil Geddes confirmed. “We just hadn’t achieved the final solution with Seeno, until now.”

“We approved that we want that site,” he continued. “But we haven’t come to the final purchase price and agreement for the property.”

It will also mean 63 fewer homes will be built at the site, as was an option in the Vesting Tentative Map overlay. (See Site Plan above)

In 2016, Brentwood voters passed Measure B, a school bond measure that will fund much of the proposed elementary school construction costs. School construction costs have skyrocketed in California, so building a new school is very difficult for districts without some form of subsidy. In this case, West Coast Home Builders will be subsidizing the cost of the land, which is critical to making a new elementary school a reality.

The 11.35-acre school site is located within the proposed Bridle Gate community, west of Highway 4 (bypass) and south of Sand Creek Road in Brentwood, California. The proposed development will bring much-needed housing to the Bay Area, which has been chronically undersupplied for years, leading to the current affordability crisis. The project’s proximity to both highway and commercial areas, coupled with a school site that will be walkable for students and parents, also lowers environmental impacts to the area.

In a dramatic savings to the district, an appraiser will value the school site land as agricultural rather than residential. Residential land values are substantially higher than agricultural land values. This essentially means the district will be paying pennies on the dollar for the land. This is a true partnership between a growing school district and a longtime community builder, who is committed to supporting local schools and children.

The sale of this land to the district is contingent on West Coast Home Builders receiving the necessary environmental and project approvals from the Brentwood City Council for the Bridle Gate project. West Coast Home Builders has included this school site in its proposed development plan, and the city has included this school site in its environmental analysis of the housing project.

The project will be up for approval before the city council during a special meeting next Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 7:00 p.m. According to California Government Ethics Law in Government Codes §§ 87100 and 87103 a public official may not make, participate in, or influence a governmental decision that will have a reasonably foreseeable and material financial effect on the official, the official’s immediate family, or any of the official’s financial interests. Because Councilwoman Claudette Staton’s personal residence is too close to the project site, she will have to recuse herself and not participate in voting on the project, as it could affect the value of her home. The decision will therefore be left up to the other four council members.

State Letter Says Staton Can’t Vote on Project

UPDATE: Upon request from the Herald, Staton provided a copy of the August 10, 2020 letter from the state Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) to Brentwood Assistant City Attorney Katherine Wisinski which provides the reason why Staton cannot vote on the project due to her conflict of interest under the state’s Political Reform Act. In the letter, the FPPC asks the following question: “Under the Act, may Councilmember Staton take part in governmental decisions pertaining to a city development project that would involve the construction of hundreds of new homes, among other significant developments, and potentially affect property views, traffic levels, and air quality, given that she owns real property less than 1000 feet from the project site?”

The FPPC’s letter then answers the question writing, “No, given the scope and impacts of the project, as well as the proximity of Councilmember Staton’s real property, it is reasonably foreseeable that the project would have a material financial effect on Councilmember Staton’s property by changing its market value and income producing potential, and air quality. Accordingly, Councilmember Staton is disqualified from taking part in project decisions under the Act, and consequently must recuse herself from those decisions.” Read the entire four-page letter, here: FPPC Ltr re Staton Bridle Gate vote Final A-20-085

To read the agenda item and details click, here.

Allen Payton contributed to this report. 

 

’16 Measure B follow up, helping his budget etc.).

Discovery Builders partners with Pittsburg to construct youth center

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Long sought athletic facility closer to reality

Discovery Builders, Inc. has entered into an agreement with the City of Pittsburg to design and build an approximately 45,000-square-foot youth center that will include basketball and volleyball courts, among other uses. (See presentation slide show, here – DBI Pittsburg Youth & Sports Facility)

The proposed $3 million facility will be located at John Henry Johnson Park, directly north of West Leland Road in Pittsburg, California. City staff determined this site was best suited for a facility of this nature.

Community leaders have long expressed a need that more public amenities be made available to the local youth of Pittsburg. Meeting this need and providing recreational opportunities for young people has been an ongoing challenge in Pittsburg, since previous youth and community centers closed many years ago.

Public testimony from diverse groups of people and organizations has consistently centered around building a robust youth center, specifically, providing quality athletic facilities. The city currently lacks some of the infrastructure needed to provide ongoing recreational services. As a result of this direct need, Discovery Builders, Inc. and the City of Pittsburg have partnered to lay the groundwork for a future youth center.

While still in the design phase, the yet-to-be-named youth center is a culmination of years of listening and research done on the part of the Discovery Builders leadership team.

As noted by Louis Parsons, president of Discovery Builders, Inc., “As a community builder, we have decades of listening and local knowledge under our belts. We hear what the community wants and needs, and we said building this youth center makes sense for Pittsburg. One of the community benefits we bring is we can use our core building strengths to make Pittsburg and nicer place to live. I’m personally excited to see these basketball and volleyball courts get built.  Obviously, this is contingent on a longtime project moving forward.”

Parsons added, “What’s nice about this agreement is we get to support the city and staff by saving them time and resources that are better served running the day-to-day operations of the city. With the pandemic and recent furloughs, a partnership like this is required to create the major public amenities people want.”

The agreement states this facility will begin construction within the next 18 months, contingent on a pending application being approved by the Pittsburg City Council on Monday, Aug. 24.

 

Bay Point man shot, killed in Bay Point early Tuesday morning

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

Tuesday morning, August 11, 2020 at about 1:46, Muir Station Deputy Sheriffs were dispatched to a report of a body on the 400 block of Pullman Avenue in Bay Point.

Deputies arrived on scene and found a man on the ground. He appeared to have suffered a gunshot wound.

The fire department and an ambulance responded. The victim was later pronounced deceased at the scene.

Detectives and crime lab personnel responded to investigate this incident.

The victim was later identified as 28-year-old Joshua Johnson of Bay Point. The cause of death is listed as gunshot wound.

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

 

Brentwood couple charged with, plead not guilty to criminal labor trafficking for domestic slavery of nanny

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One employed with Contra Costa County since 1998; first ever case of this type for Contra Costa DA

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

Martinez, Calif. – Last month, Ijeoma Chukwunyelu and Nnamdi Onwuzulike made their first court appearance and entered pleas of not guilty in Contra Costa County’s first criminal labor trafficking case. In addition to labor trafficking under Penal Code section 236.1(a), defendants are charged with extortion and conspiracy to violate Labor Code section 1199 which requires employers to follow California’s minimum wage and hour requirements.

In this case, a woman was recruited from outside the United States to be a nanny for a family with young children in East Contra Costa County. Defendants instructed the victim to obtain her passport and visa fraudulently and claim she was coming to California for three weeks as a tourist to attend the wedding of her son and the defendants’ daughter. Because of her economic circumstances, and fear that the job opportunity would be given to someone else, the victim followed the instructions she was given. She was not aware of her legal rights to minimum wages, breaks, overtime or employment conditions under California law.

When the victim arrived in California in April of 2017, defendants took possession of her passport and visa. From the time she started until October of 2018, the defendants required her to perform work beyond what she was hired to do. She was required to sleep on the floor of the children’s room so she could care for them round the clock, to cook for the entire family and clean their 5-bedroom house for no additional wages. They did not provide the victim with breaks or days off from her work responsibilities as required by California Law. The defendants never paid her overtime for any of the additional hours she worked and continued to employ her with knowledge that her visa expired. This made the victim a particularly vulnerable worker without immigration status who was fearful of deportation.

According to her LinkedIn profile, Chukwunyelu has worked for Contra Costa county for almost 22 years, first as a Senior Information Systems Analyst and then since April 2016, as an Information Systems Manager. According to MyLife.com, Onwuzulike is 56 and formerly lived in Antioch, Martinez and Oakland. Additional information about the couple has been sought from those they claim to be affiliated with discovered through internet searches. Please check back later for updates to this report.

This investigation was a collaborative effort the Brentwood Police Department, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Department of Labor, and the California Department of Industrial Relations/Division of Labor Standards Enforcement and the Victim Witness Assistance Program within the DA’s Office. The investigation began when American Medical Response (AMR) personnel recognized a victim in need of assistance and connected her to resources that could help her.

“As the COVID-19 pandemic causes massive job losses and severe economic instability, California workers are more vulnerable than ever to exploitative employment practices. Our collaborative efforts on this investigation led to a successful filing of this case. I am proud to work with our partners at all levels of government to protect workers and seek justice for those harmed by predatory behavior,” stated Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton.

The California Labor Code and a series of 17 Wage Orders maintained by the California Department of Industrial Relations set forth state minimum wage and overtime requirements for nearly all types employees, including live-in domestic workers. The orders can be found here:  https://www.dir.ca.gov/iwc/WageOrderIndustries.htm and information about worker rights can be found here:  https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/dlse.html. These rights apply to California employees without regard to the person’s immigration status. Such illegal practices by employers could carry both civil and criminal liability for the employer even if the worker “agrees” with the employment conditions out of financial desperation, concern for their immigration status, or simply because the employee did not know their rights.

“The experience of this domestic worker represents countless more who are preyed upon because of economic desperation. These criminal acts are not only illegal but immoral,” said California Labor Commissioner Lilia Garcia-Brower. “Human trafficking is modern day slavery, an we are committed to stopping it by partnering with agencies to eradicate this horrific crime.”

The case is being prosecuted by the DA’s Office, which is a member of the Contra Costa Human Trafficking Taskforce. The Taskforce is comprised of local, state and federal law enforcement and community-based victim service partners. The Task Force works collaboratively to identify and investigate all forms of trafficking in our community while providing victims with culturally competent services and support.

“Our agency remains relentlessly committed to dedicating resources to disrupt and dismantle organized crime associated with human trafficking, and will continue to work collaboratively with our Taskforce partners to make an even greater impact,” said Investigations Lieutenant Walter O’Grodnick with the Brentwood Police Department.

Any person who thinks they may be a victim of labor trafficking in Contra Costa County can make a report to the DA’s Office Human Trafficking Tip Line at 925-957-8658.

“HSI appreciates the opportunity to partner with the various agencies in the Contra Costa County Human Trafficking Task Force in order to provide victims with the resources they need and deserve and to hold the violators to account for actions akin to modern day slavery,” said Tatum King, Special Agent in Charge – HSI San Francisco.

Case information: People v. Nnamdi Onwuzulike and Ijeoma Chukwunyelu, Docket Number 04-199478-9

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Census 2020 Caravan to make stops in Pittsburg, Antioch Sunday, August 9

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Will offer music, videos and giveaways

The Census 2020 Caravan will make stops in Pittsburg and Antioch this Sunday to help residents complete the census questionnaire to be counted and will offer music, videos and giveaways.

The decennial census determines how many Members of Congress in the U.S. House of Representatives each state is allocated, which will occur during reapportionment next year, and determines the redrawing of all other elected office district lines, as well. In addition, the population figures from the Census determines the allocation of government funds for various programs. All of them are affected for the following 10 years.

If you’re unable to attend one of the events you can complete the survey online at U.S. Census Bureau.

Date: Sunday, August 9th, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Meet at: 11 a.m. at Antioch Water Park, 4701 Lone Tree Way, Antioch

12 p.m. at Pittsburg Century Plaza Shopping Center, 4405 Somersville Road & Highway 4, Pittsburg

Officials available on site: Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, Contra Costa County Supervisors Diane Burgis and Federal D. Glover, Pittsburg Mayor Jelani Killings, Pittsburg City Council Members Holland Barrett White and Shanelle Scales-Preston, Antioch Mayor Pro Tem Joy Motts, Antioch City Council Member Lori Ogorchock, Antioch School Board Trustee Mary Rocha

Activities: Festively decorated cars, driving through hard-to-count communities to promote a complete count. The CA Census 2020 mobile truck will be on hand with music, videos and giveaways.

More information: Matthew Lardner, Matthew.Lardner@cao.cccounty.us   Mona Zarrinkelk monaz@kaanunmehr.org, Velma Wilson blessedbydesgn09@gmail.com

Sponsors and partners: Contra Costa County Complete Count Committee, City of Pittsburg, City of Antioch, Kaanur Mehr, EAH Housing