Contra Costa Herald

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

Alleged Mexico-based meth trafficker from Bay Point transported back to U.S. to face federal charges

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Faces lifetime of imprisonment, $10,000,000 fine

Multi-agency effort by DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Marshals, Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, Secretaría de Seguridad Pública Jalisco and the Instituto Nacional de Migración

Part of Homeland Security Task Force’s “Protecting the American People Against Invasion” initiative

By U.S. Attorney Northern District of California

OAKLAND – The government of Mexico recently deported Julio Cesar Palafox, a United States citizen, to the United States where he was arrested by the United States Marshals on a warrant to appear on charges stemming from his alleged involvement in the distribution of methamphetamine in the Bay Area.  U.S. Marshals Foreign Field Office (FFO) – Guadalajara coordinated the arrest with the Secretaría de Seguridad Pública (SSP) Jalisco and the Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM).  Palafox appeared in court today in Oakland before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ajay S. Krishnan.

On July 11, 2024, a federal grand jury indicted Palafox, 34 (bon 9/27/1991), of Bay Point, CA, in connection with a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy.  The indictment charges Palafox with multiple counts of distribution of 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A)(viii).  According to court documents, Palafox is a Mexico-based methamphetamine trafficker that during the period of the conspiracy was responsible for hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine entering the Northern District of California.

Palafox has been living in the town of Yahualica in the state of Jalisco, Mexico.  Palafox was transported back to the United States on July 24, 2026.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Anna Y. Park on July 28, 2026, in the Central District of California for an initial appearance and arraignment on the indictment and was ordered detained pending trial.  Palafox appeared today before Judge Krishnan for further proceedings in this district and will next appear before the Honorable Araceli Martinez-Olguin on August 17, 2026.

“Julio Palafox’s return to the United States from Mexico sends a clear message to drug traffickers everywhere that they can run, but they cannot hide. This was a complex operation, and we are grateful to the agencies whose hard work led to his capture. We remain firmly committed to protecting our communities from the scourge of illegal drugs and will pursue drug traffickers wherever they may be found,” said U.S. Attorney Craig Missakian.

“The trafficking of methamphetamine in the United States is an ever-present threat to public safety,” said HSI San Francisco Special Agent in Charge Jeff Brannigan. “Homeland Security Investigations, as part of the Homeland Security Task Force, will pursue smugglers and traffickers worldwide to protect our communities in the Bay Area and across the country.”

“This investigation is a testament to great teamwork. This coordinated action was a combination of increased focus on enforcement, intelligence, and domestic and international collaboration,” said Bob P. Beris, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA San Francisco Field Division.  “DEA is relentless in dismantling criminal operations responsible for trafficking poison in our communities with deadly synthetic drugs like methamphetamine. This is another example of a successful operation resulting in arrests and removal of significant amounts of meth. Every arrest we make represents lives saved and communities defended.”

An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  If convicted, Defendant faces a maximum sentence of a lifetime of imprisonment, a fine of $10,000,000, a lifetime of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  However, any sentence following a conviction would be imposed by a court only after considerations of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF San Francisco comprises agents and officers from DEA and HSI, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maya Karwande and Kevin Yeh are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Sara Slattery and Andy Ding.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by DEA and HSI, with assistance from the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office and the Salinas Police Department.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, five-inch tall, 160-pound Palafox is Hispanic and is being held in the West County Detention Facility on no bail.

According to localcrimenews.com, he was previously arrested in 2016 by the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Substation Deputies in Los Angeles County for transporting a controlled substance.

Further Information:

Case No. 24-CR-00394-AMO

Electronic court filings and further procedural and docket information are available at https://ecf.cand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. Judges’ calendars with schedules for upcoming court hearings can be viewed on the court’s website at www.cand.uscourts.gov.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Concord man sentenced to 18 years in prison for violent extortion scheme, shooting at federal officers

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Suspect mailed and made other threats, also conspired with co-defendant to distribute controlled substances, maintain drug lab in Richmond

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

OAKLAND – Joel Rowland Dowen was sentenced today, Friday, August 7, 2026, to eighteen years in federal prison, for engaging in a violent extortion scheme, shooting at a federal officer, drug dealing and bank fraud.  Co-defendant Micah-Luc Almeida was sentenced to three years in federal prison for conspiring to deal drugs with Dowen.  United States District Judge Jon S. Tigar handed down the sentence. He faced a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years in prison on each of the three charges against him.

Dowen, 46, of Concord, California, and Almeida, 47, of San Francisco, California were indicted in a superseding indictment by a federal grand jury on March 26, 2024.  As previously reported, Dowen was charged with mailing threatening communications with intent to extort, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 376(b) and assault on a federal officer with a deadly weapon, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 111(b); both Dowen and Almeida were charged with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA); and Almeida was additionally charged with possession with intent to distribute MDA, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1).  Dowen was separately charged in 2025 with bank fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1344.  The defendants pleaded guilty to all counts.

In their plea agreements, Dowen and Almeida admitted that from 2020 to 2024 they conspired to manufacture and distribute large quantities of federally controlled substances, including MDA and psilocin.  Dowen and Almeida maintained a drug manufacturing laboratory in Richmond, California, from where law enforcement seized hundreds of kilograms of waste material from attempted drug manufacturing.

Dowen also admitted to engaging in a pattern of threats and violence against a victim and their family to extort the victim for millions of dollars and a drug-manufacturing recipe.  Dowen arranged for three individuals to violently assault the victim’s elderly father (then 80 years old) in his home, causing life-threatening injuries.  After the assault, Dowen continued to threaten the victim and other members of the victim’s family and set the victim’s home on fire. When law enforcement came to arrest Dowen in 2024, he shot at them with a handgun through the front door as they were breaching the entrance, hitting one DEA agent’s protective shield.

United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and DEA Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris made the announcement.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Tigar sentenced both Dowen and Almeida to a 3-year period of supervised release.

The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Organized Crime Section.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Lina Peng and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Karmel handled the case, with assistance from Legal Administrative Specialist Sara Slattery and Legal Assistant Freya Picciotto. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the DEA, IRS-CI (Criminal Investigations), ATF, FBI, HIS (Homeland Security Investigations) and U.S. Postal Inspectors, with the assistance of the Concord Police Department.

According to localcrimenews.com, Dowen is white, five-foot, seven-inches tall and weighs 280-pounds.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Over $900K scammed from City of Pittsburg in phishing attack

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Investigation, recovery effort results in return of almost $700K

Suspect based in Nigeria

By Toni Baldazo, City of Pittsburg Community Engagement Officer

The City of Pittsburg is reporting a February 2026 phishing incident that resulted in a single unauthorized ACH payment totaling $913,839.81 being sent to a fraudulent account spoofing as a known City vendor. The incident occurred on February 12, 2026, and was identified by City staff on February 17, 2026, prompting immediate action. The City informed the Pittsburg Police Department who expanded the response team to include the County of Contra Costa and Federal Bureau of Investigations.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, phishing is when scammers use email or text messages to try to trick people into giving them personal and financial information to steal passwords, account numbers or Social Security numbers. They are then able access to email, bank and other accounts.

“The instant this incident was identified as fraudulent by City staff, the City’s Police Department acted quickly and immediately froze the account to which the funds were electronically wired,” said Pittsburg Police Chief Phil Galer. “Given the nature of this cybercrime, we contacted related agencies and the FBI to tap all available resources.”

The swift action of the Pittsburg Police Department resulted in the initial recovery of $696,241.00 dollars.  The City is pursuing insurance coverage payment for the remaining $217,598.00, through its cyber and crime insurance policies. The investigation involved several sensitive and intricate components, requiring a number of complex investigative steps over a period of time, to maximize the recovery of funds and to seek identification of the perpetrators.  It included 18 search warrants involving 116 accounts across major technology companies, financial institutions and telecommunications providers. Evidence identified the primary overseas suspect responsible for compromising the City’s email system is based in Nigeria with at least two criminally affiliated U.S.-based suspects. The investigation remains active as the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office have accepted the case for continued investigation domestically and overseas.

“The Pittsburg Police Department remains committed to pursuing every available lead and ensuring the highest level of protection for our city operations,” Chief Galer added.

While the investigation is ongoing with the FBI and related agency partners, it has now reached a point where public disclosure will not compromise the investigation.

In response to the incident, the City immediately implemented new processes to further strengthen internal controls related to financial processes. This includes improvements to digital and human procedures including ACH payment verification processes, and controls within financial workflows, as well as modifications to IT staffing. These enhanced measures reflect significant internal analysis and reinforce the City’s commitment to strong cybersecurity practices that protect public resources.

“Sadly, Pittsburg has joined a long list of public agencies successfully targeted by international crime rings with cyber-based financial crimes. This crime is both upsetting and a hard lesson for how we can improve our security. I share the community’s disappointment that criminals were able to exploit our systems,” said Mayor Dionne Adams. “While this was a difficult moment, the City acted immediately to recover as much of the stolen funds as possible and tightened cybersecurity measures and procedures. I thank Pittsburg PD for their swift action and the law enforcement agency partners that helped us throughout this process.”

The city encourages residents and partners to remain vigilant about cybersecurity threats. City leadership will continue to evolve its internal systems in response to the expanding threats of cybercrime attacks to safeguard public funds and operations.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Concord man gets 21 months in federal prison for selling counterfeit sports memorabilia

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San Francisco Giants player Willie Mays in 1955 posing for the camera of an Associated Press photographer. Public domain. Source: Wikpedia

After pleading guilty to fraud scheme; claimed bat was used by Willie Mays during 1954 World Series; must pay over $1 million in restitution

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

OAKLAND – Daniel Damato was sentenced on Monday, June 29, 2026, to 21 months in federal prison for his role in a wire fraud scheme in which he knowingly sold counterfeit sports memorabilia and attempted to obstruct the FBI’s investigation into his criminal conduct. United States District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín handed down the sentence. He faced a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Damato, 40, of Concord, California, was charged by Information on October 20, 2025, with one count of wire fraud. The Information alleged that between 2022 and 2024, Damato, a sports memorabilia dealer, doctored and gave false provenance to valuable items to make them appear as authentic and legitimate sports collectables. Damato then attempted to sell these items to unsuspecting buyers at heavily inflated prices.

The Information specifically described two sports memorabilia items Damato fraudulently marketed and sold—a baseball bat he represented was a 1954 game-used World Series bat and a jersey he asserted was a 1972 game-worn jersey. Damato claimed that the bat was used and the jersey was worn by Willie Mays, described as one of the greatest baseball players who ever lived, according to the Information

As previously reported by the Herald, on December 8, 2025, Damato pled guilty to the wire fraud count charged in the Information. In connection with his plea, Damato admitted that despite his assertions to the contrary, the bat he sold for $100,000 to one victim had not been used in the 1954 World Series by Mays. Rather, Damato admitted that the bat was a “factory error” bat that was an inch shorter than what Mays used during his career. Damato further admitted that he sold other fraudulent items, including a jersey he falsely claimed was worn by Mays that he sold for $50,000 to a second victim. In addition, the Court found that Damato defrauded a third victim in connection with his sports memorabilia scheme, determining that Damato stole over $900,000 from that victim while falsely promising to deliver sports memorabilia.

In addition to his fraudulent conduct, Damato admitted in his plea agreement that after the FBI executed a search warrant on his residence, he contacted at least one potential witness in an attempt to obstruct the government’s investigation.

United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and FBI Special Agent in Charge Scott Schelble made the announcement.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Martínez-Olguín sentenced Damato to a three-year period of supervised release and ordered restitution in the amount of $1,068,940. Damato had previously been remanded into custody and will begin serving his sentence immediately.

Assistant United States Attorney Abraham Fine is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Amala James. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Former East Bay financial advisor, Danville man pleads guilty to operating a long-running $9.5 million Ponzi scheme

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Sentencing for 78-year-old Edwin Emmett Lickiss, Jr. of Alamo-based Foundation Financial Group scheduled for August 28, faces up to 30 years in prison, $500K in fines

By United States Attorney, Northern District of California

OAKLAND – Edwin Emmett Lickiss, Jr., pleaded guilty in federal court today to one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering in connection with a decades-long Ponzi scheme.

Lickiss, 78, of Danville, Calif., admitted that from 1998 through September 2024, he defrauded more than 93 investors of at least $9.5 million.

United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian, FBI Special Agent in Charge Matthew Cobo, and IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Oakland Field Office Special Agent in Charge Linda Nguyen made the announcement.

To induce investments, Lickiss falsely claimed that he would place victim funds into exclusive, safe, tax-free bonds, with some generating returns in excess of 20 percent.  Lickiss also issued fraudulent promissory notes on the letterhead of his former firm, Foundation Financial Group.

In addition, the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC), On July 21, 2025, the SEC charged Lickiss, Jr., with selling fraudulent promissory note investments to approximately 80 investors as part of a Ponzi scheme that lasted over 25 years. According to the SEC’s complaint, Lickiss fraudulently offered and sold to investors approximately $12.7 million in promissory notes, which purported to pay interest rates of between 9 and 32 percent per annum.

In fact, Lickiss used subsequent victim funds to make payments to those who had invested earlier, consistent with a Ponzi scheme.  Lickiss also diverted victim funds for his own use, including cash withdrawals, home renovations, travel, and payments on vehicles, mortgages, and personal credit cards.

According to the IRS, on July 21, 2025, “A federal grand jury indicted Edwin Emmett Lickiss Jr., on one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering in connection with an alleged $9.5 million investment fraud scheme. Despite the suspension and loss of his broker’s license, Lickiss allegedly continued to solicit and obtain investments from victim investors until around September 2024. Lickiss was a financial advisor based in Danville and Alamo, Calif., who owned and operated Foundation Financial Group, a firm that provided investment services to investors in the Northern District of California, Idaho, and throughout the United States.”

Lickiss was released pending a sentencing hearing, which is scheduled for August 28, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Jon S. Tigar.  Lickiss faces a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the wire fraud count, and 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the money laundering count.  Any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has also filed a civil enforcement action against Lickiss in the Northern District of California.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Wolinsky is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Lynette Dixon.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI and IRS-CI.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office thanks the Atlanta Regional Office of the SEC for its assistance in the investigation.

Further Information:

Case No. 4:25-CR-00202-JST

Electronic court filings and further procedural and docket information are available at https://ecf.cand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. Judges’ calendars with schedules for upcoming court hearings can be viewed on the court’s website at www.cand.uscourts.gov.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Two former Antioch cops sentenced to time served, community service

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Former Antioch Police Officers Timothy Manly Williams (left) and Daniel Harris (right) were sentenced on Jan. 13, 2026, to time served. Herald file photos

No prison time; both testified against former colleagues

By Allen D. Payton

The final cases of Antioch Police Officers that were the focus of the Contra Costa DA and FBI investigations were settled last month with two former officers given sentences of time served. As a result, Daniel Harris and Timothy Manly Williams will not face any time in prison. Both testified against their former colleagues.

According to a previously published report by the U.S. Attorney’s Office Northern California District, Daniel Manly Williams pleaded guilty on Nov. 28, 2023, to destruction, alteration and falsification of records in federal investigations, obstruction of official proceedings and deprivation of rights under color of law. Manly Williams was sentenced to “six months’ custody, followed by three years of supervised release, and 100 hours of community service.

Harris pleaded guilty on Sept. 17, 2024 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute anabolic steroids, and possession with intent to distribute anabolic steroids as well as bank fraud. Harris was sentenced to “twelve months and a day of custody, followed by three years of supervised release, and 100 hours of community service.”

Both men’s sentencing hearings were held on Jan. 13, 2026, but no statement was issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office Northern District of California, which prosecuted both cases.

Manly Williams’ Case Details

According to the Sentencing Memorandum for Manly Williams, “In May 2021, the Antioch Police Department (“APD”) discovered during a routine audit something surprising: their own police officer, Timothy Manly Williams, had called a subject of a wiretap he was monitoring. From all appearances, he had intentionally burned the wire and attempted to cover it up. A sprawling federal investigation would eventually result in various criminal charges against ten Antioch or Pittsburg Police Department (“PPD”) officers or employees, including Manly Williams.

“In August 2023, Manly Williams was indicted for his concealment of that call during the wiretap, which constituted criminal falsification of records and obstruction of justice, as well as for his unconstitutional destruction of a citizen’s cell phone following his then-roommate APD Officer Morteza Amiri’s release of a police canine to bite a suspect.

“By September 2023, Manly Williams had already met with the government a first time. By November 2023, he had promptly pleaded guilty to his crimes. In March 2025, he testified in the jury trial involving that same former roommate regarding another dog bite for which he was present, and Amiri’s concealment of facts surrounding that bite. He also admitted to additional criminal conduct not specifically referenced in the indictments.

“Manly Williams’ crimes were very serious, particularly given his role as a police officer sworn to uphold the law and protect his fellow citizens. However, his immediate acceptance of responsibility and cooperation with the government was also very significant, particularly given that same role, and the government accordingly moves for a downward variance pursuant to § 5K1.1 for his substantial assistance to authorities.

“Based on the nature and circumstances of the serious offenses, the defendant’s history and characteristics (including his role as a sworn police officer), the need for deterrence, and the need to avoid unwarranted sentence disparities given the sentences already imposed by this Court, as well as the government’s motion for the equivalent of a five-level downward departure pursuant to § 5K1.1, the government recommends that the Court impose a sentence of six months’ custody, followed by three years of supervised release, and 100 hours of community service. This proposed sentence is sufficient, but not greater than necessary, to achieve the goals set forth in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a)(2).

“The government’s investigation also revealed other relevant criminal conduct, which Manly Williams admitted carrying out, including:

  • While employed as a police officer with PPD and APD, Manly Williams illegally purchased anabolic steroids, Schedule III controlled substances, from PPD Officer Patrick Berhan and APD Officer Daniel Harris.
  • While employed as a police officer with PPD and APD, Manly Williams misused confidential law enforcement databases by performing searches for the benefit of himself or friends without a proper law enforcement purpose. For instance, in approximately December 2020 he searched for the criminal history of his friend for no legitimate law enforcement purpose; and in approximately February 2021 he searched or caused law enforcement databases to be searched for warrants for no legitimate law enforcement purpose.
  • While employed as APD police officers, Manly Williams and APD Officer Morteza Amiri illegally took marijuana and/or marijuana products seized from APD law enforcement activity, including in approximately December 2020 when Amiri stated to Manly Williams, “i got a basketball size bag of weed in my trunk.” Instead of filing reports with APD on the seizures of marijuana or submitting the marijuana into evidence, Amiri and Manly Williams personally consumed the marijuana in violation of APD policy and, in at least one instance in approximately November 2020, Manly Williams arranged for the sale of such marijuana and received proceeds from its sale.
  • While employed as an APD police officer, Manly Williams illegally facilitated the removal or dismissal of traffic tickets for the benefit of himself, friends, or colleagues without a proper law enforcement purpose, including in approximately October 2020 via other APD officers in which the recipient of a ticket provided tequila bottles in exchange for those officers not appearing in court for a traffic ticket, and in approximately April 2021 at the behest of a PPD, who requested that a particular traffic ticket be disregarded.
  • While employed as an APD police officer, Manly Williams wrongfully posted law enforcement-sensitive information to his Instagram account using the story feature to “close friends” who were outside the law enforcement community.”

The Memorandum also explained, Manly Williams had no previous arrests and did not have criminal convictions resulting in any Criminal History Points, placing him in Criminal History Category I and “the government agreed with the Sentencing Guidelines calculation of the United States Probation Office.

Read more details in Manly Williams’ Sentencing Memorandum.

Harris’ Case Details

According to his Sentencing Memorandum, “Defendant Daniel Harris, a police officer with the Antioch Police Department (“APD”), began purchasing illegal anabolic steroids for his own personal use around 2019. He then began selling and distributing these Schedule III controlled substances to numerous other law enforcement officers at APD and neighboring law enforcement agencies. Among others, Harris sold illegal anabolic steroids to fellow APD officer Devon Wenger, and also agreed with Wenger to distribute them to Wenger’s friend B.M. Harris’ prolific sale and distribution of illegal anabolic steroids continued through March 2022 as he was in the process of moving from California to Texas, only coming to a halt after the FBI executed search warrants that located and seized troves of illegal anabolic steroids from a postal package destined for Harris (including steroids for Wenger’s friend), from Harris’ California residence, and from Harris’ new residence in Weatherford, Texas.

“The government’s investigation also revealed that Harris’ criminal activity while employed as an APD officer was not limited to the purchase and distribution of illegal anabolic steroids: he further committed bank fraud by falsifying information in his application for a mortgage to purchase his Texas residence.

“Harris’ crimes were particularly serious given Harris’ role as a law enforcement officer sworn to uphold the law. However, following his indictment and arrest, Harris took responsibility for his actions and pleaded guilty to all of these crimes, agreed to meet with the government and cooperate, and ultimately testified before the jury as to his and Wenger’s conduct involving the distribution of illegal anabolic steroids.

“Based on the nature and circumstances of the serious offenses, the defendant’s history and characteristics (including his role as a sworn police officer), the need for deterrence, and the need to avoid unwarranted sentence disparities given the sentences already imposed by this Court, as well as the government’s motion for the equivalent of a three-level downward departure pursuant to § 5K1.1, the government recommends that the Court impose a sentence of twelve months and a day of custody, followed by three years of supervised release, and 100 hours of community service. This proposed sentence is sufficient, but not greater than necessary, to achieve the goals set forth in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a)(2).”

In addition the Memorandum explains, “In February 2022, Harris knowingly supplied inaccurate information to a financial institution in connection with his application for a mortgage. During this time, Harris applied for, and subsequently received, a $494,000 loan from Mortgage Financial Services LLC with the intent to defraud the financial institution to purchase a residence…in Weatherford, Texas. Harris provided false information in and omitted material facts from his application.”

Read more details in Harris’ Sentencing Memorandum.

 

Nine Oakland-based “Ghost Town” gang members sentenced for 2022 armed robberies of Bay Area businesses

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Including stealing bags of jewelry valued at $300K to $500K from San Pablo jewelry store

Will serve combined 60 years in prison

One suspect arrested 30 times since 2013

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

OAKLAND – Nine associates of the Oakland-based “Ghost Town” gang have been sentenced to a combined total of nearly 60 years in prison for a series of armed robberies targeting small Bay Area businesses.  The sentences were handed down by U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín, with the final defendant sentenced today.

The nine defendants, Demarco Barnett, 36 of Oakland; Jakari Jenkins, 34 of Stockton; Danny Garcia, 41; Garland Devonte Rabon, 30 of Mountain House; Aramiya Burrell, 35 of Oakland; Lester Andre Garnett, 34 of Tracy; Darrin Andre Hutchinson, 39 of Cherryland, CA, located between San Leandro and Hayward; Ricky Joseph, 37 of Oakland; and Keanna Alloise Smith-Stewart, 33 of West Sacramento, each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit robbery affecting interstate commerce.  Based on their involvement, eight of the defendants also pleaded guilty to a varying number of substantive counts of robbery affecting interstate commerce.

The robberies took place in 2022.  On March 18, 2022, the co-conspirators engaged in the armed robbery of a coin and stamp store located on the tenth floor of a building in the South of Market neighborhood of San Francisco.  The co-conspirators entered the store, brandished firearms, and demanded money from the business and the two individuals who happened to be present at the time – the owner and his son. The robbers struck the head and zip-tied the hands of the owner’s son, and absconded with cash, jewelry, and coins.  Defendants Jenkins, Barnett, and Joseph were charged with and pleaded guilty to this robbery count.

The co-conspirators then struck a San Pablo jewelry store on Nov. 12, 2022.  Five co-conspirators, at least three of whom were brandishing firearms, entered the store and pretended to be customers, while two others waited outside in the getaway cars.  The co-conspirators stole bags of jewelry valued at approximately $300,000 to $500,000.

As previously reported, the pretend customers left jewelry with the operators of the store. According to the indictment, Jenkins, Barnett, and Rabon arrived at the jewelry store with at least four other co-conspirators and robbed the store of jewelry, including the jewelry that members of the gang previously had left with the store. The robbers arrived in two getaway cars—both Dodge Chargers bearing stolen license plates. Five co-conspirators, at least three of whom were brandishing firearms, entered the store while two of the co-conspirators waited outside in the getaway cars. The co-conspirators stole bags of jewelry valued at approximately $300,000 to $500,000. The indictment describes how all four defendants in the superseding indictment later wore the stolen jewelry, shared the stolen jewelry with other members of Ghost Town gang members, or otherwise made use of the stolen jewelry for their personal purposes.

Defendants Jenkins, Barnett, Rabon, Garcia and Hutchinson were charged with and pleaded guilty to this robbery count.

A third robbery occurred on Dec. 24, 2022, of a marijuana business in Oakland.  The co-conspirators arrived at the business as an employee was leaving it.  The robbers brandished weapons, directed the employee back into the building at gunpoint, demanding “budded weed” and “money.”  One of the robbers struck the employee in the head with a firearm.  The robbers searched through the employee’s pockets and stole his bank debit card.  The robbers absconded with the victim’s debit card and a bag of marijuana plant trimmings.  Defendants Jenkins, Barnett, Rabon, Burrell, Garnett, and Garcia were charged with and pleaded guilty to this robbery count.

United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani made the announcement.

The following chart summarizes the number of counts each defendant pleaded guilty to and the sentence each defendant received:

 

Defendant Number of Counts in Guilty Plea Sentence (months)
Demarco Barnett Conspiracy + 3 substantive robberies 114
Jakari Jenkins Conspiracy + 3 substantive robberies 96
Danny Garcia Conspiracy + 2 substantive robberies 84
Garland Rabon Conspiracy + 2 substantive robberies 75
Aramiya Burrell Conspiracy + 1 substantive robbery 82
Lester Garnett Conspiracy + 1 substantive robbery 70
Darrin Hutchinson Conspiracy + 1 substantive robbery 70
Ricky Joseph Conspiracy + 1 substantive robbery 68
Keanna Smith-Stewart Conspiracy 50
Total 709

 

In addition to the custodial time, the Court also ordered restitution in the amount of $150,338.00.

The Violent Crime Strike Force is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Yenni Weinberg.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI and the Oakland Police Department.

Previous Arrests of Suspects

According to localcrimenews.com, the five-foot, 11-inch, 215-pound Demarco is Black and has a history of nine arrests dating back to 2014 including five times for burglary and once for hit-and-run; the five-foot, five-inch tall, 180-pound Jenkins is Black and has been arrested 30 times since 2013 including 14 times for burglary, plus, multiple times for domestic violence, drugs and gun charges; the six-foot tall, 190-pound Rabon is Black and has a history of 11 arrests since 2016 including multiple times for burglary and petty theft, as well as gun charges; the five-foot, seven-inch tall, 195-pound Burrell is Black and has been arrested nine times since 2014 including for carjacking, burglary and multiple gun and ammunition charges; the six-foot, one-inch tall, 190-pound Garnett is Black and has been arrested six times since 2015 including multiple times for burglary as well as for DUI, gun and drug charges; the five-foot, 10-inch tall, 260-pound Hutchinson is Black and has been arrested three times including once for being an addict in possession of a firearm; Joseph is Black and has three arrests including one for burglary; and the five-foot, five inch tall, 135-pound Smith-Stewart is Black and has been arrested once on April 29, 2024, but no details were available. Information about Garcia was requested. Please check back later for any updates to this report.

Further Information:

Case No. 23-cr-00191-AMO

Electronic court filings and further procedural and docket information are available at https://ecf.cand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.  Judges’ calendars with schedules for upcoming court hearings can be viewed on the court’s website at www.cand.uscourts.gov.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Drone operator charged for flight near Levi’s Stadium during NFL game

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Violated temporary restrictions at Rams vs. Niners contest on Nov. 9, 2025; faces one year in prison and $100K fine

No Drone Zones this week in S.F., at Levi’s Stadium for Super Bowl LX & related events; violators face up to $75K fine, more

By Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Lo, PIO, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of California

SAN JOSE – A San Francisco man was charged in a federal criminal complaint for flying a drone within restricted airspace surrounding Levi’s Stadium during a National Football League (NFL) game in violation of a temporary flight restriction (TFR) imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

According to the criminal complaint and court documents filed today, Junwei Guo, 27, operated a drone within the airspace surrounding Levi’s Stadium on Nov. 9, 2025, during a game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams.  As court documents describe, the FAA has issued a TFR that prohibits all aircraft, including drones, from operating within a three nautical mile radius of any stadium with a seating capacity of 30,000 or more people during, among other events, regular or post-season NFL games.  The “stadium TFR” classifies the airspace defined in the restriction as “National Defense Airspace” and remains in effect for a specified time period before, during, and after the qualifying event.

The complaint alleges that Guo flew the drone as high as approximately 2,300 feet above ground level, an altitude that raises significant concerns for public safety and the potential disruption air traffic control in the area.  Guo allegedly did not register the drone with the FAA, obtain a remote pilot’s certificate with the FAA, obtain FAA authorization to fly the drone in national defense airspace, or comply with the requirements of the FAA’s recreational use exception.

United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani made the announcement.

Defendant is scheduled to appear in federal court in San Jose on Feb. 27, 2026, for an initial appearance.

A complaint merely alleges that a crime has been committed, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine for the charged violation of national defense airspace under 49 U.S.C. § 46307.  Any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina Liu is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Natachiana Burney.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI, the Federal Air Marshal Service, and the Santa Clara Police Department.

No Drone Zone for Super Bowl LX Week

The FAA, in coordination with the FBI, has established a “No Drone Zone” for Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on Feb. 8, 2026, with additional drone restrictions surrounding Levi’s Stadium and in downtown San Francisco during the days leading up to the event. Areas include the Moscone Center, The Pearl, The Ferry Building, Grace Cathedral and the Palace of Fine Arts.

Drone operators who enter restricted airspace without authorization may face fines of up to $75,000, drone confiscation and federal criminal charges, with the FBI identifying operators, seizing drones, and supporting prosecution

For more information, please visit: https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/faa-and-fbi-announce-strict-no-drone-zones-super-bowl-lx.

Further Information:

Case No. 26-cr-70083-MAG

Electronic court filings and further procedural and docket information are available at https://ecf.cand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. Judges’ calendars with schedules for upcoming court hearings can be viewed on the court’s website at www.cand.uscourts.gov.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Two Concord men among four charged in Fremont jewelry store heist

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20-year-old Jose Herrada-Aragon, 19-year-old Andres Palestino, two others stole $1.7 million of merchandise, each face 20 years in prison and $250,000 fine

By Michelle Lo, PIO, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of California

OAKLAND – A federal grand jury has indicted four defendants, Afatupetaiki Faasisila, 20, of San Bruno, Jose Herrada-Aragon, 20, of Concord, Andres Palestino, 19, of Concord, and Tom Parker Donegan, 19, of Fairfield, in connection with the June 18, 2025, robbery of a jewelry store in Fremont.  Faasisila and Palestino were arrested yesterday and made their initial appearances in district court today.  Herrada-Aragon and Donegan are currently in state custody on other charges and will be transferred to federal custody.

Faasisila, Herrada-Aragon, Palestino, and Donegan were initially charged by complaint on December 8, 2025, and subsequently indicted on December 18, 2025.  The indictment, unsealed today, charges each defendant with one count of robbery affecting interstate commerce.  According to the criminal complaint and other court documents, on June 18, 2025, over two dozen masked individuals conducted a takeover-style robbery of a Kumar Jewelers located on Mowry Avenue in Fremont.  Surveillance video captured a gray Honda ramming into the store’s front façade to force entry.  One individual brandished a firearm at the store’s security guard, while another held the guard’s arms and forced him to the ground.  Dozens of masked individuals, including Faasisila, Herrada-Aragon and Palestino, allegedly stormed the business, which was occupied at the time.  Once inside, the robbers used hammers and other tools to smash display cases and grab the jewelry contained within, resulting in an estimated loss of approximately $1.7 million worth of jewelry.  After ransacking the store, the robbers left with the stolen goods and got into waiting vehicles to flee. (See additional details in the NBC Bay Area news report)

The complaint alleges that Donegan drove one of the getaway vehicles, leading responding police officers on a vehicle pursuit before eventually crashing the car in another part of Fremont.  There, the four defendants exited the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot, only to be apprehended by officers.  Several pieces of stolen jewelry were recovered in the defendants’ flight path and the abandoned vehicle, which had also been reported stolen.

United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani made the announcement.

Palestino is next scheduled to appear in federal court in Oakland for an arraignment on January 14, 2026, and Faasisila is next scheduled to appear for a detention hearing on January 16, 2026.

A complaint or indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  If convicted, the defendants each face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the count of robbery affecting interstate commerce in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1951(a) and 2.  Any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sloan Heffron and Wendy Garbers of the Violent Crime Strike Force are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Lakisha Holliman and Yenni Weinberg.  The prosecution is the result of a joint investigation by the FBI and the Fremont Police Department.

Anyone who has information relevant to this case can report it by contacting the FBI at (415) 553-7400 or tips.fbi.gov.

According to localcrimenews.com, Herrada-Aragon was also arrested on Aug. 31, 2025, by Concord Police for warrants or holds only.

According to the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, as of this morning, Palestino was being transferred to another facility.

Further Information:

Case No. 25-cr-00435-HSG

Electronic court filings and further procedural and docket information are available at https://ecf.cand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.  Judges’ calendars with schedules for upcoming court hearings can be viewed on the court’s website at www.cand.uscourts.gov.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

62-year-old Pleasant Hill woman sentenced to prison for embezzling from charity serving young people

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Will serve over 2 years for taking over $1.6 million

Spent money on first-class airfare, Warriors game floor seats, 49ers game box seats, Hawaii condo

Restitution amount to be decided later

By Michelle Lo, PIO, U.S. Attorney’s Office Northern District of California 

OAKLAND – Carrie Lynn Grant was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for embezzling over $1.6 million from a Northern California charity organization that provides educational materials and programs to prepare young people to succeed in a global economy.  U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín handed down the sentence this week.

Grant, 62, of Pleasant Hill, California, was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 22, 2024.  Grant pleaded guilty on August 11, 2025, to one count of wire fraud.  According to the plea agreement and court documents, over a period of years from November 2017 to June 2023, Grant abused her role as the finance manager of the charity, depositing charity money into her personal account while creating fraudulent records to cover her tracks.  Grant spent the money on, among other things, first-class air travel, floor seats for a Golden State Warriors game, box seats for a San Francisco 49ers game, and a condominium in Hawaii.  In total, Grant stole more than $1.6 million dollars from the non-profit organization.

United States Attorney Craig Missakian and FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Agustin Lopez made the announcement.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Martínez-Olguín also sentenced the defendant to a three-year period of supervised release.  The Court will determine the amount of restitution Grant must pay at a later date.  The defendant will begin serving the sentence on March 9, 2026.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan M. Mateer is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Christine Tian and Amala James.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI.

Case No. 24-cr-00403-AMO

Electronic court filings and further procedural and docket information are available at https://ecf.cand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. Judges’ calendars with schedules for upcoming court hearings can be viewed on the court’s website at www.cand.uscourts.gov.