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  • 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

  • One Safe Place North Celebrates ‘Leap to Confidence’ Graduation

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Latest News

Sentencing Highlights Rise in Overdose Deaths

Sentencing Highlights Rise in Overdose Deaths

August 9, 2017

A man who sold heroin to a San Diego woman, leading to her fatal overdose, was sentenced Wednesday to eight years in local prison. [TWEET THIS] Marc Gressingh, 36, pleaded guilty on June 13, 2017, to selling heroin and a prior conviction for narcotics sales. A judge split the eight year sentence into one year […]

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https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/images/heroin-danews.jpg 320 480 danewscenter /wp-content/uploads/2021/04/danews_logo-1.png danewscenter2017-08-09 00:00:002021-06-25 16:17:50Sentencing Highlights Rise in Overdose Deaths
$6 Million Grant to Help Prop. 47 Offenders

DA Stephan is Working to Stop the Revolving Door to Prison

August 2, 2017

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced that a $6 million grant will go toward services and programs designed to keep individuals from recycling through the criminal justice system in San Diego County. The three-year grant was announced at a meeting of the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday where DA Stephan explained how the […]

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https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/images/PHOTO-OF-DA-STEPHAN-danews.jpg 320 480 danewscenter /wp-content/uploads/2021/04/danews_logo-1.png danewscenter2017-08-02 00:00:002021-06-25 16:17:50DA Stephan is Working to Stop the Revolving Door to Prison
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Video

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

DA Weekly News Update with DA Summer Stephan 04-24-25

https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/DA-Weekly-News-Video-Update-THUMBNAIL-04-24-25.jpg 714 1288 Barbara Medina /wp-content/uploads/2021/04/danews_logo-1.png Barbara Medina2025-04-24 15:33:482025-05-06 15:37:47DA Weekly News Update with DA Summer Stephan 04-24-25

DA Weekly News Update with DA Summer Stephan 04-17-25

https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/DA-Weekly-News-Video-Update-THUMBNAIL-04-17-25.jpg 707 1293 Barbara Medina /wp-content/uploads/2021/04/danews_logo-1.png Barbara Medina2025-04-17 15:26:022025-05-06 15:38:14DA Weekly News Update with DA Summer Stephan 04-17-25

Citizens of Courage 2025: Group of Good Samaritans

https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Good-Samaritans-CHP.jpg 720 1280 Barbara Medina /wp-content/uploads/2021/04/danews_logo-1.png Barbara Medina2025-04-07 18:11:152025-04-07 18:11:15Citizens of Courage 2025: Group of Good Samaritans

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San Diego County District Attorney and DA Summer Stephan

Fri June 6th

San Diego County District Attorney
Yesterday, DA Summer Stephan joined the Hillcrest Business Association and San Diego Police Department to announce the results of the prosecution for a hate crime vandalism case, which included restitution funds that the community is using to help prevent more hate crime vandalism. Watch more in this video. ... See MoreSee Less

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San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced today the regional expansion of her office’s Shelter Ready app, an innovative technology solution that connects people experiencing homelessness to emergency shelter in real time. The launch event, held at the County Operations Center, brought together more than 200 stakeholders representing 89 agencies or organizations from across the region, including service providers, public officials, law enforcement and nonprofit leaders.

Shelter Ready is a transparent and efficient platform that helps frontline workers quickly locate and refer unsheltered individuals to appropriate shelter beds. It was developed in partnership with a national technology nonprofit and informed by input from dozens of San Diego County agencies. Over the past several months, the app has been piloted successfully in the North County with several local organizations and is now being made available countywide—at no cost—through leadership from the DA’s Office.

“This regional launch of Shelter Ready is a major step forward in creating a transparent, accountable, compassionate, and efficient solution to match an individual suffering from homelessness with a suitable emergency shelter,” DA Stephan said. “With Shelter Ready, we are equipping our partners with a powerful tool to reduce time consuming barriers  and provide life changing assistance to people in crisis. This technology is one key piece of the puzzle to bring hope, dignity, and real time solutions to a complex public health and public safety crisis that is intrinsic to homelessness. I believe  it will become a model for the state of California and the nation. It’s our call to action that this free app will be used by every entity that is sincerely committed to ending the suffering of unsheltered human beings in our region.” 

(CONTINUED IN COMMENTS)
DA Summer Stephan joined the Hillcrest Business As DA Summer Stephan joined the Hillcrest Business Association and San Diego Police Department to announce the results of the prosecution for a hate crime vandalism case, which included restitution funds that the community is using to help prevent more hate crime vandalism. Watch more in this video.
@fabuloushillcrest 
hillcrestsandiego 
@sandiegopd
Every month, District Attorney @summerstephan join Every month, District Attorney @summerstephan joins @noticiasunivisionsd to share important public safety topics with our community.
Today, DA Stephan spoke about school safety and reporting sexual abuse in schools. The interview with @alvarez.aranzazu and @janicevillagran will air today at Noon on Univision San Diego, you can also watch it live on their Facebook page!
Thank you Univision San Diego for providing the space to share important public safety topics with all our communities!

Cada mes, la Fiscal de Distrito @summerstephan se une a @noticiasunivisionsd para compartir importantes temas de seguridad pública con nuestra comunidad. Hoy, la Fiscal de Distrito Stephan habló sobre seguridad escolar y cómo denunciar el abuso sexual en las escuelas. La entrevista con @alvarez.aranzazu y @janicevillagran se transmitirá hoy al mediodía por Univisión San Diego. ¡También pueden verla en vivo en su página de Facebook! 
¡Gracias a Univisión San Diego por brindarnos el espacio para compartir importantes temas de seguridad pública con todas nuestras comunidades!
Organized retail crime is not a victimless crime — it can have a devastating impact on the real people behind retail. Last month, DA @summerstephan  joined @nrf National Retail Federation's Retail Gets Real Podcast to discuss the fight against organized retail crime. You can read more and listen to the full episode here: 
https://nrf.com/podcast/how-san-diego-district-attorney-summer-stephan-combats-organized-retail-crime
((ALSO LINKED IN PROFILE))
Recently District Attorney @SummerStephan was in t Recently District Attorney @SummerStephan was in the community celebrating the Asian Pacific American Coalition’s 13th annual dinner and was proud to honor the awardees & community leaders. We are thankful for @apacsd partnership and all of the great work they are doing to engage & build safer communities across San Diego County!
In honor of #AAPImonth, which is observed througho In honor of #AAPImonth, 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 Confidential Legal Secretary Marilu Glassman, who has been with our office since 2021 and is currently the receptionist at the 13th floor at the Hall of Justice. Read more about what inspired Marilu to pursue a career at the DA’s Office, below. 

What inspired you to pursue a career in law enforcement/ at the DA’s Office? 
“Prior to joining the DA’s office, in 2007 I was working at the County’s Board of Supervisor’s Office as a Legislative Assistant to Supervisor Dianne Jacob of the Second District, until her term ended in 2021. I enjoyed my service work and was dedicated to continuing a public service career with the County. When I learned about the opportunity of joining the DA’s Office, I was thrilled to pursue the possibility, and I transferred to the DA’s office in 2021. Currently, as a Confidential Legal Secretary, I am a contributing team member of Human Resources staff and the Hall of Justice 13th floor’s Administration Receptionist. I love my role here!” 

Why is AAPI Month important to you? 
“My family roots, the culture, our faith and traditions. My parents are from Manila and went to school at the University of San Francisco. My siblings and I were born in San Francisco, and all reside in Southern California, we are close and see each other often. We are blessed to have a large family with first cousins all over the country and we always look forward to getting together and our reunions. I cherish the many stories and memories my parents, grandmother, aunts, and uncles have shared with us over the years with the same importance of family gatherings and their spending time together in Manila. I recall looking at some of their family pictures in Manila – they were always dressed so nice and had dance parties with a lot of food on the tables!” 

A fun fact about you or what do you enjoy doing in your free time?... 
(CONTINUED IN COMMENTS!)
In honor of #AAPImonth, which is observed througho In honor of #AAPImonth, 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 Elaine Bissett, who is the Administrative Analyst for the DA’s Legislative Unit, and has been with our office for 12 years. 

What inspired you to pursue a career in law enforcement/ at the DA’s Office?
“I’ve had an incredible journey with the District Attorney’s Office over the past 12 amazing years! My career started at the San Diego Superior Court, where I updated court dockets and discovered my passion for the prosecution side of the legal system when I started reading case stories. In 2012, when the court faced a budget crisis, I seized the opportunity to join the DA’s Office as a Legal Support Assistant I. 

My DA career began in the Economic Crimes Division and later took me to the Administration Division. Over the last 10 years, I’ve worked my way up from a Legal Support Assistant to an Administrative Analyst in the Legislation Unit. In my current role, I coordinate the District Attorney’s sponsored legislation, organize advocacy meetings, track important legislative amendments, and keep in touch with the legislative staff and the Governor’s Office. What I love most about my job is the opportunity to make a real difference in public safety laws and support victims by transforming their experiences into meaningful policies that align with our District Attorney’s vision. As my former director wisely remarked, ‘Your role is crucial for San Diego. We passionately strive to turn ineffective legislation into effective solutions because laws profoundly influence our daily lives.’ It’s incredibly rewarding to know that I am positively impacting our community!" ...
(CONTINUED IN THE COMMENTS)
In honor of #AAPImonth, which is observed througho In honor of #AAPImonth, 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 Information Technology Principal Yabin Su, who has been with our office for 14 years, and as an I.T. professional, she has been responsible for designing, developing, implementing, and supporting the DA’s intranet and public-facing website. Read more about what inspired Yabin 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 driven to choose a career in public service by my belief in contributing to the public good and the sense of self-fulfillment I get in serving others. Being a part of the DA’s office, applying my skills to support the office, the victims, and bringing justice to the people have all made this a fulfilling job.”

What does AAPI Month mean to you/why is it important?
“AAPI month is a time to celebrate and honor the rich culture, history, contributions, and achievements of AAPI communities in our country. As a member of the AAPI community, I see this month as an opportunity to raise awareness for the challenges we face, build connections among our communities, reflect on our roots, and reconnect with our traditions.”

A fun fact about you or what do you enjoy doing in your free time?
“In my free time, I enjoy exploring the beautiful beaches and countless trails that San Diego has to offer. One of my favorite things to do is to cook fusion Chinese food.”
A probationer who stabbed an elderly trolley rider A probationer who stabbed an elderly trolley rider was sentenced today to prison for  the attack. Israel Valdivia, 27, has been sentenced to prison for an early morning attack on a 71-year-old man that left the victim bleeding in the street with multiple stab wounds and a nearly severed ear.

Valdivia was sentenced to seven years to life in prison. He was found guilty by a jury of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon on February 19. Both crimes carry allegations of use of a dangerous and deadly weapon and inflicting great bodily injury on a person over 70.

“This was a vicious, unprovoked attack on a vulnerable older man who was simply exiting the trolley to go to work,” District Attorney Summer Stephan said. “Today’s sentence brings a measure of justice to the victim and to the community at large. We will not tolerate senseless assaults in our trolley system or anywhere. This case demonstrates that violent criminals will be held accountable under the law.”

Valdivia approached the victim after he exited the trolley on his way to work at about 5 a.m. and attacked him, repeatedly stabbing him with an 11 to 13-inch knife. As the victim, 71-year-old Jose Serra, lay bleeding on the ground, Valdivia kicked him and fled the scene. He was eventually captured in Texas later the same month and extradited back to San Diego to face criminal charges. 

Deputy District Attorney Mei Owen prosecuted this case.

Last year, defendant Angelina Montes Stricklen was sentenced to 13 years in prison for stabbing a sleeping 21-year-old man on the Blue Line Trolley in La Jolla. And in 2023, Ryan Rukstelis, was sentenced to 15 years-to-life in prison for fatally pushing a 68-year-old man into a moving freight train in an unprovoked attack.

EN ESPAÑOL: Hombre en Libertad Condicional que Apuñaló a un Anciano que Usaba un Tranvía fue Sentenciado a Prisión por el Ataque https://danewscenter.com/?p=8715
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