DA-Sponsored Bill Preventing Rapists from Qualifying for Elder Parole Passes Senate Public Safety Committee

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said a bill sponsored by her office and authored by Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones cleared a hurdle in the Senate today, and moved one step closer to closing a loophole in the elder parole law that allows rapists to be considered for early release, no matter how violent their crimes were.

Senate Bill 286, also known as Mary-Bella’s Law, unanimously passed the Senate Public Safety Committee today with bipartisan support and now moves on to Senate Appropriations, then the Senate floor. The bill would prevent violent sex offenders from qualifying for the Elderly Parole Program, which went into effect in 2021.

At a news conference in Sacramento today, just before the Senate Public Safety Committee met to consider the bill, DA Stephan, Senator Jones, and rape survivors spoke in favor of the bill.

“I’m overwhelmed by the courage of the people who came here to speak their truth and testify before the committee,” DA Stephan said. “It’s unfortunate that after a horrific crime such as rape or child molest happens to you and the perpetrator receives a lengthy prison sentence, victims have to continue to fight for justice years later. The rule of law about victims’ rights enshrined in our California constitution was ignored when the age for elder parole was dropped to 50-years-old.”

In 2021, the California Legislature changed the law to lower the age of qualification for the Elderly Parole Program to inmates 50 or older who have served at least 20 years of continuous incarceration. Because of this change, violent sex offenders who have brutalized and repeatedly committed vicious sex crimes against victims can qualify for parole when they turn 50, even if they have a 100-year sentence.

“This bipartisan bill closes a dangerous loophole in California’s Elderly Parole Program that allows rapists to walk free decades before serving their full sentence,” Senator Jones said.

One of the victims for whom the law was named, Mary Johnson, spoke at today’s news conference and explained the yearslong frustration of fighting the system that allowed her rapist to be granted elder parole after 27 years of his 170-year sentence. Part of the reasoning that her attacker was deemed less of a threat during his elder parole hearing was that he had a bad back and acid reflux.

“I had to sit before a panel of strangers who then went on to grant his parole,” Johnson said. “My life was suddenly turned upside down.”

Closing this dangerous loophole that allows violent sex offenders to be released early is paramount to public safety.

“I am so grateful to Senator Brian Jones for his leadership on this and bringing this bill forward,” DA Stephan said. “Causing additional trauma to victims is wrong and we have to change it. This law will begin that change.”

DA Honors Seven Local Heroes at ‘Citizens of Courage’ Awards

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan honored seven brave individuals today during the DA’s 35th annual Citizens of Courage Awards, held as part of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. This year, National Crime Victim’s Rights Week was observed April 6-12. As part of this annual event, the DA not only highlights the courageous individuals who survived or witnessed a crime, but also the important services that are offered through the DA’s Victim Assistance program. The DA’s Office is the largest provider of victim services in the county.

“I hope this event inspires everyone to make us better as a community because we all have the potential of being Citizens of Courage,” DA Stephan said. “The seven individuals we are honoring today are an example of the courage that exists within us when placed in dangerous or trying circumstances. This special event helps us shine a light on the many courageous crime victims our office serves in the pursuit of justice every day, and the importance of supporting victims’ rights, which is at the heart of our mission at the District Attorney’s Office. I am very proud and grateful for the tireless service performed by our Victim Advocates on behalf of crime victims.” 

The DA’s Victim Services Division strives to reduce the trauma, fear and pain experienced by victims, witnesses, and family members affected by crime. The Victim Assistance Program provides comprehensive services to all crime victims, while Victim Advocates are focused on providing assistance to victims of violent crimes. In 2024, they assisted 10,667 new crime victims. This assistance included 556 crisis interventions and 10,152 referrals to community resources. Additionally, 3,758 victims have completed 11,904 total visits to One Safe Place: The North County Family Justice Center since opening in 2022. These visits include comprehensive services such as case management, restraining orders, trauma therapy, forensic exams, connections to shelter and more.

This year, the Citizens of Courage Awards ceremony was held at the Liberty Station Conference Center in front of more than 350 invited dignitaries, elected officials, community leaders and guests. Below are the 2025 Citizens of Courage recipients and links to videos telling their stories:

JENNA BRIANS

Her maternal instinct and sixth sense led her to contact police in the middle of the night, who located her estranged husband as he was driving his truck off a cliff, allowing officers to rescue her twin daughters.

ERIN WILKERSON

A resilient human trafficking survivor who was arrested, testified against her trafficker and now overcomes her trauma while speaking to law enforcement, sex buyers and women in correctional facilities.

ROBERT MOORE

An off-duty security guard who witnessed a late-night shooting and came to the aid of the badly injured victim and her crying child.

A GROUP OF GOOD SAMARITANS

A group of individuals who each stopped on the freeway to help a CHP officer who had been shot. Without this selfless group effort and the role each person played, the officer likely would not have survived.

 

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

$1 Million in Restitution Ordered From Plumbing Contractor

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced today that plumbing contractor Daniela G. Birdwell has been ordered to pay $1,030,062 in restitution to the State Compensation Insurance Fund as part of a workers’ compensation fraud prosecution. Birdwell, the 41-year-old owner of GPS Plumbing, pleaded guilty to one count of Insurance Code Section 11880(a) – workers’ compensation insurance premium fraud. Judge Dwayne Moring also imposed a sentence of two years of formal felony probation, 320 hours of community service, and ordered Birdwell to pay $10,000 per month towards restitution.

“Employers who engage in premium fraud are not only breaking the law, they also gain an unfair advantage over their competitors,” said DA Stephan. “The dedicated investigators and prosecutors in our Insurance Fraud Division will continue to investigate this type of fraud to hold businesses accountable, protect employees, and level the playing field for law abiding companies.”

The State Fund provided workers’ compensation insurance coverage to GPS Plumbing from June 2016 through May 2021. The fraud was first discovered when a State Fund special investigation unit noticed a vast difference between wages the company reported to the Employment Development Department (EDD) and wages reported to the State Fund during policy audits. The State Fund then conducted an audit of GPS Plumbing’s workers’ compensation records which uncovered millions of dollars in unreported payroll. The State Fund’s Special Investigation Unit submitted a report of its suspected fraud case to the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office and the Department of Insurance for investigation.

Insurance fraud costs U.S. consumers an estimated $80 to $90 billion per year. In California, it’s a $15 billion-a-year problem. It’s the second-largest economic crime in America, exceeded only by tax evasion. The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office combats this problem by using experienced specialists to confront the insurance fraud epidemic.

Deputy District Attorney David Bagheri prosecuted this case.

Deputy District Attorney Maura Duffey speaks to reporters after the arraignment of Yolanda Marodi.

DA Files Murder Charge in Stabbing Death of Cal Fire Captain

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan today announced the arraignment of Yolanda Olejniczak Marodi, 53, in connection with the stabbing death of her spouse, Rebecca Marodi, 49, a Cal Fire Captain. Olejniczak Marodi is charged with murder and pleaded not guilty at today’s hearing. She is being held without bail and if convicted faces 25 years-to-life in prison.  

Mexican authorities arrested the defendant last Sunday near a hotel in the Ferrocarril neighborhood of Mexicali after a binational five-week search. She was successfully handed over to U.S. Marshals and returned to San Diego County to face charges. 

The victim was employed at Cal Fire for more than 30 years. The pair had been married for about two years. On February 17, shortly before 9:00 p.m., San Diego County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the couple’s Ramona home. Marodi had suffered multiple stab wounds and died at the scene.  

“I want to thank the Sheriff’s Office for their thorough investigation and law enforcement on both sides of the border for locating and arresting this dangerous defendant so she could be returned to San Diego and face justice for this deadly crime,” said DA Stephan. “Rebecca Marodi was a beloved Fire Captain who devoted her life to protecting others, including recently battling the Eaton fire near Los Angeles and the capture of her killer will begin the court process with today’s arraignment. When the U.S. Marshals’ San Diego Fugitive Task force is looking for violent criminals, they can run but they can’t hide as we saw in this case.  This intimate partner homicide is a reminder that there are resources out there for individuals who are in fear for their safety.” 

In 2023, there were five domestic violence homicide victims of which the suspect was a current or former intimate partner, a 50% decrease from 2022. Statistics for 2024 are still being compiled. 

The District Attorney provides domestic violence and other services at no cost at One Safe Place:  The North County Family Justice Center. Assistance is also available by contacting the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text “START” to 88788. 

A status conference and bail review hearing is set for April 28, and a preliminary hearing is currently scheduled for June 24. Deputy District Attorney Maura Duffey is prosecuting this case. 

DA Supports Assembly Bills to Improve Public Safety

DA Summer Stephan announced that her office is supporting two important Assembly Bills that will improve public safety:
•Assembly Bill 237 by Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel – Aims to close a loophole that complicated prosecution of criminal threats. This bill will clarify that it is criminal to threat to commit a crime at a daycare, school, university, workplace, house of worship, medical facility, or public venue with reckless disregard for safety. This bill uses the definition of “reckless disregard” defined in Counterman v. Colorado (2023), which constitutes a threat not protected by the 1st Amendment.
•Assembly Bill 358 by Assemblymember David Alvarez – Seeks to protect victims of stalking and domestic abuse by enhancing law enforcement’s ability to access electronic devices found in victim’s private space. The bill amends California Electronic Communications Privacy Act (CalECPA) to allow law enforcement, with the consent of an individual who finds a recording or tracking device in a space where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy (e.g., their home or vehicle), to access the device.
Watch videos of the news conferences below:

DA’s One Safe Place honored with SMILE Award

At their regular Tuesday meeting on March 11, the San Marcos City Council presented the San Marcos Inspiration, Leadership and Excellence (SMILE) award to One Safe Place: The North County Family Justice Center – an organization that provides services at no cost to survivors of abuse and trauma within the local community and North County region.

Mayor Rebecca Jones proudly presented the award to San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan, San Diego County Chief Deputy District Attorney Tracy Prior, One Safe Place Executive Director Claudia Grasso, One Safe Place Assistant Executive Director Taraneh Sarebanha and other staff for providing hope, healing and justice to individuals seeking support at One Safe Place.

“As a staunch advocate for community safety, it is a pleasure to shed light on the phenomenal services One Safe Place provides for those in San Marcos and neighboring areas” shared Mayor Rebecca Jones. “From therapy to preparing a safety plan to workforce support, their collective services support our brave community to break through cycles of abuse and inspire self-resilience.” 

The work at One Safe Place transforms the lives of victims each day. One Safe Place: The North County Family Justice Center SMILE Award recipient for March 2025

“Our passionate staff at One Safe Place saves lives every day and gives hope to those who have lost it,” said District Attorney Summer Stephan. “We greatly value the City of San Marcos’ partnership and are honored by this award. We are continuously improving the services we offer to the community by consistently evaluating what works and what does not for those who come to One Safe Place to seek critical support.” 

Since opening its doors on July 5, 2022, One Safe Place has served more than 7,000 people – 50% of whom have returned for additional support. One Safe Place provides a variety of services 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.

Through its 108 community partnerships, the organization offers supportive services, including:

  • Trauma treatment
  • Safe housing assistance
  • Crisis response
  • Child advocacy
  • Education
  • Legal assistance
  • Empowerment skills
  • Thriver skills/workforce readiness

“One Safe Place embodies the City’s spirit of service every time they lend a healing hand to our vulnerable community members,” said Mayor Jones. “It’s inspiring to see how One Safe Place compassionately empowers community members to rebuild their future, one day at a time.” 

The organization is currently expanding  to provide additional services that will be available soon. One Safe Place will open a second location in South County later this year to grow its services and support.

“For those experiencing any form of abuse, we want them to know that they are not alone, that they matter, and that they can get the wrap-around services they need to grow from victim to survivor to thriver,” Stephan said.  

For more information, visit onesafeplacenorth.org. If you or someone you know is in need of services, please call 760-290-3690 or email gethope@onesafeplacenorth.org.

 

About the San Marcos City Council’s Civic SMILE Award

There are often community members who rise to the top – clearly reflecting the San Marcos ‘Spirit of Service.’ That’s why San Marcos City Council members initiated the Civic SMILE Award recognition program in March 2021.

Five times each year, a community member is chosen by a specific City Council member to receive recognition and be presented with a San Marcos Inspiration, Leadership and Excellence (SMILE) Award during a City Council meeting.

For more information about the recognition program, visit San Marcos Civic SMILE Award.

American Bar Association Honors Assistant DA Woodley with Prestigious Award

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced today that Dwain Woodley, the Assistant District Attorney, was honored Friday with the American Bar Association Justice Section Curtin-Maleng Minister of Justice Award at a ceremony during the Criminal Justice Section Spring Meeting in Miami, Florida.

The Curtin-Maleng Award is bestowed on a prosecutor who embodies the principles enunciated in the ABA Standards for Criminal Justice, Prosecution Function, particularly that “the duty of the prosecutor is to seek justice, not merely to convict.”

Woodley was recognized because his continued and tireless work exemplifies three important principles: the prosecutor’s obligation to protect the innocent as well as to convict the guilty; the prosecutor must guard the rights of the accused as well as enforce the rights of the public; and the prosecutor’s commitment to the legal and ethical standards must be unwavering.

“Assistant District Attorney Dwain Woodley epitomizes the principles of integrity that every prosecutor should aspire to. He treats everyone with dignity and respect, leads with the clarity of purpose that justice demands and gives voice to the People of San Diego County. He has worked tirelessly to deliver fair and equal justice for all, protect victims of crime, build trust with the public and develop direct access to our office for all the communities we serve,” DA Stephan said. “I am proud to work alongside ADA Woodley to lead the fifth largest District Attorney’s Office in the nation and continue to build a model prosecutor’s office that balances the rights of victims, the rights of the accused and the right of the community to be safe.”

Assistant DA Woodley helped develop and lead the DA’s Community Partnership Prosecutors program which has been especially successful connecting the public with much-needed services around domestic violence, child abuse and hate crimes. He also works with the advocacy organization “For the People” on reviewing cases that might qualify for prosecutor-initiated resentencings.

A former public defender, Woodley joined the DA’s Office as a Deputy DA in 2001. He began his management track in 2008 serving as Assistant Chief of Central Pretrial and Disposition Division, Assistant Chief of Superior Court Division, Chief of Superior Court Division, Chief of the Juvenile Branch, and Chief of the South Bay Branch. In 2018, DA Stephan named Woodley Chief Deputy DA and in 2021 he was selected as the Assistant District Attorney.

Woodley served honorably in the United States Navy’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps from 1989-1995, where he was both a prosecutor and defense counsel. His last assignment in the military was a staff attorney for Office of General Counsel at the National Security Agency. He then served as a San Diego Deputy Public Defender before joining the District Attorney’s Office in 2001.

Woodley grew up in Baltimore, Maryland and graduated from McDaniel College (formerly Western Maryland College) and University of Maryland Law School and completed the Prosecutors for Now course at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

DA Kicks Off National Consumer Protection Week with Renewed Commitment to Fighting Fraud

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan kicked off National Consumer Protection Week today by highlighting ongoing efforts to protect our community from fraud, scams, and deceptive business practices. This annual event, observed March 2 to 8, serves as a reminder of the importance of consumer education and enforcement actions to safeguard the community.

The DA’s Economic Crimes Division investigates and prosecutes fraud and unlawful business practices in the marketplace. The Consumer Protection Unit, a section in the Economic Crimes Division, is a team of experienced attorneys, investigators, and other professional staff who investigate and evaluate reports of fraudulent and unfair business practices and determines appropriate action.

Last year, the Consumer Protection Unit filed several civil actions related to unfair or deceptive business practices that netted a total of $14,652,500 in statewide civil judgments. The cases involved illegal automatic renewals, improper pricing policies and pricing inaccuracies. Companies that reached settlements with the DA’s Office include Thrive Market Technologies; Albertsons, Vons, and Safeway grocery stores; Travelers Insurance and Lamps Plus.

“The civil actions we file protect the consumer and hold corporations accountable when they fail to follow the laws in place to ensure the public is getting accurate and fair pricing information on products they purchase and companies aren’t using fine print to trigger costly automatic renewals that take advantage of unsuspecting consumers,” said DA Stephan. “By joining forces with other District Attorney Offices in the state, our combined efforts are protecting Californians up and down the state.”

As part of the week’s events, the DA’s Office will be participating in a National Consumer Protection Fair on March 5 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the County Operations Center, located at 5520 Overland Avenue. The fair is being hosted by the County’s Agriculture, Weights and Measures Department and will include a number of representatives from the county’s Consumer Protection Task Force. The annual fair will be the first one held since it was stopped during the Covid pandemic.

Consumer protection cases are developed in several ways, including information from law enforcement and regulatory agency investigations, referrals from consumer protection prosecutors in other areas of California, and complaints from the citizens of San Diego through our Consumer Complaint Form process. The DA’s office is committed to supporting the San Diego community and providing a means of reporting individuals and businesses engaged in unlawful business practices.

Residents are encouraged to follow the DA’s Office on social media for information and updates on consumer protection efforts. For more information on consumer protection resources and how to report fraud, visit the DA’s website.

Meet Deputy DA Taylor Morrison

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

Meet Deputy District Attorney Taylor Morrison, who has been with the DA’s Office for the past 10 years. She joined us in 2015 as a Certified Legal Intern, progressed to a Graduate Law Clerk, and then was hired officially as a Deputy DA in 2018. Taylor is currently assigned to the Economic Crimes Division where she practices a niche area of the law – civil asset forfeiture. As the sole DDA assigned to the unit, she manages over 150 cases that are in active civil litigation where she handles all aspects of civil filings and civil discovery. She also trains local law enforcement officers and other District Attorney offices on the intricacies of asset forfeiture, helping them implement it effectively in their jurisdictions.

Taylor is also the incoming President of the California Western School of Law Alumni Board, making history as the first Black woman to hold the position in the school’s 100-year history. 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 am the daughter and granddaughter of public servants, the sister of a corrections officer, and the wife of a police officer. My path to public service was deeply influenced by my upbringing and values. I chose a career in prosecution because I wanted to help enforce the law but do so with compassion.”

Why is Black History Month important to you?

“As a career prosecutor and lifelong public servant, I see this month as not just a celebration, but a call to action—a reminder to inspire myself and others to make a meaningful impact on Black History in real time, through service and advocacy.”

Meet Deputy DA Frederick Washington

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

Meet Deputy District Attorney Frederick Washington, who has been working at the DA’s office for the past six years, although he has served as a prosecutor for a total of 10 years. Frederick is currently assigned to the Family Protection Unit, where his caseload includes domestic violence, child abuse, elder abuse, and internet crimes against children. 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 chose a career in public service because I think being a prosecutor is one of the most fulfilling jobs there is. Taken to its simplest point, our primary goal is merely to do good, and that pursuit is incredibly rewarding.” 

What does African American History Month/Black History Month mean to you/why is it important?

“African American history is a vital part of American history and the recognition the month provides allows for stories and people, that may be relatively unknown, to be spotlighted and celebrated.”