Contra Costa Herald

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

In Memoriam: Former Contra Costa Deputy Sheriff Don Bell passes at 71

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Contra Costa County Deputy Sheriff Don Bell, left. Photo provided by his family.

Don Stuart Bell, a veteran of the Vietnam War, a former Contra Costa County Sheriff Deputy, and former Antioch resident died unexpectedly on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at age 71.

He is survived by his wife, Sandy Harter-Bell; his children Don Scott Bell, Leanne Herrick, Debra Peeling, and Dawnyll Hooker; and his grandchildren, Garret, Elizabeth, Alex, Ashlyn, Michael Patrick and Elijah. He is also survived by his siblings; John Bell and Susan Hoff.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, June 28th at 2:00 p.m. at the Folsom Veterans Hall – 1300 Forrest Street, Folsom, CA 95630.

Sheriff identifies inmate who committed suicide as suspect in eight-count child molestation case

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

The investigation into the in-custody death at the Martinez Detention Facility is continuing. The death is being investigated by the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff and the District Attorney’s Office per the in-custody death protocol.

At approximately 7:43 AM Tuesday, a Deputy Sheriff at the Martinez Detention Facility found an inmate who had hung himself in the shower.

The inmate was unresponsive. Deputies called for medical staff at the facility and began CPR. An ambulance and the fire department also responded to MDF. The inmate was later pronounced deceased at the scene.

The inmate has been identified as 52-year-old Phillip Andrew Jacobson of Antioch. He was arrested and booked into jail on July 11, 2017 by the Antioch Police Department. He was being held on eight felony counts of child molestation. His bail was set at $4,150,000.

Arrest photos of child molesters are not typically released by the Antioch Police Department out of respect for the victims.

Sheriff investigates in-custody death of male inmate at Martinez Detention Facility Tuesday morning

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

At approximately 7:43 Tuesday morning, a Deputy Sheriff at the Martinez Detention Facility found an inmate who had hung himself in the shower.

The inmate was unresponsive. Deputies called for medical staff at the facility and began CPR.

An ambulance and the fire department also responded to MDF. The inmate was later pronounced deceased at the scene.

The inmate’s identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The in-custody death protocol was initiated. Investigators from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff and the District Attorney’s Office are conducting an investigation into the death.

Six-hour standoff in El Sobrante ends peacefully with surrender and arrest Sunday night

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

On Sunday, June 10, 2018 at about 4:20 PM, Office of the Sheriff Dispatch received a call regarding a person on the 3800 block of La Colina Road in El Sobrante standing on the balcony with a rifle aimed at a neighbor’s home. The suspect also apparently threatened the neighbor.

Deputy Sheriffs responded and established a perimeter. Deputies made numerous attempts to communicate with the suspect, who initially came out on the balcony. He later retreated into the residence.

Members of the Sheriff’s Office HNT (Hostage Negotiation Team) responded and tried to communicate with the suspect, who would only speak briefly and then hang up the phone. Nearby residents were evacuated as a precaution. At about 10:53 PM, HNT was able to convince the suspect to surrender. The suspect exited his residence, complied, and was taken into custody without incident.

The suspect is identified as 51-year-old Alex Studer of El Sobrante. He was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on several charges – making criminal threats, exhibiting a firearm and obstruction. He is being held in lieu of $25,000 bail.

Vehicle identified in North Richmond homicide investigation

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The suspect vehicle is described as a dark blue or black colored Jeep Grand Cherokee, possibly a 2016 model. Photo by CCC Sheriff.

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

Detectives from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Investigation Division are continuing to investigate a homicide that occurred in North Richmond on Friday morning, June 1, 2018.

At about 6:28 AM, Deputy Sheriffs were dispatched to the 1500 block of Giaramita Street in North Richmond for a report that someone was shot in a vehicle. Deputies arrived and found a man suffering from gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to a local hospital and later taken by helicopter to a local trauma center. The victim was later pronounced deceased.

The victim is identified as 22-year-old Taison Calderon-Lopez of North Richmond and San Rafael.

The suspect vehicle is described as a dark blue or black colored Jeep Grand Cherokee, possibly a 2016 model.

The suspect is described as an unknown race male, mid-20’s, with dark hair. He was wearing a black-hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans.

Anyone with any information on this incident or the identity of the suspect is asked to contact the Office of the Sheriff 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.

Elderly female inmate dies at West County Detention Facility Monday morning

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The West County Detention Facility in Richmond. Herald file photo.

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

At approximately 2:48 Monday morning, a Deputy Sheriff conducting a routine room check at the West County Detention Facility noticed an inmate hanging from the top bunk with a bed sheet around her neck.

The Deputy immediately called for medical assistance and with help from another Deputy moved the inmate to the ground. Both Deputies performed CPR until medical personnel arrived. An ambulance and the fire department responded. The inmate was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The inmate is identified as 74-year-old Linda Thomas of Washington. She was recently convicted of first degree murder.

The officer-involved protocol was initiated. Investigators from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff and the District Attorney’s Office are conducting an investigation into the death.

Body found on Delta levee Saturday identified as missing boater from Daly City

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One fisherman was rescued from the river near the Antioch bridge by Contra Costa Sheriff’s Marine Patrol, Saturday, April 28, 2017. Screenshot from NBC Bay Area.

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

On Saturday, May 5, 2018, at approximately 2:11 PM, Contra Costa County Marine Patrol Deputy Sheriffs responded to a report of a body on the levee at False River near the San Joaquin River. Deputies arrived on scene a short time later and recovered the body.

The Coroner’s Division took custody of the male body. He was later positively identified as 39-year-old Johnson Ng of Daly City. Ng is the missing boater who fell from a vessel on April 28, 2018.

According to an ABC7 news report, “Initial reports from deputies said two men were on a boat trying to set an anchor to start fishing when a wake came along. The wake hit the boat, the men fell off and they did not have life jackets on, according to sheriff’s officials. A passing boat rescued one of the men.”

An autopsy will be held to determine the cause of death.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Extensive search for missing fisherman in the water near Antioch bridge unsuccessful Saturday

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One fisherman rescued from the river near the Antioch bridge by Contra Costa Sheriff’s Marine Patrol, Saturday, April 28, 2017. Screenshot or report from NBC Bay Area.

Sheriff’s Marine Patrol assisted by Coast Guard helicopters, state Fish and Wildlife, Contra Costa Fire

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

Saturday morning at approximately 8:25, Marine Patrol deputies heard a distress call on the radio. It was reported that two men had fallen off a boat near the Antioch Bridge and were struggling in the water. Marine Patrol units responded immediately and within minutes arrived on scene. A deputy located one of the victims who was pulled out of the water by a passing boater. The other boater was missing. The boaters were apparently at the time attempting to set an anchor to fish when their boat was hit by a wake causing both to fall overboard. Both of them were not wearing life jackets.

The missing boater is not being identified at this time. An extensive area search by Coast Guard helicopters, state Fish and Wildlife, and Contra Costa Fire and Sheriff’s Office patrol vessels was suspended at about 3:30 PM. He was not located.

Anyone with any information on this missing boater is asked to contact the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff at 925-646-2441.

Contra Costa Sheriff’s Deputy arrested for unlawful sex with two inmates

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Patrick Morseman from his Facebook page.

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

Detectives from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff have arrested Contra Costa Deputy Sheriff Patrick Morseman for unlawful sex with an inmate.

On Tuesday, April 3, 2018 the Office of the Sheriff immediately launched an investigation after receiving allegations of unlawful sex acts with two female county inmates committed by Morseman at the West County Detention Facility. A warrant was obtained for his arrest and a search warrant for his home. Morseman was also placed on administrative leave.

“Within 24 hours of learning of the allegations, we had interviewed the victims, collected and analyzed physical evidence, obtained search warrants, located the suspect, and made the arrest,” said Sheriff David Livingston. “We are now moving for-ward with termination of employment and providing assistance services to the victims.””

Morseman was arrested yesterday afternoon. After being interviewed by detectives, he was booked at county jail for engaging in sexual activity with a consenting adult in a detention facility. Morseman was being held in lieu of $100,000 bail. He has since bailed out.

The investigation is on going and the case will be presented to the D.A.’s Office for the filing of formal charges.

“The actions of this one deputy are criminal, offensive and do not reflect on the good work of the other one thousand employees of the Office of the Sheriff,” said Sheriff Livingston. “We will work closely with the District Attorney to see the deputy is held accountable and make every effort to regain the public trust we work so hard to earn.”

Morseman graduated the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Training Center Basic Academy Class 178 in November 2015.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Gubernatorial candidate John Cox praises Contra Costa Sheriff for joining movement to uphold federal law

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John Cox.

Republican candidate for California governor John Cox praised the Contra Costa County Sheriff David Livingston for supporting the rule of law and opposing Governor Jerry Brown and Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom’s devastating Sanctuary State policy.

“I am thrilled to see a county, less than 12 miles from Gavin Newsom’s home turf reject these dangerous Sanctuary policies. San Francisco values are not our values,” said Cox. I applaud Contra Costa Sheriff Livingston for standing up to the reckless Sacramento lawmakers who have put the safety of crime-committing illegal immigrants over our communities.”

“The Sheriff made clear his intent to obey federal immigration law and uphold his oath to the Constitution,” he added.

As of February, the Sheriff’s Office has been posting the release dates of all inmates at the West County Detention Facility (WCDF) in Richmond. That is the only county jail in the Bay Area to have a contract with Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) to detain illegal immigrants.

According to the Sheriff’s Department website, “Under the Detention Services Intergovernmental Agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice, United States Marshals Service, provisions were established in 2009 that outline procedures for the housing of and billing for federal detainees under the care of the Office of the Sheriff. The housing of detainees is part of a long-standing contract with the Marshals Service to house prisoners in available beds at WCDF. ICE is part of that contract and pays for the Sheriff’s Office to house an average of 200 ICE detainees each day, provided we have the space for them to use.

These detainees are not persons who have been arrested by Office of the Sheriff personnel or are necessarily involved in criminal court proceedings in Contra Costa County, but instead are detainees ICE has brought to the facility in need of housing. This allows some ICE detainees to remain in the Bay Area, closer to their families, rather than at a remote jail somewhere out of the county or the state.

The program with ICE generates approximately $6 million in gross revenue each year and approximately $3 million in net revenue; this revenue reduces the local taxpayers’ burden for the overall operating costs of the Office of the Sheriff.”

The California County Sheriff’s Assocation opposes the sanctuary state policy and have asked the federal government to step in to stop it. The National Sheriff’s Association opposes it, as well.

About John Cox: Cox is a businessman and has been conservative leader for more than 35 years and served on Jack Kemp’s national steering committee. His campaign for Governor has been endorsed by Newt Gingrich. Cox serves as Chairman of Give Voters a Voice, the initiative campaign to repeal the gas tax increase.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.