Contra Costa Herald

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

Female Richmond biology teacher charged with molesting 7 boys

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By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Office of the District Attorney, Contra Costa County

Anessa Paige Gower. Photo: Richmond PD

Martinez, Calif. – A former Richmond school teacher is facing multiple charges of child molestation. The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office filed 29 counts against Anessa Paige Gower on April 8, 2022, in Contra Costa County Superior Court. Gower was a biology teacher at Making Waves Academy in Richmond and allegedly engaged in numerous acts of a sexual nature with minors between 2021-2022.

Richmond Police, with assistance from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, arrested Gower at Sacramento International Airport on April 6, 2022, as she was returning to California from Hawaii. She is currently in custody in Richmond.

The case involves seven minors, so their identities are being withheld.

Investigators took statements from the victims and witnesses about a number of incidents involving sex acts with minors, inappropriate touching, and sharing sexually graphic photos over online platforms.

The Richmond Police Department posted the following message on their Facebook page Friday evening:

“Today, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office formally charged a Richmond teacher with 29 counts of sex crimes against minors. This was an excellent collaborative effort by multiple agencies, including extensive follow-up by Richmond PD officers and detectives, our allied agencies, and our prosecutors’ office.

We are grateful for our ongoing partnership, working together to prevent further victimization of our community’s most vulnerable population – our children.”

Court Docket Number: 202204080002

Richmond’s Safe Return Project to celebrate 10th anniversary April 23

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It has been ten incredible years since the launch of the Safe Return Project and we are looking forward to the promise of a new decade that brings us closer to mass liberation, racial equity, and a more just world.

To celebrate the positive impact we have had on the lives of thousands of formerly incarcerated individuals and their families, our accomplishments in policy and advocacy, the community we have built for ourselves, and this year’s graduating fellows, we will be hosting our 10-year anniversary celebration on April 23, 2022 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM.

Join us for great music, local food and drink, and the chance to build community as we celebrate the empowerment of our fellows! I can think of no greater cause for celebration than the incredible personal transformations our fellows have developed within Richard Boyd Fellowship program! They really have done an incredible job – this is their day!

Two North Richmond “Swerve Team” gang members found guilty of murders, other violent crimes

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Marrico Williams (left) and Torion Young. Photos by Richmond PD

Third defendant guilty of lesser crime

By Ted Asregadoo, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa County Distict Attorney

On Wednesday, March 30, 2022, a Contra Costa County jury found defendants 24-year-old Marrico Williams and 23-year-old Torion Young, guilty of multiple charges for their roles in a prolific crime spree committed by members of the North Richmond criminal street gang known as the “Swerve Team.”

Williams was found guilty of two counts of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, three attempted murders, three assaults with a firearm, nine robberies, three burglaries, two carjackings, along with various firearm and injury enhancements.

Young was found guilty of two counts of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, four attempted, one assault with a firearm, one residential burglary, along with various enhancements.

The jury convicted 26-year-old defendant Cardell Waters of conspiracy to possess an illegal firearm — but was unable to reach a verdict on the remaining counts.

In 2016, over a six-month period, members of the Swerve Team committed a string of violent crimes against rival gang members and innocent community members throughout Contra Costa County. The crime spree ended on September 30, 2016, when Williams and fellow Swerve Team gang members were arrested following a high-speed chase through multiple cities, which ended in San Pablo.

Police searched the vehicle driven by Williams and found evidence from cell phones and camera images. Williams, Young, Waters, and five other Swerve Team gang members were indicted in 2017 by a grand jury following a massive federal and state investigation centering on multiple shootings, including three homicides. The trial against the defendants was based on ballistic evidence, cellular records, and forensic evidence, along with the testimony of 185 witnesses.

The sentencing will be heard later this year before the Honorable Judge Charles “Ben” Burch in Martinez. Williams and Young face multiple 25 to life prison sentences. The remaining case against Waters is scheduled for a future court date. A determination has yet to be made as to whether Waters will be retried.

This case was investigated by numerous law enforcement agencies throughout the county including Police Departments in Richmond, Antioch, Brentwood, Pittsburg, Danville, Pinole, San Pablo, Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department, along with several out of county agencies. The Contra Costa County FBI Safe Streets Task Force also participated in the wire investigation into the Swerve Team in September of 2016. Deputy District Attorney Chad Mahalich prosecuted this case on behalf of the People.

This extensive jury trial lasted approximately 8 months, beginning in August of 2021, and ended on March 30, 2022.

Case information: People v. B. Williams, M. Williams, T. Brown, J. Hicks Jr., T. Young, R. Fluker, T. Woods, and C. Waters: 5-181436-7.

Two die in wrong way driver three-car crash on I-80 in Crockett Sunday

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By CHP-Contra Costa

Early Sunday morning, March 20, 2022, at about 3:41 AM, Contra Costa CHP was advised of a wrong way driver traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of I-80 near the Carquinez Bridge. The wrong way vehicle (Honda SUV) continued westbound in the eastbound lanes and collided head on into a vehicle (Tesla Model 3) traveling in the eastbound lanes of I-80, just west of Pomona Street. Both vehicles sustained major damage and came to rest within the eastbound lanes. Moments later, a third vehicle (Toyota Camry) traveling eastbound collided into the damaged vehicles. Due to the collision, the Honda and the Tesla became fully engulfed in flames.

The driver and sole occupant of the Honda and the Tesla sustained fatal injuries and were pronounced deceased on scene. The driver of the Toyota sustained minor injuries. At this time, it is undetermined if drugs and/or alcohol were a factor.  This incident is still under investigation. If anyone witnessed this collision, the wrong way vehicle prior to the collision, or the events leading up to the collision, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez at (925) 646-4980.

During redistricting process BART Director Simon removed from board after moving outside of current district last year

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2011 BART District 7 Map, shaded in yellow, showng area of Simon’s residence (in red circle) near the MacArthur Station, just outside the district. Source: BART.gov. Circle and arrow added by The Herald.

Says she was assured by district staff her new Oakland residence was within District 7; seat now vacant

“advice Director Simon…was provided was from individuals that report directly to the BART Board…not the General Manager’s Office.  It appears bad advice may have been given…The residency issue was reported to my Office last Thursday, March 3, 2022.” – GM Powers

Director Dufty, Board VP Li want to bring back Simon or be appointed by the Board

Lateefah Simon. Source: Akonadi Foundation website

By Allen D. Payton

Following the BART board’s adoption of new redistricting maps on Thursday, March 10, 2022, BART announced it was determined as of Wednesday, the BART District 7 Board of Director seat is vacant. BART staff has confirmed Lateefah Simon has moved outside the boundaries of District 7.  Based on state law, this move disqualifies her from serving as a BART Director of District 7 which includes Hercules, Pinole, Richmond, San Pablo and a portion of El Cerrito in western Contra Costa County, and parts of Alameda and San Francisco counties.

A mother of two daughters and legally blind, Simon moved last year from her home in Richmond to an apartment complex adjacent to the MacArthur BART station.

According to a report by Bay City News, “Simon said in a statement to supporters that she moved from her previous residence last year due to threats her family received as a result of her support for police reform” and that she was assured by district staff that her new residence was within the District 7 boundaries.

Simon was first elected to the BART Board of Directors on November 8, 2016 and was reelected in 2020. She served as President of the BART Board in 2020.

Efforts to reach Simon for comment were unsuccessful Friday.

According to the BART press release issued on Friday, BART will now follow the procedures for filling a board vacancy including a public application process. The BART Board of Directors has 60 days to appoint someone to fill the vacancy. Ultimately, voters will choose a permanent successor. BART staff will post complete details outlining the process, qualifications, and application in the coming days here on our website.

Questions for BART Staff, Directors

An email was sent early Friday afternoon to the BART Communications Department asking, “Why did it take the district’s staff a year to determine that Ms. Simon had moved outside of District 7?  Did she provide her new address to staff at that time? If so, did staff check the boundary lines to ensure Ms. Simon’s new residence was within the boundary of her district? She’s now claiming district staff assured her that her new residence in Oakland…adjacent to the MacArthur Station was inside her district. Is that true? Was this a result of the latest redistricting process and staff discovered they had made a mistake last year?”

In addition, BART staff was asked, “If Ms. Simon wasn’t legally allowed to be on the board as the District 7 member, are all the votes she took since she moved to her new residence voided? Were there any 5-4 votes in which she was in the majority? If so, what were they and might those have to be voided and new votes taken?”

Finally, they were asked to provide a more detailed map for District 7 which was adopted in 2011 that identifies the exact boundary lines between District 7 and District 3.

BART Media Relations Manager James Allison responded, “The extent of the information we are able to provide at this time is contained in this website article,” the information from which is included above.

The same questions were then emailed to the remaining eight members of the Board of Directors.

General Manager Issues Comments on District 7 BART Board Vacancy

However, BART General Manager Bob Powers issued the following statement about the issue early Friday evening:

“Lateefah Simon has been a champion for BART and our riders. The determination that her seat had to be vacated is horribly unfortunate.

I understand there are many questions about how this situation could have occurred.  I have some of the same questions.  While I know that Director Simon was open, honest, and proud about her home at the MacArthur Transit Oriented Development, I am not able to speculate about any advice she was provided by BART’s board-appointed District Secretary.

According to BART’s Legal Department, state law requires BART Board Members to live in the district they represent, and if a Director moves outside of the district, the seat is vacated.

To prevent this situation from occurring in the future I’m committed to working with the District Secretary’s Office to ensure that when a director chooses to relocate, they will know if the new address falls within their existing district boundaries.

If I had the ability to return Lateefah to the BART Board, I would immediately.

As the leader of this organization, I understand that any issues regarding BART’s performance ultimately falls to me.  However, the advice Director Simon indicated she was provided was from individuals that report directly to the BART Board, and not the General Manager’s Office.  It appears bad advice may have been given to Director Simon, and on behalf of the District, I wholeheartedly apologize for that.

The residency issue was reported to my Office last Thursday, March 3, 2022.  Upon being notified, we immediately reported the concern to the General Counsel’s Office and the District Secretary’s Office.  The General Counsel’s Office then confirmed Director Simon’s address and made the determination that the District 7 seat was vacant.

BART needs more voices like Lateefah and I am saddened she is no longer a board member.  I will follow the Board’s direction and assist however needed to fill the District 7 seat.”

BART Director Foley Asks Legal  Counsel to Answer Questions

District 2 Director Mark Foley responded by saying, “I forwarded the questions to BART’s legal counsel and District Secretary’s Office to work together to answer them. Does it invalidate or does it not? We won’t know until an election expert looks it.”

Director Dufty, Board VP Li Ask GM About Returning Simon or Appointing to Board

District 9 Director Bevan Dufty responded by sharing a letter he and District 8 Director and Board Vice President Janice Li sent to GM Powers on Friday writing, “Happy to share this letter on behalf of myself and Director Li.”

In the letter they ask Powers to enlist the help of expert outside legal counsel to determine either Simon’s “legal right to return or her ability to be appointed by the Board of Directors.”

“Dear GM Powers:

We have seen an outpouring of dismay, anger, and disappointment that Director Lateefah Simon was vacated from her seat without an acknowledgement of multiple specific points of failure that led to absolutely believe she was moving into a residence that was within BART District 7.

We recognize that there is a 60-day window for BART’s Board of Directors to appoint a Director for District 7, but we cannot support moving forward a fair and just appointments process unless and until we have pursued all legal remedies and options that would allow the person who was elected by the people of District 7 to continue representing those constituents.

For the sake of transparency and good faith, we believe that expert outside counsel should be enlisted immediately to help BART and the public determine either her legal right to return or her ability to be appointed by the Board of Directors. We also urge BART to develop a plan to determine and address the points of failure.

We unequivocally support Director Simon and we, therefore, support every legal avenue she has to retain her seat and serve her constituents and the entirety of the BART District.”

Dufty was asked via email late Friday night if they sent the letter to Powers before he issued his comments. He responded on Monday afternoon March 14, “I believe our letter was first.”

Please check back later for any updates to this report.

RCF Connects announces task force focused on ensuring equity for Black women and girls in Contra Costa

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RCF Connects Equity for BWG Task Force members. Source: RCF Connects

So that they will be valued, seen, heard, and served

By Rosalind Mays Welch, Richmond Community Foundation

Contra Costa, CA – RCF Connects, formerly known as Richmond Community Foundation, a local community foundation that is a motivator in Contra Costa County in the field of philanthropy and community change, announces the creation of the Equity for Black Women and Girls Task Force. The task force, led by RCF Connects’ Board Chair Dr. Cynthia LeBlanc, represents a collaboration of community leaders, will oversee an effort to create an awareness campaign to help inform the public of the inequities experienced by Black women and girls in our community and to ensure they gain access to the resources that can help them overcome and change current policies, practices and attitudes that are root causes of the inequities that we see today.

This effort is in answer to a recent survey of local funding organizations (described as foundations, private funders and corporate funders) which revealed that community-based funding commitments and programming in Contra Costa County for Black/African American people is less than 5% and discouragingly, less than 1% specifically for Black women and girls.

“As an organization dedicated to equity, that seeks systemic change that eliminates policies, practices and attitudes that are root causes of inequity, we cannot let this stand,” said RCF Connects’ Board Chair, Dr. Cynthia LeBlanc.

RCF Connects has a unique opportunity to center Black Women and Girls in Contra Costa County as a strategic priority in alignment with its advancement of equity as a value and goal. We understand that valuing and raising up Black Women and Girls in our community raises our entire community to a new level of health, wellness and success.

We would like to introduce to our community, the members of the Equity for Black Women and Girls Task Force who are dedicated to doing this vital and important work:

The focus of the Task Force is to release RCF Connects’ position paper entitled RCF Connects’ Equity for Black Women and Girls Initiative and ensure the successful implementation of its recommendations. The position paper highlights findings and recommendations from a comprehensive study funded by RCF Connects that included interviews and focus groups of Black women and girls across Contra Costa County. It also outlines solutions that correct the current void of services, supports, and resources specifically for Black women and girls in our community.  Exec-Sum-Equity-for-BWG-Initiative-Report

In addition, the Task Force will also evaluate and pursue partnerships with key organizations willing to commit time, talent, and resources to support Black women and girls.  Finally, the Task Force will provide expertise and insight to foundations and others willing to commit substantial funding to priorities that explicitly support Black women and girls, a valuable part of our community that is regrettably often overlooked and ignored.

In the near future, the committee will be seeking qualified candidates to head this new initiative with the core objective to fulfill The Equity for Black Women and Girls Initiative’s mission, vision, and approach.

If you would like more information about this project or seek to connect with our efforts, please contact Jim Becker, CEO, RCF Connects – jbecker@richmondcf.org.

About RCF Connects

Richmond Community Foundation, now known as RCF Connects, is a leading motivator in Contra Costa County in the field of philanthropy and community change.  Our mission is to mobilize the power of connection to build healthy, thriving communities.  Our focus is on impacting the five areas of community building:  Restoring Neighborhoods, Health, Community Growth, Quality Education and Public Safety.  We truly live, work and breathe our motto: “Together, we are shaping the future!”

 

Construction to begin on Crockett Area Guardrail Upgrades Project Monday

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By Kelly Kalfsbeek, Community & Media Relations Coordinator, PIO, Contra Costa County Public Works Department

Contra Costa County Public Works will begin construction of the Crockett Area Guardrail Upgrades Project starting Monday, February 28, 2022 through late April 2022, barring unforeseen circumstances. Work will occur between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, weather permitting. Work will take place in the Crockett Area, along the following roadways: San Pablo Avenue, Cummings Skyway, Pomona Street, Carquinez Scenic Drive and Crockett Boulevard. The project will install upgrades to existing guardrail systems. Electronic message boards will alert drivers of scheduled roadwork and lane closures. Restrictions will be in place to minimize impacts during commute hours. Drivers should expect delays.

Funding for this project is provided by Gas Tax (SB1) and Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Funds. More information for this project can be found at http://www.cccounty.us/pwdmap.

CONTACT: Construction Status, Carlos Melendez, 510.385.0506; Project Status, Jenna Caldwell, 925.313.2020

About Contra Costa County Public Works Department:

Contra Costa County Public Works Department (CCCPWD) maintains over 660 miles of roads, 150 miles of streams, channels and other drainage and over 150 County buildings throughout Contra Costa County.   CCCPWD provides services such as Parks and Recreation, Sand Bag Distribution and Flood Control throughout unincorporated areas of Contra Costa County. To learn more about CCCPWD, please visit www.cccpublicworks.org

 

Driver arrested with ghost gun parts during multi-agency task force effort Thursday night

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Ghost gun parts ammo and other items confiscated by police Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022. Photos: SPPD

Walnut Creek PD assisted by San Pablo, Oakley and Antioch PD’s

Axe, knife and more confiscated items.

By San Pablo Police Department

Thursday night, Feb. 17, 2022, SPPD assisted Walnut Creek PD in a vehicle task force assignment formed to suppress crime in participating agencies in the Contra Costa County. Officer Howes and Officer Agredano performed a proactive traffic stop on a suspicious car and through the course of their investigation they found a loaded firearm inside of the car along other gun parts to make more unserialized firearms aka Ghost guns.

The driver was arrested and taken to jail. SPPD would like to give a shout out to Oakley Police Departments and Antioch PD for their assistance.

Richmond PD asks help to ID suspect in Feb. 5 assault of woman, children

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Alleged suspect in Richmond assault of a woman and her young children on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. Photos: Richmond PD

CAN YOU IDENTIFY THIS ASSAULT SUSPECT?

Rammed her car into victim’s vehicle dragging her across the parking lot more than 150 feet

By Richmond Police Department

Richmond PD detectives are requesting our community’s assistance to identify the suspect of a violent, unprovoked attack against a mother and her young children.

On Saturday, February 5th, 2022, at approximately 12:16 PM, the victim entered the McDonald’s drive-thru at 2301 MacDonald Avenue, with her children in the car. The suspect (pictured) accused the victim of cutting in line and rammed her car into the victim’s vehicle.

When the victim got out of her car, the suspect drove directly toward the victim, striking and dragging her across the parking lot for more than 150 feet before stopping. The suspect then got out of the car and punched the victim several times as she remained on the ground, before quickly fleeing the scene.

Investigators believe this incident was an unprovoked attack upon the victim and her children. We need your help to identify this violent and dangerous suspect! If you recognize the suspect (pictured), please contact Detective O. Guzman at OGuzman@RichmondPD.net or 510-672-2493.

Woman struggling with mental health issues missing from El Cerrito since Monday, Feb. 14

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By Allen D. Payton

Kemani McAlpin, a 29-year-old Black woman struggling with mental health issues has been missing from El Cerrito, Western Contra Costa County, since Monday morning, Feb. 14, 2022

According to a family friend, the family of Kemani McAlpin is very concerned about her safety.  She was visiting family in El Cerrito and went for a walk around 7:30 am on Monday, February 14, 2022. After she did not return, at 6:30 pm, the family reported her as a missing person to the El Cerrito Police Department.

Kemani may appear disoriented at times. She was seen in the 500 block of Kearney Street in El Cerrito on Monday, Feb. 14 and there was a reported sighting of her in Oakland on the same day in the early afternoon.

McAlpin is about 5’7” and 170 pounds. She has brown eyes, her hair is black with reddish blond highlights, and she wears it pulled up in puff style.  She was last seen wearing a black face mask, beige sweatshirt, black pants and high-top Nike sneakers.

In addition to working with the El Cerrito Police, and surrounding agencies, the family is using social media to raise awareness about her disappearance and sharing fliers in El Cerrito, and surrounding communities she may have traveled to, including Oakland and Berkeley.

The family friend who chose to not be identified said, “Kemani is deeply loved and we encourage anyone with information to contact their local police department or Detective John Whitney at El Cerrito Police Department at (510) 215-4420. Additionally, text messages and calls can be made to (415) 515-3816.”