News

Photo of gavel and scales of justice.

Dad Who Drove off Sunset Cliffs with Twin Girls in Car Sentenced to Prison

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said today that  Robert Brians, 51, who in a fit a rage amid a divorce and custody dispute, intentionally drove off Sunset Cliffs with his 2-year-old twin girls in the car has been sentenced to 31 years in state prison. Brians pleaded guilty on August 9 to two […]

Meet Paralegal Sandy Barajas

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 through October 15, we are highlighting stories from DA employees and what inspired them to pursue a career in public service. Meet Paralegal Sandy Barajas. Sandy was born in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, but came to the United States when she was only six months […]

Happy IT Professionals Day! Meet Senior IT Engineer Dustin Harger

IT Professionals Day, which is recognized on the third Tuesday of September, was established in 2015 to honor the IT pros who do the critical but often unseen work to keep our networks and applications running. So, today we want to highlight one of our amazing Information Technology Engineers here at the DA’s Office! Meet […]

Meet One Safe Place Executive Director Claudia Grasso

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 through October 15, we are highlighting stories from DA employees and what inspired them to pursue a career in public service. Meet Claudia Grasso, Executive Director of the DA’s One Safe Place: The North County Family Justice Center. Claudia Grasso was born and raised in East […]

Police cars with lights on.

Defendant Who Shot Police Officer Sentenced

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said today that a defendant who led police on a high-speed chase and then shot and wounded a San Diego Police Officer has been sentenced to 47 years-to-life in state prison. Andrew Joseph Garcia, 22, was sentenced today by Judge Aaron Katz. On August 12, Garcia pleaded guilty […]

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

Man Who Killed His 87-Year-Old Mother Sentenced to Prison

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said today that a 57-year-old East County man has been sentenced to 76 years-to-life in prison for the 2022 shooting death of his elderly mother while she was standing by the kitchen table.  Chase Folkes, who was found guilty of second-degree murder and of being a felon in […]