DA Partners with Mexican Consulate to Provide Services at One Safe Place

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced today the partnership between the Consul General of Mexico in San Diego and the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office for the Mexican Consulate to locate at the DA’s One Safe Place: The North County Family Justice Center and provide services. The partnership was solidified during the first anniversary celebration of the opening of One Safe Place in San Marcos, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

“This collaboration with the Mexican Consulate helps strengthen the bridge with the Latino community and will help enhance their trust in reporting and seeking help when victimized. We know from experience, that domestic violence and human trafficking victims are often threatened by their abusers with deportation which keeps them trapped in the cycle of violence,” said DA Stephan. “Together we can work to ensure that victims who seek services at One Safe Place, where the Mexican Consulate will now be an onsite partner, receive culturally sensitive help in their native language, that will focus on safety, justice and healing.”

[See video of signing ceremony here]

Since opening last summer, One Safe Place has served 2,845 individuals, provided legal services to 781 people, and received more than 6,800 calls to their helpline. One Safe Place provides support services all under one roof to anyone who has experienced child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, hate crime, elder abuse, human trafficking, violent loss, family violence, or other abuse or victimization. This is all in collaboration with over 90 community organizations and agencies like the Mexican Consulate.

Together, the Mexican Consulate and One Safe Place have hosted events on wellness, have promoted first generation students with college connections and provided Consulate services at One Safe Place to meet the needs of our North County community and alleviate those with transportation barriers who are unable to travel to the Consulate main office in downtown San Diego. The MOU further creates opportunities for collaboration between the Mexican Consulate and One Safe Place in outreach and prevention work, including the Consulate’s participation in the free informative community events “Cafecito Con La Comunidad” that take place the second Friday of every month at One Safe Place.

“I am here today to send a clear message to our community: Victims should not remain silent when abused just because they fear deportation,” Consul General Carlos González Gutiérrez said. “The Mexican Consulate in San Diego has an extensive reach into the immigrant community in the county and will continue to invite immigrants to raise their voice, as there is no reason why they must live with abuse.  We truly value our partnership with One Safe Place and hope, with their help via this MOU, to expand our reach of services and empower those victimized in our community.”

The signing ceremony of the MOU coincided with the one-year anniversary celebration of the opening of One Safe Place that featured a breakfast and program with community partners, including San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones, Carlsbad Police Chief Mickey Williams, Escondido Police Chief Ed Varso, CEO of Palomar Health Diane Hansen, among others.

One Safe Place: The North County Family Justice Center is located at 1050 Los Vallecitos Blvd., San Marcos, CA 92069. It is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8 p.m. to 12 p.m.

Photo of a judge's gavel and handcuffs on top of books.

Rapist Eligible for Elder Parole is Denied Release

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced today that convicted rapist Randal Gers, 60, has been denied parole by the Board of Parole Hearings. In 1995, Gers kidnapped two different women on two separate occasions. He held them both for hours, bound them, and repeatedly raped, sodomized, and sexually assaulted them. The inmate used a knife to gain control of the women, tied a rope or belt around their neck to control them, and even left one victim tied to a tree in a remote area overnight before returning to sexually assault her again. This defendant had a prior conviction for sexually assaulting a 12-year-old and bashing her over the head.

The defendant received a 567 years-to-life sentence for his crimes, which was the longest sentence ever handed down in San Diego County at the time. His eligible parole date was originally November 2378, however the California Legislature changed the law in 2021 to lower the age of qualification for the Elderly Parole Program to inmates 50 years old or older who have served at least 20 years of continuous incarceration. But for the change in the law, Gers would have never received a parole hearing.

The District Attorney’s Office Lifer Unit, led by Deputy District Attorney John Cross, worked diligently to oppose the release of this dangerous inmate, and located the two kidnap and rape victims to alert them to the parole hearing, as well as the change in the law that made parole a possibility for their rapist. The two courageous victims appeared in front of the Parole Board on Tuesday, giving powerful impact statements and the District Attorney’s Office vigorously argued against the inmate’s release. Ultimately, the Board denied Gers parole for five years.

“These were extremely brutal and horrific crimes deserving of the life in prison sentence the defendant received,” said DA Stephan. “It is hard to believe that a sexual predator with multiple victims is eligible for release under this new law, causing additional trauma to victims who had to overcome the damage of the violent crimes they endured and thought their tormenter had received a final justice and sentence. Instead, these and many more victims are being pulled back into the criminal justice system time and time again. Our prosecutors will never abandon our victims and we will stand with them at these parole hearings. We won this battle, but in five years, we will have to fight alongside them again. And we will.”

“The denial of parole is an excellent example of the work the DA’s Lifer Hearing Unit does to represent the voice of the crime victims. We’re increasingly seeing inmates being released under the Elderly Parole Program and when the facts and the law support us as in this case, we fight against these unsafe and unjust releases,” Stephan said.

In arguing against parole, Deputy District Attorney John Cross detailed Gers’ disturbing and violent crimes. He also told the Board that Gers had no understanding why he committed the brutal rapes and showed no remorse. The inmate has not completed any self-help programming while in prison and offered excuses as to why he had not.

The DA’s Lifer Hearing Unit was formed in 1995 to ensure that victims of violent crime are given a chance to be heard at these proceedings, and to help prevent inappropriate grants of parole. Since the passage of the elder parole law and many other laws that allow early release of violent offenders, the Unit’s workload has dramatically increased. The Unit prepares for about 50 parole hearings each month, approximately 600 a year, and handles about 300 full hearings.

 

Sentencing in 1987 Cold Case Murder

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced today that a Poway man has been sentenced to 25 years-to-life for murdering a young woman in Carlsbad more than 35 years ago. Julia Hernandez-Santiago’s body was found on an ivy-covered embankment on Alga Road on Oct. 10, 1987. She was killed while walking home from a doctor’s appointment and was 26 years old at the time.

James Charles Kingery, 57, was found guilty by a jury last month of first-degree murder and rape charges. At the time of the murder, the San Diego County Medical Examiner determined the victim had been strangled. No suspect was identified at the time of the killing, but DNA collected from the crime scene led to Kingery’s arrest more than three decades later.

“The victim’s loved ones had their lives shattered by this horrific murder and have waited more than three decades for justice and some closure. Today they have it,” said DA Stephan. “This case highlights the important work done by our Cold Case Homicide Unit and the commitment of law enforcement in our region to solve murder cases no matter how much time has passed. I want to thank the prosecution team led by DDA Lisa Fox, the Carlsbad Police and Sheriff’s Department and their Crime Laboratory which working together solved this case.”

Kingery became a suspect after sheriff’s deputies arrested him in March of 2020 on drug and weapons violations. The felony arrest meant Kingery had to supply a DNA sample. Two months later, the sheriff’s crime lab notified Carlsbad police that Kingery’s DNA matched samples collected in 1987 during the homicide investigation. The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Lisa Fox.

“It is important to recognize the tenaciousness of the Carlsbad Police Investigators over the years that never let this murder be forgotten,” said Carlsbad Police Chief Mickey Williams. “I also want to recognize and thank our partners at the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office and the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department which made the successful resolution of this tragic investigation come to fruition.  Lastly, I would like to share my condolences with the family of Ms. Julia Hernandez-Santiago who was taken from them way too soon.”

The DA’s Cold Case Homicide Division, , promotes public safety by working with local law enforcement to resolve unsolved homicides within San Diego County. The division works diligently and collaboratively with law enforcement agencies, including police laboratory criminalists. These partnerships are key to solving and successfully prosecuting cases where the trail has gone cold for years. The Cold Case Division mantra is “not forgotten.” 

Since it was established in 2003, the Cold Case Homicide Division has played a role in solving and prosecuting numerous murders. The victims have come from all walks of life and from all areas of the county. The victims have included children and the elderly.

San Diego DA Sounds the Alarm About Assembly Bill 1028

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan today strongly criticized pending legislation that would remove the requirement that healthcare workers make a report to law enforcement when they suspect a patient has suffered physical injury caused by abusive conduct. Under the proposed new law, domestic violence victims who are bruised, attacked, stabbed, strangled, tortured, or maimed or are injured with weapons other than firearms, would not receive the current protection the law affords. Stephan is urging lawmakers to vote against Assembly Bill 1028 when it comes in front of the Senate Public Safety Committee on Tuesday, July 11.

“This ill-conceived bill reverses critical, long-standing protections that currently exist for victims of serious crimes including domestic violence,” said DA Stephan. “Mandated reporting is a link in the chain to a victim’s safety and can be the difference between life and death. Health care providers serve as gatekeepers to identify and report abuse where the family members and the abused themselves may not. These reporting laws ensure that a victim is protected, even if the abuser stands in the lobby of the hospital, demanding the victim lie about the abuse. A physician is duty bound to report suspicious injuries under the current law if they reasonably suspect the injuries were the result of abusive or assaultive conduct.”

Current law requires a health practitioner, as defined, to make a report to law enforcement when they suspect a patient has suffered physical injury that is either self-inflicted, caused by a firearm, or caused by assaultive or abusive conduct, including elder abuse, sexual assault, or torture.

Victims’ rights groups are also opposing the bill.

“As someone who almost died at the hands of my abuser and had to be taken to the hospital, I know firsthand how dangerous it would be to take away a doctor’s important responsibility to report suspicious injuries,” said Isabel Rosales, a survivor of domestic violence who was stabbed by her ex-husband. “Doctors reporting domestic violence absolutely saves lives.”

California has long protected it’s most vulnerable by legislating mandated reporting for domestic violence and child abuse, and more recently elder abuse. This bill eliminates physician-mandated reporting for any physical injury due to domestic violence other than the small percentage of domestic violence cases that result in injuries from firearms. This means that domestic violence victims who are bruised, attacked, stabbed, strangled, tortured, or maimed or are injured with weapons other than firearms, would not receive the current protection the law affords.

“This bill takes us backwards 30 years and has unintended consequences that will put victims in even more danger,” said Karen Marcus, a retired forensic nurse in San Diego County. “Healthcare professionals are one of the most important protectors for injured victims of crime and provide the victim important access to culturally competent community resources.  Removing health care’s duty to report decreases the health and safety of victims and increases the risk of continued or worsening violence.”

San Diego County has roughly 17,000 domestic violence incidents reported per year, and a subset of those only come to law enforcement’s attention because of the good work of health care providers doing their duty to report suspicious injuries. Domestic violence is already one of the most under reported crimes because of the dynamics of power and control within an intimate partner relationship.

“AB 1028 is not supported by any California-based research and ignores the polling in California showing that advocates and survivors favor the existing Suspicious Injury Reporting Law,” said Casey Gwinn, President and Co-Founder of Alliance for Hope International. “If this bill becomes law, terrified, seriously injured victims will have the responsibility to decide if their abusers get reported to the police. More women, men, children, and police officers will die if AB 1028 becomes law. The only state to end all reporting in the last ten years has seen more than a 100% increase in domestic violence-related deaths.”

Research shows that cases where the abuser strangles their partner, cutting off airflow and blood flow to the brain in the attack have been associated with a seven times greater likelihood of being murdered by that same abuser. This bill would send that strangulation victim, seven times more likely to get murdered when she or he walks out the door, into a deadly risk this legislature should not be willing to take.

DA Stephan urged constituents in San Diego County and across the state to contact their State Senators and voice their opposition to AB 1028.

The Chair of the Senate Public Safety Committee is Senator Aisha Wahab, (916) 651-4410.

State Senators representing districts in San Diego County are:

Sen. Toni Atkins, Central San Diego County (916) 651-4039

Sen. Steve Padilla, Chula Vista/South Bay (916) 651-4018

Sen. Brian Jones, El Cajon and Escondido (916) 651-4040

Sen. Catherine Blakespear, Encinitas/North County (916) 651-4038

Read the DA’s letter sent in opposition to AB 1028 here.

PetSmart to Pay $1.4 Million in Civil Case

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced today that PetSmart LLC agreed to pay $1,460,000 to settle a civil law enforcement complaint alleging it engaged in false advertising and unfair competition. The San Diego County DA’s Office joined DAs from Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, Marin, Santa Cruz, and Ventura in filing the lawsuit. The civil complaint, officially filed by prosecutors in Santa Cruz County, alleges that PetSmart unlawfully charged customers higher prices than its lowest advertised price for items.

“We are committed to protecting customers by ensuring businesses charge them accurately and in compliance with California law,” DA Stephan said. “This is the latest in a string of prosecutions by our Consumer Protection Unit, which is prominent in a statewide team of DAs bringing pricing accuracy cases against major retailers in California. We urge people to pay attention as their items are being scanned at the register and check receipts to verify that they are being charged the posted sale price.”

The judgment includes an injunction that prohibits PetSmart from engaging in false or misleading advertising and charging an amount greater than the lowest price posted for an item. Additionally, the judgment requires PetSmart to implement additional audit and price accuracy procedures in its California stores for a three-year period to ensure compliance with pricing accuracy requirements, including notifying customers of their right to be charged the lowest currently advertised price for any item offered for sale.

The judgment also requires PetSmart to pay $1,250,000 in civil penalties, $100,000 in restitution to support future enforcement of consumer protection laws, and $110,000 in costs to the various county Agricultural Commissioners around the state who conducted the investigation. PetSmart cooperated with inspectors and prosecutors during the investigation and has since instituted new policies and procedures to improve pricing accuracy.

The San Diego County Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures is the agency that inspected a random sampling of PetSmart stores throughout San Diego County and is instrumental in monitoring retailers to make sure that consumers are being charged the lowest advertised price for items. To report any overcharges, call 1-888-TRUE-SCAN (878-3722) or e-mail wm.awm@sdcounty.ca.gov.

Deputy District Attorney Kathryn Turner with the DA’s Consumer Protection Unit prosecuted the case for the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office.

Photo of a judge's gavel and handcuffs on top of books.

Defendant Sentenced to Prison in 1974 National City Cold Case Murder

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced today that Carlin Cornett, 70, was sentenced to five years-to-life in prison on June 7, for the 1974 murder of Christy Bryant, a former Marine and 7-Eleven clerk. Bryant was stabbed more than 30 times in the back room of the store during her night shift in National City.

“When a murder is unsolved for decades, it takes an enormous toll on the victim’s loved ones, but now the family of Christy Bryant have a measure of justice after many years of mourning their loss,” DA Stephan said. “I am grateful to our Cold Case Unit and detectives in the National City Police Department who worked tirelessly on this case until it was solved, and the killer was brought to justice.”

The case was a priority for National City Police.

“The National City Police Department would like to thank every law enforcement agency that assisted us with this investigation,” said National City Police Chief Jose Tellez. “This collaboration led to the arrest and conviction of a dangerous murder suspect. The exemplary work performed on this nearly 50-year-old case highlights the National City Police Department’s unwavering commitment to solve cases and to hopefully give families of victims a sense of closure and justice.”

Cornett pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on April 26. In 1974, the punishment under the law for second-degree murder was five years to life in prison.

The case was solved with the DA’s Cold Case Homicide Unit working in collaboration with the National City Police Department, which exhausted every lead and never gave up. Their work was possible through the grant-funded Cold Homicide and Research Genealogy Effort, (CHARGE) which applies investigative genetic genealogy to cold case homicides led by the DA’s resident genealogist Deputy District Attorney Laura Tanney.

On July 31, 1974, Bryant was working the overnight shift at the 7-Eleven on Highland Avenue in National City when she was attacked. After being stabbed more than 30 times, she died at the scene. During the struggle, the defendant cut himself with the knife and left a blood trail as he fled the store. The blood was unidentified for almost 50 years until the National City Police Department in collaboration with CHARGE applied the new tool of investigative genetic genealogy to the unidentified blood. An investigative lead was generated, and the defendant was ultimately identified as the attacker through a standard DNA test.

The District Attorney’s Office commended the National City police department for their outstanding investigative work on this case over the many years it was unsolved, especially retired detectives Raymond Estrada and David Bavencoff, and current Sgt. Mark Segal.  

This case was prosecuted by the team leader of the DA’s Cold Case Homicide Unit, Deputy District Attorney Chris Lindberg.

DA Prosecutor and Victim Advocate Recognized for DUI Homicide Work

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced today that two members of the DA’s Office were recognized by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) at the annual MADD San Diego Law Enforcement and Prosecutor Recognition Awards held Thursday, June 8 at the Balboa Park Recital Hall. Deputy District Attorney Hailey Williams was named Prosecutor of the Year for her work in the DA’s DUI Homicide Unit. Victim Advocate Shanda Torres was recognized with the MADD Outstanding Advocate Award for her work with victims of DUI cases.

“I want to thank Mothers Against Drunk Driving for their years of advocacy and education on the harm and loss that driving under the influence causes,” said DA Stephan. “This recognition by MADD of Deputy District Attorney Hailey Williams as Prosecutor of the Year and DA Victim Advocate Shanda Torres as Outstanding Advocate is very special to our entire DA team that fights for justice on behalf of crime victims and our community. Unfortunately, DUI homicides have increased in recent years, resulting in the tragic deaths of far too many in our community. Prosecutors like Hailey are helping to deliver a level of justice for the victims and their families, along with the compassionate assistance of Victim Advocates like Shanda. I am very proud to have them both on our team and I know that this award is very well-deserved. I also want to offer our thanks and congratulations to all the other awardees that are making a difference.”

In 2022, the DA’s DUI Homicide Unit prosecuted 27 cases and so far in 2023, there have been 8 cases. Recipients of these awards are chosen through MADD’s call for nominations process. The organization reaches out to community partners, law enforcement agencies, local officials and their internal victim advocates asking them to nominate individuals who stand out in the community with regards to DUI-related work. Every year, MADD honors law enforcement officials for their continuous efforts in driving under the influence enforcement. This year, in person, the event recognized law enforcement with awards for the number of DUI arrests made annually. According to MADD, each arrest is a life saved and MADD awards their service as they dedicate their lives to keeping our roads safe.

“We are honored to acknowledge prosecutors and advocates from the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office,” said Patricia Rillera, California State Executive Director for MADD. “MADD San Diego appreciates the meaningful opportunities to collaborate with the San Diego DA’s Office as we work towards a day of no more victims.”

Deputy DA Hailey Williams was nominated by Deputy DA Laura Evans of the DA’s DUI Homicide Unit. Williams started prosecuting DUI homicide cases in 2019, when she was assigned to assist the unit as the numbers of DUI-related deaths in San Diego were on the rise. Despite maintaining a general felony case load in addition to DUI cases, Hailey welcomed the role and excelled in it. She has handled 10 or more of these tragic, serious cases, sentencing many defendants to multiple years in state prison. For instance, in 2022, Hailey went to trial on a difficult gross vehicular manslaughter case in which the defendant was high on methamphetamine and killed his passenger. Hailey’s skills at presenting the facts of her case and cross-examining defense witnesses resulted in a guilty verdict on every charge within a day of deliberations.

Given Hailey’s success and passion for these cases, she has been assigned many of them, including Watson murder cases with significant and tragic facts. Not only does Hailey excel in the prosecution of these cases, but she is exemplary when it comes to her empathy with the family members that have lost loved ones because of a defendant’s decisions. Despite her hectic case load and the court time that these cases require, Hailey makes it a point to keep in consistent contact with all next-of-kin, informing them every step of the way and providing them direct access for any questions. Her caring nature allows families to trust her with bringing justice to their loved one. Hailey is also part of the training team for new Deputy DAs, specifically organizing and presenting a day-long training on DUIs to the new classes.

Victim Advocate Shanda Torres was nominated for the award by MADD San Diego Victim Service Specialist Nicole Jupiter for her ability to assist with Spanish speaking families and being a helpful resource for MADD, responding promptly any time the organization inquires about a case.

Other award recipients were Deputy City Attorney Ryan Harris of the San Diego City Attorney’s Office, who was also awarded Prosecutor of the Year; Chief Deputy City Attorney Kristen Foster of the San Diego City Attorney’s Office, who was also awarded MADD Outstanding Advocate Award; CHP San Diego’s Sergeant Brian Pennings, Officer Gilberto Jacobo, Officer Jake Sanchez and Officer Juan Escobar, who were all awarded for Outstanding Agency Dedication; San Diego Police Officer Anthony Carrasco and SDPD Officer Joseph Cabrales, El Centro Police Officer Daniel Valencia and La Mesa Police Officer Jesse Neumeister were all awarded the Outstanding Rookie Award; the MADD Century Award went to Carlsbad Police Officer Tyler Hubka, who made 101 DUI arrests, Carlsbad Police Officer Ricardo Huerta, who made 125 DUI arrests, and San Diego Sheriff’s Deputy Jason Malson, who made 115 DUI arrests; and finally the MADD Top Cop awardee was Escondido Police Officer Timothy Hamilton who made 212 DUI arrests.

Meet Administrative Analyst Ronald Agarma

In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, which is observed throughout the month of May, we are featuring stories of DA employees, what inspired them to pursue a career in public service and their contributions at the DA’s Office.

Meet Administrative Analyst Ronald Agarma, who began working at the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office in 2005 as a Student Worker. He is currently an Administrative Analyst III in the Human Resources Division, where he helps coordinate recruitments for various positions within the office and handles other human resources related duties. Read more about what inspired Ronald to pursue career in law enforcement at the DA’s Office, below.

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

“Before I started as a Student Worker at the South Bay Branch, I had a few different jobs within the County and in the private sector. Something that stuck out to me was the camaraderie within that branch. I liked it so much I spent the next 10 to 11 years of my life there. I wanted to spread that feeling throughout the office and was lucky enough to do so by joining the Human Resources team.”

What is your favorite part of the job?

“The people…whether its meeting with new hires to go over paperwork or seeing old coworkers from 15 years ago, I love talking to them all.”

What does Asian American and Pacific Islander Month mean to you/why is it important to you?

“I think about my parents and how they got here. I love asking them to tell me the stories on how things were in the Philippines, how they got here and how they assimilated in this new country. So, I think AAPI Month is a great way to celebrate the different journeys of all AAPI immigrants and citizens and their unique traditions and cultures.”

 

Meet Legal Support Manager Nathaniel Amarento

In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, which is observed throughout the month of May, we are featuring stories of DA employees, what inspired them to pursue a career in public service and their contributions at the DA’s Office.

Meet Legal Support Manager Nathaniel Amarento, who began working at the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office in 2005 as a Student Worker. He is currently the Legal Support Manager (LSM) working in the Superior Court Division, Administration, Special Operations and Trial Support Services. As an LSM, he works behind the scenes to ensure our units and divisions run smoothly, resolving issues, answering questions, and finding ways to work efficiently. He also helps with requests such as, needs for programs/access through the Information Technology Department and obtaining quotes to purchase items needed for our Deputy DA’s cases. Read more about what inspired Nathaniel to pursue career in law enforcement at the DA’s Office, below.

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

“Having a career in law enforcement and at the DA’s office is a great opportunity, which I think it could be considered as both direct and indirect ways to serve the community and touch so many lives. It’s good to know that I’m here to make a difference and be a part of improving our society.”

What is your favorite part of the job?

“My favorite part of the job is not only knowing our office is seeking justice but also seeing everyone in the DA’s Office grow. I’ve seen people come in as a student workers or Office Assistants and move up. Some of them becoming Deputy DAs, paralegals, supervisors, and LSMs.  It feels good knowing I’ve contributed to the growth and development of staff within the District Attorney’s Office.”

What does Asian American and Pacific Islander Month mean to you/why is it important to you?

“This is a great question to address. It brings me great pleasure that our community is taking a moment to recognize the Asian American and Pacific Islander Month. To me, it means remembering our own history and being proud of who we are. Hopefully, it gets people to explore and discover what Asian American and Pacific Islander cultures have to offer in terms of food, language, and history. We can share all of the positive contributions that our culture has given to the world.”

 

Meet Senior DA Investigator Felipe Chee

In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, which is observed throughout the month of May, we are featuring stories of DA employees, what inspired them to pursue a career in public service and their contributions at the DA’s Office.

Meet Senior DA Investigator Felipe Chee, who began working at the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office in 2016. He is currently a Senior DA Investigator assigned to the Computer and Technology Crimes High Tech Task Force (CATCH) Team in the Economic Crimes Division, where his primary duties are digital forensic examinations and high-tech investigations, as well as testifying in a variety of cases from a digital forensics’ perspective. Read more about what inspired Felipe to pursue career in law enforcement at the DA’s Office, below.

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

“When I was in college, I had an aptitude for tech, but I wanted a career that did not involve sitting in front of a computer. I joined the military reserves and a good number of personnel in my unit were in law enforcement. I really enjoyed the camaraderie and the common goal of trying to make the world a safer place. Fast forward many years, when I was assigned to CATCH as an outside agency personnel, I really liked the family atmosphere here at the DA’s Office and the goal of pursuing justice and protecting victims. I applied and was offered a DAI assignment to the same unit I enjoyed working at. Looking back, it was the many mentors in the law enforcement community that shaped me. It was the mentoring that led me to choose a career in law enforcement.”

What is your favorite part of the job?  

“I really like how I can apply my skills to provide more insight into the who, what, when, and how. The digital world encompasses everyone from defendants to victims and witnesses. I find digital evidence to be challenging and dynamic. I really enjoy explaining my findings from the digital domain.”

What does Asian American and Pacific Islander Month mean to you/why is it important to you?

“AAPI Month to me recognizes and celebrates the diversity of everyone such as heritage, cultural and up bringing. I grew up in a unique background growing up as an Asian American living along the U.S and Mexican border. I also believe with diversity we all share similarities in many ways. For those that know me, I love to eat and to try different foods. AAPI Month for me is also centered around food because sharing a meal together brings everyone closer.”