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Photo of Deputy District Attorney Jack Yeh with his name and title below with a backdrop of the Hall of Justice building.

Meet Deputy District Attorney Jack Yeh

In honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) 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 Deputy District Attorney Jack Yeh, who has been with the DA’s Office since 2018, and is currently the misdemeanor team leader in the South Bay Branch.

Read more about what inspired him to pursue a career at the DA’s Office, below.

Why did you choose a career in public service/what inspired you to pursue this career?

“I’m an immigrant from Taiwan. My mother and my grandparents were all public servants for the Taiwanese government. When I arrived in Texas in 1998, I saw that members of the Chinese American community generally regarded law enforcement with fear and apprehension. As I grew older, I saw that this fear often led to an under-utilization of public services and under-reporting of crime within the Chinese American community. One of the many reasons I chose this career is to show, through representation, that the criminal justice system belongs to everyone in the community.”

What does AANHPI Month mean to you/why is it important?

“Asian American history runs deep in California, but it’s also important to celebrate the impact that AANHPI have had on the arc of the broader American history. Some of the earliest non-native settlements in continental North America were established by Filipino sailors brought to Louisiana on Spanish ships. After the founding of the United States, the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and the Gentlemen’s Agreement of 1907 reversed demographic trends on the West Coast and indirectly led to the landmark United States Supreme Court case of U.S. v. Wong Kim Ark (1898) 169 U.S. 649, which established birth-right citizenship for all under the 14th Amendment, regardless of ethnicity. AANHPI Heritage Month is a celebration of the accomplishments and impact AANHPI have had on our home.”

A fun fact about you or what do you enjoy doing in your free time?

“When I’m home, I enjoy spending time with my baby, Atticus. When I’m away, I enjoy talking about the best boy in the west: Atticus. Explore AAPI in prosecution with the National Asian Pacific Islander Prosecutor’s Association (NAPIPA)!”

Photo of Deputy District Attorney Min Yoon with her name and title below with a backdrop of the Hall of Justice building.

Meet Deputy District Attorney Min Yoon

In honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) 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 Deputy District Attorney Min Yoon, who has been with the DA’s Office since 2012, when she was a summer intern, and she officially joined as a Deputy District Attorney in 2015 at our North County Branch. Most recently, she served in the DUI Homicide Unit, and has now transitioned into a new role within the Family Protection Unit.

Read more about what inspired her to pursue a career at the DA’s Office, below.

Why did you choose a career in public service/what inspired you to pursue this career?

“I was drawn to public service by a desire to advocate for victims. When I was an intern, I had the chance to observe a young girl testifying about her traumatizing experience. Seeing how she handled the testimony and her resilience afterward was a life-changing moment for me. That moment made me realize that I want to dedicate my career to serving our community and making a meaningful impact on people’s lives during their most vulnerable moments.”

What does AANHPI Month mean to you/why is it important?

“As an AANHPI prosecutor, this month is a reminder of how important representation is in our field. It’s about community building, celebrating our shared culture, and opening doors for the next generation. This is a major reason why I serve as a board member for NAPIPA (National Asian Pacific Islander Prosecutors Association), to help ensure our voices are heard and to support the attorneys coming up after us. “

A fun fact about you or what do you enjoy doing in your free time?

“These days, my weekends are usually spent cheering for my two kids as they just started to get into youth sports. I love being there to support them as they try out new activities. When we are not at the fields, I really enjoy spending quality time with my family, hosting friends for home karaoke nights, or planning out elaborate dinner party menus.”

Photo of Departmental Safety Coordinator Lavena Agarma Lavena Agarma with her name and title below then there is a background photo of the Hall of Justice building.

Meet Departmental Safety Coordinator Lavena Agarma

In honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) 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 Departmental Safety Coordinator Lavena Agarma, who has been with the DA’s Office since 2012, when she was a Student Worker then she became an Office Assistant in 2013. In her current role in Facilities, some of her duties include analyzing facility needs, monitoring building maintenance as well facility improvement and new building projects and ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and safety standards.

Read more about what inspired her to pursue a career at the DA’s Office, below.

Why did you choose a career in public service/what inspired you to pursue this career?

“I wanted to make a difference in the community and at the time as clerical staff, I wanted to be a part in serving justice to victims.  Although my role in the office has changed and I worked more on the facilities side of things—I still love being here at the DA’s office.”

What does AANHPI Month mean to you/why is it important?

“AANHPI is important because it honors our culture, traditions, and our heritage. I want to raise my second-generation kids to know and love who they are and where their ancestors came from.  My parents both migrated from Laos and worked tirelessly to give our family a great life here in America and I want to be able to do the same for my kids while teaching them the importance of our culture.”

A fun fact about you or what do you enjoy doing in your free time?

“I enjoy cooking, gathering with friends and family for different occasions and watching my boys grow up.”

Photo of Deputy Crime Analysis Administrator Peter Villaver with his name and title below with a backdrop of the Hall of Justice building.

Meet Crime Analysis Administrator Peter Villaver

In honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) 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 Crime Analysis Administrator Peter Villaver, who has been with the DA’s Office for eight years. Peter provides business intelligence and data analysis that support executive decision-making and collaboration with government and justice partners. His work includes analyzing case issuing and disposition trends, analyzing crime trends in the region, as well as evaluating the regional implementation and impact of new laws such as Proposition 36. He also specializes in application of digital evidence analytics on criminal investigations where he still gets the opportunity to directly work with our Deputy DAs and investigators to help build and review their cases. Prior to joining our office, he worked for the San Diego Police Department.

Read more about what inspired him to pursue a career at the DA’s Office, below.

 

Why did you choose a career in public service?

“Public service wasn’t my first career option when I graduated from college during the Great Recession, especially because many agencies were under hiring freezes at the time. I began my career working in transportation systems consulting for government agencies in the D.C. metro area, and that experience gave me firsthand exposure to how public agencies shape safe, connected and livable communities through infrastructure and public safety initiatives.

Over time, I developed a real appreciation for the responsibility that comes with serving the public. I realized that effective public service requires not only technical expertise, but also integrity, honesty, and objectivity in decision-making.

I come from a family of public servants. My father served in the military, both my siblings are in federal government service, my partner also works for the County and I’ve encouraged my niece to pursue public service as well.

Ultimately, I chose public service because I value work that has a direct and lasting impact on communities and the people who live in them.”

 

What does AANHPI Month mean to you/why is it important?

“America is shaped by people from many different backgrounds, and AAPI communities represent one important piece of that larger cultural mosaic. Celebrating is not just about highlighting one group — it is about recognizing how diverse cultures together strengthen the country through different perspectives, traditions, languages, and experiences.”

 

A fun fact about you or what do you enjoy doing in your free time?

“Fun Facts about me –

  • I have a 10-month-old Corgi named Portia Valentina.
  • I grew up in Japan and lived there from sixth grade to junior year of high school. I’ve been visiting the country almost every other year even before the pandemic.
  • I regularly get invited and enjoy presenting topics on digital evidence in criminal investigations to students at a local law school.
  • I have been in two crime documentaries on VH1 and Peacock/NBC talking about major cases that occurred in San Diego!”

 

 

Photo of woman, Ericka Wilson, in front of photo of Hall of Justice building.

NorCal Man Sentenced to LWOP for Brutal Murder of Estranged Wife

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced today that a 34-year-old Northern California man was sentenced for the January 2022 stabbing death of his estranged wife in Spring Valley.

Kandynn Wilson, who was found guilty by a jury of first-degree murder and a lying in wait special circumstance in December, was sentenced to life without parole plus one year in prison for killing Ericka J. Wilson, 29, his wife of six years and mother of their child. [WATCH the emotional victim impact statements from her family at the sentencing hearing.]

“This Defendant murdered his estranged wife in cold blood displaying a vicious brutality in lying in wait and stabbing her multiple times,” DA Stephan said. “We must keep fighting to safeguard victims of domestic violence and hold their abusers accountable. I’m grateful for the service of the jury that rendered this just verdict and for the work of law enforcement and our prosecution team. I hope today’s sentencing brings a measure of justice to the heartbreaking loss of the victim’s family.”

In January 2022, Kandynn Wilson took a vacation day from work and drove from Oakland to the victim’s place of employment, waiting for her to get off work so he could ambush her in the parking lot. After realizing he was at the wrong location, he drove to her apartment complex and parked in her parking lot. He reclined his seat and waited for her to return from work. Close to midnight, as Ericka Wilson pulled into the parking area and began to get out of her vehicle, the defendant approached her wearing a ski mask. He grabbed her and carried out a brutal stabbing attack, inflicting 23 wounds to her neck. She died at the scene. A brave neighbor saw the attack, and chased the defendant with a bat, forcing him to flee on foot and leave behind his vehicle, gloves, and murder weapon.

He was located a few hours later covered in Ericka’s blood.

“Intimate partner violence continues to be one of the most common and dangerous forms of violence we confront, and this case is a stark reminder of its devastating impact,” DA Stephan said.

In 2024, seven people were killed by a current or former intimate partner and there was one additional homicide victim, such as a family member, new boyfriend, or bystander, who died during domestic violence related incidents. While this is an increase from five domestic violence-related homicides the prior year, these types of homicides continue to remain lower than the average from the prior two decades. Figures for 2025 won’t be available for several months.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Alexandra Lorens.

Photo of Deputy District Attorney Mei Owen with her name and title below with a backdrop of the Hall of Justice building.

Meet Deputy DA Mei Owen

In honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) 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 Deputy District Attorney Mei Owen, who has been with the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office since 2011. She began her journey as a legal intern, then continued as a graduate law clerk and later as a volunteer attorney, then ultimately as a Deputy District Attorney. Over the years she has served in several of our branches, including Vista, Juvenile, and El Cajon. She is now downtown in our Special Operations Division.

Read more about what inspired her to pursue a career at the DA’s Office, below.

Why did you choose a career in public service/what inspired you to pursue this career?

“My path toward public service began with a moment from my early childhood that has never left me. When I was three or four years old, I was walking home from the grocery store with my mother when she was robbed at knifepoint. I didn’t understand why a stranger wielded a kitchen knife in my mother’s face or why she handed over the contents of her purse so quickly. But I understood her fear. I remember the tears on her face and the way she instinctively shielded me. The man was never caught. Justice was never done. Even at that young age, something in me recognized the profound impact of harm and the importance of accountability. That experience planted a seed that grew over time. It shaped my belief in fairness, safety, and the need for a justice system that protects vulnerable people, families, and communities like mine. It’s what inspired me to pursue a career as a deputy district attorney. Every day, I’m reminded that the work I do is not abstract. It’s personal. It’s rooted in a lifetime of experiences, my own and those passed down to me.

Public service is my way of honoring my parents’ sacrifices, my community’s resilience, and the many people who still hope for their own version of the ‘Golden Mountain.’ It is my way of giving back to the country that gave my family a chance to thrive, and of helping ensure that justice, dignity, and safety are more than just ideals. They are realities people can count on.”

 

What does AANHPI Month mean to you/why is it important?

“AANHPI Heritage Month is a time for me to reflect on where I come from and the journey that brought me here. As a first‑generation Chinese‑American who emigrated to the United States at eight years old, I grew up hearing my parents speak of America as the “golden mountain.” As a child, I imagined literal mountains made of gold waiting for us when we stepped off the plane. In reality, we arrived with nothing but the clothes on our backs. Yet my parents carried with them something far more powerful: hope, determination, and an unshakable belief that this country could offer opportunities they never had. They gave everything so that I could be anything.

Their sacrifices supported me through school and every hardship in between. Becoming the first in my family to not only attend college, but to earn a doctorate and build a meaningful career, is something I carry with great pride and deep gratitude. AANHPI Heritage Month reminds me that my achievements aren’t mine alone – they are the result of generations of perseverance, of stories carried across oceans, of dreams planted long before I was old enough to understand them.”

 

A fun fact about you or what do you enjoy doing in your free time?

“I love baking bread. There’s something magical about taking a bunch of random ingredients like flour, water, salt, and somehow ending up with something delicious. It reminds me in many ways of what public service feels like – a mix of small, humble ingredients, a lot of patience, and the courage to step into the heat when it matters. And if everything goes well, you come out with something that is pretty great.”

“Beyond my professional journey, I am also the proud mother of three wonderful children and the spouse of a military service member. My husband has dedicated over 20 years to serving this country in the Navy’s special warfare community as an EOD bomb technician. His career has been marked by sacrifice, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to protecting others. The weight of that service is immeasurable, and being part of his journey has deepened my appreciation for the many forms public service can take. Our family has grown alongside the challenges and triumphs of his career, and I carry immense pride in the strength and purpose that binds us. His dedication continues to inspire me in my own work and reinforce my commitment to serving our community.”

 

Photo of murder victim Samuel Holtaus with the Hall of Justice blurred in the background.

Man Sentenced for Brutal 2023 Murder and Series of Violent Crimes in El Cajon

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced today that Kenneth McNally Jr., 42, has been sentenced following his conviction for the murder of 59-year-old Samuel Holthaus (pictured below) and a series of additional violent crimes committed in Harbison Canyon in 2023. A jury found McNally guilty on all counts, including first-degree murder, two counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm, shooting at an inhabited occupied structure/vehicle, and assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury. He was sentenced today to 216 years to life in prison.

McNally is a third-strike offender with a lengthy and violent criminal history. At the time of the murder, he was on probation for his second-strike offense after being convicted of attacking a dog with an axe. McNally was also on Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS) for two additional criminal cases; one involving assault and the other resisting an officer with force. His first strike conviction stemmed from a 2004 case, in which he was convicted of assault on a peace officer.

“This was an extraordinarily violent and disturbing case involving a defendant who terrorized multiple victims before committing a cold-blooded murder and attempting to conceal the crime,” DA Stephan said. “Because of the courageous witnesses who came forward, and the relentless work of law enforcement and prosecution team led by Deputy DA Javier Vargas, this dangerous defendant is being held fully accountable for his heinous crimes.”

[VIDEO: Victim Impact Statements from Samuel Holtaus’ sisters at the sentencing hearing.]

The charges stem from events that occurred on September 3, 2023, on a six-acre property in Harbison Canyon, which is an unincorporated area of El Cajon, where McNally had been intermittently staying with acquaintances in a trailer alongside several other residents. Earlier that day, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office received calls from residents reporting that McNally was aggressively demanding rides off the property while appearing to conceal a weapon beneath a jacket. One witness later told investigators that during a drive near Sloan Canyon Road off Dehesa Road, McNally confessed that he had killed Holthaus and dragged him down a hill with a noose around his neck. A second witness also revealed McNally made a similar confession to her earlier that day. She also reported seeing McNally driving the victim’s truck erratically before parking it near the grave.

A few hours later, Holthaus’ body was discovered buried in a shallow grave after a witness noticed the top of the victim’s head protruding from the ground. Investigators found an extension cord wrapped around the victim’s neck and observed a gunshot wound to the side of his face. Holthaus’ truck was parked next to the grave with blood covering the driver’s side doorframe. Detectives also located drag marks in the dirt leading away from the vehicle to another area of the property where they discovered coagulated blood and a pile of burned trash.

Over a year-and-a-half after the discovery of Holthaus’s body, a third witness came forward stating he saw McNally shoot Holthaus. According to the witness, McNally then tied one end of an electrical cord around Holthaus’s neck and attached the other end to Holthaus’s truck. McNally drove the truck 329 feet to the location where the body was ultimately found, dragging Holthaus’s body by his neck.

A search of the trailer where McNally had been staying revealed an empty gun case bearing the serial number of a small semi-automatic handgun. The trailer owner confirmed the gun case belonged to McNally. Multiple witnesses told investigators they had previously seen McNally carrying a small black handgun on the property, and one witness reported seeing him fire the weapon multiple times. The murder weapon itself, however, was never recovered.

On September 6, 2023, the Sheriff’s Fugitive Task Force located McNally at a motel in El Cajon. Investigators detained a van McNally was riding in and discovered a bag containing bloody clothing. Preliminary DNA analysis showed the majority of the blood on the pants tested positive for McNally’s DNA; only a single blood stain found on one of the pant legs belonged to Holthaus.

In addition to the murder conviction, prosecutors presented evidence of several other violent incidents involving McNally on the property in the weeks leading up to the killing. Hours before Holthaus’ murder, McNally accused residents of stealing his backpack and held a handgun to the neck of victim Maurizio Cairo while threatening him. Approximately two weeks before the murder, McNally fired at least five rounds into a van being driven by victim Michael Medland after a confrontation on the property. Detectives later recovered the bullet-riddled van and the fired rounds during the homicide investigation. Jurors also heard evidence that in July 2023, McNally strangled former roommate Gary Cash inside a trailer on the property while making nonsensical statements. Another resident intervened and stopped the attack.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Javier Vargas.

 

Photo of the four representatives holding up the MOU document, sitting at a table in One Safe Place: The South County Family Justice Center.

DA Announces Expanded Binational Partnership to Strengthen Victim Services Across the Border

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced the renewal and expansion of a binational partnership today, strengthening collaboration between the Attorney General of the State of Baja California, the Baja California Justice Center for Women, and the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office Family Justice Centers — One Safe Place North in San Marcos and One Safe Place South in National City. [WATCH ANNOUNCEMENT HERE]

Photo of the four representatives holding up the MOU document, sitting at a table in One Safe Place: The South County Family Justice Center.

DA Announces Expanded Binational Partnership to Strengthen Victim Services Across the Border.

The updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), built upon an existing historical cross-border partnership that began on August 30, 2024, is expanding services and coordination to now include both Family Justice Center locations. One Safe Place: The South County Family Justice Center in National City, which opened in October 2025, was incorporated into the agreement to further extend access to comprehensive victim services throughout the region.

“Abusers, traffickers or anyone who exploits and harms victims do not recognize borders,” DA Stephan said. “With thousands of people traveling between San Diego and Tijuana each day for work, school, and family, we know victimization can happen on either side of the border—and our response must be just as seamless. This renewed partnership strengthens our binational network of support, ensuring victims can access critical services, protection, and justice wherever they are. We are committed to making sure no one is left without help because of geography or language, and that every person who comes to One Safe Place is met with culturally responsive care focused on safety, healing, and justice.”

Since opening in July 2022, One Safe Place: The North County Family Justice Center in San Marcos and then in October 2025, One Safe Place: The South County Family Justice Center in National City, the DA’s two family justice centers have served over 13,000 victims and survivors by providing comprehensive support services under one roof. Both Family Justice Centers offer trauma-informed, wraparound services under one roof for victims of child abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, elder abuse, hate crimes, and other forms of victimization, in collaboration with more than 100 community partners. This includes agencies like the Attorney General of the State of Baja California and the State of Baja California Justice Center for Women, created to prevent violence against women and girls by providing legal, psychological and social services.

The renewed and expanded partnership enhances cross-border coordination, allowing for seamless referrals between agencies and reducing barriers for victims who previously had to cross the border—often facing long wait times—to receive services. The collaboration ensures victims can receive support in the location where they live, work, or feel safe.

Baja California Attorney General Maria Elena Andrade Ramírez emphasized that the continued partnership strengthens binational efforts to provide comprehensive, compassionate care to victims while advancing justice across borders.

“This international cooperation reflects our shared commitment to joining forces across borders to protect those who need it most,” said Baja California Attorney General Maria Elena Andrade Ramírez. “Renewing and expanding this agreement will strengthen referral processes, specialized support, and multidisciplinary services, while also reducing the barriers that have historically limited access to legal, psychological, and social services. Through this binational support network, we aim to provide immediate, gender-responsive assistance while always prioritizing the safety, stability, and well-being of families affected by violent environments.”

Magdalena Bautista, Director of the Baja California Justice Center for Women (CEJUM), noted that expanding the agreement to include both Family Justice Centers marked an important step in increasing access to protection and services, reinforcing the shared commitment to ensuring no victim is left without support.

“This agreement reaffirms the strength of binational and interinstitutional collaboration as a means to expand protection, support, and effective access to justice for women and their families,” Director of the Baja California Justice Center for Women Magdalena Bautista said. “At CEJUM, we reaffirm our commitment to act with sensitivity, professionalism, and compassion in supporting those who need it most, and we are backed by Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda in consolidating a public policy focused on women and justice with a gender perspective. The true strength of this alliance lies in turning binational coordination into real protection and concrete results for women and their families.”

In a separate ceremony on March 26, 2026, the DA’s Office renewed a similar agreement with the Mexican Consulate, which continues to enhance outreach and prevention efforts, including participation in the monthly “Cafecito Con La Comunidad” events held at One Safe Place. These events connect the community with resources, information, and support services.

“Violence against women knows no borders,” said Ambassador Alicia G. Kerber-Palma, Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego. We celebrate this binational cooperative effort that strengthens coordination and support networks to provide greater protection and access to justice for women in our border region. From the Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego, we reaffirm our commitment to continue supporting initiatives that promote the dignity, safety, and well-being of our communities.”

One Safe Place: The North County Family Justice Center is located at 1050 Los Vallecitos Blvd., San Marcos, CA 92069.  The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the first Saturday of the month from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

One Safe Place: The South County Family Justice Center is located at 401 Mile of Cars Way, National City, CA 91950. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the second Saturday of the month from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The State Baja California Justice Center for Women is located at Avenida Moctezuma #1, Colonia Residencial de Cortez, C.P. 22190 Tijuana, Baja California, with hours of operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

[WATCH a video about One Safe Place: The San Diego County Family Justice Centers, here.]

Photo of Tribal Chairpersons, DA, Sheriff Announcing Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Collaborative; They are all sitting at a table outside in front of an indigenous statue to Sign MOU in Sacramento.

Tribal Chairpersons, DA, Sheriff Announce Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Collaborative; Sign MOU in Sacramento

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan, San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez, Pala Band of Mission Indians Chairman Robert Smith and Jamul Indian Village Chairwoman Erica Pinto announced today the formation of the San Diego County Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Collaborative (SDMMIPC) during a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony in Sacramento, marking a significant step forward in addressing serious and violent crimes impacting Indigenous communities.

The MOU establishes a framework for cooperation and collaboration among participating agencies dedicated to improving criminal justice responses and enhancing public safety within San Diego County. The partnership includes the Pala Band of Mission Indians, Jamul Indian Village of California, Bureau of Indian Affairs, San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, and San Diego County District Attorney’s Office. The agreement formalizes a shared commitment to work across jurisdictions to investigate and solve cases involving Indigenous victims, including murder, missing persons—with a special focus on minors—kidnapping, and human trafficking.

“It is such an honor to sign a historic MOU to advance justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons with Tribal Government Chairpersons devoted to their people,” DA Stephan said. “Together, we are committed to building trust between law enforcement and our tribal partners, while empowering early reporting and strengthening support for victims. Justice for Indigenous victims is not just a goal—it is a shared responsibility we all carry. In honor of MMIP Day, through this MOU we strengthen our commitment to work together to investigate and solve cases of murder, missing persons, kidnapping, and human trafficking involving Indigenous victims. To the survivors here with us and those we hold in our hearts—thank you for your courage, your advocacy, your resilience, and your partnership. This work is for you.”

 

“The formation of the SDMMIP Collaborative is a commitment to sustained cooperation, regular communication, and aligned investigative practices,” said Sheriff Kelly Martinez. “Our shared goal is simple: to bring people home, to bring families answers, and to ensure that no community feels alone in that search.”  

In California, Indigenous people continue to go missing and/or are murdered at disproportionately high rates. The SDMMIPC will focus on strengthening investigative efforts through information-sharing, coordinated responses, and enhanced partnerships among participating entities. The collaboration also prioritizes early reporting, culturally informed victim services, and ongoing education and training to improve outcomes in Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) cases.

“For too long, too many Indigenous families have carried the pain of unanswered questions and loved ones who were never brought home,” said Chairman Robert Smith of the Pala Band of Mission Indians. “This collaboration represents more than an agreement between agencies, it is a commitment to our communities that these cases will not be ignored, and these victims will not be forgotten. When tribal leaders and law enforcement work together with trust and purpose, we give families something they deserve, hope that justice is still possible.”

 

“As Chairwoman of the Jamul Indian Village, this effort is deeply personal to our community,” said Erica Pinto, Chairwoman of the Jamul Indian Village. “The formation of the SDMMIPC and the MOU reflect our commitment to upholding tribal sovereignty while working together to protect our people and honor those we have lost. For too long, Indigenous families have faced these tragedies without the coordinated response and resources that they deserve. This partnership strengthens collaboration across jurisdictions, builds trust, and ensures that cases involving our communities are handled with urgency, respect, and cultural understanding. Together, we are establishing a path forward that is rooted in accountability and justice for Native communities.”

The participating agencies share several core goals, including:

  • Enhancing public safety through coordinated, multi-agency investigations
  • Ensuring comprehensive and collaborative casework
  • Facilitating the prosecution of offenders and reopening cases when appropriate
  • Building trust among law enforcement, tribal partners, and the community
  • Promoting awareness and early reporting to law enforcement
  • Providing appropriate and supportive victim services in MMIP cases

The MOU recognizes that individual cases may present unique circumstances requiring additional coordination and agreements among partners.

Today’s signing ceremony reflects a growing statewide and national effort to address the disproportionate impact of violence against Indigenous people. Through the SDMMIPC, San Diego County is reinforcing its commitment to collaborative action, transparency, and meaningful engagement with tribal communities.

 

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

Crew of Five Target FedEx Delivery Trucks Carrying Louis Vuitton Merchandise

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced robbery, theft and carjacking charges against five defendants who worked together to target FedEx delivery trucks containing high-end merchandise from designer brand Louis Vuitton.

Deshawn Birden, 34, Jamal Buck, 33, Stephen Buck, 30, Maurice Cyrus, 29, and Frederick Jackson, 25, have each been charged with several felony counts in relation to the five incidents and face between seven years and four months and life in prison if convicted.

“This crew violently targeted lucrative luxury merchandise transported by FedEx,” DA Stephan said. “Their crime spree is over, and these defendants will begin facing justice and accountability for their bad acts.”

Between July 2024 and June 2025, the defendants stole over $667,000 worth of Louis Vuitton merchandise including sunglasses, handbags, shoes and belts. In one instance, they stole 25 boxes of designer products from the Fashion Valley Shopping Center during a scheduled delivery. In another instance, the driver fought off the gun wielding suspect, forcing the suspect to abandon his plan. On three occasions, the defendants intercepted and car jacked a delivery truck with the use of a firearm as the driver was getting gasoline and drove the truck to a pre-staged area where they were prepared with getaway vehicles to load the stolen merchandise into. In each case they were dressed in clothing that disguised their appearance from head to toe.

None of the merchandise has been recovered.

“These items are stolen with the express purpose of eventually being sold to unsuspecting consumers,” DA Stephan said. “We are grateful to the San Diego Police Department and the FBI for their partnership in this investigation and helping identify the defendants.”

Defendants Stephan Buck and Maurice Cyrus pleaded not guilty at arraignment today and are next due in court on May 14 for a readiness hearing. Buck was released on supervised own recognizance, and Cyrus is being held on no bail. The three additional defendants in this case are awaiting extradition to San Diego and will be arraigned at a future date.

Deputy District Attorney Cassidy McWilliams is prosecuting this case.