Contra Costa Herald

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

Men from Martinez, Vallejo arrested in Orinda Halloween shooting deaths

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Domenico Dones and Frederick Johnson are suspects in the Halloween Orinda party shooting deaths. Photos by CCCSheriff

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

On Thursday, November 21, 2019, at 7 AM, the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff served Ramey arrest warrants and search warrants in multiple locations, including Martinez and Vallejo, in connection with the Orinda shooting on October 31, 2019.

The Office of the Sheriff was assisted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The two suspects are identified as:

-29-year-old Domico Michael Dones of Martinez. Dones was booked on charges related to the Orinda shooting. On Friday, the Contra Costa County DA’s Office has filed two formal charges against Dones – felon in possession of a firearm and felon in possession of ammunition.

According to Scott Alonso, the CCDA’s Public Information Officer, Dones has a prior felony conviction for second degree robbery in Santa Clara County. He was in possession of a Glock 22. 40 Caliber handgun with a laser scope and ammunition. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) San Francisco Field Division also assisted in the arrest of Dones.

Dones will be arraigned on Monday, November 25, in Martinez. Dones was not one of the five suspects arrested in connection with the Orinda Halloween shooting last week by the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office. Due to the sensitive nature of the Orinda investigation, no further details will be released regarding Dones in connection with the incident.

-29-year-old Frederick Johnson of Vallejo. Johnson was also booked on charges related to the Orinda shooting. The Solano County DA’s Office has filed charges against Johnson – felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, and child endangerment.

Both of them are being held at the Martinez Detention Facility. Dones is being held in lieu of $300,000 bail; Johnson is being held in lieu of $75,000 bail.

The investigation into the shooting is ongoing. Sheriff’s Office Detectives along with multiple law enforcement agencies have worked continuously on the investigation into the shooting that killed five people at a Halloween party.

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

Contra Costa DA won’t charge five suspects in Orinda Halloween shooting deaths, wants more investigation

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The five suspects arrested, not charged and to be released are (l-r) Jason Iles, Shamron Mitchell, Devin Williamson, Lebraun Wallace and Jaquez Deshawn Sweeney. Photos by CoCoSheriff.

Suspects are or will be released; Sheriff stands by his department’s investigation

By Allen Payton

In a news release, this evening, Scott Alonso, the Public Information Officer for Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton, wrote, “Today the District Attorney’s Office met with members of the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff to review the Orinda Halloween shooting incident. No criminal charges are being filed at this time against any individual. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about the case should call the Sheriff’s Homicide Unit at 925-313-2600.” (See related article)

When reached for comment, Alonso said, “We made the decision about 5:00 p.m. tonight.”

Asked if all five suspects who were arrested would be released, he responded, “That’s my understanding, yes. If they have no holds are on their records, then they will be released, tonight. If there are no charges filed against them. Four are in custody of the Contra Costa Sheriff. One is in custody of the Marin County Sheriff.”

Asked why D.A. Becton chose not to charge any of the suspects, Alonso said, “We have a really high filing standard and we need more information. We are collaboratively working with the Sheriff’s Office to see what else is out there.”

“It’s very complex. We want more witnesses to come forward. There were a lot of people at that party,” he added.

When reached for comment and asked about the suspects, Jimmy Lee, the Director of Public Affairs for the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff responded, “They have either been released or are in the process.”

“We stand by our investigation and the arrests were made pursuant to a judge’s order,” he continued. “Although the district attorney may want more investigation done, the persons arrested and responsible for these crimes will ultimately be held to account. The entire investigation is ongoing, as is common in these types of complex cases.”

Sheriff expects more arrests in Orinda Halloween party killings

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The five suspects arrested are (l-r) Jason Iles, Shamron Mitchell, Devin Williamson, Lebraun Wallace and Jaquez Deshawn Sweeney. Photos by CoCoSheriff.

Shootings were result of rival gangs

By Daniel Borsuk

More arrests are expected to be made in connection with the Orinda Airbnb case where five people were shot and killed on Halloween night, Contra Costa County Sheriff David O. Livingston said at a press conference Friday afternoon.

Unable to provide further details, the sheriff said that five suspects had been arrested on Friday in connection with the Orinda shootings on Friday that had ties with two Bay Area gangs – the Page Street Gang of San Francisco and the Marin City Jungle Gang of Marin City.

Sheriff Livingston said he expects any additional persons arrested in the Orinda Airbnb case will likely have gang affiliations. He would not elaborate.

The five suspects under arrest are identified as:

  • Shamron Mitchell, 30, of Antioch. Mitchell was arrested on the charges of murder and conspiracy. He is being held without bail.
  • Lebraun Wallace, 28, of San Mateo. Wallace was arrested on the charges of murder and conspiracy. He is being held without bail.
  • Jaquez Deshawn Sweeney, 20, of Marin City. Sweeney was arrested on the charges of murder and conspiracy. He is being held without bail.
  • Jason Iles, 20, of Marin City. Iles was arrested on the charges of murder and conspiracy. He is being held without bail.
  • Devin Williamson, 21, of Vallejo. Williamson was arrested on the the charges of being an accessory. He is being held in lieu of $500,000 bail.

“Extraordinary cooperation among multiple law enforcement agencies led to these arrests and a small measure of justice for the true victims,” said Sheriff Livingston.

“We have video showing a number of people at the party had carried firearms and secreted their firearms in their pants once the shooting spree in the house had subsided,” the sheriff said.

Four firearms were recovered by law enforcement authorities at the crime scene, Sheriff Livingston said.

“We believe people at the party had intent to do harm at this party,” the sheriff said in reference to potential connections with other gangs in the Bay Area. “Additionally, evidence shows two of the deceased persons inside the house were themselves armed, which may have played a role in this tragedy,”

Those victims, who had possessed weapons, were Ramon Hill Jr., 24, of San Francisco/Oakland and Javin County, 29, of Sausalito/Richmond.

Other murder victims were Tiyon Farley, 22, of Antioch; Omar Taylor, 24, of Pittsburg; and Oshiana Tompkins, 19, of Vallejo/Hercules, according to the sheriff’s office. Five additional victims suffered gunshot wounds. One person jumped 30 feet over a balcony to escape the gunfire, said deputies.

“The blame rests specifically on the people who brought guns into the party, pulled the trigger and murdered someone. That’s who should have the blame in this case,” said the sheriff.

The sheriff said neither the Orinda police, the homeowner, nor Airbnb deserve blame in this case.

In the aftermath of the crime, Orinda Mayor Inga Miller said the city council is expected to consider tougher home rental ordinance proposals that would apply to Airb&b at Tuesday’s council meeting. “I want to thank the Contra Costa County Sheriffs Office and other local law enforcement agencies for the resources they have deployed into resolving this heinous crime,” said Miller

The Antioch Police Department, San Mateo Police Department, Vallejo Police Department, Marin County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Marshalls Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Federal Bureau of Investigation assisted in the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff in this case.

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

Five suspects in fatal Orinda Halloween party shooting arrested, one from Contra Costa County

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The five suspects arrested are (l-r) Jason Iles, Shamron Mitchell, Devin Williamson, Lebraun Wallace and Jaquez Deshawn Sweeney. Photos by CoCoSheriff.

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

Law enforcement agencies served Ramey arrest warrants and search warrants in several Bay Area counties this morning and arrested five suspects in connection with the Orinda shooting on October 31, 2019. (See related article)

The arrest warrants were served in the cities of San Mateo, Marin City, Vallejo and Antioch.

The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff was assisted by the San Mateo Police Department, Antioch Police Department, Vallejo Police Department, Marin County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Marshals Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Sheriff’s Office Detectives, assisted by multiple law enforcement agencies, have worked continuously on the investigation into the shooting that claimed five lives at a Halloween party.

The five suspects are identified as:

-30-year-old Shamron Joshua Mitchell of Antioch. Mitchell was arrested on the following charges: murder and conspiracy. He is being held without bail.

-28-year-old Lebraun Tyree Wallace of the city of San Mateo. Wallace was arrested on the following charges: murder and conspiracy. He is being held without bail.

-20-year-old Jaquez Deshawn Sweeney of Marin City. Sweeney was arrested on the following charges: murder and conspiracy. He is being held without bail.

-20-year-old Jason D. Iles of Marin City. Iles was arrested on the following charges: murder and conspiracy. He is being held without bail.

-21-year-old Devin Isiah Williamson of Vallejo. He was arrested on the following charge: being an accessory. He is being held in lieu of $500,000 bail.

“Extraordinary cooperation among multiple law enforcement agencies led to these arrests and a small measure of justice for the true victims,” said Contra Costa Sheriff David Livingston. “Additionally, evidence shows two of the deceased persons inside the house were themselves armed, which may have played a role in this tragedy. We look forward to providing more information in the coming days.”

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

 

Police seek three suspects in Halloween armed home invasion robbery in Lafayette

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

On Thursday, October 31, 2019, at about 8:30 PM, Lafayette Police Officers were dispatched to a report of a home invasion robbery that happened on the 1300 block of Martino Road in Lafayette.

The incident involved three suspects who were armed with a pistol. One suspect apparently knocked on the front door, while two others hid. When a resident opened the door, he was assaulted and forced back inside. The suspects went through the house, stealing valuables and personal items. The suspects were in the home for approximately one hour before leaving with the victims’ BMW sedan.

The stolen vehicle was tracked to Oakland. Officers from the Orinda Police Department, assisting in the investigation, responded to Oakland and found the stolen vehicle abandoned.

One of the victims was transported to a local hospital. The other suffered minor injuries.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Lafayette Police Department at (925) 283-3680 or (925) 299-3234. For any tips, email: 94549TIP@gmail.com or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

Five victims identified in Orinda shooting on Halloween, four from Contra Costa County

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Renter lied about reason for renting Airbnb home.

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

The Orinda Police Department and the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff continue to investigate a shooting that occurred on the 100 block of Lucille Way in Orinda on Thursday, October 31, 2019, at about 10:50 PM.

Orinda Police Officers, along with law enforcement officers from throughout the county, arrived on scene and found a house party with over 100 attendees. The party-goers apparently came from throughout the Bay Area for the Halloween event, which was advertised on social media. The party took place in a home that was found on a short-term rental website.

According to the Associated Press, the home was rented by a woman who “lied to her Airbnb host, saying she only needed a place to keep her family members away from wildfire smoke”.

Arriving Officers found a highly chaotic scene that included gunshot victims, injured party-goers, and numerous people fleeing the scene. Officers triaged the victims, cleared the location for safety and safeguarded the crime scene. Law enforcement officers found three gunshot victims who were later pronounced deceased at the scene. Another died at the hospital.

The victims are identified as 22-year-old Tiyon Farley of Antioch, 24-year-old Omar Taylor of Pittsburg, 23-year-old Ramon Hill Jr. of San Francisco/Oakland and 29-year-old Javin County of Sausalito/Richmond. An additional victim has been pronounced deceased at a local hospital. She is identified as 19-year-old Oshiana Tompkins of Vallejo/Hercules. There are now a total of five fatalities in this shooting.

Several other victims were transported to local hospitals by ambulance, while some victims transported themselves to the hospital. The injured suffered from gunshot wounds and injuries sustained while fleeing the scene.

A number of law enforcement agencies from the Bay Area assisted during the initial response as well as during the ongoing investigation. These include the Contra Costa D.A.’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The Sheriff’s Office Forensic Services Division Crime Lab responded to the home to process the scene. Two firearms were located in the house. The Crime Lab is analyzing the weapons to determine if they were used in the shooting or any other crimes. Numerous shell casings found at the scene are being processed and analyzed by the Crime Lab.

The investigation into this incident is ongoing with numerous interviews of witnesses and the analysis of evidence. The suspect is still outstanding.

Orinda Police Officers were yesterday called to the house at 9:19 PM and 10:25 PM regarding a noise complaint. At 10:48 PM, an officer was headed to the home to investigate the calls. The initial reports of shooting came in around 10:50 PM.

Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Orinda Police Department or Office of the Sheriff at (925) 646-2441. The Investigation Division can be reached at (925) 313-2600. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

At least three people dead, others injured in shooting at Orinda Halloween party Thursday night

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Sheriff’s Detectives investigate

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

On Thursday night, October 31, 2019, at about 10:50, Orinda Police Officers were dispatched to reports of a shooting at a residence on the 100 block of Lucille Way in Orinda.

Orinda officers, assisted by law enforcement officers from the area, arrived on scene and found a large house party with over 100 attendees.

There were three apparent gunshot victims who were pronounced deceased at the scene. Another died later at the hospital.

Other victims were taken to local hospitals by ambulance. The exact number is unknown as some victims transported themselves to the hospital.

A KTVU Fox2 News report gave the number of deceased victims at four, with a fourth having died at the hospital.

The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Forensic Services Division Crime lab and Detectives from the Homicide Unit responded to the scene. The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Orinda Police Department or Office of the Sheriff at (925) 646-2441. The Investigation Division can be reached at (925) 313-2600. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Orinda Police investigate Sunday morning carjacking

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

Sunday morning at about 10:10, Orinda police responded to a report of a carjacking on the 400 block of Camino Sobrante in Orinda.

Two suspects in a vehicle apparently drove their car into the driveway of a resident and stole his vehicle, a Toyota Tacoma, at gunpoint.

Orinda officers, assisted by the CHP, searched for the Tacoma but were not able to locate it. The suspects and vehicle, a black colored Tacoma with California license plate 8R01259, are outstanding as of Sunday evening.

The original car driven by the suspects was a silver Audi RS5. It apparently was stolen earlier this month and led CHP officers on a pursuit just prior to the carjacking.

Anyone with any information on the Tacoma or suspects is asked to contact the Orinda Police Department at 925-646-2441.

Orinda man indicted by federal grand jury in $2.7 million scam against bank

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Alan Safahi. Photo from his LinkedIn profile.

Alan Safahi charged in connection with alleged bank and wire fraud scheme

SAN FRANCISCO – A federal grand jury indicted Alan Safahi on charges related to an alleged bank fraud scheme, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Special Agent in Charge Kareem Carter.

Safahi. June 1, 2013 photo from his Facebook page.

The indictment alleges that between June 2013 and September 2014, Safahi, 58, of Orinda, Calif., fraudulently entered into an agreement with a bank by which the bank was to be a backer for prepaid charge cards.  According to the agreement, Safahi’s company, Card Express, would issue and service the charge cards.  Further, the agreement required Card Express to fund 100% of the value of the cards and to turn over to the bank the total amount that the cards were supposed to be worth.  Instead of complying with the agreement, Safahi allegedly directed the employees of Card Express to maintain two sets of books.  One set of books maintained by Card Express was accessible to the cardholders and accurately reported the total amount for which the prepaid charge card was purchased, as well as the balance after any purchases.  The second set of books, however, was provided to the bank and fraudulently stated that the amount the cardholder spent on the day the card was used was the total value of the prepaid card.  Thus, Safahi caused the bank to believe the sponsored cards had much lower balances overall than they actually did have.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Safahi is also CEO and founder of ZED Network, a financial services company based in Ontario, Canada. An online search shows Card Express was based in Irvine, CA and was listed as a government contractor. A call to the company number was unsuccessful because it is disconnected.

The indictment further alleges Safahi fraudulently diverted funds that should have been turned over to the bank, i.e., the difference between the value of the cards and the amount Card Express reported to the bank was prepaid for the cards.  Safahi allegedly used some of the diverted funds to fund Card Express.  Safahi allegedly used other diverted funds to maintain his personal lifestyle, including by purchasing his home.  According to the indictment, on or about September 24, 2014, Safahi no longer was able to maintain sufficient cash flow to conceal his fraud and reported the true overall balance of the prepaid charge cards to the bank.  After reporting the true balance of the cards to the bank, Safahi promptly shut down Card Express, causing the bank and its customers to lose money.  According to the indictment, the overall balance of the charge cards Safahi reported to the banks on September 24, 2014, was approximately $2,735,531.27 larger than previously reported.

In sum, the indictment charges Safahi with bank fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1344, four counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343, and one count of money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1957.  Safahi made his initial appearance today and was released on a $250,000 bond.  The defendant was ordered to appear on September 13, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. before the Honorable Susan Illston for a status and trial setting conference.

An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a maximum $1,000,000 fine on each count of bank and wire fraud.  If convicted of money laundering, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum $250,000 fine.  In addition, the court also may order an additional term of supervised release, fines or other assessments, and restitution, if appropriate.  However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert David Rees is prosecuting this case with the assistance of Kathy Tat.  This prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service. Criminal Investigations.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Rep. DeSaulnier to host Town Hall on climate change and the environment in Moraga Monday

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Rep. Mark DeSaulnier

Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) will host a town hall to discuss climate change and the environment on Monday, August 26th at 6:30 p.m.

Congressman DeSaulnier will discuss the critical role the government plays in protecting our environment and the Trump Administration’s rollback of major environmental regulations that protect our air, water, wildlife, and open spaces.

This will be Congressman DeSaulnier’s 91st town hall and mobile district office hour since coming to Congress four years ago.

Climate Change & the Environment Town Hall

Monday, August 26, 2019

6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Campolindo High School Multipurpose Room

300 Moraga Road, Moraga

Doors open at 6:00 p.m.

This event is open to the public, press, and photographers.

To confirm your attendance, please RSVP online at https://desaulnier.house.gov/town-hall-rsvp or call 925-933-2660. To request ADA accommodations or for more information contact one of Congressman DeSaulnier’s offices in either Walnut Creek or Richmond.