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  • Innovative Shelter Ready App Expanding Countywide

  • DA Stephan Releases ‘2024 Annual Report’ Highlighting Public Safety Achievements

  • Meet the DA’s Lifer Hearing Unit

    The DA's Lifer Hearing Unit
  • Man Sentenced to Prison for Killing Wife, and Throwing Her Severed Legs in Dumpster

    Laurie Diane Potter
  • DA Stephan Denounces Dismantling of Human Trafficking Bill AB 379 by Assembly Public Safety Committee

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Latest News

She Has Helped 45 Victims

August 31, 2018

One of the volunteers from the Prosecutor’s Court Therapy Dog Program was recognized for her work by the San Diego Crime Commission at their 10th Annual Senior Volunteer Awards Luncheon. Janet Kinnon, 60, and her dog Wellington (“Welly”) are volunteers with the San Diego District Attorney’s Office Dog Program, which provides support and comfort to […]

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/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/danews_logo-1.png 0 0 danewscenter /wp-content/uploads/2021/04/danews_logo-1.png danewscenter2018-08-31 00:00:002021-06-22 16:41:41She Has Helped 45 Victims
In the Photo: SDPD Officer Archie Buggs. His killer was granted parole.

Officer Archie Buggs’ Killer Granted Parole

August 23, 2018

In spite of the DA’s office’s vigorous and compelling arguments against it, the State Board of Parole has granted parole to Jesus Cecena, 57, who killed a San Diego police officer in 1978. Officer Archie Buggs, 30, , was shot four times after he stopped a car driven by Cecena, a gang member in the Skyline […]

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Local Students Design Interactive Game App

Local Students Design Interactive Game App

August 21, 2018

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, […]

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https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/images/LifeMap-app.jpg 320 480 danewscenter /wp-content/uploads/2021/04/danews_logo-1.png danewscenter2018-08-21 00:00:002021-06-25 16:20:07Local Students Design Interactive Game App
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Video

DA Weekly News Update with DA Summer Stephan 06-12-25

https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/DA-News-for-YouTube-06-12-25.jpg 720 1280 Barbara Medina /wp-content/uploads/2021/04/danews_logo-1.png Barbara Medina2025-06-12 17:20:212025-06-12 17:20:21DA Weekly News Update with DA Summer Stephan 06-12-25

New App to Find Shelter for the Homeless

https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Shelter-Ready-App.jpg 720 1280 Barbara Medina /wp-content/uploads/2021/04/danews_logo-1.png Barbara Medina2025-06-11 07:24:082025-06-12 17:37:50New App to Find Shelter for the Homeless

NEWS CONFERENCE: DA Announces Launch of Shelter Ready App

https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/06-09-25-Shelter-Ready-App-NEWS-CONFERENCE.jpg 720 1280 Barbara Medina /wp-content/uploads/2021/04/danews_logo-1.png Barbara Medina2025-06-09 17:43:352025-06-10 17:46:11NEWS CONFERENCE: DA Announces Launch of Shelter Ready App

Restitution Fund for Hate Crime Vandalism in Hillcrest

https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Hillcrest-Hate-Crimes.jpg 720 1280 Barbara Medina /wp-content/uploads/2021/04/danews_logo-1.png Barbara Medina2025-06-06 11:11:452025-06-06 11:11:45Restitution Fund for Hate Crime Vandalism in Hillcrest
The DA's Lifer Hearing Unit

The DA’s Lifer Hearing Unit

https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lifer-Hearing-Unit-2025-1.jpg 720 1280 Barbara Medina /wp-content/uploads/2021/04/danews_logo-1.png Barbara Medina2025-05-05 14:19:542025-05-06 13:09:42The DA’s Lifer Hearing Unit

DA Weekly News Update with DA Summer Stephan 05-01-25

https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/DA-News-for-YouTube-05-01-25.jpg 720 1280 Barbara Medina /wp-content/uploads/2021/04/danews_logo-1.png Barbara Medina2025-05-01 15:39:352025-05-06 15:41:37DA Weekly News Update with DA Summer Stephan 05-01-25

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San Diego County District Attorney

Wed June 25th

San Diego County District Attorney
DA Summer Stephan hits the aisles to tackle retail theft…Yesterday, San Diego County District Attorney DA Summer Stephan toured a local Walmart to see firsthand how retail theft impacts our communities — and how Proposition 36 is making a difference.From cracking down on repeat theft to offering treatment for addiction, Prop 36 is a smart, compassionate law that balances public safety with real solutions.⚖️#Prop36 #RetailSafety #SummerStephan #SanDiegoDA #CommunityFirst #HomelessnessDrugAddictionTheftReductionAct #SaferCommunities ... See MoreSee Less

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🚨 What You Need to Know About California’s Pr 🚨 What You Need to Know About California’s Proposition 36 — The Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act 🚨
San Diego County District Attorney @SummerStephan is leading the charge to implement Prop 36, officially known as the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act, a law designed to reduce retail theft and support addiction recovery. Yesterday, she toured a local Walmart, highlighting the real impact on retailers in our communities. In this video she explains why Prop 36 matters:
🔹 Targets repeat retail theft with stricter consequences
🔹 Cracks down on fentanyl trafficking to keep drugs off our streets
🔹 Offers treatment options for drug offenders instead of only jail time
🔹 Helps break the cycle of addiction and crime
🔹 Supports safer shopping environments for customers & employees
Thanks to DA Stephan’s leadership, Prop 36 balances justice and compassion—protecting businesses like Walmart while helping those in need get real recovery support.

#Prop36 #HomelessnessDrugAddictionTheftReductionAct #RetailSafety #CommunityFirst #SummerStephan #SanDiego #SanDiegoDA
🚨 BREAKING: A violent bank robber who terrorize 🚨 BREAKING: A violent bank robber who terrorized San Diego County during a series of armed bank heists has been sentenced to 488 years and 8 months in prison after being convicted on 30 felony counts.

📍 Larry Lightning Jr., 45, used a gun to rob banks across North County and San Diego from 2019–2022, stealing nearly $400,000. His crimes included:
🔹 10 counts of kidnapping
🔹 12 counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm
🔹 4 counts of robbery
🔹 3 counts of auto theft
🔹 1 count of kidnapping for robbery

⚖️ “This defendant orchestrated a terrifying crime spree that put the lives of bank workers and community members in danger,” said DA @SummerStephan. “Thanks to the dedicated work of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners, he has been held accountable for his crimes and the fear and harm he caused. While the defendant proved elusive for years, law enforcement never gave up its work to solve this string of crimes.”

The crimes involved violent takeovers, hostages held at gunpoint, and traumatized employees who feared for their lives. The case remained unsolved until a DNA hit in 2022 cracked it wide open. 

🙏 A huge thank you to the dedicated DA team and law enforcement who ensured this serial offender will never threaten our community again.

MORE DETAILS: https://danewscenter.com/?p=8865 

EN ESPAÑOL:  https://danewscenter.com/?p=8869 

#JusticeServed #SanDiegoDA #PublicSafety #CrimeNews #LawEnforcement #BankRobbery #Accountability
Honoring the Fight Against DUI Tragedies: San Dieg Honoring the Fight Against DUI Tragedies:
San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced that Deputy District Attorneys Mary Loeb and Natalie Garcia have been named Prosecutors of the Year by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) at the annual MADD San Diego Law Enforcement and Prosecutor Recognition Awards, held June 5 at the Town and Country Resort.

This prestigious recognition highlights their outstanding work in the DA’s DUI Homicide Unit, where they’ve brought justice to victims and families affected by devastating DUI-related crashes.

In one heartbreaking case, Loeb and Garcia successfully prosecuted the drunk driver who killed 15-year-old Jessica Talamante and her stepfather Brian McKee as they walked home in National City. Their expert handling of the case helped secure a guilty verdict and accountability for a tragedy that never should have happened.

🚔 In 2024, 26 lives were lost in DUI-related crashes in San Diego County. So far in 2025, the DA’s DUI Homicide Unit has already filed 11 new cases.

DA Summer Stephan said it best:
“This recognition from MADD highlights the outstanding work of our prosecution team, specifically Mary Loeb and Natalie Garcia, whose expertise and commitment in serious and fatal DUI-related cases repeatedly delivers justice to victims and their families,” said DA Stephan. "While the fatal consequences of alcohol-impaired driving are well known, we’re increasingly seeing drivers under the influence of drugs or a dangerous mix of both alcohol and drugs, with often tragic outcomes. These two prosecutors skillfully handle complex drug-DUI cases, helping jurors understand the often-hidden signs of drug impairment. I’m incredibly proud of them, and this award is a testament to their hard work and dedication.”

👏 Join us in congratulating Deputy DA's Mary Loeb and Natalie Garcia for their dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to keeping our roads safer.

MORE DETAILS:: https://danewscenter.com/?p=8833 

EN ESPAÑOL: https://danewscenter.com/?p=8839 

#SanDiegoDA #ProsecutorOfTheYear #MADD #JusticeServed #DUIAwareness #PublicSafety #VictimsMatter #RoadSafety #NoMoreVictims
🚨In this week’s DA News Update, DA @summerste 🚨In this week’s DA News Update, DA @summerstephan  highlights the powerful work of our Animal Cruelty Prosecution Unit, fighting for justice for abused and neglected animals. DA Stephan also shares a powerful Juneteenth message, honoring the significance of this day in American history. 
👉 Don’t miss this week’s update — a look at justice in action and a tribute to the values that unite us.

#Juneteenth #AnimalJustice #SummerStephan #SanDiegoDA
Today, we honor and celebrate the end of slavery t Today, we honor and celebrate the end of slavery through #Juneteenth, the day in 1865 that commemorates the news of the Emancipation Proclamation, enacted two years earlier in 1863, reaching Galveston, Texas creating the end to slavery and the Civil War. This revered date has long been celebrated in communities across San Diego and the country. Today, we commemorate the end of slavery because every human being has the right to be free.

"We join the nation in honoring Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day. On June 19, 1865, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation, enslaved black people in Galveston, Texas finally learned they were free. That day marked the true end of slavery in the United States and ignited a legacy of resilience that continues to shape our nation.

I suggest that we regard Juneteenth as much more than a national and state holiday but also as an opportunity to pause, learn, and grow. Whether through community events, reading, conversations, or quiet reflection, I encourage you to use this time to consider how each of us can champion the truths that our nation committed to in the Declaration of Independence- that all human beings are created equal and endowed with certain unalienable Rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Like I’ve said before, when we understand that slavery is the ultimate human rights violation that rips apart dignity and humanity, then it’s plain to see the incredible resilience and power of the survivor generation." - DA Summer Stephan

#FreedomDay
🎉🐾 Happy 11th Birthday to Ollie the Court Do 🎉🐾 Happy 11th Birthday to Ollie the Court Dog! 🐾🎉
The DA’s North County Branch celebrated more than just a birthday—we’re honoring a true hero in fur.
Ollie, San Diego County’s one-and-only full-time certified facility dog for the courts, turned 11 years old on June 4! For years, this gentle Golden Retriever has been a steady source of comfort and calm for crime victims—young and old—navigating some of life’s toughest moments in court.
As a proud member of the San Diego County District Attorney’s Victim Assistance Program, Ollie works side by side with DA Victim Advocate Magen Queen, bringing compassion and courage into every courtroom he enters.
Whether he’s sitting quietly beside a child on the witness stand or offering a comforting presence in the hallways of the DA’s Office, Ollie’s impact is immeasurable. 💛🐶
🎂 Join us in wishing this four-legged hero a tail-wagging, treat-filled 11th birthday! 🎈

#HappyBirthdayOllie #OllieTheCourtDog #DogsOfJustice #SanDiegoDA #VictimSupport #FacilityDog #CourtroomCompanion #PawsitiveImpact
🚨New Animal Cruelty Charges Filed in San Diego 🚨New Animal Cruelty Charges Filed in San Diego County🐾

San Diego County District Attorney @SummerStephan announced that Osvaldo Deleon, 61, has been charged with felony animal abuse and neglect after failing to seek care for his dog’s severely injured leg — which had an open wound with exposed bone. The dog was rescued by County of San Diego Animal Services @sdanimalservices and had to have its leg amputated due to the severity of the injury. Deleon has pleaded not guilty and faces up to three years in custody if convicted.

⚖️ “Our office is committed to holding people accountable for all forms of animal abuse, cruelty and neglect,” said DA Stephan. “We are determined to be a voice for animals who are mistreated and to deliver justice on their behalf. We’re constantly working with our law enforcement partners to identify and confirm potential abuse, especially when alerted to it by the community, and to prevent such abuse from occurring in the first place.”

In the past year, the District Attorney’s Office has filed animal cruelty-related charges against more than 55 defendants, including:

- A man who kicked and ran over a dog during road rage — sentenced to 2 years
- An Oceanside man who tortured and killed at least 10 cats — sentenced to 8 years
- Multiple hoarding cases involving dozens of neglected animals

Animal abuse isn’t just cruelty — it’s a red flag for violence against people, too. That’s why the DA’s Animal Cruelty Prosecution Unit works closely with law enforcement to pursue justice and protect both animals and the community.

📢 See something? Say something. Report animal abuse:
📞 San Diego Humane Society: 619-299-7012 ext. 2244
📞 County Animal Services: 619-767-2675
🚨 In emergencies: Call 911

READ THE FULL ARTICLE: https://danewscenter.com/?p=8846 
EN ESPAÑOL: Nuevo Caso de Crueldad Animal: https://danewscenter.com/?p=8842 

#AnimalJustice #SanDiegoDA #EndAnimalCruelty #ProtectAllLivingBeings #JusticeForAnimals #ReportAbuse
DA @SummerStephan was on the deck of the USS Midwa DA @SummerStephan was on the deck of the USS Midway @ussmidwaymuseum over the weekend for the annual #BattleOfTheBadges. The event is a friendly boxing competition between different law enforcement organizations, first responders and the military to benefit the Community Youth Athletic Center @cyacteam in National City, which does great work to engage kids in San Diego County in positive activities. The DA and Mayor Todd Gloria presented the belt and medallion to winning participants.
Last week, San Diego County District Attorney @Sum Last week, San Diego County District Attorney @SummerStephan announced the regional expansion of Shelter Ready— an innovative mobile app designed to connect people experiencing homelessness with emergency shelter in real time. WATCH MORE in this video.
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