Category Archives: Weekly News Top Stories

DB Woman Pinned By Car

Staff Reports

Diamond Bar – A Diamond Bar woman was sent to the hospital after she was pinned by a car in at her home in Diamond Bar.

While teaching her teenage son to drive, the woman got of the car while inside the garage and walked in front of the car. The teenager, her son, accidentally lunged forward in the car, pinning her between the garage wall and the automobile.

She was hospitalized after firefighters removed her from the accident in a residential neighborhood late Thursday, officials said. The accident took place around 9 p.m. in the 1100 block of Cleghorn Drive , LA County Sheriff’s department spokesman Lt. David Buckner said.

The mother  suffered injuries that possibly included broken ribs, but were not believed to be life-threatening, Buckner said.

Safety Tips From LASD

By Captain Alfred Reyes

Walnut – As your Walnut Diamond Bar Sheriff Captain, I would like to encourage you to be proactive in your community as honorary “volunteers” in helping our community remain safe. We would like to promote a few safety tips you should find helpful:

1.      Don’t become a victim of mail theft.  Remove your mail from your mailbox promptly after delivery.  Enroll in the USPS Informed Delivery Program

2.      Keep your car doors locked and do not leave personal items such as back packs, laptop cases, and electronic devices in plain view. 

3.      Report suspicious vehicle and people who may be casing an area to commit a crime. 

4.      If you are considering installing a burglar alarm, be sure to place a sensor on upstairs bedroom sliding glass doors. 

5.      If you own a late 1990’s to early 2000 Honda or Toyota, consider installing an anti-theft device such as an audible alarm, kill switch or steering wheel lock.

6.      Utilize the vacation check program.  (Residence can request patrol checks of their property while on vacation).

7.      Get involved, join a Neighborhood Watch Program.         

These are simple tips that could help you avoid being a victim of a senseless and random crime. Keep an eye out for anything or anyone that may be an obvious sign of a crime or safety issue. Thanks for making this such a great community.

4 Chino Residents, 1 CH Resident Arrested For Attempted Burglary

By Michael Armijo

Chino Hills – Five area residents were arrested this week by Chino Hills Police when they were caught attempting to burglarize a home and apprehended at gunpoint.

Garret Rogers, 19, Ruben Medivil, 19, and Roberto Alonso Salmon, 18, all of Chino, Joaquin Leonardo Salmon Garcia, 20 from Chino Hills, and a 17 year-old male juvenile from Chino were arrested Monday May 1st, around 1 pm in the afternoon, after a homeowner caught them inside his residence. Three suspects were apprehended at the scene while two others ran away but were subsequently caught a short distance away by Chino Hills PD.

On Monday, May 1, 2017 at 1:05 p.m. the Zhang family was inside their home on the 13000 block of Gemstone Court when they heard noises on the upstairs balcony of their home. The suspects then attempted to enter the home through an upstairs door. Home owner Yan Zhang retrieved a handgun and confronted the suspects. Zhang held the suspects at gunpoint while a neighbor called 911, and his wife kept the children safe.
Two of the suspects fled, but were captured nearby when Deputy Eileen Smith arrived on scene. Many of the surrounding neighbors assisted by providing information to the responding deputies. All five suspects were taken into custody. Four of the suspects were booked into the West Valley Detention Center, and the juvenile suspect was cited and released to his parents.
 The family spoke little English. Their neighbor told CBS2’s Crystal Cruz what happened Monday afternoon when the family heard unwanted guests in their back yard.

“They came home from supermarket, and they noticed somebody jump the fence and try to pry in. And he panicked. He had a gun. So he pulled out and do a warning shot,” neighbor Tony Tran said to CBS2 reporter Crystal Cruz.

Neighbors wondered why the burglars picked a home with bars on the windows and described as Fort Knox of the cul-de-sac.

“If that’s what he felt he needed to do, that’s what he needed to do. Because you don’t know. You walk in and someone’s in your house. You don’t know if they’re going to kill you.” neighbor Lapedtra Singleton said to the CBS2 reporter Crystal Cruz.

Last month, at another house nearby, the homeowner was sleeping when he said two people with their faces covered tried unsuccessfully to break into his place through the window and left in a white car, CBS2 Cruz reported.

Anyone with additional information reference this incident is urged to call the Chino Hills Police Department at (909) 364-2000. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call WeTip at (800) 78-CRIME. And refer to case #221701495 

Woman Charged With Murder In DUI Crash That Killed Child

By SBSD

 

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.  – A 34-year-old Redlands woman has been charged with murder and multiple counts in connection with a DUI crash in San Bernardino that killed 3-year-old Michael Flores.

Crystal Fuentes was arrested Thursday after striking and killing the child who was crossing Base Line Street in a crosswalk with his family.

“This is every parent’s worst nightmare, to lose a child,” District Attorney Mike Ramos said. “When I heard about the deadly crash that took the life of 3-year-old Michael Flores, my heart broke for him and his family.”

Fuentes is charged with one count of Murder, one count of Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated, one count of Driving While Under the Influence of Alcohol – Prior Convictions, one count of Driving with a .08% Blood Alcohol Content – Prior Convictions, and one count of Driving When Privilege Suspended for Prior DUI Conviction.

Arraignment details are still pending (Case # FSB17001651). When arraignment information becomes available, it will be posted on the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Twitter account (@sbcountyda). No further information will be released at this time.

Sheriff Department Recognizes Volunteers

Photo courtesy: LA SD
DCS member Mark Coon, Explorer Isaiah Garcia, Reserve Deputy Victor Hassan, Volunteers Sebe Garton, Fernando Prado, Lois Van Akin, and Larry Wang were recognized as Volunteers of the Year for their respective areas.

By Michael Armijo

Diamond Bar, CA – Last week the Walnut/Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Booster Club hosted their 27th Annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner at the Diamond Bar Country Club, to a crowded room of over 105 guests. The night honored volunteers who have given their time and energy to assisting the department on a volunteer basis.

DCS member Mark Coon, Explorer Isaiah Garcia, Reserve Deputy Victor Hassan, Volunteers Sebe Garton, Fernando Prado, Lois Van Akin, and Larry Wang were recognized as Volunteers of the Year for their respective areas. Congressman Ed Royce, representatives from the State Senate and Assembly in Sacramento, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, and members of the Diamond Bar and Walnut City Councils attended to show their appreciation.

“Our station has one of the finest volunteer programs in LA County,” said Captain Alfred Reyes. “We have over 100 volunteers who proudly serve our communities.”

The recognition dinner, which is funded by the Sheriff Booster club via donations to their non-profit 501 c 3 organization, serves two purposes: first to acknowledge the countless hours the Disaster Communication Services (DCS) members, Deputy Explorers, Reserve Deputies, and Volunteers donate to the Station during the year. The second purpose was to recognize specific individuals from each program who went above and beyond in their service to the station and the community.

“Each year we hold an annual golf tournament to raise funds for this event among other needs the department needs that are not on the budget from the county,” said Sheriff Booster President Gil Rivera of www.SellYourCasa.com. “They give generously of their time to help in many areas including patrol and vacation home checks, in addition to thousands of hours at sobriety check points and school traiffic assistance.”

If you’dlike to support their cause please call Gil RIvera at 909.967.4525 or Sgt. Saldecke at 909.595.2264.

Cyclist Found Dead In Chino Hills State Park

Photo by Michael Armijo

By Michael Armijo

Chino Hills – A 42-year old Downey resident was found dead in the Chino Hills State Park last Monday around 2 pm after he was reported missing the night before.

Sokha Pho, 42, of Downey, was reported missing by his family after he failed to return home from his bike ride on Sunday. The initial missing person report was investigated by park rangers, who located Pho’s vehicle parked near the Chino Hills State Park Discovery Center in Brea, 4500 Carbon Canyon Road, but found no sign of Pho, said Lt. Steve Gil of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, which was assisting in the search.

Investigators from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department contacted the Chino Hills Police Station and requested mutual aid in locating a missing mountain biker in the Chino Hills State Park, local reports said.

A San Bernardino County sheriff’s helicopter ultimately found the body in the park, which straddles both counties; the body appeared to have suffered trauma injuries, which may indicate he fell or was ejected from his mountain bike. It was unclear if that agency has initiated a criminal investigation.

Members of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department searched the west portion of the park, while the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department – West Valley Search and Rescue, along with the Department’s air ship (40 King), searched the east portion of the park. At approximately 2:05 p.m, 40 King crew members located Pho’s body near Raptor Ridge on the Telegraph Canyon trail. Pho was pronounced deceased. The San Bernardino County Coroner’s Division responded to the location. The cause of death is currently unknown and will be determined after an autopsy is completed, a press release said.
Anyone with additional information reference this incident is urged to call the Chino Hills Police Department at (909) 364-2000. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call WeTip at
(800) 78-CRIME (27463)., referring to case #031701165.

Accident Sends Two to Hospital

Photo by Michael Armijo

By Michael Armijo

Chino – An accident on Pipeline and Schafer Wednesday morning sent two people to the hospital when a car hit a box truck pushing it on its side and into a light pole.

At about 6:05 am Wednesday morning Maria Hernandez, 30, of Ontario was traveling west bound on Shafer Avenue in her 2012 grey Honda Civic when she collided with a 2004 box truck driven by Francisco Sodo-Mejia, 27, also of Ontario, according to Tamrin Olden, Crime Prevention Officer for Chino PD.

“The intersection was closed to oncoming traffic in each way for several hours during the investigation,” said Officer Olden, “the investigation is ongoing so no other details are available.”

Mejia, the driver of the box truck which was struck by the Honda, was apparently ejected. It was not yet determined if he was wearing a seatbelt or not. Hernandez struck the truck and then collided with the tree, Olden confirmed.

“They were both taken to local hospitals via ground ambulance without life threatening injuries,” she added. Mejia remains in the hospital as of Friday April 21, with extensive injuries and was downgraded to having no life threatening.  Hernandez was released the same day. No updates were available except there were no life threatening injuries.

If anyone has any information or witnessed the accident Officer Olden encourages them to call the Chino Police Department at 909.628.1234.

Photo by Michael Armijo

College Degrees, Certificates Pay Dividends City of Walnut

By Mike Taylor

WALNUT––Earning a community college degree or certificate continues to deliver a remarkable return on investment, according to a report from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office.

Based on information gleamed from the Chancellor’s Office Salary ,students who earn an associate’s degree more than double their annual pre-degree wages after two years and nearly triple pre-degree wages after five years.

The data show that 48 percent of students who receive an associate degree earned $56,000 or more annually within five years of graduation. Meanwhile, 44 percent of students who receive a certificate from a community college earned $56,000 or more after five years.

“This proves once again that earning a degree or certificate from a California community college can lead students to a well-paying career,” California Community College Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley said in the report.

Degree programs with the highest median incomes five years after graduation include radiation therapy technician $98,185 annually, electrical systems and power transmission $110,829 per year, and physician assistant $112,127 annually.

Available online, the Chancellor’s Office Salary Surfer estimates potential wages based on the aggregated earnings of community college graduates from a variety of programs and provides information on which colleges offer specific disciplines.

The California Community College system is largest system of higher education in the nation with 72 districts and 113 colleges serving 2.1 million students.

Gang Member Sentenced To 80 Years To Life For Murder

SBC PD

SAN BERNARDINO. – A documented gang member with a prior strike conviction has been sentenced to 80 years to life in state prison for the murder of 25-year-old Roy Craddock.

Juan Fuentes, 26, of San Bernardino, was sentenced Friday at the San Bernardino Justice Center by Superior Court Judge J. David Mazurek after being convicted of one count of Murder on March 27, 2014.
Supervising Deputy District Attorney Jill Gregory, who was formerly assigned to the Central Division Gang Unit, prosecuted the case.

Prior to sentencing one of the victim’s family members addressed the judge:

“We do not understand how another human being, who bleeds just as we do, could be so quick to pull the trigger and take the life, the very last breath, last drop of blood from the most kind-hearted and loving human being to walk this earth… While we were standing over his casket waiting for him to wake up, give us a hug and tell us it was just a dream, his body never moved. After a while, we were all forced to realize that we were living in a nightmare.”

Statement of Facts

It was a rainy Friday morning-November 4, 2011. The body of a young man was found lying near the entrance of Muscoy Elementary school, with six close-range gunshot wounds to the head.

A custodian at the school came upon the scene of the crime just before school started and alerted authorities. The victim was identified as 25-year-old Roy Craddock, a lifelong resident of Muscoy, who had attended that very elementary school.

“Through interviews with the victim’s family, we were able to find out that the victim had called the night before just after eleven o’clock, asking to be picked up in the vicinity of the school,” said Gregory.

Gregory added that although family members drove to the location immediately to pick him up, they were unable to locate him and he was not responding to repeated phone calls.

Surveillance video from the school showed that the victim had passed by the front of the school at 11:19 p.m. on Nov. 3, 2011, and then doubled back towards the flagpole in front of the school as though two individuals there caught his attention.

“The shooting itself was caught on surveillance, although it was shadowy and dark enough to provide only a bare outline of what had occurred there,” said Gregory.

After a month-long investigation by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Homicide Team, then-Sgt. Brad Toms and Detectives Landaeta, Johnson, Peterson and Cannon, questioned Fuentes, who was 20-years-old at the time.

Fuentes later admitted to investigators that he shot the victim, claiming self-defense.

According to Gregory, the surveillance video proved helpful in casting doubt on the defendant’s claim, as it showed the defendant’s contact with the victim to be under forty seconds in length.

Historic Planes of Fame Airshow Being Sued for “Obstruction” of Businesses

By Marissa Mitchell

 

Chino – A lawsuit recently filed is seeking to stop the historic airshow held annually at the Planes of Fame Air Museum. The air show is scheduled to take place on May 6 and 7 at Chino Airport.

The suit alleges that the event “obstructs and impedes” other tenants’ business operations, thus violating the licensing conditions of the event itself. The lawsuit is seeking unspecified damages and the hearing is scheduled April 20 in San Bernardino County Superior Court.

Harry T. Geier, director of marketing and development at Planes of Fame, remarked, “As we await the judge’s decision on April 20th, we are going forward with preparations and looking forward to the show.”

Planes of Fame is a nonprofit organization led by Steve Hinton, a warbird devotee and former champion air-racer. The organization has submitted an online appeal for supporters to help save the 25th annual air show of this historic landmark.

The online petition had gathered 14,670 voters by April 12 out of a desired 15,000, exhibiting a strong desire for the continuation of the show. On the petition website, the organization stated that the air show, “serves as the primary fundraising effort for the Planes of Fame Air Museum…[It] helps us to carry on our mission to preserve aviation history, inspire an interest in aviation, education of the public, and honor aviation pioneers and veterans.”

On April 2, the law firm Borchard & Callahan announced the lawsuit on behalf of several airport tenants, including Zangeneh Aeronautics, Socal MRO, Flying Tigers Aviation, Yanks Air Museum, and AFT Center. All businesses allege that the losses over the 9-day period of set-up, event, and take down for the airshow are significant.

Nonetheless, Geier noted, the museum is still selling tickets online, but, he stated, “if the airshow is cancelled due to decision, we will refund all of the tickets bought in advance on our website.”

Up to this point, all of the acts for the historic airshow have already been scheduled.

“The volunteers and workers are committed and the airshow performers are looking forward to participating and supporting the air show on May 6 and 7,” declared director Geier optimistically. With much public support rallying behind them, Planes of Fame staff and community family hope to celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of the museum with another successful airshow.

Walnut/Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Station Golf Tourney Successful

By Marissa Mitchell

Walnut/Diamond Bar – Walnut and Diamond Bar Sheriffs stations recently held their annual Booster Club Golf Tournament. The tournament was successful and another testament to the support, both monetary and action-based, behind the station. Not only do the funds help generally, but the funds aid specifically the volunteer and auxiliary programs within the communities of service.

This support is vital to maintaining the safety of the public and continuing to sustain the communities as safe and enjoyable.

Thanks were made specifically to Booster Club President Gil Rivera, the Board of Directors, and the sponsors who donated generously. Thanks have also been given to all participants for the tournament’s great success.

78-Year Old Hiker Dies On Beloved Mountain

By Marissa Mitchell

San Dimas, CA – After days of searching, rescuers discovered the body of missing hiker Suek “Sam” Kim on Mount Baldy this past Tuesday afternoon, April 11th.

The 78-year-old had climbed Mount Baldy, Los Angeles County’s highest peak and the fourth tallest in Southern California, over 800 times, according to reports.

San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department discovered the body via a helicopter crew on the north side of the mountain at 2:10 p.m. Tuesday.

Earlier in the day on Tuesday, search-and-rescue teams from 5 different counties were searching for Kim.

On Friday, he had gone hiking but never returned; Sunday, he was reported missing.

The Los Angeles Times profiled Sam Kim last year. Kim had stated that he wanted to complete his thousandth climb in 2017.

Kim considered himself a sort of “ambassador” or representative to the mountain, handing out snacks to hikers and taking pictures with them.

From this time on, due to the location of the body, a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department San Dimas Station will control the investigation.

Courtesy: Los Angeles Times

2 Die and 4 Injured in Church Parking Lot Accident

By Marissa Mitchell

 

Chino – A man driving a sports utility vehicle (SUV) struck six people in a church parking lot on Sunday, April 9, killing two and injuring four. Police say it was not terrorist-related.

The crash occurred at 7 p.m. in the parking lot of East Sarang Community Church, locate at 5540 Schaefer Avenue in Chino, CA. After an event held at the church, the senior male driver of the charcoal gray SUV reversed too forcibly when backing out, going over a curb and striking six pedestrians.

All six victims were women, and two were killed immediately upon impact. The other four were seriously injured, but with non-life threatening injuries. The driver and his passenger also sustained non-serious injuries, per the police, and were transported to the hospital as well.

“We do not believe that any alcohol or drugs played a part in this collision,” stated Lt. Kevin Mensen of Chino PD. The investigation is ongoing.

All six female victims were attending the event at the church, but were not members.

Police do not believe the crash to be intentional, but there is no immediate cause for the crash at this time.

Kevin Mensen stated of the driver, “We don’t know what his coherentness was. We don’t know what caused [his sudden acceleration], whether his age or anything else.”

The names of the person involved have yet to be released.

Prior Chino Hills City Hall Being Bought Out By Private Owner

By Marissa Mitchell

 

Chino Hills – On April 4, the Chino Hills Planning Commission met to discuss the plan that private owner Trumark Homes is requesting approval of for the area over which previously stood Chino Hills City Hall.

Due to various issues with municipal code and site plan reviews, the hearing was continued to April 18, and the report from that review meeting is still being drafted.

What is termed as the “Founders Village Project” because it is located on Founders Drive has been beset with various issues. Previously the location of Chino Hills Civic Center, with the new purchase, the sloped areas of the property would be designated as “private open space” and the flat area of the property would be classified as “medium density residential.”

Discussed at this planning meeting was the adoption a Municipal Code Amendment, which would exempt developments consisting only of duplex housing units from the obligatory building separation standards for multi-family developments in Chino Hills Municipal Code (CHMC).

There would be 38 duplexes consisting of 76 dwelling units in this former municipally-owned area. These proposed 76 units would range from 2,442 sq. ft. to 2,569 sq. ft, each unit possessing five (5) bedrooms, a two-car garage, and a minimum of 525 square feet of private open space (such as backyard space).

Senior Planner Ryan Gackstetter presented the information on this project to the Planning Commission on April 4. The project applications include a General Plan Amendment, Zone Change, Municipal Code Amendment, Site Plan Review, and Vesting Tentative Tract Map. Overall, it would help the city reach housing and population goals.

One public speaker and resident of the adjacent neighborhood on Deer Haven Drive, Antonio Tau, voiced concerns about parking. He stated that the on-street parking within the project may be insufficient, and so residents and guests would park on surrounding streets, such as his own. He suggested prohibitions to overnight parking or required permits as a solution to this potential problem. This concern played a part in the continuation of the hearing until April 18.

The senior planner Gackstetter stated of the proposed alterations and concerns, and the private application overall, “The applicant is making concerted efforts and strides toward adaptation to code and paying heed to surrounding citizens’ concerns.”

A few of the issues the Commission discussed with both staff and applicant included the following: street improvements and project requirements to ensure driver visibility entering and exiting Founders Drive; guest parking on the driveways of the duplex units with fewer on-street parking; landscaping, irrigation, and maintenance of project perimeter slopes; project design, the connection of the duplex units, and the quality of the architecture, among others.

After the application is brought to the commission, it will be brought before the City Council Citizens of Chino Hills will soon see just what their “old” city hall becomes, and who that land houses.

Distracted Driving: Be Aware! A Month of Enforcement

Staff Reports

Diamond Bar – This month is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and CHP officers will be acting accordingly in and around the Diamond Bar Area.

This past week, April 5th was an enforcement day, as will be April 19th. Officers will be on the look out to give citations. Moreover, officers have been and will continue to speak to drivers of all ages warning them of dangers of distracted driving.

According to California law, the phone must not be observed to impair the driver’s ability to see, nor can it block the potential deployment of an airbag. Many judgments of officers of what this means is based on a case-by-case scenario, with the officer’s discretion.

Distracted driving and reckless driving is the number one killer of teens in America, according to the California Highway Patrol.

A driver must not hold or operate electronic devices, including smart phones. For a phone to be legally visible in the car, a phone must be mounted on the dash, the center console or one of the lower corners of the windshield, according to CHP.

Man Arrested For 8 Year Old’s Murder

By Marissa Mitchell

Chino Hills – This past Sunday a man was arrested on the charge of murder by drive-by shooting of an 8-year-old boy in Pomona, CA.

On March 26, Sengchan Houl, aged 35 of Pomona, was taken into custody and booked on suspicion of murder for the demise of Jonah Hwang, a young boy shot to death on February 20th of this year. The shooting occurred on 1100 block of West 11th Street in Pomona.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office will decide later whether or not to seek the death penalty against Houl, who is currently being held without bail while waiting arraignment on April 26 of this year. The murder charge includes the allegation of murder committed while firing from a motor vehicle.

At the time of the shooting, the boy was in the home with his family while visiting friends for dinner. He was struck by the bullet and killed upon impact. Police have stated that the family formerly residing at the house of the aforementioned crime had no gang affiliations.

Pomona police Chief Paul Capraro, during news conference that ensued the Monday following the shooting, declared there have been four shootings in total since January of this year aimed directly at this house, but for unknown reasons.

“On three of the shootings, the house was unoccupied,” stated Capraro. “Evidence suggests that all four of these shootings are related.”

Investigators were able to identify the vehicle used in all four shootings, and thereafter arrested Houl this past Sunday.

Regarding the arrest, Capraro attested, “Mr. Houl was stopped (while) driving the suspect vehicle…In his possession at the time of his arrest was a firearm that we believe was used in the shootings.”

The motive for these shootings remains unclear, and the investigation continues. Capraro stated police are trying to discover any other accomplices.

The suspect does not have an extensive criminal record, and it is unknown if he is or was involved in criminal organizations.

Chino Hills Resident Charged In Bribery Scheme To “Fix” Cases

By Marissa Mitchell

Chino Hills – Chino Hills citizen Juan C. Rosas Santillana, age 33, is scheduled to plead guilty on April 21 for participating in a racketeering scheme by acting as a recruiter in a large-scale bribery operation.

On Wednesday, March 29, a former clerk of the Orange County Superior Court pled guilty to federal racketeering charges. With the aid of above Chino Hills resident Juan Rosas and other recruiters, the clerk collected more than a $250,000 in bribes to illegally resolve both criminal cases and traffic offenses.

The clerk, Jose Lopez Jr., age 36 of Anaheim, pled guilty to one count of conspiring to violate the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). Lopez admitted that he was at the center of a scheme in which co-conspirators (including Chino Hills resident Santillana) paid him as much as $8,000 in bribes to “fix” cases.

Chino Hills resident Juan Rosas Santillana and others were middlemen who “recruited” individuals with pending cases to pay money to resolve their cases without authorization of the court.

With the help of aforementioned middlemen, or recruiters, “defendant [Lopez] improperly resolved approximately 1,034 cases, including 69 misdemeanor driving under the influence cases, 160 other misdemeanor cases and 805 traffic-related infraction cases.” Lopez admitted to these charges on the plea agreement.

Over the course of 5 years, recruiters sent to Lopez and Lopez subsequently “resolved” cases by entering information in court computers to do any or multiple of the following: making it appear that a defendant had pled guilty, making it appear that required fees had been paid and/or community service time served, and even that drunk driving charges had been dismissed or defendants had already served required jail time.

Moreover, Lopez was also found to have forged the signature of a prosecutor within the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

The conspiracy finally ended in the spring of 2015 when the court discovered the misconduct and took steps to reopen cases that Lopez and his affiliates had interfered with.

“This defendant compromised the justice system in Orange County to line his pocket with money he used to travel abroad, take trips to Las Vegas and open a Mexican restaurant,” stated United States Attorney Sandra R. Brown. “This scheme affected hundreds of cases and caused havoc in the Orange County Superior Court – problems that were further complicated when the former clerk encouraged others to lie about the scheme.”

Lopez pled guilty before United States District Judge Josephine L. Staton, who is scheduled to sentence the defendant on September 22. Consequently, Lopez faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

“The defendant ignored the rule of law and potentially undermined public safety by essentially serving as judge and jury in scores of cases to enrich himself,” declared Deirdre Fike, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “The FBI and our partners will continue to investigate complaints of corruption by public officials and those with access to sensitive information.”

With Lopez’s guilty plea, there remain 10 people charged last fall with participating in the racketeering scheme by acting as recruiters.

The other 10 defendants who have pleaded guilty or have agreed to plead guilty are the following:

  • Juan C. Rosas Santillana, 33, of Chino Hills, who is scheduled to plead guilty on April 21;
  • Ricardo Quinones, 33, of Santa Ana;
  • Ramon Salvador Vasquez, 28, of Santa Ana;
  • Manuel Galindo Jr., 27, of Santa Ana;
  • Gibram Rene Lopez, also known as “Ivan,” 27, of Anaheim;
  • Agustin Sanchez Jr., 32, of Santa Ana;
  • Luis Alberto Flores Guillen, also known as “Bills,” 26, of Santa Ana, who pleaded guilty earlier today;
  • Oscar Centeno, also known as “Mosquito,” 27, of Santa Ana;
  • Jeff Reynes Fernandez, also known as “Lean,” 25, of Fullerton; and
  • Jesus Saldana, 28, of Garden Grove.

Special agents within the Federal Bureau of Investigation and IRS Criminal Investigation continue to investigate this case.

Man Convicted For Murder May Avoid Life

By Michael Armijo

Diamond Bar – A man accused of killing a gas station attendant over 20 years ago was convicted last week in the two decade old murder may avoid serving a life sentence because he was a teenager at the time, authorities said Tuesday.

Lino Jesus Acero, now 38, was 17 years old when he walked into an Arco gas station on Nov. 18, 1994, in a robbery attempt that killed Mahfouz Ghabour. Acero was convicted of being the trigger man when he went behind the counter and shot Ghabour in the chest. He fled with an accomplice empty handed, officials said.

The jury, who deliberated for only a few days, convicted Acero last Monday. Using a handgun in a crime would normally lead to a life sentence without parole, but because of a Supreme Court ruling earlier this year found that such punishment was cruel and unusual for juveniles.

Acero faces at least 25 years to life in prison, authorities said. He’s scheduled to be sentenced June 10 when the judge can order the life sentence or a reduced sentence.

Mt. Sac Solar Project Moves Forward

By Marissa Mitchell

 

Walnut – A recent judge’s ruling has given Mt. San Antonio College the go-ahead to construct its long-awaited solar project, previously contested by the City of Walnut and neighboring residents.

On March 14, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James C. Chalfant found that because the project is a solar generation facility, it is exempt from city land use, zoning, and building controls. This ruling halts the city’s stop-work order on the college. Moreover, he rejected the city’s request to take lead agency status. Mt. Sac thus maintains responsibility for conducting the project under the CEQA: California Environmental Quality Act.

“We are pleased the judge supported Mt. SAC’s position on this matter,” stated the President of Mt. SAC Bill Scroggins. “We are looking forward to working cooperatively with the City of Walnut and neighbors.”

The project will be located on Mt. Sac premises known as the “West Parcel,” a triangular piece of land South of Temple Avenue.

Even though the judge ruled that Mt. SAC is not required to apply to the City of Walnut for a conditional use permit or building permit, it must submit grading and truck hauling plans for the solar project. City engineers must then review and process the grading plans for approval. However, the authority of the city’s review is limited by state code to onsite review only – meaning the design and grading issues can only be judged and assessed inasmuch as they affect the site itself.

“The college has had a long history of working with the city on construction issues such as grading and truck hauling,” Scroggins declared. “We will monitor the city’s progress on the review of our grading and hauling plans and collaborate with city staff to expedite the process.”

Because the system will generate 2.2 megawatts of electricity for the campus, it will save taxpayers at least $480,000 a year, as well as approximately $15 million over the 25-year life cycle of the system. This project will move the college closer to energy independence and improve the quality and reliability of campus electrical service.

Funding for the project has included voter-approved Proposition 39 Clean Energy Funds, California Solar Incentive Funds, and California Energy Commission loans.

Bomb Threat at Chino Hills High Locks Down School

Photo courtesy: Google Images

By Marissa Mitchell

Chino Hills – Tuesday, April 4, Chino Hills High received a telephonic bomb threat to the school. The phone call occurred at approximately 1 o’clock p.m. that day.

A male individual called on April 4 and threatened to “blow up” the school. The principal immediately ordered a lockdown of the entire school.

Thereafter, the Sheriff’s department received a call informing them that a possible bomb threat had been issued at CHHS. The entire school was immediately put on lockdown as the police arrived and proceeded with a thorough investigation.

The police conducted searches of every building on campus while students were waiting for them to check and clear the space. Deputies searched and swept the school room by room. Students were moved to a safe area as the searches were conducted.

Roads were closed at that time. Surrounding streets were closed and have since reopened.

Many parents flooded social media during this frightening time, asking online for prayer. At the end of the school day, students were given the “all clear” and were allowed to go home.

No motive was clear and no one has been apprehended so far.