District Attorney Summer Stephan joined e3 Civic High and the Art Institute of California today to announce that a group of high school students mentored by the DA’s Office has created an innovative mobile phone app designed to inspire youth to make good choices. As part of their participation in the DA’s Youth Advisory Board, students at e3 Civic High researched and designed the app to address issues faced by young people such as addiction, crime, education and peer pressure. They chose an app platform so the outreach would be accessible and appealing to their peers, and because it is an easy way for students to learn about the consequences of their choices. [TWEET THIS]

The LifeMap app – a game about choices – was born out of a discussion in 2016, when students on the Youth Advisory Board at e3 Civic High began examining quality of life and educational issues they saw in their communities. Players in the game are given the option to make choices based on five scenarios involving issues such as dropping out of high school, graffiti tagging, poverty, and more. The game takes the player through various trolley stops through downtown, Barrio Logan and Belmont Park. Students designed and created the app with assistance from the Art Institute of California San Diego campus, which assisted with computer programming. It is currently available on Apple and Androidmobile devices by searching Life Map DAYAB.

“It’s not easy being a kid these days and these students have created a unique and engaging way to connect with their peers about real life issues,” DA Summer Stephan said. “The students who are Youth Advisory Board members across San Diego County are helping us connect with issues affecting youth and give our office a perspective that helps us in our mission of preventing crime and strengthening public safety.”

The students unveiled the mobile app today at e3 Civic High in downtown San Diego along with the schools’ administration, faculty, and parents.

“Our scholars are being challenged to become the civic leaders of today and make a positive impact on the quality of life for all citizens, especially their peers,” said e3 Civic High’s CEO, Dr. Helen Griffith. “The expert mentorship provided by their involvement in the Youth Advisory Board is the catalyst that is training them to change our world. We applaud DA Summer Stephan for her leadership to ensure that our youth are seated at the table of transformation.”

Students researched each topic included in the game to come up with questions and answers.

“I learned so much more working with my peers than working alone during the creation of this game,” Youth Advisory Board member Anna Phounsavath said. “I hope this game is useful for other young people in that it gets them to think about the choices they make and how they affect other people.”

The first DA’s Youth Advisory Board was created in 2008 as a unique partnership between the DA’s Office and area high school students. Currently, the advisory board consists of students from Lincoln High School and e3 Civic High. Previously the board had students from Mira Mesa and Scripps Ranch high schools. Over the years and with adult support and guidance, students have produced impactful outreach and awareness campaigns that have earned a regional Emmy Award and the Diversity Youth Leadership Award from the City of San Diego’s Human Relations Commission. Through their perspective, the groups educate the community and the DA’s Office about current issues affecting young people and work to create positive change in the community in an effort to reduce crime. Each advisory board includes a diverse group of students from both high schools.

The students will be taking the game app to classrooms across the county, as well as and youth-centered organizations, along with information about resources that are available to help students succeed. [TWEET THIS]

Principals, youth directors and community leaders interested in this new game app and the related outreach campaign may request a presentation from the YAB by visiting their website at www.SanDiegoDAyab.com.

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan will again attend the latest Parole Board hearing for a defendant who shot and killed a San Diego police officer in order to bring a clear voice on behalf of the slain police officer’s family and keep a murderer behind bars. [TWEET THIS]

Officer Archie Buggs was 30-years old in 1978 when he was shot six times after he stopped a car driven by Jesus Cecena, a gang member in the Skyline neighborhood. Cecena fired five times at Buggs, then paused, walked toward the fallen officer and fired a final bullet into his head at point blank range. The officer died on the street, his hand still on his service revolver.

In the last four years, Cecena was approved for parole three times by the parole board but Governor Jerry Brown later overturned the panel’s recommendation in each case.  Cecena’s parole continues to be opposed by San Diego Police Chief David Nisleit, District Attorney Summer Stephan, and the San Diego Police Officers Association.

“This was a cold-blooded execution of an on-duty police officer that devastated the officer’s family, his department and our community,” District Attorney Summer Stephan said. “This crime was callous and inexplicably senseless. It demonstrated a total disregard for human life and disdain for those in a position of authority.”

Cecena was convicted of murder and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on August 22, 1979. Since Cecena was 17 at the time of the murder, his sentence was reduced to  seven years-to-life in March of 1982.  He was denied parole 13 times. His unstable social history continued during his incarceration; he received more than ten violation reports for misconduct while in prison. Cecena was granted parole three times (in 2014, 2015 and 2017) and each time Governor Jerry Brown reversed the grant after the DA’s objections.

“To this day, Cecena has never accepted full responsibility for executing Officer Buggs and glosses over the full horror of his actions,” said Deputy DA Richard Sachs, who will argue against Cecena’s release. “Cecena’s words of purported acceptance ring hollow, and do not demonstrate that he has fully embraced the execution nature of this killing. Unless and until he faces that, he will continue to be unpredictable and dangerous.” [TWEET THIS]

[RELATED: SDPD Officer Archie Buggs Dedication Ceremony]

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan today warned the elderly and disabled who receive Medicare benefits to protect themselves from scam artists who may try to obtain their personal identifying information. The warning comes as about 525,000 senior citizens in San Diego County begin to receive new Medicare Cards in the mail. Unfortunately, the new cards are also a new opportunity for scammers to take advantage of seniors and those with disabilities. [TWEET THIS]

“Ripping off hard working families won’t be tolerated in San Diego County,” said District Attorney Summer Stephan. “We’re here to help protect the benefits seniors have earned after a lifetime of hard work and sacrifice.”

San Diego County’s older population is growing; unfortunately, so are crimes against our older residents. Almost 23 percent of the population in our County is projected to be over age 65 by 2050, a 10 percent increase from 2015.

In the past few months, the District Attorney’s Office has stepped up its focus on preventing and fighting various forms of elder abuse—including financial fraud against seniors.  Since the start of 2017, the DA’s office has filed more than 100 cases involving theft from elder victims. In one recent case, the victim had their homes deeded away from them and sold without their knowledge.

About 5.7 million people will receive new Medicare cards in California, including more than half-a-million people here in San Diego County. The new cards no longer have the recipient’s social security number on them, instead each individual will receive an 11-digit alpha numeric identifier. The cards remain red, white and blue and benefits are not changing in any way. The new cards come with information on how to use them and recipients can start using their cards as soon as they receive them.

Con artists are known to take advantage of moments like this when new cards or government programs are rolled out. District Attorney Summer Stephan had a specific warning today for seniors and some important information on how they can protect themselves from those who would take advantage of them.

Tips for seniors to protect themselves include:

• When your new Medicare card arrives, keep it in a safe place.
• Con artists may reach out and try to get your new 11-digit Medicare identifier so they can steal your identity and commit fraud…don’t give it to them.
• There is no charge for your new card, so don’t pay anyone to send it to you.
• Guard your Medicare card like it’s a credit card.
• Don’t share or confirm your Medicare number or Social Security number with anyone who contacts you by telephone, email, or in person, unless you’ve given them permission in advance.
• Medicare will NEVER contact you (unless you ask them to) to ask for your Medicare number or other personal information or to send you a new card. Medicare already has your information.
• Don’t ever let anyone borrow or pay to use your Medicare number. If someone calls you and asks for your Medicare number or other personal information, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE.
• Give your Medicare number only to those you know should have it (doctors, pharmacists, or your health insurer).
• Call 1-800-MEDICARE to report suspected fraud. [TWEET THIS]

To learn more about protecting yourself from identity theft and health care fraud, visit Medicare.gov/fraud

Earlier this month, District Attorney Summer Stephan announced the formation and first meeting of an Elder Protection Council, a private/public collaboration designed to raise awareness, enhance prevention and improve protection for San Diego County’s elder population.

“Our society will be judged on how we treat our most vulnerable, including our children and our seniors,” said District Attorney Summer Stephan. “With this countywide initiative, we’re proactively responding to an increase in elder abuse crime as this population continues to grow.”

According to a recent SANDAG report, violent crimes against San Diego residents 60 years of age and older increased by 20 percent last year. The report shows there were 838 crimes against seniors including 13 homicides, 25 rapes, 210 robberies, and 590 aggravated assaults in 2017.

Additional research showed that while the increase may be due to the growing number of 60-year-old residents in our region – up 20% percent – it was not the sole reason. Seniors are targeted because they are less likely to report a crime against them. [TWEET THIS]

San Diego County’s top law enforcement official, District Attorney Summer Stephan, joined the U.S. Marshals Service, San Diego Police Department and Phoenix Police Department in asking for the public’s help to locate Raymond McLeod, who is wanted for the murder of Krystal Mitchell. [Watch the news conference here.] McLeod is believed to be on the run in Central America or Mexico.  His last reported location was in Guatemala in March of 2017, but he has also been spotted in Belize and in Mexico.

[INFO EN ESPAÑOL AQUÍ]

“We’re not going to let this defendant run from justice and get away with murder,” said District Attorney Summer Stephan.  “We’re asking anyone with information to come forward so McLeod can be captured, returned to San Diego and held accountable for his brutal crime. Let us not forget the innocent victim who lost her life.” [TWEET THIS]

On June 10, 2016, San Diego police officers responded to a 911 call of a woman not breathing inside of an apartment in the 7600 block of Mission Gorge Road in San Diego. The woman, later identified as 30-year old Krystal Mitchell from Phoenix, Arizona, was pronounced dead at the scene by medics. Detectives from the San Diego Police Department’s Homicide Unit responded to the scene and determined that Mitchell was last seen alive with her boyfriend (Raymond McLeod). Mitchell and McLeod, also from Phoenix, Arizona, had been in San Diego visiting friends.

McLeod is believed to have fled to Mexico after Mitchell’s death.  The District Attorney’s Office has charged McLeod with murder and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. Authorities are withholding details of the murder, but say there were signs of struggle at the murder scene. [VIDEO]

The victim’s mother, Josephine Funes Wentzel, is a former police detective who has been instrumental in helping authorities search for McLeod.  Wentzel has generated leads for law enforcement and helped spread word about the international manhunt on social media.  [TWEET THIS]

“Catching McLeod will not bring my daughter back, but would prevent this monster from killing someone else’s mother, daughter or sister,” Wentzel said.  “It would also mean that Krystal’s children can sleep at night, knowing he’s been stopped. McLeod has a history of extreme violence against women and even a small child. His tendency is to stalk his victims and strike when they least expect it.  He is a ticking time bomb that could go off at any moment and I hope the public will take action and help us bring him to justice.”

The U.S. Marshals Service is leading the manhunt and is poised to follow up on any information about McLeod’s whereabouts.  Steve Jurman, U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force Commander, said, “The U.S. Marshals and all our partner agencies are using every resource to locate and arrest McLeod.  There is no better law enforcement tool than the public’s help and vigilance to locate fugitives from justice.  This murder was so senseless and violent that even McLeod’s friends have cooperated with police to help try to help.” [TWEET THIS]

“Raymond McLeod came to San Diego and committed a brutal crime,” said San Diego Police Chief David Nisleit.  “McLeod fled San Diego and even the United States, however detectives in our Homicide Unit will continue working each and every lead in this case and will not stop until McLeod is behind bars.  Our partnership among multiple law enforcement agencies along with the public’s help will ultimately result in McLeod’s capture.” [VIDEO]

Raymond McLeod is a former United States Marine who may have access to weapons. McLeod is a white male, 34-years-old, 5 feet11 inches tall, weighs 245 pounds, and has multiple, recognizable tattoos on both of his arms. McLeod also goes by the nickname of “RJ” but may be using the name “Matt” or “Mateo” in attempt to hide his identity.  McLeod may have put on weight and is likely to have a beard.

Anyone with information on this murder or the location of Raymond McLeod is asked to call the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477, or log onto www.SDCrimeStoppers.org for information on how to send anonymous web and mobile app tips. Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 reward in addition to the U.S. Marshals Service who is offering a $10,000 reward to anyone with information that leads to an arrest in this case.

Anonymous email and text messages can be sent via www.SDCrimeStoppers.org. You can also download the CrimeStoppers app in order to send in a tip. [TWEET THIS]

The wildfires throughout California and San Diego County have left many people without homes or required to evacuate their properties. In the wake of these wildfires, San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan today issued a warning to businesses and scammers not to take advantage of consumers by price gouging during a state of an emergency – doing so can end in prosecution. During a declared state of emergency, it is illegal for a business to increase its prices for essential goods or services by more than 10 percent, unless they can show their own costs have been increased. Gov. Edmund G. Brown declared the state of emergency on December 7. [INFO EN ESPAÑOL]

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“Price gouging during a state of an emergency is not only a crime, it is re-victimizing victims who may have lost everything in a wildfire,” DA Summer Stephan said. “Natural disasters are already devastating, so when businesses and scammers exploit consumers when they are vulnerable, law enforcement will not tolerate it.”

It is against the law to spike prices on:

• Food
• Goods or services used for emergency cleanup
• Medical supplies
• Home heating oil
• Building materials
• Housing
• Transportation
• Gasoline

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In addition, it is a misdemeanor for a hotel or motel to increase regular rates by more than 10 percent during a declared emergency and for the 30 days following the state of emergency.

Looting:

During a state of emergency, looting is a felony (2nd degree burglary) with a penalty of up to three years in state prison.

Avoid contractor scams:

Anyone should be extremely cautious if approached by aggressive agents, adjusters or contractors after a disaster. Most businesses are honest and have good intentions, but there are always bad actors waiting to take advantage of disaster victims. Working as an unlicensed contractor during a state of emergency is a felony. Keep these tips in mind when selecting a contractor:

• Ask for proof of licensing such as a pocket license and a second photo ID.
• Always verify that the license number matches the contractor you are dealing with.
• Beware of scare tactics, odd calls or unsolicited contacts.
• Make sure the contractor carries workers’ compensation and liability insurance.

Avoid debris-clearing scams:

In the aftermath of natural disasters, debris-clearing scams often surface. Do not provide payment upfront and be sure to ask where the debris is being taken. Scammers often ask for money up-front and then disappear. Sometimes they dump debris on a neighbor’s property or park, which may cause you to be responsible for the costs and penalties.

Avoid charity scams:

During a disaster we hear many pleas for donations but we have to beware of charity scams as well. Here are some important tips to keep in mind:

• Bogus charities have names that sound similar to real charities.
• Give to charities you are familiar with.
• Beware of telephone solicitors who are unwilling to give their name and call back number.
• Never give money to anyone sent to your home.
• Never give out personal information such as credit card numbers or social security numbers over the telephone, unless you clearly know who you are doing business with.

The District Attorney’s Office has historically played a role in incidents of wildfires, including the San Diego County wildfires of 2003, 2007 and 2014. During those events, investigators from the District Attorney’s Office, the California Department of Insurance, the Contractors State License Board, and the Department of Motor Vehicles fanned out over fire-ravaged areas to warn homeowners to beware of would-be criminals who prey on victims of natural disasters. They posted signs warning unlicensed contractors that operating in a declared state of emergency area is a felony.

You can report suspected price gouging to the District Attorney’s Consumer Protection Unit at (619) 531-3507, or:

California Department of Insurance

10021 Willow Creek Road, #100

San Diego, CA 92131

Helpline 1-800-927-HELP (4357)

Contractors State License Board

9246 Lightwave Avenue, Suite 130

San Diego, CA 92123

www.clsb.ca.gov

1-800-321-2752

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