Contra Costa Herald

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

Mexican prison gang Nuestra Familia’s leaders, members, associates charged with racketeering including some from Contra Costa

By Leave a Comment

Description of indictment by USDOJ against Nuestra Familia leaders, members and associates on Aug. 25, 2021.

Indictment describes the gang’s nexus of power overseeing thousands of members throughout California; Antioch Police Department assist in investigation

Involved in plots to murder 14 victims, plus robbery, drug trafficking and money laundering

SAN JOSE – A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging 17 defendants with racketeering conspiracy, including acts involving murder, robbery, drug trafficking, and money laundering, and charging five others with drug trafficking-related crimes.  The indictment handed down on August 25, 2021, and unsealed Thursday, September 16, 2021 catalogues a litany of crimes allegedly directed by the Nuestra Familia’s command structure incarcerated in California prisons.  The charging announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Stephanie Hinds, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Crag D. Fair, and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Wade R. Shannon at a press conference this morning. Also appearing at the press conference were Chief of the Office of Correctional Safety for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Derrick Marion, Santa Clara Sheriff Laurie Smith, and San Jose Deputy Chief of Police Elle Washburn. DOJ NF_indictment 082521

“The indictment charges all seven of the members who make up the Nuestra Familia’s ruling body: the General Council,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Hinds. “While the physical movement of this leadership was restricted by prison walls, the indictment alleges their power and influence were not so constrained. By disrupting gang leadership, we reduce violence on our streets.  By removing violent actors and crime drivers from the streets, we make our neighborhoods safer.”

“The arrests made yesterday, most significantly the arrests of the Nuestra Familia leadership, will severely cripple the ability of this criminal enterprise to continue to facilitate crimes in communities throughout the state and help break a decades-old cycle of violence,” said FBI San Francisco Special Agent in Charge Fair.

“Today’s operation strikes a substantial blow to Nuestra Familia leadership. This investigation revealed the wide-ranging influence of the gang that extends far beyond prison walls. It is clear they have hard and fast rules, and those who run afoul are met with intimidation and violence that spills into our communities,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Wade R. Shannon. “We will continue to look at these organizations structurally to disrupt and dismantle them.”

According to the indictment, the 17 racketeering defendants were members and associates of the Nuestra Familia (“NF”) prison gang, a violent and lucrative organization formed in the 1960s.  The NF is alleged in the indictment to be a criminal enterprise that was created to organize, protect, discipline, profit from, and maintain the allegiance of gang members on the streets of and within custodial facilities in California.  As outlined in the indictment, membership in the NF involved a process of sponsorship, approval, and indoctrination.  The perpetration of violence and other crimes was ordinarily a prerequisite to entrance, continued membership, and advancement in the organization.  Once membership was achieved, this membership was for life.  The indictment alleges an NF oath provides: “If I lead, follow. If I stumble, push me. If I fall, avenge me. If I betray you, kill me.”

The indictment also describes the NF’s organizational structure and, in particular, the gang’s governing body: a seven-member “General Council,” made up of three Generals and a four-member Inner Council, which makes significant decisions and oversees the activities of the NF and its subservient gangs.  The indictment outlines each position according to the NF Constitution.  According to the NF Constitution, the Street Regiment General oversees the NF’s “overall street operations.”  The General of the Prisons is responsible for the NF’s “overall pinta [prison] functions,” and the General Advocates Office is the NF’s “justice department.”  Tiered just below these three NF Generals was the Inner Council, which consisted of four senior NF members who served as “advisors” to the Generals and provided a system of checks and balances.  All seven members of the NF’s General Council led the NF organization while incarcerated in the California prison system.  Each is charged in this indictment.

Further, the indictment describes the appointment by these leaders of NF members to positions of power over hierarchical and paramilitary structures called “regiments,” imposed on its gang members operating on the streets in California.  While the NF was composed of a relative few, it exercised control and wielded influence over thousands of subordinate gang members in counties and prisons throughout Northern California using such regiments.  These regiments primarily guaranteed the NF’s vast influence and control over its own and its street gang members, ensured avenues to direct violence and other illicit activity, and secured means for the NF to make money through the commission of criminal activity.

The NF oversaw such regiments in Contra Costa County, Santa Clara County, Monterey County, Santa Cruz County, San Benito County, San Francisco County, San Mateo County, Alameda County, Solano County, San Joaquin County, Fresno County, Kings County, Tulare County, Madera County, Merced County, Kern County, Sacramento County, Yolo County, Humboldt County, Shasta County, Lassen County, Tehama County, Butte County, Yuba County, Sutter County, Lake County, Placer County, and Sonoma County, as well as in Salinas Valley State Prison, Pelican Bay State Prison, Pleasant Valley State Prison, California State Prison – Solano, California State Prison – Sacramento, and High Desert State Prison.

According to the indictment, NF members and associates were involved in plots to kill 14 victims between April 2013 and July 2019 as part of the charged racketeering conspiracy.  The defendants charged in the alleged racketeering conspiracy include the following:

Defendant Age Charges Maximum Statutory Penalty
DAVID CERVANTES aka “DC” 73 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) – Racketeering Conspiracy Life
ANTONIO GUILLEN aka “Chuco” 55 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) – Racketeering Conspiracy Life
JAMES PEREZ aka “Conejo”

 

 67 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) – Racketeering Conspiracy Life
SAMUEL LUNA aka “Sammy”

 

 46 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) – Racketeering Conspiracy Life
GUILLERMO SOLORIO aka “Capone”

 

 42 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) – Racketeering Conspiracy Life
TRINIDAD MARTINEZ aka “Trino”

 

 41 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) – Racketeering Conspiracy Life
GEORGE FRANCO aka “Puppet”

 

 56 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) – Racketeering Conspiracy Life
STEVEN TRUJILLO aka “Esteban”

 

 56 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) – Racketeering Conspiracy Life
SALVADOR CASTRO aka “Gangster”

 

 51 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) – Racketeering Conspiracy Life
BRYAN ROBLEDO aka “Turtle” 48 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) – Racketeering Conspiracy Life
ALEX YRIGOLLEN aka “Sleepy”

 

 52 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) – Racketeering Conspiracy Life
JUAN SOTO aka “Drifter”

 

 38 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) – Racketeering Conspiracy Life
EDGARDO RODRIGUEZ aka “Big Evil”

 

 41 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) – Racketeering Conspiracy Life
ROBERT MALDONADO aka “KJ”

 

 46 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) – Racketeering Conspiracy Life
ERIC ZARATE aka “Baby G”

 

 43 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) – Racketeering Conspiracy Life
ROCKY BRACAMONTE aka “Fox”

 

 37 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) – Racketeering Conspiracy Life
JOSHUA CORTEZ aka “Buddah”

 

 28 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) – Racketeering Conspiracy 20 years

Also charged in the indictment are defendants who allegedly participated in two conspiracies to possess and distribute methamphetamine, one in May of 2019 and the other in September 2020 to March 2021.  The charges pending against these defendants are as follows:

Defendant Age Charges Maximum Statutory Penalty
WILLIAM RODRIGUEZ aka “Negro” 34 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B) – Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine At least 5 years, up to 40 years
MARVIN RODRIGUEZ 34 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B) – Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine

 

 At least 5 years, up to 40 years
CRISTIAN MORA aka “C-Fresh” 28 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B) – Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine

 

 At least 5 years, up to 40 years
MARTIN JOSEPH RUPPEL JR. 42 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B) – Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine

 

 At least 5 years, up to 40 years
ANAELISA CUEVAS 35 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B) – Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine At least 5 years, up to 40 years

The court also may order additional terms of supervised release, fines, and restitution.  Nevertheless, 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.

An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The defendants are scheduled to make initial federal court appearances before U.S. Magistrate Court Judge Nathanael Cousins and U.S. Magistrate Court Judge Sallie Kim today.

This case is being prosecuted by the Organized Crime Strike Force of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI (San Francisco, Sacramento, and Phoenix Divisions), the DEA, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the U.S. Marshal Service, with the assistance of the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, and the San Jose Police Department, and with support from the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, Antioch Police Department, Campbell Police Department, Fremont Police Department, King’s County Sheriff’s Office, Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, Mountain View Police Department, Sacramento Police Department, Salinas Police Department, Menlo Park Police Department, Santa Clara County Parole Department, Santa Clara County Probation Department, Santa Clara Police Department, Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office, Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, Modesto Police Department, San Francisco Police Department, the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department, and Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety.

This investigation and prosecution are part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”), which identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

 

Contractor from Orinda sentenced to two years in federal prison for bribing SF public official over seven years

By Leave a Comment

Also fined $127,000; defendant bribed former SF DPW Director Mohammed Nuru with money, meals and gifts – including a tractor

“Varela’s conduct with Nuru was business as usual for Varela.”

By U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California

SAN FRANCISCO – Alan Varela was sentenced Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021 in federal court to 24 months in prison and ordered to pay a $127,000 fine for a seven-year conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud by bribing a San Francisco public official, announced Acting United States Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Craig D. Fair.  The sentence was handed down by the Honorable William H. Orrick, United States District Judge.

A federal complaint filed September 17, 2020, charged Varela, 60, of Orinda, and William Gilmartin, 61, of San Mateo, with bribery of a public official.  In 1991, Varela founded ProVen Management, a Bay Area civil engineering and construction firm that engaged in large scale infrastructure projects.  Varela and Gilmartin acted as the firm’s president and vice-president, respectively, during the conspiracy time period.  According to the complaint, Varela and Gilmartin provided a stream of benefits to Mohammed Nuru, then the Director of San Francisco’s Department of Public Works (DPW), in exchange for favorable treatment of their business interests, including non-public inside information.

Upon entering his guilty plea to conspiring to commit honest services wire fraud on May 27, 2021, Varela described in his plea agreement his role in the bribery conspiracy of then-DPW Director Nuru.  The bribery’s goal was to use Nuru’s prominence as a powerful San Francisco public official to ensure the success of Varela and his co-conspirators’ business ventures.  Nuru’s position as DPW Director provided him with great influence over San Francisco public contracts, permits, and construction projects, as well as over other City departments and private companies seeking DPW contracts.  In his plea agreement, Varela admitted that for seven years, from 2013 until the day of Nuru’s arrest on federal charges January 27, 2020, he conspired with his co-defendant Gilmartin, with Balmore Hernandez – a construction company CEO who pled guilty earlier and is cooperating with the FBI – and with others to pay bribes to Nuru consisting of cash, free meals and entertainment, equipment for Nuru’s ranch, and the prospect of a cut of future profits from expected City contracts.

Varela’s plea agreement detailed a scheme in which he and his co-conspirators focused on winning a lucrative DPW contract and its related Port of San Francisco lease to operate an asphalt recycling plant and a concrete plant on the Port’s land.  The plea agreement describes that Nuru agreed, in exchange for cash and other valuables, to use his official position to get Varela and his co-conspirators’ proposal selected.  Gilmartin arranged to compensate Nuru by asking an unnamed company to award a $100,000 contract to Hernandez and, in turn, Hernandez used the contract’s proceeds for Nuru.  For his part, Nuru sent early drafts of San Francisco’s Request for Proposals for the project and other inside information to the conspirators to improve their likelihood of being selected.  Nuru also regularly discussed the plans and inside information with Gilmartin and Hernandez over expensive restaurant dinners, always paid for by Gilmartin and ultimately totaling approximately $20,000.

The conspirators’ proposal was selected in September 2015.  According to the plea agreement, Nuru continued to meet with the group to supply additional inside information during the expensive meals paid for by Gilmartin.  At one of their meetings, Nuru requested a tractor for his ranch.  Varela coordinated with Gilmartin and Hernandez to deliver the tractor to Nuru.

Nuru was arrested on federal bribery-related charges on January 27, 2020, before the negotiations to finalize the asphalt recycling plant agreements with DPW and the Port of San Francisco reached completion.

In a filed memorandum addressing Varela’s sentencing, the government argued that Varela’s conduct with Nuru was business as usual for Varela.  The government asserted that Varela, whose business success had gained him a life of luxury including 50 acres in Napa, for years facilitated a casual culture of corruption, a culture that ultimately undermines the public’s faith in their government and the rule of law.  Elaborating on the tractor bribe, the sentencing memorandum points out that the value of the new John Deere tractor, including its attachments, approximated $40,000.  Varela lined up the purchase of the tractor and rushed to get it delivered to Nuru at Nuru’s ranch on February 18, 2019.  The delivery led to Nuru to happily text “Work begins at the ranch” along with a photo of the tractor being unloaded at his ranch. The government, after outlining this and other acts of bribery, submitted a sentence recommendation of 30 months imprisonment.

This case is part of a larger federal investigation targeting public corruption in the City and County of San Francisco.  To date, eleven individuals have been charged, including two high-ranking San Francisco public officials, Mohammed Nuru and Harlan Kelly.  Multiple city contractors and facilitators have been charged.  According to the charges earlier filed against Mohammed Nuru and others, Nuru allegedly took hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes in cash, meals, and work on his vacation home from contractors who obtained San Francisco public contracts.  Allegations in the complaint filed against Harlan Kelly assert he received thousands of dollars in airfare, meals, jewelry, and travel expenses, along with repair work on his house.

In addition to the prison term and fine, United States District Judge Orrick also sentenced the defendant to a three-year period of supervised release.  Varela will begin serving his sentence on January 2022.

The case is being prosecuted by the Corporate and Securities Fraud section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The case is being investigated by the FBI.

 

Fire fighters protest COVID-19 vaccine mandate at Contra Costa Supervisors meeting

By 14 Comments

Goes into effect tomorrow, Sept. 17; Board supports LAFCO consolidation of fire departments

By Daniel Borsuk

With the clock ticking, a battalion of upset Contra Costa County Fire District fire fighters remotely protested before the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors that they refuse to obey a “draconian” August 13 Contra Costa Health Services order requiring county first responders to be fully vaccinated or face termination.

The county health order that goes into effect Friday, Sept. 17 was drafted by Contra Costa County Health Officer Dr. Chris Farnitano and adopted by the board of supervisors in a closed session because of its employment ramifications for many veteran fire fighters and sheriff deputies and other first responders who might refuse to take the vaccine for personal, political or religious reasons.

Dr. Farnitano claims the tough vaccine employment order for first responders arises at a time the number of COVID-19 patients in county hospitals is on the rise.

But a check with the Contra Costa Health Department’s COVID-19 website shows there are 154 COVID-19 patients in county hospitals. That is down 9.3 percent over the past two weeks, the CCCHD website showed.

In addition, the county health department reported 2,421 active COVID-19 cases. That is down 45.9 percent from two weeks ago.

Nearly 85 percent of Contra Costa residents are vaccinated, county health department data shows. The national vaccination rate is 73.9 percent.

The new vaccine employment edict applies to fire department and sheriff office personnel. There were no personnel from the sheriff’s office who protested against Dr. Farnitano’s vaccination/employment order.

Nearly 40 firefighters, many with more than 20 years in service, from all ranks including engineers, firefighters, and captains, protested against the county health officer’s order.

“This is an infringement of our freedom of choice,” said Collin Spencer, a fire fighter/paramedic.

Upon opposing the vaccine mandate, fire fighter Nick Sandburg, a father of two with a “pregnant wife” commented, “I don’t think the vaccine is effective. I oppose the vaccine mandate. Just give us universal testing.”

“None of us took this lightly,” said District 4 Supervisor Karen Mitchoff. “This is about protecting the public.”

District 2 Supervisor Candace Andersen was more direct commenting “I am really shocked about the misinformation that our fire fighters have about the COVID-19 vaccine. Somewhere there is a big disconnect.”

It’ll be interesting what the fire fighters will do when the Sept. 17 deadline arrives. The county could be in a major fire crisis if large numbers of well trained, experienced fire fighters are let go especially during the start of the county’s peak fire season.

In the past month, there were 206 vegetation fires that CCCFD responded to and in one day there were seven structure fires, reported Contra Costa County Fire Department Chief Louis Brousard III.

Board Supports LAFCO Consolidation of Fire Departments

Supervisors, serving as commissioners of the Contra Costa County Fire District, pushed along on a 5-0 vote to have the Contra Costa Local Agency Formation Committee (LAFCO) to act on consolidating the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District and the financially struggling East Contra Costa Fire Protection District.

ECCFD board member Joe Young told supervisors he will oppose the consolidation at the district’s board meeting on Sept. 16 because the consolidated district will continue to inadequately fund fire services in Oakley, Brentwood, and Discovery Bay. Young not elaborate at the supervisors’ meeting.

“There are a lot of details that have yet to be addressed on consolidation,” admitted CCCFPD Fire Chief Broussard. “We’ll bring leaders from both organizations to make this a successful annexation.”

While giving Board Chair Diane Burgis credit for being a key player in the merger of the two districts, District 1 Supervisor John Gioia said the newly enlarged fire district will draw fire protection upgrades especially with equipment and personnel once “millions of dollars of Proposition X sales tax funds” pour into the district. Gioia was a big backer for the Prop. X ballot measure to appear on last November’s election ballot.

A proposal to consolidate the Rodeo-Hercules Fire District into the enlarged CCCFPD was not considered by the supervisors. That proposal was dropped.

 

Richmond man pleads guilty to producing child pornography

By 1 Comment

Defendant recorded videos of him having sex with 16-year-old girl; admits to other sex crimes; faces 15 to 30 years in prison and $250,000 fine

By U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California

OAKLAND – Ranbir Singh pleaded guilty Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021 in federal court in Oakland to the production of child pornography, announced Acting United States Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds and Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Tatum King.

In his plea agreement, Singh, 47, of Richmond, admitted that on March 13, 2013, he had sexual intercourse in an Alameda County hotel room with a female whom he knew to be 16 years old at the time.  The plea agreement describes that Singh set up a video camera in the hotel room before the intercourse began.  Singh admitted that he persuaded the minor female to engage in sexual intercourse for the purpose of recording it.  He made multiple video recordings of his sex with the minor female over the next several hours.  At one point the minor female protested the ongoing sexual intercourse, but Singh continued despite her protests.  During the recordings of the sexual acts, Singh admitted that he positioned the camera so that the video would record the sexual acts.

Singh also admitted in his plea agreement that earlier, in January 2013, he video recorded the same minor female sitting in a car’s backseat with her hands restrained behind her back by handcuffs.  She was topless.

Singh further admitted that in May 2013 he traveled with a different minor female to a casino hotel in Placer County.  Singh admits that he knew this female was a minor.  The plea agreement describes that in a hotel room at the casino Singh had sexual intercourse with the minor female, after he showed her a video he recorded depicting his sexual intercourse with the minor female in the Alameda County hotel room on March 13, 2013.

The initial federal charges were brought against Singh in a complaint filed March 1, 2021.  The complaint reflects that the investigation began when the two minor female victims came forward, though initially they did not know Singh’s true name, and later developed when the sexually explicit videos were discovered.

Singh was indicted on March 23, 2021, on the charge of production of child pornography in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2251(a).  The maximum penalty for a violation of production of child pornography in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2251(a) is imprisonment for 30 years, with a minimum mandatory term of imprisonment of 15 years, and a fine of $250,000.  However, any sentence will be imposed by a court only after the court’s consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

Singh’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 8, 2021, in Oakland federal court before the Honorable Haywood S. Gilliam, Jr., United States District Judge.  Singh remains in custody awaiting sentencing.

According to localcrimenews.com, Singh was also arrested by Richmond Police in January for Disobeying a Domestic Relations Court Order.

Jonathan U. Lee is the Assistant U.S. Attorney who is prosecuting the case, with the assistance of Leeya Kekona, Kay Konopaske, and Kathleen Turner.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and the Richmond Police Department.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

 

Man in stolen truck from Antioch leads CHP on wrong-way pursuit, arrested Tuesday

By Leave a Comment

Stolen Antioch truck heads the wrong way on the eastbound Hillcrest Avenue offramp of Hwy 4 on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021. CHP video screenshot.

By CHP Golden Gate Division Air Operations

Stolen truck on railroad tracks in Pittsburg on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021. CHP video screenshot.

On the morning of September 14 2021, CHP airplane A-31 was returning to the Napa airport, when it’s onboard sensors detected a stolen vehicle in the Antioch area due to a LoJack stolen vehicle recovery system that utilizes GPS to locate users’ vehicles. A-31 began a search of the area, eventually locating the vehicle on city streets. (See video)

When ground units were requested to make an enforcement stop, the truck fled at a high rate of speed. The driver drove wrong way on surface streets and the freeway, entering Hwy 4 at the eastbound Hillcrest Avenue offramp. He exited the freeway on the eastbound onramp at Lone Tree Way, crossed under the overpass and re-entered westbound Hwy 4 in the correct direction. The driver then exited at Loveridge Road in Pittsburg. At one point, becoming lodged on railroad tracks just north of the Antioch-Pittsburg Hwy aka W. 10th Street.

Driver and occupants flee stolen trucks on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021. CHP video screenshot.

Eventually the occupants fled from the vehicle in a residential neighborhood and A-31 was able to track the driver to a backyard where he was apprehended.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

CHP seeks help finding suspects in Sunday Hwy 242 shooting

By Leave a Comment

By CHP – Contra Costa

On September 12, 2021, at approximately 6:59 a.m., California Highway Patrol (CHP), Contra Costa Area units responded to a report of a freeway shooting southbound SR-242, just north of I-680. An unknown sedan stopped in front of a black Mercedes parked on the right shoulder. An altercation took place leading to an occupant of the unknown sedan shooting at the three individuals, striking one individual twice. The occupants of the unknown sedan fled southbound on SR-242.

The CHP asks that any person with information please contact investigators at (707) 917-4491, or by email at 30specialinvestigations@chp.ca.gov. (for all inquires CHP – Golden Gate Division)

 

Contra Costa college board places chancellor on paid administrative leave on split vote

By 3 Comments

After less than one year in the position; hired before new board members elected; passed on 3-0-1 vote with one trustee absent; no details provided; appoints Executive Vice Chancellor of Education and Technology as acting chancellor

Contra Costa Community College District Chancellor Dr. Bryan Reece. Source: 4CD

By Allen Payton

After less than a year in his new position, Contra Costa Community College District chancellor, Dr. Bryan Reece was placed on paid administrative leave effective immediately by a 3-0-1 vote of the governing board, during their special meeting Tuesday night. Ward 1 Trustee John Márquez voted to abstain, and Ward 5 Trustee Fernando Sandoval was absent, as he was out of town on vacation.

Reece started on Nov. 1, 2020 after he was chosen by the board in September, not long before two new trustees were elected, including Sandoval and Board Vice President and Ward 2 Trustee Dr. Judy Walters, the latter of whom voted for Tuesday’s board action. The board approved his contract last October, which includes a base annual salary of $315,000, with performance-based incentives. Later that month, three new trustees were elected to the board, two of whom voted for in support of the action. (See related articles here and here)

The decision was made in closed session under the subject “Public employee discipline / dismissal / release / complaint (Government Code Section 54957)” that began at 5:05 p.m. and lasted for four hours.

Mojdeh Mezhdizadeh. Photo: 4CD

According to the minutes of the meeting, “Mr. Li reconvened the public session at 9:05 p.m.  Mr. Li reported out on motion of Dr. Walters, seconded by himself, with one aye vote from Ms. Barrett, one abstention from Mr. Márquez, and Mr. Sandoval was absent for the vote, the GB (governing board) approved paid administrative leave for the Chancellor, effective immediately.  Mr. Li then adjourned the meeting at 9:06 p.m.  The next regular meeting of the GB will be held on Wednesday, October 13, 2021, at 6:00 p.m.”

However, when reached for comment, Board President and Ward 3 Trustee Andy Li said, “we didn’t say anything during open session because it was a personnel matter. I made the statement, reporting out of closed session, since I’m the board president, informing the public of the decision.”

“Then a letter was sent out to the district employees, this morning,” he added.

In that letter, Li announced the action against Reece and the appointment of Mojdeh Mehdizadeh, who currently serves as Executive Vice Chancellor of Education and Technology for the college district, as acting chancellor. (See related article)

Li’s Letter to District Staff

The following letter from Li was to district staff via email:

“This message is being forwarded on behalf of Governing Board President Andy Li

Begin forwarded message:

From: “Li, Andy” <ali@4cd.edu>

Subject: Governing Board Decision

Date: September 15, 2021 at 8:14:15 AM PDT

To: “Li, Andy” <ali@4cd.edu>

Dear 4CD Community,

At our special meeting last night, the Governing Board placed Chancellor Bryan Reece on administrative leave with pay due to personnel matters. The Governing Board has appointed Mojdeh Mehdizadeh to serve as Acting Chancellor until further notice.

We ask for your support of Mojdeh during this time.

Thank you.

Andy Li

ALi@4cd.edu
(860) 263-9540

President, Contra Costa Community College District Governing Board”

————–

Please check back later for any updates to this report.

Contra Costa DA’s Office appoints Arnold Threets as Chief of Inspectors

By 1 Comment

Arnold Threets is given his oath of office as the new Chief of Inspectors by Contra Costa District Attorney Diane Becton on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021. Source: CCDA

By Bobbi Mauler, Executive Assistant to the Contra Costa County District Attorney

New CCDA Chief of Inspectors Arnold Threets. Source: CCDA

District Attorney Diana Becton announced Tuesday, that the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office appointed Arnold Threets as the new Chief of Inspectors. He initially joined our Office in 2019 as the Assistant Chief of Inspectors and was sworn in today as our new Chief.  Please welcome him as the new Chief of Inspectors and below is his impressive bio:

Arnold is an experienced executive leader with almost 30 years of law enforcement experience. Prior to coming to the District Attorney’s Office, he spent the preceding 25 years with the Richmond Police Department where he served, managed, and lead various patrol, investigative, tactical, and administrative units. Arnold served with distinction, retiring from the Richmond Police Department as a Police Captain in November 2018.

Arnold has a strong operational background in field and investigative operations. This led to his selection as the founding Commander of RPD’s Special Investigative concept where he led the effort to reduce violent gang crime, by working closely with the City of Richmond’s Office of Neighborhood Safety on a community driven, police-involved, focused deterrence model of preventing violent gun crime. This approach has become a national model for reducing violent gun crime, albeit without alienating the community we’re sworn to protect.

“I have known Chief Threets since I was a judge in Richmond and he was a young detective. I was always impressed with his demeanor, candor, and commitment to justice,” Becton shared. “I have watched his career as he rose all the way through the ranks of the Richmond Police Department, retiring as a Captain. Arnold continues to help our Office modernize and embrace new technologies and strengthen our protocol investigations.”

While at RPD, he developed an appreciation for the role technology could play in keeping our communities safe. He led RPD’s transition to a new computer aided dispatch (CAD)/Records Management System (RMS), as well as their adoption of Axon body worn cameras. This interest and experience with technology made him a natural fit to lead the Office’s expansion of the use of Evidence.com with our law enforcement partners throughout the County.

He joined the District Attorney’s Office in June of 2019 as the Assistant Chief of Inspectors. Since coming to the Office, he’s played a key role in the development, training and implementation of DA Becton’s new internal Protocol investigative process. At the request of the Contra Costa County Chiefs of Police Association, he partnered with former Chief Assistant Venus Johnson to train County law enforcement personnel on the changes to the law regarding the use of deadly force, as well as the updates to our internal investigative process.

Threets considers himself to be the ultimate ‘late bloomer’ in that he didn’t finish his formal education until he was in his 40’s. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Management from The Union Institute and University in Ohio and a Master’s Degree in Criminology, Law and Society from UC Irvine. He graduated from CA POST Command College Class 56 and the Senior Management Institute for Policing (SMIP) Class 66.

“This is a position with significant responsibilities and I’m thankful to DA Becton for the confidence and trust she has placed in me,” Threets said. “I’ve been working in this community for over 27 years and it’s an honor to continue serving the citizens of Contra Costa County.”

He is a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps and he and his wife, Tessa, have three adult children.

 

Contra Costa restaurants, gyms, theaters must require proof of vax or COVID test as of Sept. 22

By 4 Comments

“How is it our responsibility to be the vaccine police!!” –  Contra Costa restaurant owner

“the peak of the surge seems to have passed” – CC Health Services

“We can’t give you an exact percentage of cases that can be attributed to restaurants and the other high-risk venues covered in the order.” – CC Health Services spokesman

No “Metric” for ending latest order; county wants “significant portion” of 5-11 year-olds vaccinated

By Allen Payton

Source: The Rutherford Institute.

Shades of Nazi Brown Shirts will begin next week in Contra Costa County as patrons of restaurants, gyms and entertainment venues will hear something a similar to the phrase used during World War II by the Hitler-led German regime, “Your Papers, Please!” That’s because as of Wednesday, Sept. 22, by order of the county’s unelected health officer, Dr. Chris Farnitano, those types of businesses in the county must require patrons show proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID test in order to enter, even though “the peak of the surge seems to have passed” as mentioned in the press release from Contra Costa Health Services.

According to the press release, “The new order applies to businesses where people remove face coverings to eat or drink indoors, such as restaurants, bars and entertainment venues, and to gyms and other indoor fitness facilities, including yoga and dance studios, where patrons breathe more heavily due to exercise.”

The order was issued in the press release Tuesday afternoon which reads:

COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination or Test Required for Some Contra Costa Businesses

Contra Costa County joined San Francisco, Berkeley and other communities across the U.S. today with a countywide health order that increases COVID-19 safety in restaurants, gyms and other indoor businesses where there is elevated risk of the virus spreading.

The new order, effective September 22, requires patrons of these businesses to show proof they are fully vaccinated to enter indoor areas, or a negative COVID-19 test result from the past three days.

Contra Costa has endured a severe spike in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations this summer due to the increasing prevalence of the highly infectious delta variant of the virus and unvaccinated residents.

While the peak of the surge seems to have passed, data show the county’s daily case rate remains as high as it was last February. There were 15 COVID-related deaths in Contra Costa from August 25 to 31, and 20 from September 1 to 7, the two highest seven-day totals since March. Unvaccinated residents account for 95.9% of the county’s deaths so far.

COVID-19 case rates are about five times higher in unvaccinated county residents compared to fully vaccinated residents, hospitalization rates are approximately 16 times higher, and death rates are approximately 22 times higher.

“This order is necessary now to save lives, protect our overburdened healthcare system, and slow the pandemic enough to keep our schools open,” said Dr. Chris Farnitano, Contra Costa County Health Officer. “Reducing community transmission of the virus now is key to preventing future spikes in cases from overwhelming our county’s hospitals during the winter months.”

The new order applies to businesses where people remove face coverings to eat or drink indoors, such as restaurants, bars and entertainment venues, and to gyms and other indoor fitness facilities, including yoga and dance studios, where patrons breathe more heavily due to exercise.

The order also includes a requirement for workers in indoor areas of these businesses to show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 by November 1 or test weekly for COVID-19.

To show proof of vaccination, patrons must show photo ID and their vaccination record cards from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), or copies or pictures of their cards. Documentation from healthcare providers will also be accepted, as will digital COVID-19 vaccine records issued by the State of California.

Visit myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov for a link to your digital vaccination, which can be downloaded on to your smartphone.

Visit cchealth.org/coronavirus for more information about this health order, or to find a safe, fast and free COVID-19 vaccination in Contra Costa County.

###

Restauranteurs Respond

Restaurant owners in the county responded to the news with frustration. “How is it our responsibility to be the vaccine police!!” shared one owner who chose to remain anonymous.

“Kiss the restaurants good-bye,” said another, also anonymously.

However, another restaurant owner said anonymously, “We need to contribute to the pandemic to get better.”

Questions For Health Services

In response, questions were sent to county health services staff asking, “what percentage of COVID cases in the county can be attributed to restaurants, indoor entertainment venues and gyms, please?”

In addition, they were asked, “why not include what other countries are requiring for those who want to travel there, which is proof of having COVID within the past three months, since those folks have higher levels of antibodies than those who have been vaccinated, especially those who have been five to eight months ago?”

09/16/21 UPDATE: No Percentages of Impact from Affected Businesses

Contra Costa Public Health Services spokesman Will Harper responded with the following: “We can’t give you an exact percentage of cases that can be attributed to restaurants and the other high-risk venues covered in the order. Due to the nature of these businesses, it is not always possible to identify all the patrons who were exposed and infected by a case at one of these sites.  What we can say is that indoor settings where people remove their masks, such as restaurants and bars, or where they breathe heavily, such as in a gym, increase the risk of COVID-19 transmission. As the order states, outbreaks have been documented in bars, gyms, and restaurants in California this year.

Currently there is no scientific consensus on the strength or duration of natural immunity after a covid-19 infection, or how reliably to measure this. For now, we felt most confident in requiring proof of vaccination. Vaccination is still recommended for people who have had Covid-19 to boost their immunity and protect them from a repeat infection from Covid-19. We have clear data showing that vaccinated people are more protected the unvaccinated people, regardless or prior Covid-19 infection history.”

9/17/21 UPDATE: No “Metric” for Ending Latest Order, County Wants “Significant Portion” of 5-11 Year-Olds Vaccinated

A follow up question was sent asking what factors Dr. Farnitano will use to determine when this latest order will end.

Harper responded, “While we have not defined a specific metric at this time, the key measures we will be looking at to inform when it is safe to lift indoor masking requirements and venue verification and test requirements include the impact on our health care system (have our Covid-19 hospitalization and ICU levels returned to June, 2021 levels), the impact on schools (are significant numbers of students missing out on classroom time due to illness, isolation and quarantine) and our community vaccination rates (which will be crucial to preventing another surge if other public health measures are relaxed), especially if we are able to vaccinate a significant portion of the 5-11 year-old population once the vaccines are approved for them. California learned an unfortunate lesson that the vaccination rates we had in June were not sufficient to prevent a serious surge without other interventions like indoor masking in place.”

Additional Questions Go Unanswered

Additional questions were sent to Harper, asking, why do you want to vaccinate a significant portion of the 5-11 population when such a minuscule percentage of that age group are contracting the virus and a much smaller number have died?

In addition, he was asked about one of his previous responses, how can it both be that “Currently there is no scientific consensus on the strength or duration of natural immunity after a covid-19 infection, or how reliably to measure this” and “We have clear data showing that vaccinated people are more protected than unvaccinated people, regardless of prior Covid-19 infection history”?

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

Gubernatorial Recall Election results available Tuesday night

By Leave a Comment

Initial unofficial results for the Recall Election will be available shortly after 8:00 pm

By Dawn Kruger, Civic Outreach/Engagement Specialist, Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder-Elections Department

The first unofficial results report for the Gubernatorial Recall Election will be released shortly after at 8:00 pm on election night, September 14 and posted to the Elections Division website www.cocovote.us immediately afterward. The initial posted results will be Vote by Mail ballots that are returned through Monday, September 13 and in person early votes from prior to election day.

The second report, with results from the polls, will be issued at approximately 9:30 pm with subsequent updates approximately every half hour until all poll precincts have reported. The final unofficial election night report is expected to be issued by 1:00 am.

The first interim report will be posted by 5:00 pm on Friday, September 17 and will contain results from timely Vote by Mail ballots received on and after Election Day. The second interim report will be posted by 5:00 pm on Friday, September 24. Additional results will be posted each Friday afternoon up to certification which is expected to be October 8. All results remain unofficial until certification.

The availability of updated reports will be communicated via Twitter and Facebook. Changes to the reporting schedule, if any, will also be communicated on these social media sites.

The Contra Costa Elections Division social media pages are:
https://www.Twitter.com/CoCoElections
https://www.facebook.com/ContraCostaElections/