Photo of gavel, law book opened and scales of justice on a table in front of books.

DA, FBI, and HHS-OIG, Shut Down Medical Center Committing Healthcare Fraud

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced criminal charges today against  Kim Huynh, 51, who was bilking Medicare and insurance companies through phony billing practices, money laundering and practicing medicine without a license. In all, the defendant billed more than $11 million for tests and treatment not covered under insurance plans.

Huynh directed the medical billers in her clinic, Tubi Connect, Inc., to submit claims of service for EEGs, which are scans used to diagnose conditions such as epilepsy or seizure disorders a service they did not provide, rather than the quantitative electroencephalogram (QEEG) scans her clinic performed. QEEGs are not covered by Medicare or private supplemental insurance, except under limited and exceptional circumstances.

“When someone steals millions of dollars from our healthcare system, it diverts critical resources away from patients who truly need care and undermines public trust,” DA Stephan said. “This defendant brazenly billed more than $11 million in fraudulent claims, laundered the proceeds, and operated a clinic that was practicing medicine without a license. That kind of deception puts consumers at risk from both the misappropriation of taxpayer dollars and patient safety at risk. Our DA’s office worked tirelessly alongside the FBI and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) to uncover this scheme and hold the defendant accountable. Those who exploit the healthcare system for personal gain will be investigated, prosecuted, and brought to justice.”

Huynh owned and operated medical centers located in San Diego, Orange County and Texas, called Tubi Connect, Inc. The clinics provided medical care to neurodivergent senior citizens through neurofeedback therapy, an unproven experimental form of therapy in which a patient undergoes multiple quantitative electroencephalogram scans of their brain with the intent of retraining their brains to normalize activity. The scans were performed by unlicensed technicians, and the results were “interpreted” by clinic co-owner, Iman Shirali, who would present himself as doctor, though he had no medical training or certification. Shirali has since died.

“The extensive fraud perpetrated against our health care system allegedly committed by Kim Huynh is unconscionable,” said TJ Holland, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Diego Field Office. “The FBI is committed to investigating fraud against the government, to include health care fraud, using all our available resources. Today’s charges are the result of FBI San Diego and our partners at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office working together to uncover Huynh’s criminal scheme and hold her accountable.”

By claiming to provide the services that she did not render, Huynh fraudulently billed Medicare over $10 million resulting in more than $4.6 million being paid. Private insurance carriers were billed for more than $600,000 resulting in more than $100,000 being paid.

“Billing Medicare for unproven treatments, fabricated neurological testing, and services performed by unqualified individuals is a serious breach of trust,” said Robb R. Breeden, Special Agent in Charge of the Los Angeles Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS‑OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who exploit vulnerable beneficiaries and defraud federally funded health care programs.”

Huynh was arrested on March 11. She pleaded not guilty at today’s arraignment. Her bail was set at $750,000 and will be in court again on March 18, 2026, for a bail review hearing. If convicted, she faces 14 years in prison.

This case is the result of a two-year joint investigation between the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG). Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Fraenkel is prosecuting this case.

Photo of CA State Capitol building with a photo of DA Summer Stephan over it. The text reads: San Diego County DA Summer Stephan calls on the Legislature to fix the state's mental health diversion program.

DA Calls on Legislature to Fix the Mental Health Diversion System by Supporting Assembly Bill 46

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan is joining the California District Attorneys Association in their statewide call for the California Legislature to pass common sense mental health diversion (MHD) legislation, Assembly Bill 46. This legislation is sponsored by the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, and co-sponsored by many district attorneys’ offices across the state, including the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office. The bill closes legal loopholes in California’s mental health diversion law by restoring judicial discretion and ensuring the program provides treatment while protecting community safety.

Across California, reports have shown tragic cases in which dangerous individuals were granted mental health diversion only to commit violent crimes later – including murder, attempted murder, domestic violence and more. The following are three case examples in San Diego County, where the defendants should not have been in a position to victimize individuals but were on mental health diversion and then committed violent acts:

  • Downtown San Diego –Grant Parker, 34, stabbed and killed a victim outside of a hotel in downtown San Diego while on mental health diversion for threatening to kill his mother with a knife, carjacking and attacking a cellmate. The defendant was later involved in a self-inflicted hanging incident.
  • La Jolla and Bay Park -Ty Nadelen, 20, committed a series of hot prowl residential burglaries in La Jolla using stolen vehicles and was granted mental health diversion. While on mental health diversion, he attacked his grandmother with a hammer in Bay Park.
  • Vista and North Park – Priscilla Loza, 46,was on two grants of mental health diversion for carjacking in Vista and vehicle theft when she attacked a 70-year-old man in a vehicle with a wooden board in North Park.

Mental health diversion, created under Penal Code §1001.36, was designed to help individuals suffering from mental illness receive treatment instead of incarceration. However, recent court rulings and statutory limitations have significantly restricted judges’ ability to deny diversion – even in serious and violent cases – leaving courts with limited authority to evaluate whether diversion is truly appropriate.

“Mental health diversion was created to provide treatment for individuals whose crimes are driven by mental illness, but it was never intended to put victims and communities at risk,” said San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan. “Unfortunately, gaps in the current law have removed the ability of judges to use their discretion in cases where diversion is clearly not appropriate. Assembly Bill 46 restores common-sense safeguards so courts can ensure that treatment is provided to those who truly need it, while protecting public safety and preventing dangerous outcomes.”

Under current law, once a defendant meets certain statutory criteria, judges have very limited discretion to deny diversion. Courts have even been forced to approve diversion in cases where no clear treatment plan exists, community safety is at risk, or where defendants have failed prior treatment efforts – due to how the statute is written and interpreted by appellate courts.

Further, once a defendant completes Mental Health Diversion, the crime is removed from the defendant’s criminal history, removing accountability for dangerous crimes as if the crime was never committed. This puts victims, law enforcement and communities at risk if the program is not implemented properly.

AB 46 addresses these concerns by allowing courts to consider whether a defendant poses a substantial and undue risk to the physical safety of another person and whether the proposed treatment plan is clinically appropriate to address the mental health condition that contributed to the crime.

AB 46 will be heard in the Senate Public Safety Committee on March 17. Members of the public can watch the hearing live at 8:30 a.m. at: https://spsf.senate.ca.gov/committeehome

Read the CDAA letter of support here. For more information about the mental health diversion loophole visit www.placer.ca.gov/MHD.

Stock photo of two bullet rounds on the floor next to a crime scene marker.

Three Gang Members Sentenced to Life Without Parole for Multiple Murders

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced today that the three gang members involved in multiple shootings and killings have been sentenced to life without parole for the murders of three rival gang members.

Defendants Ethan Apan, 33, Kristian Apan, 32, and Ismael Betancourt, 25, were convicted last May after an 11-week jury trial in which jurors found them guilty of multiple counts of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, shooting at an occupied vehicle, assault by means likely to cause great bodily injury and several other felony counts.

The sentencing breakdown is:

  • Ethan Apan was sentenced to two terms of life without the possibility of parole plus a term of 132 years-to-life in state prison
  • Kristian Apan was sentenced to one term of life without the possibility of parole plus a term of 107 years-to-life in state prison
  • Betancourt was sentenced to two terms of life without the possibility of parole plus a term of 139 years-to-life in state prison

“Today sentencing brings to a close the gang warfare the plagued a small South Bay city with murders, shootings and retaliation,” DA Stephan said. “I am grateful to our prosecution team, Robert Eacret and Abrey Zora,” who expertly navigated the complicated underworld of gang activity to bring justice for these senseless killings.”

During their National City shooting rampage in 2019 and 2020, the trio killed Joaquin Ruiz, Marco Magana, and Juan Galvan, and severely injured Julio Martull, James Mullens, and Adan Duke. The initial killing of Ruiz was in retaliation for a rival killing a week prior. But the hunt down set off a wave of violence that included the three defendants routinely driving into rival gang territory to commit shootings, often mistakenly shooting innocent bystanders.

After a joint investigation between four San Diego Police Department Homicide Teams, the National City Police Department, and the District Attorney’s Office’s Gangs Unit, Ethan Apan, Kristian Apan, Ismael Betancourt, and six fellow gang members were arrested for their involvement and prosecuted for this string of shootings.

Prior to the trial, several co-defendants pleaded guilty and were sentenced for their involvement in the shootings.

  • Jorge Sanchez, 23 was sentenced to 105 years-to-life in state prison
  • John Anthony Orozco, 32, was sentenced to 38 years in state prison
  • Raymond Sandoval, 36, was sentenced to 20 years in state prison
  • Daisy Diaz, 28, was sentenced to 12 years in state prison

The District Attorney’s Gangs Division prosecutes complex murder cases and other serious crimes perpetrated by violent gang members who terrorize neighborhoods. These cases are handled by one prosecutor from beginning to end – also called vertical prosecution.

Deputy District Attorneys Robert Eacret and Abrey Zora prosecuted this case.

 

Photo of a consumer with a credit card and cell phone.

DA Doubles Down on Consumer Protection

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan today recognized National Consumer Protection Week (March 1 – March 7), and said her office is doubling down on its commitment to protecting consumers and is reminding residents that speaking up about scams, fraud, and unfair business practices helps protect the entire community.

“Consumer protection is about standing up for everyday people who were misled, overcharged, or taken advantage of,” said Summer Stephan. “When a company breaks the law, the harm is not abstract — it affects families who trusted what they were told and worked hard for their money. Our Consumer Protection Unit fights to hold companies who sideline the rules to unfairly enrich themselves accountable and to recover money for the people who were harmed. Our team of specialized prosecutors and investigators fights against big companies with armies of lawyers and win the battles for our everyday neighbors.”

“But these cases often begin with one person speaking up. A retiree who feels something isn’t right, a small business owner who notices a deceptive practice, or a neighbor who refuses to stay silent after being misled. During National Consumer Protection Week, I want everyone in San Diego County to know that your voice matters. When you report wrongdoing, you help us uncover patterns of misconduct, stop bad actors, and protect thousands of other consumers from being harmed.”

The District Attorney’s Consumer Protection Unit investigates unlawful business practices, and environmental abuses and pursues both civil and criminal cases against companies and individuals who defraud consumers. These actions can lead to restitution for victims, financial penalties for violators, and criminal charges when appropriate.

Recently, the DA’s Office secured a major consumer protection victory in a multi-county enforcement action involving Vivint Solar. The company agreed to a $4.3 million settlement, including a $3 million restitution fund for eligible consumers who lost money under certain solar power purchase agreements. This case demonstrates how enforcement actions can provide real financial relief for consumers harmed by deceptive practices.

The DA’s Consumer Protection Unit works to safeguard consumers and honest businesses by investigating and prosecuting unlawful business practices. The unit handles cases involving:

  • Scams targeting seniors, investigated through a first of its kind in the nation specialized Elder Justice Task Force
  • False or misleading advertising
  • Cyber scams, handled by the office’s specialized CATCH cybercrime team
  • Unfair pricing or billing practices, including those that occur after natural disasters
  • Deceptive contract terms or sales tactics including automatic renewal charges and scary debt collection tactics
  • Environmental violations, such as illegal disposal of toxic waste

Over the past year, the District Attorney’s Consumer Protection Unit has taken significant action against businesses that violated consumer protection laws, including:

  • More than $13.6 million in consumer protection judgments against multiple companies
  • Criminal fraud charges filed against a business owner who cheated customers
  • A $1 million settlement for overcharging consumers at the point of sale
  • A $3 million consumer restitution fund secured in the Vivint Solar case

These outcomes reflect meaningful consequences for businesses that break the law and real relief for consumers who have suffered financial harm.

Most consumer protection investigations begin with a complaint from a member of the public. When residents report suspicious business practices, it helps investigators identify patterns of misconduct that might otherwise go unnoticed. While the District Attorney’s Office cannot act as a private attorney for individual disputes, consumer complaints frequently form the basis for broader enforcement actions that protect thousands of people.

Residents who believe they have been misled or harmed by a company are encouraged to report it. To file a consumer complaint:

Submit a complaint online:

https://www.sdcda.org/preventing/consumer-protection/

Call: (619) 531-3507

Email: consumer@sdcda.org

Photo of District Attorney Investigator Helen Williams for Black History Month.

Meet District Attorney Investigator Helen Williams

In honor of Black History Month, which is celebrated throughout the month of February, the DA’s Office is featuring stories of employees and what inspired them to pursue a career in public service.

Meet District Attorney Investigator Helen Williams, who was born and raised in San Diego.

While at San Diego State University, she worked with teens at Juvenile Court and Community Schools, adolescents with disabilities as a teacher’s aide, and the Probation Department’s Repeat Offender Prevention Program (ROPP). After graduating from SDSU, she first joined the DA’s Office in 1999 as an Account Services Representative with Child Support Services, then served nearly 20 years as a Deputy Sheriff with the San Diego Sheriff’s Office.  Then, she returned to the DA’s Office in 2019 as a District Attorney Investigator in Family Protection. She is currently a DA Investigator with the Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (S.A.F.E.) Task Force in the Sex Crimes and Human Trafficking Division, where she oversees enforcing sex offender registration laws and enhancing public safety. She monitors registered offenders, conducts compliance checks, supports public notifications, and assists Deputy District Attorneys with Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) investigations, court hearings, and Community Safety Team meetings for conditionally released SVPs.

What inspired you to choose a career in law enforcement/at the DA’s Office?  

“Growing up amid prevalent gang violence, I saw how it impacted good families and neighbors in my community. My student role on Probation’s ROPP team gave me firsthand insight into juvenile offenders’ underlying challenges, motivating me to be part of the solution. I chose law enforcement to protect and uplift my community, and the DA’s Office to fight for victims of child abuse, sexual assault, and domestic violence—honoring my family’s legacy of service through fairness and justice.”

What is your favorite part of the job?  
“One of the most meaningful parts of my job is connecting with survivors of sexual assault and child abuse. Many Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) cases reach back decades, with some survivors victimized as children. Being trusted with their stories and healing journeys is deeply humbling. Law enforcement has made tremendous progress—embracing new technology, trauma-informed practices, and stronger victims’ rights protections. I prioritize making survivors feel seen, heard, and in control, while supporting Deputy District Attorneys as they fight for justice, accountability, and community safety. What stays with me most are moments when survivors share their strength and the lives they’ve built beyond their trauma.”

What does Black History Month mean to you, why is it important to you? 

“For me, Black History Month is both celebration and reflection. As a Black woman of Japanese and African American roots in law enforcement, it symbolizes strength, perseverance, and progress. I take deep pride in my family’s legacy—my father raised in the Jim Crow South, my grandfather as one of Savannah’s first Black dentists, and my uncle’s Great Migration journey to New York Supreme Court judge. Their resilience inspires my 26 years of service and commitment to fairness, integrity, and representation. Black History Month honors trailblazers who opened doors and challenges us to carry their legacy forward through our work, justice, community leadership, and service.”

Photo of Senior I.T. Engineer Sunday Fateropa for Black History Month.

Meet Senior I.T. Engineer Sunday Fateropa

In honor of Black History Month, which is celebrated throughout the month of February, the DA’s Office is featuring stories of employees and what inspired them to pursue a career in public service.

Meet Senior I.T. Engineer Sunday Fateropa, who was born and raised in Osun State located in the southern part of Nigeria.

Before joining the District Attorney’s Office, he worked as a Software Engineer for a power-sports parts and accessories retailer.  Additionally, for approximately two decades, he also worked as Information Technology Engineer, Computer Programmer, Web and Windows Application Developer, System Analyst and Software Developer for a series of employers in medical equipment, sales, marketing, traveling and banking industries.

He has been with the DA’s Office sin 2019. As Senior I.T. Engineer for the DA’s Information Technology Division, he is a web and windows application developer and a programmer, including the DA’s Case Management System application. As a web developer, he works on updating and supporting the DA’s public website as well as developing new standalone enterprise web applications that are customized to increase the organization’s productivity and efficiency.

What inspired you to choose a career in law enforcement/at the DA’s Office?  

“I joined the District Attorney’s Office to be able to use all the skills and experience that I’ve acquired over the years to contribute to society. The District Attorney’s Office is tasked with enforcing equality and protecting the rights of the less privileged through prosecuting crimes, protecting victims’ rights, and preventing crimes. Without law enforcement and accountability, there will be a breakdown of law and order so contributing my skills and experience in technology is a way of adding my own quota to the development and strengthening of my community, addressing inequality, and supporting vulnerable populations in the society.”

What is your favorite part of the job?  

“My favorite part of application development is putting a smile on the face of individuals after resolving their problems or when other staff use the applications that I put together to perform tasks. It gives me a sense of accomplishments when the developed applications were able to solve complex tasks for the users since I know that this alone will save lots of time and will help users to focus on other important tasks.”

What does Black History Month mean to you, why is it important to you? 

“Black History Month to me is a way of honoring and celebrating our past and present leaders and heroes who dedicated their time, energy, and life to fighting for equality and justice so that those that are coming behind them will not have to face the same type of hardship they themselves faced. It is a way of recognizing our leaders struggles for liberation and for their significant achievements.”

 

 

In Photo: Scripps Health President and CEO Chris Van Gorder today presented San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan with the Scripps President’s Award.

DA Stephan Receives Scripps President’s Award for Efforts to Help Reduce Hospital Violence

Scripps Health President and CEO Chris Van Gorder today presented San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan with the Scripps President’s Award for her leadership and partnership in efforts to help reduce crimes involving workplace violence against hospital workers across the region.

The award is the nonprofit health system’s highest honor for distinguished service to patients, physicians and staff at Scripps and to the broader community. DA Stephan has played a pivotal role in the growth of the San Diego Hospital Workforce Violence Task Force and in prosecuting criminal cases that have come forward since the group began in mid-2023.

“We are deeply grateful to DA Stephan for championing the important work of our regional Hospital Workforce Violence Task Force,” Van Gorder said. “Her leadership is helping us continually improve the way we protect and bring justice for frontline health care workers all across San Diego County.”

A former police officer and a retired reserve assistant sheriff, Van Gorder initiated the San Diego Hospital Workforce Violence Task Force as violent incidents in Scripps’ hospitals grew more common. With strong support from DA Stephan, the group has gradually grown to include leaders from various hospitals and health systems from throughout San Diego County, the DA’s Office, San Diego City Attorney’s office, San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, various regional police departments and others. The DA’s Office has put in place a special unit to handle hospital violence cases.

“It is a tremendous honor to receive the Scripps President’s Award and to stand alongside President Chris Van Gorder and our hospital partners in sending a clear message that violence against health care workers will not be tolerated,” said DA Stephan. “Our nation and region have seen an alarming rise in violence against doctors, nurses and health workers who have devoted their lives to serving others. In San Diego County, we took action to protect these selfless health professionals through the Hospital Workforce Violence Task Force, and creating a specialized team within the DA’s Office to effectively prosecute crimes committed against health workers.

“Our message is clear – You don’t get to threaten, spit on, beat, or stab the devoted hospital staff without facing justice,” DA Stephan said. “Justice in the over 100 cases we’ve prosecuted often includes addressing the root causes of the violence through court ordered mental health and substance abuse treatment. This recognition reflects the extraordinary work of our District Attorney’s Office team – especially Deputy District Attorneys Jessica Coto and Jessica Sutterley, and District Attorney Investigator Donte Kendricks, whose leadership and dedication on the Hospital Workforce Violence Task Force have strengthened protections for frontline medical professionals and helped ensure accountability for those who harm them.”

 

Group photo of the Scripps Health President's Award presented to DA Summer Stephan.

Group photo of the Scripps Health President’s Award presented to DA Summer Stephan.

The DA’s Office has prosecuted a combined 125 cases of hospital-related violence across the region since July 2023, when it started tracking such data. This includes 88 felonies countywide and 37 misdemeanors outside of the city of San Diego. (The City Attorney’s Office prosecutes misdemeanor cases within the city of San Diego.) These prosecutions have resulted in just consequences.

Moving forward, the DA’s Office plans to report expanded statistics on how many cases occur in specific medical facilities, as well as the type of criminal charges seen most frequently.

The task force, which meets every other month, has taken several steps to help improve communication and mutual understanding of workplace violence among regional hospitals, law enforcement agencies and prosecutors’ offices. For example, the group has established liaisons between hospitals and law enforcement agencies; arranged rounding tours through hospitals by law enforcement; and improved training for both hospital staff and law enforcement officers.

Scripps has worked closely with the DA’s Office to develop an online resource to guide Scripps staff through the prosecution process and has created other educational materials on the health system’s internal employee website. Scripps also has trained its staff to help avoid injuries and de-escalate potentially violent situations; incorporated artificial intelligence into existing video surveillance cameras to identify and respond to suspicious activity; integrated hospital security officers more closely into patient care teams; and deployed metal detectors outside of some facilities.

These internal efforts at Scripps, combined with its ongoing collaboration with the task force, have yielded positive results. After the first year that the task force was in place, Scripps achieved a 31% reduction in workplace violence injuries at its five hospital campuses, compared to the previous year. And from the start of the task force through the end of 2025, Scripps has achieved a 21% reduction in workplace violence injuries.

Scripps also advocated for Assembly Bill 977, a state law implemented in 2025 that increases jail time and financial penalties for people who assault emergency department workers. And Scripps supported Senate Bill 19, which was signed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2025 and allows prosecution for threats made against medical facilities, schools, houses of worship and other locations.

Health care workers account for 73% of all nonfatal workplace violence victims and are five times more likely to experience workplace violence than are other workers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

 

ABOUT SCRIPPS HEALTH 

Founded in 1924 by philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps, Scripps Health is a nonprofit integrated health care delivery system based in San Diego, Calif. Scripps treats more than 600,000 patients annually through the dedication of more than 3,500 affiliated physicians and nearly 18,000 employees among its five acute-care hospital campuses, more than 70 outpatient and specialty locations, and hundreds of affiliated physician offices throughout the region.

 

Recognized as a leader in disease and injury prevention, diagnosis and treatment, Scripps is also at the forefront of clinical research and is the only health system in the region with two level 1 trauma centers. With highly respected graduate medical education programs at all five hospital campuses, Scripps is a longstanding member of the Association of American Medical Colleges. Scripps has been ranked seven times as one of the nation’s best health care systems by Premier. Its hospitals are consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the nation’s best, and Scripps is recognized by the Advisory Board, Fortune and Working Mother magazine as one of the best places in the nation to work. More information can be found at www.scripps.org.

 

ABOUT THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE

The San Diego County DA’s Office prosecutes all felony crimes in the county and misdemeanor crimes committed outside the City of San Diego. The office files about 40,000 criminal cases a year and balances prosecution with numerous crime prevention programs. District Attorney Summer Stephan leads the office of more than 1,000 dedicated employees who pursue fair and equal justice, and support victims daily across San Diego County. You can learn more at SanDiegoDA.gov.

Photo of Supervising District Attorney Investigator Ameilia Mitcalf for Black History Month.

Supervising District Attorney Investigator Ameilia Mitcalf

In honor of Black History Month, which is celebrated throughout the month of February, the DA’s Office is featuring stories of employees and what inspired them to pursue a career in public service.

Meet Supervising District Attorney Investigator Ameilia Mitcalf, who was born and raised in Santa Cruz, California.  However, during her summers and school breaks, she traveled to Louisiana to spend time with her father and extended family, which allowed her to experience different cultures, values, and ways of life that helped shape who she is today.

Before working at the District Attorney’s Office, she served with several law enforcement agencies. Ameilia began her career in law enforcement in September 2001, working for the San Diego State University Police Department, where she served for several years. She then joined the San Diego Police Department and was assigned primarily to the Southeastern Division, working in patrol, Community Relations, the Juvenile Service Team, and Investigations as a Detective. She also spent time working investigations in the Vice Unit and later transferred to Southern Division, where she continued to work investigations for several years before leaving the department in 2015.

After relocating to the Bay Area, she joined the Walnut Creek Police Department, where she worked in patrol and was promoted to Detective, handling sex crimes and child abuse investigations. Although she valued that experience, she missed San Diego and ultimately decided to return and joined the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office as an Investigator in 2018. She worked in the Economic Crimes Division for several years before transferring to the Child Abduction Unit until she was promoted to Supervising District Attorney Investigator in 2025. She is currently assigned to the Juvenile Branch as the Supervising District Attorney Investigator, where she is responsible for leading a team of Investigators who each manage caseloads involving juvenile-related crimes. She oversees the day-to-day operations of the unit, including assigning cases, reviewing reports, evaluating performance, and providing guidance and support to both the investigators and Deputy District Attorneys. In addition, she serves as a liaison and resource for outside agencies, ensuring collaboration and effective communication as it relates to our cases.

What inspired you to choose a career in law enforcement/at the DA’s Office?  

“Since I was a young child, I have been intrigued by the work of law enforcement and the responsibility that comes with serving and protecting others. From an early age, I developed a strong passion for helping people and a desire to be a voice for those who cannot always stand up for themselves. The idea of seeking justice for the vulnerable and ensuring that everyone is treated fairly has always resonated with me on a personal level. My father and several other family members were in law enforcement, and I always admired the courage and dedication they had. Their example left a lasting impression on me and inspired a deep sense of respect and admiration for the profession. I developed a strong desire to follow in their footsteps and pursue a career in law enforcement, not only as a profession, but as a calling to serve my community, protect those in need, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

I chose to work at the District Attorney’s Office because I wanted to continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of victims and their families. Being involved in the investigative process once cases come to the DA’s office allows me to support the pursuit of justice with care, diligence, and integrity. Beyond the work itself, I believe it is essential to build and maintain strong, trusting relationships with the community we serve, creating bridges that provide support, understanding, and hope to those who need it most.”

What is your favorite part of the job?  

“The most rewarding part of my job is seeing those who have harmed others held accountable, knowing our work can bring justice and a sense of peace to victims. I especially value being part of a team of dedicated individuals who support one another and share a commitment to ensuring that justice is not only pursued but truly achieved.”

What does Black History Month mean to you, why is it important to you? 

“Black History Month is important to me because it provides dedicated time to honor the achievements, resilience, and sacrifices of those who came before me. I believe that without understanding the past, it is impossible to fully appreciate the progress and opportunities we have today. This time serves not only as a moment of reflection, but also as an opportunity to educate, inspire, and encourage meaningful conversations. It fosters an environment of understanding—one that acknowledges current systemic issues and promotes open dialogue on how we can work together to overcome them and create lasting change.”

 

 

Photo of Gavel and prison cell.

Point Loma Man Sentenced to Life Without Parole for Executing Sister and Nephew, and Shooting his Mother

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said today that a 61-year-old man who killed his sister and nephew and seriously injured his then 86-year-old mother in an August 2024 family dispute, has been sentenced to two terms of life without parole plus 82 years in prison.

William Bushey was convicted by a jury in January of two counts of first-degree murder, with a use of a firearm allegation and the special circumstances for multiple homicides. He was also convicted of premeditated attempted murder and elder abuse with a firearm. In August 2024, Bushey shot and killed his sister, Laurie Robinson, 61, and her son, Brett Robinson, 33, and seriously wounded his mother, June Bushey, who survived but sustained critical injuries during the attack.

“Family violence shatters lives,” DA Stephan said. “When tragedy strikes within the home, the effects are devastating and reverberate far beyond the immediate victims. Our hearts are with the loved ones left behind, and we remain committed to holding violent offenders accountable for their actions.”

The case underscored the profound harm caused when domestic conflicts escalate into violence.

During the trial, Deputy District Attorney Scott Pirrello presented evidence showing that the defendant found himself on the verge of being kicked out of the family home for his poor behavior and he blamed his sister and mother for it. This tension within the family ultimately erupted into the fatal shootings.

Bushey lived with his elderly mother without contributing to the household and interacted very little with family members for over a decade in the family’s Point Loma home. He became upset when his sister moved into the home.

Over the course of nine days, Bushey’s agitated and aggressive behavior became so concerning that police were called to the house twice for disturbances, although none of the reported acts rose to the level of criminal conduct. By the day of the shootings, the family was on the verge of beginning the eviction process for Bushey and had ordered a surveillance system to be installed in the home. The internet system that was based in Bushey’s bedroom was relocated to another area of the home, upsetting him even further.

Bushey confronted his family about the Wi-Fi being turned off and then went into his bedroom and retrieved a shotgun that he had purchased in 2012 but had kept secret. He loaded the shotgun to maximum capacity and armed himself with additional shells and went looking for his family. He fired six rounds from the shotgun as he pursued his mother and sister who fled toward the back patio.  Bushey’s actions resulted in the deaths of his sister and nephew and caused catastrophic injuries to his mother who lost most of her right hand and suffered a “through and through” wound to her left upper abdomen, missing her heart by mere centimeters.

“This defendant was savage and ruthless in the way he hunted down his own family,” DA Stephan said. “I hope today’s sentence brings a measure of justice to the family of the victims and the community at large. I’m proud of the dedication and excellence that Deputy District Attorney Scott Pirrello and the DA team brought to this complex case.”

Preventing and prosecuting domestic violence and elder abuse and supporting victims through the tumultuous criminal justice process is a cornerstone of the work done by the District Attorney’s Offices. Thousands of crime victims are served through the DA’s two Family Justice Centers in San Marcos and National City, where they can obtain comprehensive services for victims of domestic violence, elder abuse, sexual assault and other forms of family violence. The office coordinates training for professionals across the county to recognize domestic violence warning signs, partners with community organizations to expand culturally sensitive support services and participates in public awareness and outreach efforts such as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October.

For more information about available services, visit: https://ospsandiegocounty.gov/

Photo of Legal Support Manager Tonya Bailey for Black History Month. The Hall of Justice building is in the background of the photo.

Meet Legal Support Manager Tonya Bailey

In honor of Black History Month, which is celebrated throughout the month of February, the DA’s Office is featuring stories of employees and what inspired them to pursue a career in public service.

Meet Legal Support Manager Tonya Bailey, who was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee.  Her family is a military family, so before joining the DA’s Office she was in Manama, Bahrain where she was a director of the Child Development Center. Tonya joined our office in 2007 as an Interim Clerk (Office Assistant) and she is currently the Legal Support Manager at the North County Branch. In her current role, she manages the overall operations of the North County Regional Center, ensuring staff growth and development. The North County Branch receives cases from approximately 12 law enforcement agencies in the area.

During her free time, Tonya loves to sing and spend time with her family. “My faith in God is the priority of my life, and I enjoy using my gifts and talents to bless others,” she said. “I have fostered 7 children and adopted 3; I have worked with many other children during the past 20 years to help them overcome the challenges that they face and find renewed hope for their future.”

What inspired you to choose a career in law enforcement/at the DA’s Office?  

“The main reason I was inspired to work at the DA’s office is my strong belief and commitment to justice. I believe that one of the necessary requirements to living a life of peace and freedom is justice. Where there is no justice, the people suffer and live in fear. I am thankful for the opportunity to work in a profession that is dedicated to serving the community through instilling law and order.”

What is your favorite part of the job?  

“I love to mentor, inspire, and observe the growth and development of our staff. I enjoy watching people obtain success at every level in the workplace and become confident and thrive in their chosen profession.”

What does Black History Month mean to you, why is it important to you? 

“Black History Month helps us to remember and recognize the accomplishments of the black community throughout history that are often overlooked. From history, we have many black leaders that dedicated their life to freedom, justice, and the fair treatment of all people. These ideals are based on the Bible, that all men are created in the image of God and that every man has a God created purpose and plan. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who often risked and ultimately gave up his life so that all people will be seen as a person and not labeled according to the color of their skin stated, ‘That men should be judged by their character and not by the color of their skin.’ These ideals should be important to us all and should be fought for in a peaceful manner. Lastly, Black History Month to me also highlights what great things we as human beings can accomplish when we embrace our differences as such and not as right or wrong. When we work together as a human race and respect each other and treat each other with love and care. Abraham Lincoln stated, ‘That all men are created equal.’ I believe that Black History Month should serve as a reminder of who we all are, and that we should all strive to become a better ‘united’ us.”