DA Summer Stephan announces in a news conference with SDPD and DEA dozens of arrests resulting from a six-month, multi-agency law enforcement operation targeting Mexican Mafia prison inmates, who directed gang associates on the outside to commit violent crimes, traffic illegal drugs and ghost guns, and extort local businesses.

Organized Crime Takedown Nets 39 Arrests of Violent Criminals, Arms Traffickers and Drug Dealers

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan today announced dozens of arrests resulting from a wide-ranging takedown of street gang members operating in San Diego County at the direction of the largest prison gang, known as the Mexican Mafia, which has ties to Mexico’s cartels. Many of those arrested have been involved in murders, attempted murders, robberies, arson, extortion, drug and weapons trafficking and violent assaults.

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During the six-month undercover investigation, dubbed Operation “Los Impuestos,” law enforcement partners from the San Diego Police Street Gang Unit, San Diego County District Attorney’s Office Gang Unit, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives developed evidence against 46 defendants for a variety of crimes. The investigation revealed that dozens of criminal street gang members from various gangs were being controlled and prolifically committed violent crimes, including at least one murder and two attempted murders at the behest of the Mexican Mafia. Seven of the defendants being charged are currently already in custody for other crimes.

Last Thursday, 39 defendants were arrested after law enforcement fanned out across the county in a coordinated takedown. Many of those arrested and charged were scheduled to be arraigned today at 1:30 p.m. in Department 101 of the downtown San Diego Superior Court. If convicted, the defendants are facing a wide range of possible prison sentences from three years to life terms in state prison. There are eight defendants who have been criminally charged but remain at large. Charges filed in 20 separate criminal cases include murder, conspiracy to commit murder, extortion, and firearms trafficking.

“This operation once again proves that we will not allow criminal organizations to terrorize our communities by threats or violence,” DA Stephan said. “Every person in every neighborhood deserves to be safe from crime and violence. These criminals took orders from gang bosses operating in state prison and they preyed on business owners by forcing mafia-style tax payments. They dealt illegal drugs, committed widespread violence and trafficked weapons such as ghost guns and AR 15s. The extraordinary cooperation and expertise from our law enforcement partners has exposed the cartel bosses in prison who were calling the shots and together we put a significant dent in their criminal operation.”

The Mexican Mafia, known as “La EME,” is the largest and most established prison gang in the United States. The Mexican Mafia was initially formed in the California state penal system and has been in existence for more than 50 years. At present, the Mexican Mafia operates both in the California State prison system, as well as in other states, and in the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The prison gang controls and utilizes Southern California gang members who are both in custody and out of custody for their criminal enterprises. These gang members pay tribute to and engage in criminal activity with the Mexican Mafia.

Operation “Los Impuestos” revealed that the prison gang was using a vast network of gang members throughout San Diego County and its ties to international drug trafficking organizations to collect extortion payments or “taxes” from legal and illegal businesses, traffic drugs and firearms, intimidate witnesses and victims in the community, and to carry out violent acts including numerous beatings, shootings, and murders. The criminal acts happened all over San Diego with much of it centered downtown, in Barrio Logan, City Heights and in South San Diego.

In one case, it was uncovered that an order was given to blow up a business with a grenade that had stopped paying it’s ‘tax.’ Two grenades were seized during the operation. Other businesses were hit with Molotov cocktails and robbed, including illegal gambling dens.

On multiple occasions during the operation, violent acts that were about to be committed were prevented by law enforcement.

“This operation is the perfect example of how good, thorough policework keeps our communities safe and holds violent criminals accountable,” said San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl. “The San Diego Police Department and our partners stand strong in our commitment to public safety and will continue to dedicate the necessary resources to bringing these violent criminals to justice.”

Guns and drugs were confiscated during the operation, including:

“Drug-related violent crime undermines public safety, leaving fear and uncertainty in its wake,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian Clark. “The conclusion of this investigation marks the end to a deep-rooted criminal network operating in San Diego County. DEA and our partners will relentlessly pursue those who disregard the law to ensure San Diego is a safe place to live.”

A number of additional agencies assisted in the operation, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the San Diego Sheriff’s Office and the National City Police Department.

Deputy District Attorney Robert Eacret is overseeing the prosecutions and Deputy District Attorneys Martin Doyle, William Hopkins, Mary Naoom, Melissa Mack, and MaryLouise Wright are also prosecuting some of the 20 criminal cases that resulted from the operation.

Child Molester Sentenced to Prison for Crimes Against Multiple Victims

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced today a Chula Vista man has been sentenced to 25 years-to-life in prison for molesting young girls and possessing a mountain of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Antonio O. Medina Jr., 33, was convicted by pleading guilty to three felony counts of lewd acts on a child and one count of possessing CSAM. The San Diego County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), which includes law enforcement officers, DA prosecutors and investigators, are experts in retrieving and dissecting digital evidence. Their work led the arrest, prosecution and sentencing of the defendant.

“This child predator’s reign of terror has come to an end, and he will spend the next 20 years in prison for his horrific crimes of harming girls as young as 4-years-old.” DA Stephan said. “Child molesters, who are often trusted people within families, harm children in the worst way, stealing their innocence and causing years of trauma and pain. They usually don’t stop until they are discovered and stopped by law enforcement. We want victims of child molestation and their families to know that coming forward and reporting allows justice to prevail and stops these predators from hurting any other child.”

While Medina was being prosecuted for possessing more than 1,000 videos of child sexual abuse material, investigators also uncovered an old laptop that contained videos the defendant made of himself molesting young girls. The videos were taken between 2011 and 2015 and were of nine different girls between the ages of 4 and 9. The identities of the victims and locations of the assaults were initially unknown. After almost a year of investigation, and with the assistance of law enforcement in Kern County and Bakersfield, California, San Antonio, Texas, and San Diego’s ICAC Task Force, investigators were able to identify some of the victims and prove that the jurisdiction of the crimes allowed San Diego to prosecute them.

Some victims remain unidentified, and prosecutors expressed hope that they seek trauma and other supportive services for the crimes committed on them. Child sexual abuse can affect a victim forever. Victims suffer higher rates of school difficulty, depression, substance abuse, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, eating or sleeping disorders, and suicide. For more information on spotting red flags of abuse, click here.

This case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Andrew Hart who is a specialized child abuse and child sexual abuse material prosecutor.

Public’s Help Needed to Solve 2004 Cold Case Murder in Chula Vista

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said today that DA investigators, the Chula Vista Police Department and San Diego County Crime Stoppers are asking for the public’s help in identifying and locating the suspects responsible for the murder of a man that took place in Chula Vista more than 20 years ago.

Composite Sketch of Suspected Stabber in Ryan Cunningham 2004 murder in Chula Vista.

Composite Sketch of Suspected Stabber in Ryan Cunningham 2004 murder in Chula Vista.

On March 20, 2004, 22-year-old Ryan Cunningham was sitting on the patio of La Bella’s Pizza Garden in Chula Vista when he was attacked by a group of men. The suspects, several of whom were armed with various weapons, walked up to Cunningham and immediately began beating him. The beating continued as Cunningham fell to the ground and was eventually stabbed by one of the suspects. The suspects fled in two separate vehicles. Cunningham was transported to a local hospital where he later died.

Detectives from the Chula Vista Police Department Crimes of Violence Unit learned that several private parties were being held at La Bella’s that evening, including a baby shower. Numerous employees and customers of the busy restaurant witnessed the murder. Investigators are asking anyone who attended one of the parties, was at the restaurant, or who may have information about the murder to contact them.

All of the suspects are described as Hispanic males in their 20’s, who would now be in their 40’s. The suspected stabber was described as a Hispanic male in his early 20’s, approximately six feet tall, thin build, with very short dark hair. A sketch of the suspected stabber is attached.

“The victim, Ryan Cunningham, lost his life in this senseless murder and his family deserves to have justice,” said DA Summer Stephan. “It’s clear that there are witnesses that know who stabbed the victim to death or have other valuable information that can help police and investigators to solve this case, but maybe they are afraid to come forward or simply don’t want to be involved. The only way that we can keep all our neighborhoods safe is through partnership with the community. We urge you to provide any information you have about this murder not just because of the reward but because it’s the right thing to do.”  

San Diego County Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 reward for any information that leads to an arrest in this case. Anyone with information on this murder is asked to call the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477. The public can visit the Crime Stoppers website at www.sdcrimestoppers.org for more information on how to send anonymous web and mobile app tips.

Working with the Chula Vista Police Department, this case is being investigated by the DA’s Gangs Division, which prosecutes complex murder cases and other serious crimes perpetrated by violent criminal street gangs, whose members terrorize neighborhoods across the county. In 2023, the Gangs Division conducted 19 murder jury trials, which was 36% of the total murders tried by the DA’s Office.

DA Files Charges Against SDSU Fraternity Members After One Student is Burned

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said today that four members of a fraternity at San Diego State University have been criminally charged in connection with a skit performed at a party that led to one of the young men being burned over 16% of his body. The four defendants, who were active members and pledges of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, were arraigned today in San Diego Superior Court downtown. All pleaded not guilty.

Caden Cooper, 22; Lucas Cowling, 20; Christopher Serrano, 20; and Lars Larsen, 19 were all charged with at least one felony. The charges include recklessly causing a fire with great bodily injury, conspiracy to commit an act injurious to the public, and violating the social host ordinance. If convicted of all the charges, the defendants face a sentencing range of probation up to seven years, two months in prison.

At the time of the incident, Cooper was the fraternity’s president, Cowling was on the Pledge Board, and Serrano and Larsen were pledges. On the evening of February 17, 2024, in spite of being on probation by the university, the fraternity planned a large party at their fraternity house. Defendants Cowling, Serrano, and Larsen pre-planned a skit during which Serrano would set Larsen on fire. After consuming alcohol in Cowling’s presence, the underage students executed the skit which caused burns to Larsen on 16% of his body, primarily on his legs. Larsen spent weeks in the hospital for treatment of third-degree burns.

After the fire, Larsen, Cooper, and Cowling made a concerted effort to thwart law enforcement’s efforts to investigate the incident by lying to law enforcement personnel, deleting evidence on social media, and instructing other fraternity members to delete evidence and not speak to anyone about the incident.

All the defendants were released on their own recognizance but with specific conditions imposed by the court, including not to participate in any fraternity parties, not to participate in any recruitment events for the fraternity, and to obey all laws, including those related to alcohol consumption. The court set a readiness hearing for March 18, 2025 and a preliminary hearing date of April 16, 2025.

Photo of a gavel over law books and scales of justice.

Proposition 36 Becomes Law

Proposition 36, which passed with 68% of the vote in November, officially takes effect on December 18, 2024 in California and San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said her office is committed to successfully implementing the transformational proposition in partnership with the Sheriff, county’s police chiefs and the community. This proposition addresses three key public safety issues plaguing our communities:

  • Repeat retail theft affecting small and large businesses and impacting the safety of their employees and their customers.
  • Fentanyl and methamphetamine dealers who are poisoning individuals across the county and fueling crime.
  • Untreated drug addiction and related behavioral health issues causing overdose deaths that disproportionately impact a substantial portion of persons who are homeless.

The new law provides stricter consequences for repeat theft offenders, those who are committing smash and grab retail crimes, and organized theft rings, which will stop the cycle of recidivism. The new law will also require convicted dealers of fentanyl and hard drugs to receive a warning that the next time they sell illegal drugs and someone dies, they will be held responsible for a victim’s death. The law provides additional consequences for illegal drug dealers who cause great bodily injury or death. Importantly, the new law incentivizes lifesaving treatment for defendants suffering from addiction by mandating treatment as an alternative to incarceration, addressing the root cause of many crimes.

To prepare for Prop. 36 to take effect, the DA’s Office has been training law enforcement officers across San Diego County about the new laws, collaborating with the San Diego County Sheriff and police chiefs throughout the region, conducting internal trainings for prosecutors, meeting with criminal justice stakeholders, working with business leaders in the region, consulting with the California District Attorneys Association and brainstorming with other District Attorney Offices across the state to leverage best practices to effectively implement the new law.

“It’s a new day for the rule of law in San Diego County and California,” DA Stephan said. “I call on retailers and the community to report theft because unlike the last 10 years, the law now provides for increased consequences for repeat criminals. Educating San Diego County, which is the second-largest county in our state, about Proposition 36 and the balanced, common-sense solutions it brings has been worthwhile, leading this proposition to pass with an overwhelming majority and creating a clear mandate resulting from the will of the people.”

 

“Proposition 36 finally restores the rule of law so that we don’t have to stand by while businesses suffer under the crushing weight of repeat theft that steals their livelihood and threatens the safety of their employees and customers,” DA Stephan said. “Proposition 36 sends a clear message that we will fight back against fentanyl dealers who have cost so many young lives and will hold them accountable for their actions. Importantly, Proposition 36 also humanely addresses the rampant addiction from hard drugs that is fueling homelessness and crime by incentivizing lifesaving treatment. By emphasizing accountability alongside treatment and rehabilitation, this law addresses the core drivers of habitual criminal behavior, while ensuring fairness in our justice system.”

Prop. 36:

  • Elevates shoplifting to a felony for individuals with two or more prior theft-related convictions.
  • Increases penalties for organized criminals who act in concert to commit ‘smash and grab’ and other forms of retail theft.
  • Establishes a new mandated treatment option for individuals charged with felony crimes who have two prior drug convictions, providing a pathway to clear their criminal record upon successful completion of treatment.
  • Requires a warning for convicted drug dealers that if they sell fentanyl or other hard drugs and someone dies, they will be held responsible for the life lost.
  • Adds a consequence for selling fentanyl or other hard drugs that result in great bodily injury or death.

With Prop. 36 now in effect, businesses in San Diego County can take proactive steps to maximize its impact, including:

  • Reporting crimes and educating employees on aspects of the new laws.
  • Investing in surveillance that can better document crimes and training employees on how to document evidence and the losses suffered.
  • Engaging with law enforcement, encouraging them to collaborate with local authorities to stay informed about solutions available under the new law.

“The passage and implementation of Prop 36 signals a major change in how we enforce laws addressing theft, property damage, and drug-related crimes. It also sends a message to would-be criminals that law enforcement and our residents will no longer tolerate their actions,” said Chula Vista Police Chief Roxana Kennedy. “Public safety and protecting our business owners and community remain a top priority for the Chula Vista Police Department. We look forward to implementing this new legislation and will work with our law enforcement partners to seamlessly navigate these changes.”

DA Stephan said it will be a process as the criminal justice system, businesses and communities adjust to the implementation of Prop. 36, and in the coming months hopes the new law will restore accountability and fairness while offering hope and recovery for those in need of treatment.

San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez said that in anticipation of the passage and implementation of Proposition 36 the Sheriff’s Office has provided regional law enforcement with guidelines on charges that will be accepted for booking. Generally, all felonies are bookable offenses and will be accepted at local jails. Individuals with two convictions for theft and certain drug crimes can now be charged with a felony offense for a new theft or drug case.

“I encourage business owners who have become discouraged with a lack of accountability related to theft crimes, to call law enforcement when they are victims of these crimes in order to hold suspects accountable,” Sheriff Martinez said. “Public safety is our primary mission, and all members of the Sheriff’s Office will continue in our commitment to work with our communities and keep them safe.”

Photo of a Judge's gavel and a gun.

Defendants Sentenced for Two-Day Crime Spree Involving Seven Violent Incidents

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced today that two defendants convicted of multiple violent felony crimes that terrorized several victims over two days, have been sentenced to prison for their July 2023 crime spree.

Calvin Brown, 27, was convicted in August of four separate carjackings at gunpoint, assault with a semi-automatic firearm on eight victims at three separate locations, animal abuse, robbery, hit and run causing permanent serious injury, and other felony crimes. Rolaena Blunt, 20, pleaded guilty on August 22 to assault with a semi-automatic firearm on two victims, and a separate robbery and carjacking for her role in the crimes.

Brown was sentenced to 59 years, 8 months in state prison; Blunt was sentenced to 10 years, 8 months in state prison.

“These defendants terrorized multiple groups of victims during a disturbing and violent two-day crime spree that crisscrossed the county, and they are now being held accountable,” DA Stephan said. “From South Bay to North County, their crimes terrified residents and businesses, and led law enforcement on dangerous high-speed pursuits. I am grateful to San Diego Police and the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department for their thorough investigations and to our prosecution team for expertly delivering justice in this case.”

The crime spree began at 3:00 a.m. on July 3, 2023, in downtown San Diego when Brown carjacked a BMW at gunpoint, then fled from police at speeds exceeding 90-miles-per-hour. Two days later, Brown and Blunt drove in the carjacked BMW to a home in Imperial Beach where Brown shot a woman and a dog.

Next, the two drove a home in San Diego where Brown shot at a woman after he vandalized her residence. They then drove to a business on El Cajon Boulevard where Blunt stole items and Brown shot at employees who tried to stop the theft. Fleeing the robbery, while driving over 140 miles-per-hour on Interstate 805, Brown collided with two vehicles, causing one to roll over multiple times inflicting serious injuries on a 12-year-old girl.

Brown and Blunt abandoned the stolen BMW, ran off the freeway, and carjacked a second car at gunpoint. They drove to Encinitas, where they abandoned the second car and carjacked a third car at gunpoint. Defendant Brown fired multiple times at the last carjacking victim while being pursued. San Diego County Sheriff deputies finally apprehended Brown and Blunt at a fitness center in Encinitas after citizens called police with their whereabouts.

Deputy District Attorney Jim Koerber from the DA’s Major Violators Team prosecuted this case.

Photo of gavel, law books and scales of justice on a wooden table.

Woman Charged for Allowing Aggressive Dogs to Roam North County Neighborhood

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said today that her office has filed criminal charges against a north county woman stemming from an investigation being conducted by the county’s Department of Animal Services. Debra Barkley, 68, has been charged with maintaining a public nuisance, as well as maintaining a public nuisance after being notified in writing by officials to remedy it. The charges stem from more than a dozen complaints by neighbors in Rancho Santa Fe that the defendant’s dogs are routinely allowed to escape her property unsupervised and are aggressive to community members, including children.

Barkley was arraigned on Monday and pleaded not guilty. Her next court date is a readiness hearing set for December 4 at 8:30 a.m. in Department 1 of the Superior Court in North County. Both charges are misdemeanor counts which carry a potential $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail.

“People deserve to feel safe in their own neighborhood and working with our investigative partners at the county, we determined the situation warranted misdemeanor criminal charges based on community feedback, the facts and the evidence,” said DA Stephan. “This case is being handled by the unit in our office that’s been established to focus on animal cruelty cases, protect animals in our county from abuse, and hold those who would commit such offenses accountable.”

There have also been complaints from the community that Barkley may have committed other animal neglect-related offenses related to horses that she maintains on a separate property.  Every report of potential animal abuse is taken seriously and is investigated by the Department of Animal Services, and where the evidence supports it, is reviewed by the DA’s Office for criminal charges.  While the charges filed in this case relate to dogs and not horses maintained by Barkley, the charges allow for a court to order enhanced supervision and monitoring that can ultimately result in the protection of animals on all of Ms. Barkley’s properties.

In 2018, DA Stephan launched the office’s first-ever formalized Animal Cruelty Prosecution Unit, which provides prosecutorial consistency countywide, investigative support and dedicated expertise for animal abuse cases. The unit works closely with police, Sheriff’s deputies, Department of Animal Services, animal control officers, the San Diego Humane Society, and others to investigate and prosecute animal cruelty cases vertically (one prosecutor handling the case from beginning to end.)

Since being established, the Unit has filed 368 criminal cases related to animal cruelty. One recent high-profile prosecution focused on a man who was sentenced in March of this year to eight years in state prison for torturing and killing at least 10 cats in Escondido. In another recent case, a defendant repeatedly kicked a stranger’s dog and then got into his car and ran over the dog, killing it.

Deputy District Attorney Eric Bodnar is prosecuting this case.

Public Encouraged to Report Suspected Fraud Amid Int’l Fraud Awareness Week

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan is encouraging the public to report fraud during International Fraud Awareness Week. Insurance Fraud is the second-largest economic crime in the U.S. and costs California residents about $15 billion a year. To combat this problem, the District Attorney, in conjunction with the California Department of Insurance, is shining a spotlight on this issue to minimize the impact of fraud by promoting anti-fraud awareness and education.

In 2023, the DA’s Insurance Fraud and Workplace Justice Division filed criminal charges against 170 defendants and obtained 96 convictions for various insurance fraud offenses. As a result of these convictions, nearly $8.6 million in restitution was ordered for victims, including individuals, insurers, and state agencies.

“Committing fraud is a serious financial crime that affects anyone from grandparents, businesses owners and corporations,” DA Stephan said. “Ultimately its impact is felt on all of us when insurance prices spike because of unscrupulous actors. If you know of fraud being committed, report it.”

The Insurance Fraud and Workplace Justice Division is dedicated to eradicating insurance fraud, whether it relates to workers’ compensation, automobile insurance, life insurance, or fraud in the healthcare industry. It also prosecutes other crimes uncovered during insurance fraud investigations, including wage theft, tax evasion and even labor trafficking.

The DA’s Economic Crimes Division is responsible for prosecuting a wide variety of wrongdoing, including computer intrusion, identity theft, investment scams, embezzlements, real estate matters, counterfeit goods, environmental crimes and the theft of public assistance funds. The division also acts to protect consumers and businesses by successfully filing numerous civil cases to prohibit unfair business practices within the marketplace.

Examples of the types of crimes that the Insurance Fraud and Workplace Justice Division prosecutes are:

  • Workers’ Compensation Provider Fraud – When medical and legal providers, including doctors, chiropractors, and lawyers are paying or receiving kickbacks for referrals, billing for services not rendered or overbilling for services provided.
  • Workers’ Compensation Premium Fraud – When a business misrepresents its true payroll, the type of work it performs, or conceals employee injuries to pay lower workers’ compensation premiums. One of the most common premium fraud schemes occurs when employers pay employees in cash without reporting that cash payroll to the Employment Development Department and their insurer. This activity results in $7 billion in lost revenue each year and evasion of approximately $6.5 million in payroll taxes annually. Frequently, employers who commit premium fraud also engage in other crimes, including wage theft, tax evasion, and labor/human trafficking.
  • Workers’ Compensation Applicant Fraud – When employees fake or exaggerate work injuries to collect workers’ compensation benefits, or when employers make false statements to deny benefits to injured workers.
  • Uninsured Employers – Every business in California is required to have workers’ compensation insurance to cover its employees in the event of a workplace injury. These cases are especially important because if an employee is injured at work and their employer does not have workers’ compensation insurance, the employee may have no recourse to get required care and benefits.
  • Auto Insurance Fraud – Fraudulently obtaining payment on an auto insurance policy based on false information such as inflated or faked damages, staged collisions, false claims of vehicle theft and arson. This fraud costs consumers billions of dollars each year in the form of higher insurance premiums.
  • Disability and Healthcare Fraud – This involves fraudulent medical and disability claims and policies, including medical providers who fraudulently bill insurance companies or who divert medications for personal use or sale. Healthcare fraud increases medical costs for everyone.
  • Life and Annuity Fraud – Unscrupulous life insurance agents and others who seek to steal the savings of victims through power-of-attorney abuse, securities fraud, and fraudulent claims on legitimate policies. These scams often target senior citizens, and the impact is life-altering, since seniors do not have the time or opportunity for financial recovery.
  • Workplace Justice Violations – We have developed an innovative approach to the prosecution of wage theft, wage and hour violations, meal and rest break abuses, unfair business practices, tax evasion, and labor trafficking.

In 2023, the Economic Crimes Division filed criminal charges against 222 defendants and obtained 206 convictions. Additionally, from those convictions, defendants were ordered to pay over $3 million in restitution and more than $1 million in restitution was paid to victims.

This division also pursued civil enforcement actions against various businesses for unfair competition or environmental violations. In 2023, the Consumer Protection and Environmental Protection Units completed 23 major civil enforcement actions resulting in injunctions to stop the unlawful business practices and statewide monetary relief that included over 12 million dollars in civil penalties, costs and restitution.

Some examples of the types of cases that the Economic Crimes Division prosecutes are as follows:

  • Real Estate Fraud – This type of crime involves various fraudulent real estate transactions and/or schemes such as the submission of forged loan applications; fraudulent transfers of title of real property; recordation of fraudulent real estate documents; home equity sale contract fraud; and mortgage foreclosure consultant fraud.
  • Computer and Technology Crimes High Tech Task Force (CATCH) – This Unit prosecutes high-technology criminals engaged in crimes where technology is the prime instrumentality of the crime, or where technology is the target of the crime, such as; theft facilitated by technology, theft of technology resources, network intrusions, online harassment and stalking, as well as providing technical and investigative assistance to local law enforcement agencies with respect to digital forensics.
  • Identity Theft – These crimes usually involve criminals acquiring key pieces of someone’s identifying information to impersonate them and commit numerous forms of fraud which include taking over the victim’s financial accounts, opening new bank accounts, purchasing automobiles, applying for loans, credit cards, and social security benefits, renting apartments, and establishing services with utility and phone companies.
  • Complex Theft – These crimes commonly involve embezzlement or investment scams. Embezzlement is the fraudulent appropriation of property by a person to whom it has been entrusted. Instead of using the company’s payroll system or checking or credit card account for legitimate company business, the individual uses these accounts to steal by directing the money to his or her own accounts or to pay for personal expenses. Grand theft schemes take many forms but include scams where the perpetrator misleads individuals about an investment opportunity and instead the uses the money to support the perpetrator’s lifestyle.
  • Consumer Protection – These cases generally involve a business or an individual taking advantage of consumers. These cases can range from a business failing to warn a consumer that their credit card will be billed on an ongoing basis to a business using scanners that charge an amount over the advertised price to building contractors operating without a license. These cases also include other unfair business practices such as misleading product labeling or false advertising.
  • Environmental Protection – These cases generally involve businesses that violate rules relating to the environment such as hazardous waste disposal, underground storage tank regulations and clean air act statutes.

If you see, hear, or know of an insurance fraud scam happening in your area, please contact the DA’s Office through the Insurance Fraud hotline at (800) 315-7672 or at sdconnect@sdcda.org, or contact the California Department of Insurance at (800) 927-4357. To report fraud related to real estate, you can contact the DA’s Real Estate Fraud hotline at (619) 531-3552. To report any other type of fraud or criminal activity, please contact your local law enforcement agency. For information and resources about International Fraud Awareness Week, visit www.FraudWeek.com.

Fatal DUI Numbers Higher Among Young Drivers; DA Using Grant to Target Offenders

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced today that her office is receiving an $899,425 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety for the eleventh year in a row to prevent and prosecute impaired driving deaths and DUI-drug cases. The grant award comes as San Diego County fatal DUI numbers remain at an all-time high.

In 2023, 32 people were killed in 29 DUI-related crashes. So far in 2024, there have been 25 people killed in 20 DUI-related crashes.

“I am grateful our office has continued to receive this grant that allows our specialized team of prosecutors and investigators to hold offenders accountable and work to deter impaired driving,” DA Stephan said. “Every year we have an unacceptable amount of fatal DUIs. As the holiday season approaches, people need to make responsible choices, use ride sharing services and keep their friends and family from getting behind the wheel if they are impaired.”

Data shows that the number of young drivers involved in fatal DUI-related crashes has increased this past year. Prosecutors say that more than half of the individuals charged with DUI homicide offenses in 2024 were between the age of 18 and 26 at the time of the collision.

The grant will allow the DA’s DUI Homicide Unit to continue its critical work, including education and prevention efforts within the community. The unit, which launched in 2014, streamlines complex DUI cases by creating expertise within the DA’s Office. The specialized unit creates uniformity in sentencing among the four adult courthouses. In addition, the unit helps law enforcement adapt to changes in technology by having a designated DA Investigator who is trained in the latest techniques in collision reconstruction. Since its inception, the unit has prosecuted nearly 250 cases and they have received more than $5 million in funding from the Office of Traffic Safety.

Funding will also be used to:

  • Provide education for young drivers about the dangers of DUI-driving.
  • Provide training for select prosecutors to become experts in DUI-drug cases.
  • Provide training for prosecutors and investigators through California’s Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor Program as well as San Diego County specific training.
  • Host quarterly regional meetings with law enforcement partners to improve DUI investigations and prosecutions.

In 2023, the District Attorney’s Office filed 3,916 DUI cases, including 234 DUI drug cases. As of September 30, 2024, the DA’s Office has filed 4,389 DUI cases including 280 DUI drug cases this year. Many of these numbers are significant increases from years past.

Funding from the California Office of Traffic Safety is provided through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The grant program runs through September 2025.

 

High-Speed Driver Under Influence of Drugs Sentenced for Fatal Crash

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said that Erik Arambula, 25, who pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of drugs and causing the death of a mother and her 4-year-old daughter, was sentenced today to 12 years in prison.

Arambula pleaded guilty on October 8, to driving under the influence of drugs and two counts of evading an officer causing death.

“This defendant, who could have prevented the tragic outcome of this case, willingly drove under the influence of drugs and took the lives of an innocent mother and daughter,” DA Stephan said. “These types of deaths are the most preventable, yet people think they can get away with this dangerous behavior. The tragic lesson here is simple: do not drink or consume drugs and get behind the wheel.”

In April 2023, Arambula, driving a pickup truck, ran a red light on Old Highway 395 in Fallbrook, leading law enforcement to initiate a traffic stop. Instead of yielding to the officer’s vehicle, Arambula accelerated to approximately 100 miles-per-hour then drove through a chain-link fence, careened down an embankment, and landed on the southbound lanes of Interstate 15 heading in the wrong direction. Arambula crashed head-on with the 29-year-old victim and her daughter before colliding with and injuring the occupants of a third vehicle.

In 2023, 32 people were killed in 29 DUI-related crashes in San Diego County. This year, 20 people have been killed so far in 16 DUI-related crashes.

According to M.A.D.D., which partners with the District Attorney’s Office on public awareness, every 78 seconds someone is killed or injured by an impaired driving crash.

Deputy District Attorney David Uyar prosecuted this case.