Contra Costa Herald

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

Body found in river identified as San Leandro man missing while boating last Friday

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A Coast Guard helicopter flies over the river searching for the missing boater along the Antioch waterfront Friday, July 21, 2023. Screenshot of video by Allen D. Payton

Recovered Monday morning; conflicting information from agencies of what occurred; no investigation by APD

By Allen D. Payton

According to Antioch Police Public Information Liaison Sgt. Price Kendall, on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, the body of the man missing in the river last Friday during a boating mishap was found.

Con Fire spokeswoman, Assistant Fire Chief Tracie Dutter said, “Someone reported a possible deceased male on the rocks near Fulton Shipyard Road on Monday at 7:48 AM. We were requested by PD to assist in recovering the body. We were on scene assisting at about 8:20 a.m. and by 8:40 a.m. the recovery was completed.”

According to Deputy Gonzalez of the Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office, the man was identified as 58-year-old Douglas Cross from San Leandro, based on his driver’s license information.

As previously reported, according to Jimmy Lee, Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office Director of Public Affairs, “On Friday, July 21, 2023, at about 1:51 PM, deputy sheriffs from the Marine Patrol Unit were dispatched to assist the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District and the United States Coast Guard with searching for a missing boater who was apparently trying to push his 20-foot vessel to shore near the Fulton Shipyard on the San Joaquin River. The U.S. Coast Guard and Sheriff’s Office drone team were also involved in the search. The missing boater, who is not being identified at this time, was not located. (See video)

The Marine Patrol Unit continued the search on Saturday, he added.

However, according to Coast Guard Public Affairs Specialist Schnabel, “We suspended the search after searching until around 7:30 pm. One man had fallen overboard from a recreational boat and the other man jumped in after him attempting to get him out of the water leaving the vessel unmanned. Neither had life jackets. One man was recovered by a Good Samaritan and taken to a local boat ramp.”

Asked if an investigation was being conducted to determine what occurred and if the other man had been interviewed to get his side of the story, Sgt. Kendall responded, “No investigation is being conducted by the Antioch Police Department.”

Lee was asked the same question but did not respond prior to publication time. Please check back later for any updates to this report.

 

UPDATE: Search continues for man missing after falling off boat in river near Antioch Friday

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A Coast Guard helicopter searches river for man along Antioch waterfront Friday afternoon, July 21, 2023. Photos by Allen D. Payton

By Allen D. Payton

07/22/23 UPDATE #2: According to Jimmy Lee, Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office Director of Public Affairs, “On Friday, July 21, 2023, at about 1:51 PM, deputy sheriffs from the Marine Patrol Unit were dispatched to assist the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District and the United States Coast Guard with searching for a missing boater who was apparently trying to push his 20-foot vessel to shore near the Fulton Shipyard on the San Joaquin River. The U.S. Coast Guard and Sheriff’s Office drone team were also involved in the search. The missing boater, who is not being identified at this time, was not located. The Marine Patrol Unit will continue the search today.”

07/22/23 UPDATE #1: According to Coast Guard Public Affairs Specialist Schnabel, “We suspended the search after searching until around 7:30 pm. One man had fallen overboard from a recreational boat and the other man jumped in after him attempting to get him out of the water leaving the vessel unmanned. Neither had life jackets. One man was recovered by a Good Samaritan and taken to a local boat ramp.”

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A helicopter could be seen flying over the river and Waldie Plaza along the Antioch waterfront Friday afternoon. According to Con Fire PIO Steve Hill, “We responded in the noon hour to reports of a 55-year-old man in the water. In spite of searches by us, Sheriff’s Office Marine program and the Coast Guard we were unable to locate him. We are clearing at this hour, the Coast Guard remains on scene.”

As of 4:25 PM Coast Guard 11th District Public Affairs Specialist Hunter Schnabel said, “the search is ongoing for a male. We received a report from another male who was swimming with him after he got back to shore and called in a panic.”

A Coast Guard helicopter flies over Waldie Plaza in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown on Friday, July 21, 2023.

“We have Station Rio Vista and Air San Francisco’s MH65 Dolphins (helicopters) in the search,” he added.

Please check back later for any updates to this report.

Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office to host Summer Pop-Up Party in Walnut Creek Thursday

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Come and join the excitement at our Summer Pop-Up Party! Get ready for an incredible time filled with games, prizes, and non-stop fun. Mark your calendars for this Thursday, 7/13, because we’ll be taking over the Contra Costa Centre Transit Village on Treat Blvd. in Walnut Creek from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm.

And that’s not all! Satisfy your taste buds with mouthwatering delights from the amazing BunBao food truck. Don’t miss out on this epic event – we can’t wait to have you there with us!

Contra Costa Coroner’s Inquest Jury finds Antioch man in jail died of natural causes

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By Jimmy Lee, PIO, Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office

Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston announced that a coroner’s jury reached a finding Friday, June 3, 2023 in the January 3, 2023 in-custody death of 31-year-old Brian Love Pence, Jr. of Antioch. The finding of the jury is that the manner of death is natural.

Pence was arrested on December 31, 2022, by Antioch police for misdemeanor spousal battery. Upon entering Intake, he tested positive for Covid and was assigned to a module on quarantine status and housed alone. He was screened by County Health Services and cleared for incarceration by Medical and Mental Health staff.

On Jan. 3, 2023, at approximately 1:22pm, deputies conducted a room check and observed no movement from the inmate. Deputies made entry and called for jail medical staff to respond. Life-saving measures were attempted by deputies, medical staff and paramedics. He was later pronounced deceased at the scene. There were no immediate signs of trauma or anything suspicious. (See related article)

The coroner’s jury reached the verdict in the inquest after hearing the testimony of witnesses called by hearing officer Matt Guichard.

A coroner’s inquest, which Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston convenes in fatal incidents involving law enforcement personnel, is a public hearing during which a jury rules on the manner of a person’s death. Jury members can choose from the following four options when making their finding:  Accident, Suicide, Natural Causes or At the hands of another person, other than by accident.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Contra Costa Sheriff offers safety tips for boating season

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Source: CoCoCo Sheriff

The Memorial Day holiday weekend traditionally marks the start of boating season on the Delta. A large number of people are expected to be on the water this weekend and throughout the summer to go fishing, boating or take part in water sports, like water-skiing.

“We want all boaters and those on the Delta to enjoy themselves, but to be safe,” said Contra Costa Sheriff David Livingston. “By following the laws and regulations, wearing a life-jacket, avoiding alcohol, and boating safely, you could help avoid an accident or tragedy on the water.”

The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Marine Ser-vices Unit would like to remind all boaters to be safe, alert, and obey the rules. Here are some important rules and tips:

-Anyone 50 or under who oper-ates a vessel that is propelled by an engine, regardless of whether the engine is the principal source of propulsion, must have in their possession a California Boater Card issued by the state. By 2025, anyone operating a motorized vessel will be required to possess a California Boater Card. For more information on the California Boater Card, go to www.dbw.ca.gov.

-All vessels, including stand-up paddle boards (SUPs), must have a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket for each person. The life jacket must fit the person intending to wear it. Children under 13 must always wear a life jacket while aboard any vessel, regardless of length, unless they are surrounded by an enclosed cabin or bulkhead. We encourage every-one, regardless of age, to wear a personal floatation device at all times when on the water.

-You must be at least 16 years old to operate a power boat or personal watercraft. All persons on a personal watercraft are required to wear an approved life jacket.

-Boats 16 feet and larger are required to have a life ring or square type 4 throwable flotation device which must be immediately accessible.

-Always travel at a safe speed. Slow down in narrow channels and blind areas and navigate on the right side of the waterway. In crossing situations, the boat on the right has the right of way.

-The operator of a vessel involved in towing a skier must display, or cause to be displayed, a red or orange water ski flag to indicate: a downed skier, a skier in the water preparing to ski, a ski line extended for the vessel, or a ski in the water in the vicinity of the vessel.

-Blue Light law — Any vessel approaching, overtaking, being approached, or being overtaken by a moving law enforcement or emergency vessel operating with a siren or an illuminated blue light, or any vessel approaching a stationary law enforcement vessel displaying an illumi-nated blue light, shall immediately slow to a speed sufficient to maintain steerage. Boaters cannot make a wake near a law enforcement vessel displaying a blue light.

-Always have an emergency kit that includes a flashlight, warm clothing, cell phone, VHF radio and chart. For emergencies on the water, boaters should call 911 or Sheriff’s Dispatch at (925) 646-2441. Be sure to file a float plan before you depart. Go to this link for more information on float plans and how to fill one out:

https://uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/floating-plan.php

-Be aware of potential carbon monoxide poisoning that can occur when the motor is running while occupying the swim platform or in vicinity of the vessel’s transom.

Boating under the influence (B.U.I.) enforcement is a high priority. Those arrested for B.U.I. will face similar consequences as those who drive a motor vehicle under the influence, including fines and possible jail time.

The ‘ABC’s of Boating’, a handbook of boating rules, is available from most boating shops. Boaters can go to the California Division of Boating and Waterways website at www.dbw.ca.gov for information on boating safety and the California Boater Card. If anyone has any questions about boating safety, please contact the Marine Services Unit at (925) 427-8507.

National Prescription Drug TAKE BACK Day is Saturday, April 22

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Photo: CCCSheriff

On Saturday, April 22, 2023, from 10 AM to 2 PM, the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired or unused prescription drugs.

“The Take Back event is a great opportunity to dispose of unwanted medication in our homes,” said Contra Costa Sheriff David Livingston. “These drugs could fall into the wrong hands or harm family members. Take Back helps prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths.”

Needles and sharps cannot be accepted; only pills, patches, and liquids sealed in their original container will be accepted. Vape pens or other e-cigarette devices from individual consumers are accepted only after the batteries are removed from the devices.

The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. Bring your pills for disposal at the following sites:

DROP OFF LOCATIONS

-Sheriff’s Office Muir Station, 1980 Muir Road, Martinez

-Sheriff’s Office Bay Station, 5555 Giant Highway, Richmond

Sheriff’s Office Valley Station, 150 Alamo Plaza, #C, Alamo

-Delta Station/Discovery Bay Annex 1555 Riverlake Rd., Discovery Bay

-Danville Police Department, 510 La Gonda Way, Danville

-Lafayette Police Department, 3471 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette

-Orinda Police Department, 22 Orinda Way, Orinda

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs, locations, or the Take Back event, visit: https://www.dea.gov/takebackday.

 

Public’s help needed in legal action against Christopher George Miller

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Arrested for sex crimes against minors in Contra Costa

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

As the seven-count felony case against Christopher George Miller continues in Superior Court in Martinez, the investigative team who arrested him in a sting operation for arranging to engage in sex acts with a minor are asking the public for help.

The investigation into Miller started in 2022 when he was employed at Deer Valley High School in Antioch as a campus supervisor. A parent of a student reported to school officials that Miller was sending inappropriate texts to the student regarding marijuana use at the school, as well as sexually suggestive messages. (See related article)

The Contra Costa County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) adopted the case about three weeks ago to see if Miller (who was then a former employee at the high school) would sell marijuana and arrange to meet for sex. Posing as a 13-year-old girl on a chat app Miller used, a Detective with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office started communicating with him. At one point while exchanging texts, Miller offered to sell the fictitious teen marijuana — and later the chats became more sexual in nature.

Miller arranged to meet the teen for sex at a park in Martinez on March 16th, 2023. Participating ICAC members from the Sheriff’s Office, Concord Police, Danville Police, Pittsburg Police, and the District Attorney’s Office met him at the park and arrested Miller on marijuana possession with the intent to sell to a minor and other charges related to contacting and arranging to engage in lewd and lascivious acts with a minor. He was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility and arraigned on a total of seven felony charges on March 21st. His preliminary hearing is set for April 3rd at 8:30 am in Department 25 in Martinez.

According to the charging document filed on March 20 by the CCDA’s Office, Miller was charged with seven felonies, including P0288.3(a), Contact with Minor for Sexual Offense on or about June 14, 2022; PC288.4(b), Meeting Minor for Lewd Purposes between March 10 and 16, 2023; PC288.3(a), Contact with Minor for Sexual Offense on or between March 10 and 16, 2023; PC288.2(a)(2), Distributing Or Showing Pornography To A Minor on or about March 14, 2023; PC288.2(a)(2), Distributing Or Showing Pornography To A Minor on or about March 15, 2023; PC 664/PC288(a), Attempted Lewd Act Upon A Child on or about March 16, 2023; PC 664/HS11360(a), Attempted Sale/Offer To Sell/Transportation Of Marijuana on or about March 16, 2023.

ICAC Senior Inspector Darryl Holcombe notes that Miller may have been in contact with other victims. He’s asking the public to email him at the District Attorney’s Office if they have information related to Miller’s case. He can be reached at: DHolcombe@contracostada.org.

Case No. 01-23-00820 | The People of the State of California v. Miller, Christopher George

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Martinez man faces charges of robbery, mail theft, carjacking of Postal Service worker, vehicle

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By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

On February 2, 2023, a United States Postal Service (USPS) worker was robbed in Martinez and their mail truck was stolen by 35-year-old Joshua Scott Anderson. Charges were filed on February 28th against Mr. Anderson by the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office.

The robbery of the carrier’s postal vehicle key and theft of the USPS mail truck occurred around 10:30 am at the Lotus Apartments on the 3900 block of Alhambra Avenue. According to reports, Anderson approached the carrier and used force to rob the Postal worker of their key and the mail truck – which contained letters and parcels.

The stolen mail truck was recovered about 30 minutes later, but several trays of mail and parcels were missing.

Following an investigation, Anderson was arrested and charged with second degree robbery [PC211], carjacking [PC215(a)], driving or taking a vehicle without consent [VC10851(a)], and mail theft [PC530.5(e)].

The complaint also lists an enhancement for prior convictions of vehicle theft, special allegations for committing a felony while on probation, and prior convictions of first-and second-degree burglary, vehicle theft, and identity theft.

Anderson is currently in the Martinez Detention Facility. He was arraigned on the charges on Wednesday, March 1 in Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa in Martinez.

In a statement, San Francisco Division Inspector in Charge, Rafael Nunez, said, “The Postal Inspection Service takes threats to our employees and the theft of mail very seriously, and we will vigorously pursue those who commit such crimes. Postal Inspectors worked closely with the District Attorney’s Office and our partners at the Martinez Police Department and the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office on this case.”

Incidents of mail theft and Postal carriers being robbed – sometimes at gunpoint – have increased nationwide. The safety of USPS employees is paramount, and employees have received training on what to do if they are robbed. However, Postal Inspectors urge the public to report any suspicious activity involving mail trucks or postal carriers.

Case #01-23-00557 | The People of the State of California vs. Anderson, Joshua Scott

Contra Costa Sheriff’s, DA’s Offices investigate in-custody death

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

The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff and the Contra Costa DA’s Office are currently investigating an in-custody death that occurred at the Martinez Detention Facility this afternoon.

The inmate, who is not being identified at this time, was arrested on December 31, 2022, by Antioch police for misdemeanor spousal battery. Upon entering Intake, he tested positive for Covid and was assigned to a module on quarantine status and housed alone. He was screened by County Health Services and cleared for incarceration by Medical and Mental Health staff.

On Jan. 3, 2023, at approximately 1:22pm, deputies conducted a room check and observed no movement from the inmate. Deputies made entry and called for jail medical staff to respond. Life-saving measures were attempted by deputies, medical staff and paramedics. He was later pronounced deceased at the scene. There were no immediate signs of trauma or anything suspicious.

The countywide law enforcement involved fatal incident protocol was invoked and the investigation is ongoing.

Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office overwhelmed by concealed carry weapon permit applications

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Photo by CCC Sheriff’s Office

By CCC Office of the Sheriff

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors has recently approved additional sergeant and specialist positions for the Office of the Sheriff. They will be used to help handle the backlog of requests for concealed carry weapon (CCW) permits.

Since the Supreme Court ruling in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen on June 23, 2022, the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office has been inundated by requests for CCW permits. The ruling struck down New York’s restrictions on applicants for CCW’s to show a compelling need to carry a concealed weapon in public. That meant that similar restrictions requiring applicants to demonstrate “good cause” in some states, like California, were unconstitutional.

Prior to the Bruen decision, the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office would typically receive about 20 CCW applications each month which would be processed by one employee. Since the decision, the Sheriff’s Office has been receiving several hundred applications a month and now has a backlog of over 1,000 CCW applications.

Obtaining a CCW is a multi-step process that requires a detailed application, California Department of Justice fingerprints, background check, interview, and training class. There is also a fee of $160 that is paid after the applicant completes the training class. In addition to new applications, the Sheriff’s Office handles the ongoing renewals for about 500 current CCW holders.

The Sheriff’s Office is now in the process of filling the new positions. We regret the delay and are processing applications as quickly as possible.

Click here to Apply for a CCW Permit | Contra Costa Sheriff, CA (cocosheriff.org)