Contra Costa Herald

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

Stand Down on the Delta to help homeless and at-risk veterans needs volunteers at fairgounds in Antioch Sept. 20-23

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Volunteers assist veterans during the 2017 Stand Down on the Delta. Herald file photo.

By Sandee Wiedemann

The biennial effort known as Stand Down on the Delta to support homeless and at-risk veterans returns to Antioch at the Contra Costa Event Park (fairgrounds) September 20-23. This is a great opportunity for the community to show appreciation for their service to our country and to receive the reward of helping others.

Veterans will be given dental, medical, and counseling services, plus legal and VA claims assistance. They will also receive clothes, haircuts, shaves, meals, and sleeping accommodations. Real estate and banking leaders will be available to help the veterans possibly   purchase a home.

Delta Veterans Group needs the community’s help to provide the most possibilities for our veterans. There are opportunities for professional services in the fields of medical, dental, legal, and more. See volunteer options under categories of general volunteer and/or professional services at https://www.deltaveteransgroup.org/stand-down-on-the-delta. There is a place for every person or service club to make a difference in the lives of our Veterans.

The Contra Costa Event Park is located at 1201 W. 10th Street in Antioch.

Veterans relax on their bunks at Stand Down. Herald file photo.

 

 

Supervisors approve 3.44% pay hike for social workers, 5% for probation workers

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The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors recognized September as Suicide Prevention Month by honoring the Freedom High School student video production program that produced effective anti-suicide awareness videos for students during the 2018-2019 academic year. Since September 2013, the board of supervisors has promoted a Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan to give communities a plan to reduce suicide through education, increasing awareness of knowing warning signs, and implementing trainings to equip people with tools needed to help others who consider suicide. In the United States, among individuals between the ages of 15 and 24, more than 47,000 people in the United States take their lives every year. At Tuesday’s presentation were from left Jennifer Brugeman of Contra Costa County Behavioral Health Services; Jamie Sampson, Freedom High School graduate and a current Los Medanos College freshman; Supervisor Federal Glover of Pittsburg; Tom Tamura, executive director of the Contra Costa Crisis Center; Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Candace Andersen, Supervisor Karen Mitchoff of Pleasant Hill; Rapiel Cadena, Freedom High School graduate and Los Medanos College freshman; and Supervisor Diane Burgis of Brentwood. Photo by Daniel Borsuk.

Propose ban on e-cigarettes, $1.5 million for transitional housing, $600 million for Medi-Cal contract with Kaiser

By Daniel Borsuk

One hundred Contra Costa County social workers won a hard-fought 3.44 percent salary increase from the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday that reconvened after taking a five-week summer break.

On a 4-0 vote supervisors approved the consent item granting the pay hike for social workers. Social workers will see the salary increases go into effect Oct. 1.

An absent board chair John Gioia of Richmond was attending a statewide supervisors meeting.

“We are pleased and we are surprised by the board of supervisors vote,” said social worker Carmen Rivera, a union member of the Service Employees International Union Local 1021 that represents 100 employees.

Board Vice Chair Candace Andersen of Danville said the reason the board decided to move on the long sought demand by SEIU was to finally bring county social workers salaries up to Bay Area salary levels. A recent survey found Contra Costa social workers were 3.44 percent below mean of comparable salaries of Bay Area social workers.

“This has been an on-going issue and finally we had some flexibility in the budget to do something about it,” Andersen said.

Unlike Alameda County that draws additional revenues from a sales tax and can pay social workers better salaries, Andersen said Contra Costa County must pay social worker positions from general funds.

Currently, the county has a 12 percent vacancy rate in its Employment and Human Services Department with 409 unfilled positions, the highest in the Bay Area.

It is too early to tell if the pay increase will turn the tide in permanently improving the earning power of social workers in the county, but it might be the start of good things to come.

OK Pay Hikes for Probation Workers, Juvenile Institution Officer

County probation workers and supervisors under contract with the represented by the Deputy Sheriffs Association have agreed to a new four-year labor agreement with the county that increase salaries 5 percent every July 1 on 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022.

Ban on E-Cigarettes Proposed

An idea to impose a countywide ban on e-cigarettes, the vaporized flavored tobacco product that is heavily marketed to teenagers and is reportedly linked with respiratory and cancer cases around the nation, was proposed by Supervisor Karen Mitchoff of Pleasant Hill.

Health hazards tied to teens who have used e-cigarettes have been recently popping up around the nation and Mitchoff believes Contra Costa County Health officials should report what is occurring locally. “There’s been so much bad publicity about vaping products and the health risks associated with them for our youth, I think we need to have a discussion on that topic and maybe impose a ban on this product,” the supervisor said.

There was no further discussion on the topic. A date has not been set when the report or issue will be presented for discussion.

Supervisors Approve $1.5 Million Contract With Interfaith Transitional Housing

Supervisors approved a $1.5 million contract with Contra Costa Interfaith Transitional Housing Inc. to provide temporary supportive housing services to homeless Contra Costa County residents to assist CalWORKS families achieve self-sufficiency and housing stability. The contract will be in effect from August 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020.

County Inks $600 Million Medi-Cal Contract Extension With Kaiser

Supervisors approved a Medi-Cal contract extension with Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. effective September 30, 2019 to September 30, 2021 for additional Medi-Cal services for Contra Costa Health Plan members enrolled in the Kaiser Health Plan. The supervisors’ action was consent vote.

Fire Chief Broschard’s Report

Contra Costa County Fire Protection District’s Lewis T. Broschard IlI’s report to supervisors, who also serve in the capacity of the county fire commission, the chief reported about the fire season:

“To date, this fire season has been mild across the state. There are estimates stating that up to 90 percent fewer acres have burned compared with the same time last year.

In our District, there have been about the same number of fires as compared with last year, and we have succeeded in keeping these relatively small fires small. There have been three significant wildland fires in the east Contra Costa Fire Protection District within the last 60 days, and we provided substantial resources for an extended period. We now are entering what is normally the most active and dangerous period of our local fire season but with a significantly higher fuel load than in recent years. We all should be reminded there is still considerable potential for large and destructive wildfires until consistent rains begin to fall in the area.”

Pittsburg man indicted for 11 felonies including possession of machine gun, ammunition and illegal guns

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Found with over $16,000 in cash

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

Yesterday, Monday, Sept. 9, 2019, a Contra Costa County grand jury indictment was unsealed with 11 felonies against defendant Victor Martinez, Jr., a 36-year-old resident of Pittsburg. The allegations include possession of a controlled substance with a firearm, possession for sale of methamphetamine and cocaine, possession of 650 rounds of ammunition, and a machine gun. He also had multiple firearms in his possession and police recovered $16,244 in cash from his residence.

Martinez, Jr. was initially charged in a criminal complaint on May 9, 2019. Martinez Jr. is also a convicted felon whom is not legally able to own or possess a firearm or ammunition. In 2010, he was convicted for carrying a loaded firearm as the non-registered owner.

Earlier this year, members of the Pittsburg Police Department served a search warrant at Martinez Jr.’s residence. Officers found multiple firearms in the defendant’s possession. The firearms recovered at the scene were a Smith and Wesson .38 handgun, Colt MK IV pistol, Taurus pistol, Glock .40 pistol, PWA rifle 5.56mm caliber, and a Berretta pistol.

The money recovered from the scene was forfeited in a civil asset forfeiture procedure under state law. No valid claim was made for the money.

Martinez, Jr. appeared for an arraignment in Department 3 of the Contra Costa County Superior Court before the Honorable Patricia Scanlon. Martinez Jr. pleaded not guilty to the charges alleged in the indictment. Deputy District Attorney Nichelle Holmes is the prosecutor assigned to the case on behalf of the People. DDA Holmes is with our Community Violence Reduction Unit.

Case information: People v. Victor Martinez Jr., Docket Number 05-191613-9

Walnut Creek tennis player Katie Volynets plays “really well” in first round of U.S. Open against eventual champion Bianca Andreescu

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September 3, 2019 – Katie Volynets in victorious action against Carole Monnet in a junior girls’ match at the 2019 US Open. (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/USTA)

Katie Volynets. Photo courtesy of USTA.

The “up-and-coming player” also makes it to second round of U.S. Open Junior Championship

By Allen Payton

In the first round of the U.S. Open Tennis Championships, local tennis standout, Katie Volynets of Walnut Creek, faced the eventual champion, Bianca Andreescu of Ontario, Canada, on Wednesday, August 27 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, Queens, New York City. She lost the match 2-6, 4-6 but according to Andreescu played “really well”. (See video highlights of their match, here.)

Andreescu went on to beat six-time U.S. Open Women’s Singles Champion, Serena Williams in the finals on Saturday, Sept. 7 to win the tournament.

Volynets received a wild card into the women’s draw after winning the Billie Jean King USTA National Championships Girls’ 18s singles title earlier, last month. (See related Herald article)

On Tuesday, Sept. 4, Volynets was also able to advance to the second round of the US Open Junior Championships, after defeating Carole Monnet of France, 6-1, 6-3. She failed to advance in that tournament losing the match to No. 4 seed Maria Camila Osorio Serrano of Colombia 6-4, 6-4, who faces American qualifier Alexandra Yepifanova of Florida, in the championship, later today, Sunday, Sept. 8.

Screenshot of Katie Volynets in the first set of her Round 1 match against Bianca Andreescu at the US Open on Tuesday, Aug. 27.

In her match against Andreescu, which lasted 1 hour and 29 minutes, Volynets held her own on many, multiple volley points, forcing the ultimate champion to work hard, running back and forth across the court. Volynets was up 4-3 in the second set, but, Andreescu rallied to bring it to deuce point and then won the game, breaking Volynets’ serve and tying the set at 4-4. She went on to win the next two games against Volynets, securing her victory.

According to the Sporting News, Andreescu had to overcome “32 unforced errors – twice as many as the American Volynets – to win in straight sets.” Another Sporting News article claimed “it was hardly a walk in the park for Andreescu. The Canadian had to overcome some early jitters and sloppy play to claim victory in her first-ever match in the main draw at Flushing Meadows.”

“Committing 16 unforced errors in the opening set, Andreescu gave Volynets plenty of opportunity to stick around in the early goings of a match-up that pitted the 15th-seeded Canuck against the World No. 473 from Walnut Creek, Calif. Fortunately for Andreescu, Volynets’ inexperience shone through and the Mississauga, Ont., native was able to successfully convert three break points en route to a 6-2 first-set win that was more impressive on the scoreboard than the court.”

According to that same article, Andreescu “was visibly frustrated at times, especially with 17-year-old Volynets growing in confidence with each passing point. The young American matched her more fancied opponent for most of the second frame, with both women holding serve through the first eight games without giving up a single break point opportunity.”

To see the complete stats of their match, click here and here.

Screenshot of Katie Volynets congratulating Bianca Andreescu following their first round match.

In a post-match press conference, the 2019 champion had very positive things to say about Volynets.

“It’s my first round, first match of the tournament, so maybe I was a bit rusty at the beginning,” Andreescu said. “I’m also playing someone younger than me, so, that’s not the best scenario. I’m usually the young one. But, it’s nice to see these up-and-coming players play on big stages like this.”

Andreescu is 19 and Volynets, who started playing tennis when she was just five, is 17.

“Katie, my opponent, she was playing really well. She was getting to a lot of balls. She’s an incredible fighter,” Andreescu continued. “That’s what I told her after the match and I’m sure it’s going to get her places.”

“There were long rallies. I was a little bit nervous coming into the match, too. So, I think, maybe that kind of showed,” she said.

When asked by a reporter to “take a moment and talk more about” Katie, Andreescu responded, “I think she has a very bright future. If she works hard and keeps improving her game, I think she can be very dangerous to a lot of the players. She moves really well. She doesn’t show any negative emotion, which is very impressive. Yeah, I think she can do very big things.”

“Because she gets to so many balls, I wanted to hit the right ball at the right time,” she added about playing Volynets.

“Ever heard of a better tennis name?” a reporter asked.

“Oh, volley nets. Oh, yeah. I never even, like put two and two together. Yeah, that’s crazy, Andreescu responded with a laugh. “She has a very nice name. Very ironic.”

Pittsburg Police arrest security guard for stealing $4,000 from employer

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Cash confiscated from security guard stolen from his employer. Photo by Pittsburg PD.

By Pittsburg Police Department

He was supposed to protect and secure the place, not loot it.

Last week, Officer Vasquez took a grand theft report from the Pittsburg Transfer Station, where the night shift security guard for the business was caught on camera stealing $4000 cash from the cash box. The following night when the security guard returned to work, officers contacted him and arrested him. The suspect admitted to stealing the cash and stated he still had $3,200 hidden in his vehicle, which officers located and recovered.

Pittsburg woman guilty of embezzlement of nearly $250,000, identity theft from local employers

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

Yesterday, Sept. 5, 2019, 44-year-old Pittsburg resident Jenelle Renee Silva was convicted by a Contra Costa County jury of six felonies, including the embezzlement of $247,456.08 from her former employer Bay Area Washout Systems located in Pittsburg. In addition, the jury found Ms. Silva committed the aggravated, white collar crime enhancements of two or more felonies involving a loss of over $100,000.

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office previously prosecuted Ms. Silva for embezzling $80,000 from the insurance company where she worked before Bay Area Washout Systems. Accordingly, she had a prior felony conviction in 2011 for embezzlement at the time of her conduct in this case.

In approximately 2012, Bay Area Washout Systems elevated Jenelle Silva to office manager and she obtained access to the company’s books and records, including the accounting software known as Quickbooks. One of her job duties included printing checks for the partners of the company to sign.

From 2012 through January 2017, she printed additional checks written out in her own name. She traced the managing partner’s signature onto those checks and then deposited them. She also used a company credit card to pay her daughter’s phone bill.

The evidence showed that the defendant tried to delete any evidence of her crimes by removing the records for the checks from Quickbooks entirely or changing the entries to make the checks look like legitimate business expenses. A forensic accountant determined that Silva spent the stolen funds on personal expenses such as groceries, gasoline, Starbucks, and movies.

Silva also was charged with the identity theft of both Bay Area Washout Systems and Thomas Koebel, General Manager for the company, and used it “to obtain, and attempt to obtain credit, goods, services, real property, and medical information” without his consent, according to the charging document, which can be viewed, here: Indictment Silva December 2018  An effort to reach Koebel for comment was unsuccessful prior to publication.

Deputy District Attorney Jeremy Seymour of the Special Operations Division prosecuted the case on behalf of the People. Sentencing is set for October 18 at 1:30 p.m. before the Honorable Judge Castellanos. Jenelle Silva faces up to five years in state prison for this conduct.

Case information: People v. Jenelle Silva, Docket Number 05-182401-0

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Bay Area’s largest home health care agency and San Ramon woman among 28 health care industry workers charged in Medicare patients-for-cash kickback scheme

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Amity Home Health and CEO, 13 doctors among those charged in alleged multi-million dollar scheme to receive referrals

SAN FRANCISCO – Federal complaints have been filed against 30 defendants charged in a patients-for-cash kickback scheme, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson,  Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett, and Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS-OIG), Steven J. Ryan.

The complaints, unsealed this morning, describe a wide-ranging patients-for-kickback scheme.  At the center of the scheme are Amity Home Health Care, the largest home health care provider in the San Francisco Bay Area, and Advent Care, Inc., a provider of hospice care.  According to the complaints, all the defendants participated in the scheme whereby Amity, under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Ridhima “Amanda” Singh, paid kickbacks to marketers, doctors, and other medical professionals in exchange for the certification or referral of patients for home health or hospice services.  Also charged are 28 people including doctors, nurses, marketers, a social worker, and additional employees of Amity. According to the complaints, every single defendant charged was recorded by law enforcement officers either offering, accepting, or approving illegal payments for patient referrals. Advent Care Inc. Complaint  CEO Singh Complaint

Caroline Prescott. From her LinkedIn profile.

Caroline Prescott, age 53, of San Ramon, is listed as Marketing Director and the only one from Contra Costa County charged in the alleged scheme. On her LinkedIn profile Prescott lists her position as Director of Sales and Marketing for Landmark Villa, Senior Residential & Assisted Living in Hayward, CA.

Title 42, United States Code, Section 1320a-7b, makes it a crime for any person to knowingly solicit, offer, or pay a kickback, bribe, or rebate for furnishing services under a Federal health care program.  Because many of the patients were insured by Medicare, a taxpayer-funded insurance plan, the referral of patients through the kickback scheme violated the statute.

“The complaints allege a scheme for doctors, nurses, and other medical care professionals to trade patients for cash,” said U.S. Attorney Anderson.  “This is the largest cash-for-patients scheme ever charged criminally in the Northern District of California.”

“The transition to a home health agency should be based on medical and personal needs – not cash payments or thinly disguised referral bribes as alleged in these cases,” said Special Agent in Charge Ryan.  “We will continue working with law enforcement partners to guard these vital government health programs as patients and taxpayers deserve better.”

The criminal complaints describe how Amity and some of its employees bribed individuals associated with hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and doctors’ offices to induce those individuals to send patients to Amity and Advent.  Amity and the other defendants often disguised the kickbacks as payroll, phony medical directorships, and, at other times, as “entertainment,” reimbursements,” “gifts”, or “donations.”  Further, several of the defendants are doctors and other health care professionals who allegedly received bribes in exchange for making referrals to Amity and Advent and other home health agencies so that the companies could provide and bill for services.  In the case of Amity, Singh and her employees allegedly compensated these professionals in cash for each patient referral and for making introductions to physicians, case managers, or other health care professionals who could refer patients.

In addition, some of the defendants are described as “marketers.” Marketers received from Amity and others, cash and gifts, such as tickets to Warriors games, in exchange for patient referrals.  Marketers had clients that consisted of case managers at hospitals, social workers at skilled nursing facilities, doctors, and office staff at doctors’ offices.  Singh allegedly instructed marketers to take clients out to elaborate meals, sporting events, and purchase gifts for individuals willing to provide Amity with patients, mainly Medicare patients.  When patient referrals were slow, Singh allegedly directed the marketer to incentivize clients with gifts in an effort to induce them to refer more patients to Amity.

In sum, the following individuals and companies have been changed in the scheme:

Defendant Role Age/Residence Case Number
AMITY HEALTH CARE Home Health Care Provider 19-71440
ADVENT CARE, INC. Hospice Care Provider 19-71459
SINGH, AMANDA CEO of Amity 33, Livermore 19-71430
ADDISON, BRENDA Amity employee 49, Oakland 19-71431
BHANDARI, BHUPINDER Doctor 59, Pleasanton 19-71441
DEGUZMAN, MERVINA Nurse/Case Manager 41, San Jose 19-71447
HICKS, KIMBERLY Doctor 59, Oakland 19-71451
KABANSKAYA, YELENA Doctor 39, San Jose 19-71452
MYINT, GERALD Doctor 68, Union City 19-71448
NGUYEN, TAM Doctor 44, San Jose 19-71453
POSADA, JUAN Doctor 58, Cupertino 19-71449
SCZENDZINA, EWELINA Marketer 42, Gilroy 19-71434
TAYLOR, SCOTT Doctor 61, Oakland 19-71455
WATSON, HENRY Doctor 63, Oakland 19-71423
ZHANG, ZHENG Doctor 62, Saratoga 19-71457
SANTOS, GLENNDA Marketer 47, Castro Valley 19-71433
MANCUSO, APRIL Doctor 38, Los Gatos 19-71445
REYNOLDS, KERISIMASI Doctor 37, Los Gatos 19-71446
CARIAGA, CATHERINE Nurse/Case Manager 31, Fremont 19-71458
TIRONA, TERENCE Nurse/Case Manager 33, Hayward 19-71454
DEL ROSARIO, SAL Case Manager 44, San Jose 19-71456
GAY, ANDRE NICOLAS Doctor 39, Union City 19-71460
HASAN, MARIAM Doctor 37, Milpitas 19-71450
ROY, BELINDA Nurse/Case Manager 59, Fremont 19-71443
SUNO, NICOLE Marketer 38, San Leandro 19-71421
TEODORO, STELLA Nurse/Case Manager 37, Union City 19-71444
TACORDA, HILDA Marketer 40, Hayward 19-71432
PINA, REBECCA Marketer 38, Redwood City 19-71442
SINGH, VINEETA Social Worker 42, Hayward 19-71422
PRESCOTT, CAROLINE Marketing Director 53, San Ramon 19-71420

 

Each defendant is charged with illegally influencing patient referrals for federally funded health care through payments, in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b(b)(2)(A).  In addition, Singh is charged with lying to investigators, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1001, and tampering with witnesses in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1512(b)(3).

The complaints merely allege that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  If convicted, the defendants face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum $500,000 fine.  The corporations are subject to a $1,000,000 for each violation.  In addition, Singh faces a maximum statutory penalty of 5 years and a $250,000 fine for the § 1001 charge and a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years and a $250,000 fine for the § 1512 charge.  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.

The prosecution is being handled by the Office of the U.S. Attorney, Northern District of California’s new Corporate Fraud Strike Force and is the result of an investigation by the FBI and HHS-OIG.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Byron: Body of woman found Tuesday morning, Sheriff’s Deputies investigating

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

Tuesday morning, Sept. 3, 2019 at about 8:56 p.m., Delta Station Deputy Sheriffs responded to a call regarding a possible dead body. The caller reported to dispatch that the location was in the area of Byron Highway near Herdlyn Road in Byron.

Deputies arrived on scene and located a female body in the field. She was confirmed to be deceased. The woman appeared to be living at that location.

There were no obvious signs of trauma or foul play. The Coroner’s Division took custody of body and will confirm the identity of the woman, in addition to finding the cause of death.

Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Office of the Sheriff Coroner’s Division at (925) 313-2850. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

DeSaulnier introduces private bill to protect Concord woman receiving medical treatment, and family from deportation

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Rep. Mark DeSaulnier with Isabel Bueso. Photo from Facebook.

Washington, DC – Today, Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) announced the introduction of a private bill (H.R. 4225) to allow Maria Isabel Bueso, a resident of Concord, California, to remain in the United States to continue to receive treatment for her rare, life-threatening disease. Following a Trump Administration change, Isabel and her family face deportation. Yesterday, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said it will re-open deferred action cases that received denials like Isabel’s but, did not say whether it would reverse the policy change that led to the cancellation of deferred action.

“A few weeks ago, families were blindsided when they received notification from USCIS that they were being forced to leave the country within 33 days. Re-opening cases is no guarantee they will be allowed to stay, and it is not a permanent solution. These families need and deserve decisive action,” said DeSaulnier. “I am introducing legislation that would provide Isabel and her family with permanent resident status so they can remain in the United States without fear of removal. The Bueso family has followed every rule – they came here legally, paid their taxes, and Isabel’s participation in groundbreaking clinical trials has given hope to Americans with rare diseases. I will do everything in my power to help Isabel and her family remain here.”

“While I am thrilled that my deferred action status is being reconsidered, I was born with MPS 6; so, neither my condition nor my critical need for lifelong, weekly treatment will change in another two years’ time,” said Isabel Bueso. “We need to work together to find a more permanent solution that gives families like mine the guarantee that our lives won’t continue to be threatened. Congressman DeSaulnier and Senator Feinstein’s bill to give my family permanent status is part of that solution,” said Isabel.

“We are encouraged to hear that the administration is willing to reconsider our medical deferred action case,” the Bueso family stated. “We see this as a first step in revisiting our status as U.S. residents and will be working with lawmakers to find a more permanent solution that guarantees Isabel’s life is never put at risk again. Our hearts go out to all of the families involved in this sudden policy change and we won’t rest until they also have continued access to the life-saving medical care they deserve. Thank you to everyone who supported our family during this time – our hearts are overflowing with gratitude,” the Bueso family concluded.

Isabel came to the United States legally from Guatemala to receive treatment for Maroteaux-Lamy Syndrome, also known as Mucopolysaccharidosis Type VI. Her participation in drug trials helped identify an effective, life-saving treatment, which the drug manufacturer says Isabel cannot receive in her home country of Guatemala. Isabel and her family have lawfully resided in the East Bay since then, where she recently graduated summa cum laude from Cal State Easy Bay. Before her treatment was discovered, Isabel’s life expectancy was seven years old. She is now 24.

In a comment with a video posted on his Congressional Facebook page on Saturday, DeSaulnier wrote, “We have a sociopath in the White House who acts more like a mobster than the President. Our office is working hard to #SaveIsabel and stand up for immigrants with medical conditions that the #Trump Administration has targeted.”

In addition to introducing a private bill, Congressman DeSaulnier was joined by Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) in sending a letter petitioning the Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Kevin McAleenan, to re-review the cases of the Bueso family. He also co-led an effort with Immigration and Citizenship Subcommittee Chairwoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Representatives Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Judy Chu (D-CA), Lou Correa (D-CA), and Senators Edward Markey (D-MA) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) to DHS, ICE, and USCIS demanding answers on USCIS’s decision to end consideration of non-military deferred action requests, including medical deferred action. In the letter, which was joined by over 100 additional lawmakers, he called on the agencies to reverse this decision and turn over any documents discussing the policy change by September 13, 2019.

German national charged with traveling to U.S. to engage in illicit sexual conduct with Brentwood minor

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OAKLAND – Adam Soboll has been charged with traveling to the United States with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Francisco Special Agent in Charge Tatum King.  Soboll was arrested in Brentwood, Calif., on August 25, 2019, and charged by complaint on August 28, 2019.

According to the complaint, Soboll, 31, of Germany, identified himself as a fifth grade teacher in Germany.  The complaint alleges Soboll met the then-14-year-old minor online in October 2018, and communicated with the minor from Germany using Snapchat and online gaming platforms, as well as over other messaging applications.

In January 2019, Soboll began discussing the possibility of visiting the minor in Brentwood, Calif.  Soboll and the minor discussed where he should stay in the area and the various forms of sexual conduct in which they would engage when he arrived.

On July 31, 2019, Soboll traveled from Europe to the United States.  Soboll stayed at a hotel in Brentwood, California and engaged in sexual conduct with the minor at the hotel.  On August 25, 2019, police responded to the hotel following a report from the minor’s mother and arrested Soboll.

Soboll is charged with traveling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2423(b).

A complaint merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants, including Soboll, are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum statutory sentence of 30 years.  Further, additional terms of supervised release, fines, and restitution may be ordered; 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.

Defendant made an initial federal court appearance this morning before the Honorable Donna M. Ryu, U.S. Magistrate Judge.  Magistrate Judge Ryu ordered the defendant detained pending further proceedings.  His next court appearance is scheduled for September 4, 2019, before the Honorable Kandis A. Westmore, U.S. Magistrate Judge, for a detention hearing.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Samantha Schott.  The case is being investigated by HSI, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office, and the Brentwood Police Department.