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'Did You Know...?'
Issue 9, 2016
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Welcome to the ninth edition of our 'Did You Know...?' newsletter for 2016.
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In this issue:
- DA O'Malley presents Law Enforcement Officer Recognition Awards
- Wrap-up of Domestic Violence Awareness Month
- DA O'Malley and CADA Dunleavy honored on Irish Legal 100 list
- Felony conviction in human trafficking case
- Consumer action judgement against My Pillow
- Last week for DAJA applications
- Felony verdicts
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DA O'Malley Presents Officer Recognition Awards
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At an annual meeting of District Attorneys and Inspectors, DA Nancy O'Malley presented the Officer Recognition Awards. These annual awards acknowledge our law enforcement officers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to see justice prevail.
Awardees included:
Sergeant Miguel Campos of the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene of a burglary and an attempted home invasion robbery of a family in Dublin in June 2016. Through Sergeant Campos' efforts, the investigation ultimately led to the identification and arrest of the defendant Matthew Muller and helped tie him to the to the kidnapping and sexual assault of Denise Huskins and attempted kidnapping of Aaron Quinn in Vallejo.
Defendant Muller pled no contest to the charges stemming from the home invasion and is scheduled to be sentenced in US District Court for other related crimes in January.
Detective Kenneth Kwok of the Fremont Police Department for his work on the case against Kwangmin Jin, in which the defendant drugged and sexually assaulted his victims. The efforts of Detective Kwok initially resulted in a confession to two sexual assaults, but he and the officers working under his direction continued their investigation. Defendant Jin met his victims on dating websites and Detective Kwok discovered identified five new victims, four of whom were added to the case.
Defendant Jin pled guilty to 6 counts of sexual assault before the preliminary hearing and was sentenced to 16 years months in state prison.
Detective Michael Gebhardt of the Fremont Police Department worked tirelessly on the investigation and murder prosecution of Alexander Yohn, who struck and killed a motorcyclist while under the influence. Victim was Andrew Silva, a marine who had recently returned from an overseas deployment. Detective Gebhardt was involved from the onset of the investigation to sentencing, and located the witness who was with defendant until shortly before the murder who provided a crucial timeline of events. For the family of the victims, Detective Gebhardt provided great support during the trial.
Defendant Yohn was convicted by a jury of Murder in the Second Degree and was sentenced to 15 years to life.
The Alameda County DA's Office would like to thank these officers and all of our law enforcment partners who assist us in serving our communities.
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Domestic Violence Awareness Month
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On Friday, 28 October, 2016, the Alameda County DA’s Office and the Alameda County Family Justice Center (ACFJC) hosted their annual Day of Remembrance event honoring those lives lost as a result of domestic violence. The hallway outside Department 1 was lined with life-sized cut outs of unnamed victims decorated with their tragic stories, and numerous organizations set up tables to share information and resources with the public.
Attendees heard the moving story of Julie, a survivor of domestic violence, and the new skills she has developed through the STEP-UP women’s empowerment program at the ACFJC. During the ceremony, the names of the women, children and men who been killed in domestic violence incidents were read out by ACFJC clients and survivors of domestic violence. It was sombre, powerful and moving tribute to these victims. At the end of the ceremony, attendees were invited to place a rose in front of photos of victims.
DA O’Malley, in her closing remarks, spoke of our commitment to preventing more names being added to this list. Our work continues.
If you are a victim of domestic violence, or wish to help someone who is suffering in silence, please contact the ACFJC on (510) 267-8800 or visit acfjc.org for valuable resources.
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DA O'Malley and Chief Assistant DA Dunleavy Honored on the Irish Legal 100 list
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In late October, District Attorney Nancy O'Malley and Chief Assistant District Attorney Kevin Dunleavy were honored by the Irish Voice Newspaper on their annual Irish Legal 100. The list honors Irish-Americans for their dedication and service to the legal profession.
DA O'Malley and CADA Dunleavy attended the formal function for the Irish Legal 100 at the residence of the Irish Ambassador, Anne Anderson, in Washington DC.
We congratulate DA O'Malley and CADA Dunleavy on their wonderful honor.
(L-R: Irish Ambassador to the US, Anne Anderson, with Chief Assistant DA Kevin Dunleavy; Ambassador Anne Anderson with DA Nancy O'Malley)
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DA Announces Consumer Protection Judgement
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On October 31, 2016, Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley announced that her office, in conjunction with the nine other District Attorney’s Offices that together comprise the California Food Drug and Medical Device Task Force, resolved a consumer protection action against My Pillow, a manufacturer and seller of pillow and bedding products.
The complaint was filed in Alameda County Superior Court and alleges that My Pillow made representations about the health effects of its products that were not supported by scientific evidence.
“My office will remain vigilant in pursuing false advertising cases against manufacturers of consumer products that deceptively advertise the health benefits of their products,” said DA O’Malley.
Under the terms of the stipulated judgment, My Pillow agreed to pay $995,000 in civil penaltiesand to make an additional $100,000 in direct contributions to non-profit organizations around the state that provide sleeping accommodations to the homeless or those who are victims of domestic violence. Read more about the judgement....
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Final Call for DAJA 2017 Program
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The DA's Justice Academy (DAJA) is in the final week of accepting applications for the 2017 program. DAJA is a six month learning and working experience for high school students ages 16 and up who are interested in pursuing the study of law, justice, social justice, and the courts.
The Academy is open to high school juniors and seniors who are residents of Alameda County and attend public school in the Tri Valley, Eden and North County regions. It's a highly competetive program that has graduated over 200 students, so get your applications in ASAP! Applications are due Thursday, November 10. Find out more about the program and dowload an application form...
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Felony Convictions in Human Trafficking Case
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Last month, a jury convicted three defendants in a brutal human trafficking case. Defendants Paul Booker, Jason Antoine Beasley, and Ruben Manzell Mitchell were convicted of numerous offences and enhancements, including kidnapping, torture, assault with a firearm, attempted pandering, and human trafficking for commercial sex. Defendants Booker and Mitchell were additionally convicted of rape by a foreign object as well as assault with a deadly weapon. Read more about the case...
Defendants Paul Booker, Jason Antoine Beasley, and Ruben Manzell Mitchell are scheduled to be sentenced on December 2, 2016.
The case was prosecuted by DDA Neil Layton with assistance from DA Inspector Tim Bergquist and Victim-Witness Advocate Liliana Bueno.
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People v Adam Kalani Jones
On October 27, 2016, defendant Adam Kalani Jones was convicted of assault upon a peace officer with a clause for causing great bodily injury, as well as resisting, obstructing or delaying a peace officer. The court found Defendant Jones violated his parole and found true three state prison priors. Read the summary of the case...
Defendant Adam Kalani Jones is scheduled to be sentenced on December 9, 2016.
The case was prosecuted by DDA Keydon Levy with assistance from DA Inspector Tom Cleary.
People v Andrew Resto Gutierrez
On October 24, 2016, a jury found defendant Andrew Resto Gutierrez guilty of rape of an intoxicated person and rape of an unconscious person. Read the summary of the case...
Just prior to the start of the trial, Defendant Gutierrez pled guilty to the arsons. He is scheduled to be sentenced for both the arsons and the rape charges on January 5, 2017. He will have to register as both an arsonist and sexual offender upon his release from prison.
The case was prosecuted by DDA Matt Gaidos with assistance from DA Inspector Jim Rullamas and Victim-Witness Advocate Marina Hammergren.
People v Lazaro B. Guzman
On October 21, 2016, a jury convicted defendant
Lazaro B. Guzman
of one count of aggravated sexual assault and six counts of lewd and lascivious acts against John Doe, a minor under the age of 14. The jury also convicted him of one count of continuous sexual abuse and three counts of lewd and lascivious acts against Jane Doe, a minor under the age of 14.
Read the summary of the case...
Defendant Lazaro B. Guzman is scheduled to be sentenced on December 16, 2016.
The case was prosecuted by DDA Amanda Chavez with assistance from DA Inspector Jean Luevano and Victim-Witness Advocates Lily Bueno and Yuen Chiang.
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Do you have a question for the District Attorney?
If you would like to see a particular question answered in our next newsletter, please email us at
info@alcoda.org.
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HEAT Watch is the anti-human trafficking program run by the DA's Office. It coordinates the response to help fight trafficking in the Bay Area and beyond.
Point of View
The well-known legal educational tool written and published by the DA's Office.
Find out when the next court date is for a particular case. Available 24/7.
Find out the custody status of a person of interest. Available 24/7.
We provide speakers for your next school or community meeting who come to you with decades of expertise about the law, the criminal justice system and how we at the DA's Office can help you if you have been the victim of a crime.
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