• English English English en
  • Español Español Spanish es
DA NewsCenter
  • Link to Facebook
  • Link to Youtube
  • Link to X
  • Link to Instagram
  • Link to Rss this site
  • Home
  • News
  • Video
  • Resources
  • About
  • Contact
  • Click to open the search input field Click to open the search input field Search
  • Menu Menu
  • DA, Downtown Partnership Join Forces to Deter Retail Theft, Support Businesses

  • DA Launches Elder Scam Prevention Campaign

  • District Attorney Opens New One Safe Place in South County, Supporting Victims of Crime

  • DA Summer Stephan Testifies Before U.S. Senate on Cracking Down Organized Retail Crime

    DA Summer Stephan Senate Testimony on Organized Retail Crime. July 15, 2025, Washington, D.C.
  • Innovative Shelter Ready App Expanding Countywide

Previous Previous Previous Next Next Next
12345

Latest News

Stolen Funds Coming Back to Support Students

January 30, 2026

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced today announced the San Diego County Board of Supervisors has given her office authority to grant $25 million from the Charter School Fraud trust fund to the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) to fund a seven-year, countywide plan to strengthen and expand access to mental […]

Read more
https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/01-30-26-SDCOE-Trust-Fund-Grant-News-Conference-PHOTO.jpg 720 1280 Barbara Medina https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/danews_logo-summer-e1751410255309.webp Barbara Medina2026-01-30 17:09:002026-01-30 17:09:00Stolen Funds Coming Back to Support Students
La Bella's Cold Case Victim Ryan Cunningham. (Photo by 10News).

Grand Jury Indicts Four Gang Members for Chula Vista Cold Case Murder

January 20, 2026

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said today that a grand jury has returned an indictment against four gang members who attacked and killed a man at a Chula Vista restaurant nearly 21 years ago. Jose Roque-Garcia, 50; Carlos Herrera, 42; Marco Herrera, 41; and Franco Dominguez, 43, have all been charged with murder. […]

Read more
https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/La-Bellas-Cold-Case-Victim-Ryan-Cunningham.jpg 720 1280 Barbara Medina https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/danews_logo-summer-e1751410255309.webp Barbara Medina2026-01-20 12:37:212026-01-20 14:26:15Grand Jury Indicts Four Gang Members for Chula Vista Cold Case Murder
Prisoner handcuffed behind bars

Family Predator Sentenced for Molesting Multiple Relatives over Years

January 16, 2026

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said today that a man who over several years molested five different nieces between the ages of 5 and 16 has been sentenced to prison. Joaquin Ruiz, 45, was sentenced to 102 years to life in prison for 18 counts of sex abuse against a child including forcible […]

Read more
https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Prisoner-handcuffed-behind-bars.png 720 1280 Barbara Medina https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/danews_logo-summer-e1751410255309.webp Barbara Medina2026-01-16 14:24:492026-01-16 14:24:49Family Predator Sentenced for Molesting Multiple Relatives over Years
Page 1 of 158123›»

Video

East County Drug Court Graduation | How Drug Court & S.C.O.P.E. Change Lives

https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/East-County-Drug-Court-Graduation-2026.jpg 720 1280 Barbara Medina https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/danews_logo-summer-e1751410255309.webp Barbara Medina2026-01-29 17:00:192026-01-30 10:08:45East County Drug Court Graduation | How Drug Court & S.C.O.P.E. Change Lives

Join us for the San Ysidro Education Collaborative Community Forum on Feb. 10

https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/San-Ysidro-Community-Forum-2-10-26.jpg 720 1280 Barbara Medina https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/danews_logo-summer-e1751410255309.webp Barbara Medina2026-01-29 14:58:542026-01-29 14:58:54Join us for the San Ysidro Education Collaborative Community Forum on Feb. 10

DA Weekly News with DA Summer Stephan 01-16-26: Grand Jury Indicts 21 in Illegal Street Racing Case

https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/1-16-26-DA-news.jpg 716 1271 Barbara Medina https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/danews_logo-summer-e1751410255309.webp Barbara Medina2026-01-16 14:52:552026-01-29 14:54:06DA Weekly News with DA Summer Stephan 01-16-26: Grand Jury Indicts 21 in Illegal Street Racing Case

DA Summer Stephan Highlights Shelter Ready App at Homelessness Conference | DA Weekly News 12-11-25

https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/12-11-25-DA-news.jpg 707 1267 Barbara Medina https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/danews_logo-summer-e1751410255309.webp Barbara Medina2025-12-11 14:51:072026-01-29 14:52:30DA Summer Stephan Highlights Shelter Ready App at Homelessness Conference | DA Weekly News 12-11-25

Shop with a Cop 2025 | DA Investigators & Ibarra Elementary Students Holiday Adventure

https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Shop-with-a-Cop-2025-DAI.jpg 717 1271 Barbara Medina https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/danews_logo-summer-e1751410255309.webp Barbara Medina2025-12-08 14:46:562026-01-29 14:50:37Shop with a Cop 2025 | DA Investigators & Ibarra Elementary Students Holiday Adventure

DA Summer Stephan Shares Top Tips to Stop Porch Pirates | DA Weekly News 12-04-25

https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/da-summer-stephan-shares-top-tips-to-stop-porch-pirates-da-weekly-news-12-04-25.jpg 720 1280 Barbara Medina https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/danews_logo-summer-e1751410255309.webp Barbara Medina2025-12-04 11:56:532025-12-04 12:03:11DA Summer Stephan Shares Top Tips to Stop Porch Pirates | DA Weekly News 12-04-25

More videos >

SDDA Facebook

San Diego County District Attorney and DA Summer Stephan

Fri February 6th

San Diego County District Attorney
⚖️ Welcome to the next generation of justice.On January 30, District Attorney DA Summer Stephan proudly swore in 15 new Deputy District Attorneys committed to serving the people of San Diego County.In this special moment, our newest prosecutors share why they chose a career in public service — and why they chose the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office to make a difference.Join us in congratulating these dedicated public servants as they begin their journey to uphold justice, protect our communities, and stand for what’s right. 👏#SanDiegoDA #Prosecutors #SanDiegoCounty #PublicService #Justice ... See MoreSee Less

Video

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

SDDA Instagram

sddistatty

‪🏛 Pursuing equal & fair justice for all.
⚖️ Prosecuting crime, Protecting victims & Preventing future harm.
No DMs. Contact: SanDiegoDA@sdcda.org

Stolen funds are being put back where they belong: Stolen funds are being put back where they belong: supporting students. 📚✨

After successfully prosecuting the landmark A3 Charter Schools fraud case, the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office recovered more than $280 million in stolen education funds. In sentencing, the judge ordered that the recovered money be distributed to benefit the public—directing portions to the County of San Diego, to K–12 student victims, and to the State of California—and made clear that funds designated for students must be used exclusively for programs that directly support K–12 education.

As a result, a Charter School Fraud Trust Fund was established, and the DA’s Office was authorized by the County Board of Supervisors to administer grants that return stolen dollars to students and families. The DA’s Office has now awarded $25 million from that trust fund to the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) to implement HeartSpire, a seven-year, countywide initiative that brings together schools, county services, and community partners to expand mental health, safety, wellness, and educational supports for K–12 students across San Diego County—turning accountability into real, lasting impact.

“This funding will make a real difference in the lives of K-12 students and their families as they navigate wellness, safety, homelessness and mental health challenges,” said DA Summer Stephan. “I continue to be very proud of our public corruption/consumer protection expert prosecution team that delivered justice in the A3 Charter Schools criminal case and now, we’re seeing how the trust fund established as a result of the case is impacting the community in positive ways, funneling the money stolen by the defendants back to deserving young people in our schools.”

MORE DETAILS: https://danewscenter.com/?p=9697 

EN ESPAÑOL: 
Fondos Robados Regresan para Apoyar a Estudiantes https://danewscenter.com/?p=9693
Recovery. Hope. Second chances. 🙌 At the East Coun Recovery. Hope. Second chances. 🙌
At the East County Drug Court Graduation, San Diego County District Attorney @SummerStephan explained how Drug Court provides accountability, treatment, and hope for individuals struggling with substance use disorders—and celebrated a major milestone through the SCOPE program.

SCOPE (Severe Co-Occurring Pilot East) was created to serve individuals with serious mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders—an underserved population that often faces significant barriers to treatment. Through strong collaboration with the East County Center for Change, Action Central, and the East County Drug Court team—including DDA Joseph Fusco— participants receive individualized, specialized treatment and support.

During this graduation ceremony, the court proudly honored its first SCOPE graduate, highlighting meaningful progress toward long-term recovery, housing and employment stability, and family reunification.

The results? Real progress toward long-term recovery, stable housing and employment, and family reunification. We were proud to honor these graduates and celebrate what’s possible when innovation, compassion, and accountability come together. 

This program demonstrates how collaborative justice improves lives while strengthening public safety.🌟⚖️
 
 
#DrugCourt #SanDiegoDA #CollaborativeJustice #JusticeWithCompassion #SecondChances SubstanceUseRecovery MentalHealthMatters
Community. Safety. Action. San Diego County Distri Community. Safety. Action.
San Diego County District Attorney @SummerStephan invites you to join us in San Ysidro for an important community forum with the San Ysidro Education Collaborative.
We’ll talk about the issues impacting our families right now—
⚠️ Fentanyl dangers & overdose awareness
🛑 Consumer fraud prevention
💙 Human trafficking prevention & awareness
📱 Social media safety to protect kids online
📍 Ocean View Hills Elementary School
🗓 Tuesday, Feb. 10
⏰ 5:30–7:30 p.m.
🎟  No Cost Event & open to the public
Your voice matters. Your safety matters. We hope to see you there. 💬🤝
This morning, San Diego County District Attorney @ This morning, San Diego County District Attorney @SummerStephan joined Attorney General Rob Bonta and law enforcement partners to announce the results of Operation “Stand on Demand,” a statewide human trafficking operation conducted during Human Trafficking Awareness Month.
The operation underscored our office’s year-round commitment to fighting human trafficking and sexual exploitation—while deploying a new state law that holds buyers of sex more accountable by making loitering to purchase sex a crime. Dozens of individuals were cited under the new law, primarily in areas known as “the blade,” directly addressing the demand that fuels trafficking.
In San Diego County, the operation resulted in:
▪️ 105 sex buyers arrested
▪️ 4 individuals arrested for alleged human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and related crimes
Operations were conducted at motels in National City, Santee, and San Marcos, as well as in neighborhoods across the county where individuals are openly bought and sold for sex.
DA Stephan thanked the Human Trafficking Task Force, Deputy District Attorney David Jarman, and Carolyn Matzger, Chief of the Sex Crimes and Human Trafficking Division, for their leadership and dedication.
Human trafficking remains a lucrative criminal industry—but together, we are holding traffickers and criminal buyers more accountable than ever.

#HumanTraffickingAwareness #HumanTraffickingAwarenessMonth #StopHumanTrafficking
San Diego County District Attorney @SummerStephan San Diego County District Attorney @SummerStephan said today that a grand jury has returned an indictment against four gang members who attacked and killed a man at a Chula Vista restaurant nearly 21 years ago. Jose Roque-Garcia, 50; Carlos Herrera, 42; Marco Herrera, 41; and Franco Dominguez, 43, have all been charged with murder. The defendants were arraigned today in San Diego Superior Court.

“This case demonstrates that my office, working with law enforcement, will continue to seek justice no matter how long it takes. The resolve of the DA’s Bureau of Investigations working alongside our prosecutors to fight for justice for this innocent victim never wavered.” said DA Stephan. “This was a brutal crime that took the life of a victim who was looking forward to starting the next chapter of his life.”

On March 20, 2004, Roque-Garcia, a high-ranking member of a Mexican drug cartel, was at La Bella’s Pizza Garden in Chula Vista celebrating the baby shower of his then-girlfriend and mother of his child. During the event, Roque-Garcia’s girlfriend accused a patron in the restaurant, 22-year-old Ryan Cunningham of stealing the keys to her car. Cunningham was an innocent bystander who was simply at the restaurant enjoying a drink while celebrating his upcoming relocation to Arizona the next day. Roque-Garcia called his gang associates and directed them to come to the restaurant to “f--- up” Cunningham.

Minutes later, Dominguez and the Herreras drove to La Bella’s where Roque-Garcia pointed out the victim. Using a 2 x 4 piece of wood, taser, metal chair, and a knife, the group collectively and viciously attacked the unsuspecting and unarmed victim, culminating in a fatal stab wound to the victim’s chest.

In spite of excellent investigatory work by the Chula Vista Police Department, the case ran cold with no meaningful leads for decades. By re-examining the case over the past several years, prosecutors and DA investigators were able to piece together missing pieces of evidence that ultimately supported the grand jury’s indictment.

(CONTINUED IN COMMENTS) 

EN ESPAÑOL:  https://danewscenter.com/?p=9644
Today, we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Today, we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. #MLKDay
San Diego County District Attorney @SummerStephan San Diego County District Attorney @SummerStephan said today that a man who over several years molested five different nieces between the ages of 5 and 16 has been sentenced to prison.

Joaquin Ruiz, 45, was sentenced to 102 years to life in prison for 18 counts of sex abuse against a child including forcible lewd acts, oral copulation on a child more than 10 years younger, possession of child sexual abuse material and other counts. A jury found him guilty in August of every count.

“Predators who steal the innocence of a child, creating a lifetime of trauma, have no place in our society.” DA Stephan said. “Today’s sentence is a message to sexual abusers that you will be held to account, and you will not hide in the shadows, no matter what your affiliations are. I am grateful to our expert sexual abuse prosecution team, who delivered a measure of justice to the victims in this case.”

Considered devoutly religious, Defendant Ruiz was known as “the perfect man” in his family, so much so that when the first victim disclosed, her parents and the defendant’s wife did not believe her. This caused the victim to recant her disclosure and apologize to the defendant. A second niece disclosed what Ruiz did to her, but the girl’s mother and sister kept her disclosure secret for months until they confronted Ruiz and his wife at a park. The confrontation became so heated that the police were called, which kickstarted the child abuse investigation. The investigation revealed additional victims, videos from hidden cameras that Ruiz placed in his bathrooms to capture the young children using the toilet, and screenshots of child sexual abuse material from sites the defendant visited.

(CONTINUED IN COMMENTS)
EN ESPAÑOL: https://danewscenter.com/?p=9632
In this week's DA News, District Attorney Summer S In this week's DA News, District Attorney Summer Stephan discusses a case where a Grand Jury has indicted 21 defendants in a major crackdown on dangerous street racing across San Diego County. Working alongside SDPD and CHP, law enforcement is holding reckless drivers accountable and taking action to reduce traffic deaths, injuries, and illegal high-speed racing on our roads.
Details in the video.
San Diego County District Attorney @SummerStephan San Diego County District Attorney @SummerStephan announced today that the prosecutions of three gang members involved in a shootout two years ago that left an innocent teen girl paralyzed has concluded with the final defendant, Juan Velazco Diaz, 21, being sentenced to 24 years in state prison for his violent crimes.

On October 28, 2023, two rival gang groups collided outside of a high school party in the Talmadge area of San Diego. After exchanging verbal gang challenges, a member of each gang, Juan Velazco Diaz and Kenneth Hill, produced guns and shot at each other. Velazco Diaz shot first, missed his target and the bullet struck 17-year-old high school cheerleader Brianna Wallace, who happened to be standing across the street near the 4400 block of Winona Avenue. Wallace was shot in the back and was instantly paralyzed from the waist down.

“It is heartbreaking when innocent members of our community are caught in the crossfire of senseless gang violence,” said DA Stephan. “Our hearts go out to the teen victim whose brave testimony was pivotal in obtaining justice in this case. Acts of gang violence devastate neighborhoods and will never be tolerated. Our office remains committed to holding those who would commit such violence fully accountable and to working with our law enforcement partners to reduce organized gang crime and prevent these tragedies from happening.”

After a joint investigation between the San Diego Police Department Gang Unit and the District Attorney’s Office’s Gangs Unit, Velazco Diaz, Kenneth Hill, 20, and Davian Austin, 21, were all arrested for their involvement and prosecuted. Hill and Austin were convicted of assault with a firearm, and Velazco Diaz was convicted of attempted murder with the use of a firearm and assault with the use of a firearm causing paralysis. Hill received a nine-year prison term. Austin received a sentence of one year in jail and was placed formal probation for two years.

Deputy District Attorney Kyle Sutterley in the DA’s Gangs Division prosecuted this case. (CONTINUED IN COMMENTS)

EN ESPAÑOL: https://danewscenter.com/?p=9624
Follow on Instagram

Stay Connected

  • facebook
  • youtube
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • rss

Hall of Justice • 330 W. Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101
SanDiegoDA@sdcda.org | (619) 531-4040

© San Diego County District Attorney. All rights reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms And Conditions
  • San Diego County District Attorney’s Website
Scroll to top Scroll to top Scroll to top