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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

Photo of gavel, law books and scales of justice on a wooden table.

South Bay Pastor Charged for Failing to Report Suspected Sexual Abuse

June 6, 2024

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced today that a South Bay pastor has been charged with failure to report known or suspected child abuse in his role as a legally mandated reporter. Eric Manuel Merino, 43, a pastor at Victory Outreach Church in San Ysidro was arraigned in San Diego Superior Court today […]

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https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Judgement.png 1440 2560 Barbara Medina /wp-content/uploads/2021/04/danews_logo-1.png Barbara Medina2024-06-06 11:55:122024-06-06 11:55:12South Bay Pastor Charged for Failing to Report Suspected Sexual Abuse
Photo of hand pouring blue pills from a small zip lock bag.

Murder Charges in Fentanyl Overdose Death

June 4, 2024

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced today that two individuals have been charged with murder in connection with the fentanyl overdose death of 31-year-old Connor Gerhart. Defendants Sheri Cavanaugh, 59, and her co-conspirator, Micah Seau,31, are both charged with murder and conspiracy to commit a crime. The pair conspired to sell the victim […]

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https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/fentanyl-pills.jpg 720 1280 Barbara Medina /wp-content/uploads/2021/04/danews_logo-1.png Barbara Medina2024-06-04 17:43:362024-06-04 19:52:26Murder Charges in Fentanyl Overdose Death
Photo of a Judge's gavel and a gun.

Defendant who Murdered In-Laws Sentenced to Life Without Parole + 50 Years

May 31, 2024

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced today that a 46-year-old man, who was convicted by a jury of killing his father and brother-in-law in Valley Center in June 2022, has been sentenced to two terms of life without the possibility of parole plus 50 years in state prison. A jury found Christian Bobila guilty on […]

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https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Gavel-and-gun.jpg 720 1280 Barbara Medina /wp-content/uploads/2021/04/danews_logo-1.png Barbara Medina2024-05-31 16:04:542024-06-04 11:28:07Defendant who Murdered In-Laws Sentenced to Life Without Parole + 50 Years
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Video

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

Citizens of Courage 2025: Robert Moore

https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Robert-Moore.jpg 720 1280 Barbara Medina /wp-content/uploads/2021/04/danews_logo-1.png Barbara Medina2025-04-07 18:08:572025-04-07 18:08:57Citizens of Courage 2025: Robert Moore

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Fri May 16th

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In honor of #AAPI 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 contribut ... See MoreSee Less

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In honor of #AAPI Month, which is observed through In honor of #AAPI 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 District Attorney Investigator Jacqueline Hurtado, who has been with the DA’s Office for almost five years, after a long career as a police officer. Her first assignment was at the Juvenile Branch for about two years, and she is currently assigned to the South Bay branch. When she is not busy working, any free time she has is spent with her husband and two children that keep them very busy! 

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

What inspired you to pursue a career in public service? 
“A career in public service wasn’t what I initially saw myself pursuing. When I applied to become a police officer, I never thought I had the chance. Fast forward 20 years later, I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. This career has been deeply rewarding and turned out to be a path that fit better than I expected.
My father inspired me to pursue a career in law enforcement. He was also a law enforcement officer when we lived in Florida and retired from his agency. My father was my biggest supporter and was very proud when I decided to become a police officer.”

Why is AAPI Month important to you?
“As a second generation Filipino, AAPI Month is very important to me..."
(CONTINUED IN COMMENTS)
GREAT NEWS!! Today, Assembly Bill (AB) 379, author GREAT NEWS!! Today, Assembly Bill (AB) 379, authored by Assemblymembers Nick Schultz, Stephanie Nguyen, Maggy Krell, and many more, passed the Assembly Floor with bipartisan support. This bill would strengthen the penalties for adults who solicit a minor for sex and establish a state grant program for survivors of human trafficking.

“Our laws must make it absolutely clear that children are not for sale and AB 379 does just that," said San Diego County District Attorney @SummerStephan. "AB 379 equips law enforcement with the tools we need to protect children from criminal buyers who prey on them, fueling human trafficking by lining the pockets of traffickers with millions of dollars. AB 379 not only holds criminals accountable, but it also expands the safety network and support for survivors as they recover from severe trauma. I’m proud to co-sponsor Assembly Bill 379 and I am grateful for all the San Diego County legislators who supported this critical legislation with their resounding yes vote for dignity and justice today. I look forward to AB 379 becoming a law that protects the most vulnerable."

#EndHumanTrafficking #AB379

READ MORE: https://a77.asmdc.org/press-releases/20250515-san-diego-state-county-leaders-unite-crack-down-child-sex-trafficking
In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander He In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month #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 Deputy District Attorney Shanish Aloor, who has been with the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office for more than 17 years. He first joined our office as a Legal Intern, then a Graduate Law Clerk and finally as a Deputy DA. He is currently the team leader for the DA’s Workplace Justice Unit, which investigates and prosecutes crimes where workers are victimized including wage theft and labor trafficking. When he is not busy working, Shanish enjoys reading biographies of famous historical figures, especially those involved in WWII and the Civil War. 

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

What inspired you to pursue a career in public service? 
“When I was in college a close family member was murdered. This crime shook me to my core and made me want to empower victims. I went to law school with the idea of working in the criminal justice system to make a difference. As an intern with the DA’s Office, I saw all the positive impacts we could have on the community. “

Why is AAPI Month important to you?
“AAPI month is important because it acknowledges a group that has been historically invisible while highlighting its powerful emergence. Minority voices, including those of AAPI, seek not just to uphold the law, but to make it more just, human and reflective of the America that we all deserve. AAPI month gives us a platform to reach out to future leaders to inspire them to strive to make this a ‘more perfect union’.”
Sending warm wishes to all the mothers and mother Sending warm wishes to all the mothers and mother figures who make sacrifices, share wisdom, and fill our lives with love. Happy Mother's Day!
The former San Diego County Teacher of the Year, 3 The former San Diego County Teacher of the Year, 36-year-old Jacqueline Ma, who taught at Lincoln Acres Elementary School in National City, has been sentenced to 30 years-to-life in prison for sexually abusing two students.

Ma pleaded guilty on February 5 to two counts of forcible lewd act on a child, one count of lewd act on a child, and one count of possessing child sexual abuse material including allegations substantial sexual conduct and having multiple victims. She had been scheduled to stand trial in April.

“This defendant violated the trust she had with her students in the most extreme and traumatic way possible and her actions are despicable,” District Attorney @summerstephan said. “Her victims will have to deal with a lifetime of negative effects and her 30-year sentence is appropriate. No child deserves what this defendant did and I hope this sentence brings a measure of justice to the victims, their families and the community that was left reeling from this defendant’s crimes.”

In March 2023, the mother of one of the victims found inappropriate messages on a family tablet between the student and teacher. Ma had groomed the minor for over a year before performing sexual acts on the him when he was 12. The parents did not allow the boy to have social media or his own electronics, but Ma was able to get access to him by setting up an unsanctioned after school program and directing him to communicate with her through a school chat application.

The sex acts perpetrated by Ma occurred in her classroom while the parents believed their son was participating in an afterschool basketball program, and the abuse continued for a period of three months. Further investigation found that Ma had targeted and sexually assaulted another student in 2020. That boy was 11at the time. Ma had been grooming young boys with gifts, food and special attention and even completed their homework for them. She also gained the trust of the parents with her reputation and personal investment in their academic development.

(CONTINUED IN COMMENTS)
This morning, District Attorney @SummerStephan joi This morning, District Attorney @SummerStephan joined @asmlauriedavies at a North County Senior Scam Stopper Summit to speak with more than 200 seniors about the most common scams targeting seniors and how to avoid them. 
You can learn more about how to protect yourself and your loved ones from scams by visiting our website SanDiegoDA.com and search “Senior Scams.”
In this week's DA News Update, District Attorney @ In this week's DA News Update, District Attorney @SummerStephan was at the 39th Annual Law Enforcement Memorial and talks about the importance of the work our partner agencies do for our communities.
Today, District Attorney @summerstephan and the DA Today, District Attorney @summerstephan and the DA’s Chief Investigator Jorge Duran joined all the  San Diego County law enforcement agencies at the 39th Annual Law Enforcement Memorial ceremony to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. This year three names were added to the law enforcement memorial wall outside the @countyofsandiego office: Sheriff’s Deputy Herbert Sibert, SDPD Officer Austin Machitar, US Customs and Border Protection Air Interdiction Agent Jeffrey Kanas.
We will never forget their sacrifice.
At the end of the ceremony, all the local law enforcement chiefs took a group photo, as is customary every year.
The Lifer Hearing Unit at the District Attorney’ The Lifer Hearing Unit at the District Attorney’s Office handles parole hearings for some of the most dangerous criminals in the state by making sure they are not carelessly released from prison. Due to changes in the law, many of these inmates are up for parole sooner than expected, and the unit’s case load is increasing.

#VictimVoices #ParoleHearing #LiferHearingUnit #SanDiegoDA #DistrictAttorney
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