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  • DA, Downtown Partnership Join Forces to Deter Retail Theft, Support Businesses

  • DA Launches Elder Scam Prevention Campaign

  • District Attorney Opens New One Safe Place in South County, Supporting Victims of Crime

  • DA Summer Stephan Testifies Before U.S. Senate on Cracking Down Organized Retail Crime

    DA Summer Stephan Senate Testimony on Organized Retail Crime. July 15, 2025, Washington, D.C.
  • Innovative Shelter Ready App Expanding Countywide

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Latest News

Gang Boss Sentenced to Life Without Parole for Ordering Murder Hit While in Prison

December 6, 2023

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced today that defendant and criminal street gang boss Jesus Faraj, 45, was sentenced to life without the possibility parole plus 60 years for ordering an execution-style murder of 32-year-old Jimmy Khieu in February 2019. On Super Bowl Sunday, 2019, Khieu was shot through the head and left […]

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https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Prisoner-handcuffed.jpg 720 1280 Barbara Medina https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/danews_logo-summer-e1751410255309.webp Barbara Medina2023-12-06 18:27:572023-12-06 18:27:57Gang Boss Sentenced to Life Without Parole for Ordering Murder Hit While in Prison
Stock photo of two bullet rounds on the floor next to a crime scene marker.

Gang Member Charged in Shooting that Left Young Woman Paralyzed

December 5, 2023

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced today that an attempted murder charge has been filed against Juan Diaz Velazco, 19, in connection with a gang shooting that left an innocent 17-year-old female bystander paralyzed. Diaz Velazco is also charged with assault with a firearm and other gun charges. He was arraigned and pleaded […]

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https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Bullet-crime-scene.jpg 720 1280 Barbara Medina https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/danews_logo-summer-e1751410255309.webp Barbara Medina2023-12-05 16:27:282023-12-05 16:27:28Gang Member Charged in Shooting that Left Young Woman Paralyzed
Photo of a Judge's gavel and a gun.

Gang Member Sentenced in Shooting Death of Alpha Project Security Guard

December 1, 2023

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced today that defendant Johnny Hill, a member of a criminal street gang, was sentenced to 55 years to life plus an additional 26 years in prison in connection with a 2019 shooting that left one man dead and another injured. Hill and co-defendant, Floyd Garrett, who will […]

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https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Gavel-and-gun.jpg 720 1280 Barbara Medina https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/danews_logo-summer-e1751410255309.webp Barbara Medina2023-12-01 17:39:592023-12-01 17:39:59Gang Member Sentenced in Shooting Death of Alpha Project Security Guard
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Video

DA Weekly News with DA Summer Stephan 02-26-26: Our Consumer Protection Division Gets Results!

https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/da-weekly-news-with-da-summer-stephan-02-26-26-our-consumer-protection-division-gets-results.jpg 720 1280 Barbara Medina https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/danews_logo-summer-e1751410255309.webp Barbara Medina2026-02-26 16:59:442026-02-26 16:59:44DA Weekly News with DA Summer Stephan 02-26-26: Our Consumer Protection Division Gets Results!

DA Weekly News with DA Summer Stephan 02-19-26: Ex-Convict Charged with Misusing Public Funds

https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/da-weekly-news-with-da-summer-stephan-02-19-26-ex-convict-charged-with-misusing-public-funds.jpg 720 1280 Barbara Medina https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/danews_logo-summer-e1751410255309.webp Barbara Medina2026-02-19 17:00:342026-02-26 17:02:43DA Weekly News with DA Summer Stephan 02-19-26: Ex-Convict Charged with Misusing Public Funds
Photo of news conference at the DA's Office as DA Summer Stephan announces charges against Amy Knox for embezzlement of county funds.

NEWS CONFERENCE: DA Charges Woman with Embezzling Public Opioid Funds for Luxury Lifestyle

https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/02-18-26-Amy-Knox-Embezzlement-Case-News-Conference.jpg 720 1280 Barbara Medina https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/danews_logo-summer-e1751410255309.webp Barbara Medina2026-02-18 14:53:222026-02-18 15:01:20NEWS CONFERENCE: DA Charges Woman with Embezzling Public Opioid Funds for Luxury Lifestyle
Photo of news conference about Operation Street Sweeper.

NEWS CONFERENCE: 34 Drug Dealers Indicted in East Village: Inside Operation Street Sweeper

https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Operation-Street-Sweeper.jpg 720 1280 Barbara Medina https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/danews_logo-summer-e1751410255309.webp Barbara Medina2026-02-09 12:11:462026-02-17 12:18:07NEWS CONFERENCE: 34 Drug Dealers Indicted in East Village: Inside Operation Street Sweeper

San Diego County DA Summer Stephan Swears In 15 New Deputy District Attorneys

https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/san-diego-county-da-summer-stephan-swears-in-15-new-deputy-district-attorneys.jpg 720 1280 Barbara Medina https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/danews_logo-summer-e1751410255309.webp Barbara Medina2026-02-06 12:13:482026-02-17 12:15:29San Diego County DA Summer Stephan Swears In 15 New Deputy District Attorneys
Photo of news conference announcing $25 Million in Stolen Funds Returned to Support San Diego Students.

NEWS CONFERENCE: $25 Million in Stolen Funds Returned to Support San Diego Students

https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/01-30-26-SDCOE-Trust-Fund-Grant-News-Conference-PHOTO.jpg 720 1280 Barbara Medina https://danewscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/danews_logo-summer-e1751410255309.webp Barbara Medina2026-01-30 12:15:532026-02-17 12:17:27NEWS CONFERENCE: $25 Million in Stolen Funds Returned to Support San Diego Students

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Tue May 26th

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In honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (#AANHPI) Heritage 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 Deputy District Attorney Mei Owen, who has been with the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office since 2011. She began her journey as a legal intern, then continued as a graduate law clerk and later as a volunteer attorney, then ultimately as a Deputy District Attorney. Over the years she has served in several of our branches, including Vista, Juvenile, and El Cajon. She is now downtown in our Special Operations Division.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?“My path toward public service began with a moment from my early childhood that has never left me. When I was three or four years old, I was walking home from the grocery store with my mother when she was robbed at knifepoint. I didn’t understand why a stranger wielded a kitchen knife in my mother’s face or why she handed over the contents of her purse so quickly. But I understood her fear. I remember the tears on her face and the way she instinctively shielded me. The man was never caught. Justice was never done. Even at that young age, something in me recognized the profound impact of harm and the importance of accountability. That experience planted a seed that grew over time. It shaped my belief in fairness, safety, and the need for a justice system that protects vulnerable people, families, and communities like mine. It’s what inspired me to pursue a career as a deputy district attorney. Every day, I’m reminded that the work I do is not abstract. It’s personal. It’s rooted in a lifetime of experiences, my own and those passed down to me.Public service is my way of honoring my parents’ sacrifices, my community’s resilience, and the many people who still hope for their own version of the ‘Golden Mountain.’ It is my way of giving back to the country that gave my family a chance to thrive, and of helping ensure that justice, dignity, and safety are more than just ideals. They are realities people can count on.”What does AANHPI Month mean to you/why is it important?“AANHPI Heritage Month is a time for me to reflect on where I come from and the journey that brought me here. As a first generation Chinese American who emigrated to the United States at eight years old, I grew up hearing my parents speak of America as the “golden mountain.” As a child, I imagined literal mountains made of gold waiting for us when we stepped off the plane. In reality, we arrived with nothing but the clothes on our backs. Yet my parents carried with them something far more powerful: hope, determination, and an unshakable belief that this country could offer opportunities they never had. They gave everything so that I could be anything.Their sacrifices supported me through school and every hardship in between. Becoming the first in my family to not only attend college, but to earn a doctorate and build a meaningful career, is something I carry with great pride and deep gratitude. AANHPI Heritage Month reminds me that my achievements aren’t mine alone – they are the result of generations of perseverance, of stories carried across oceans, of dreams planted long before I was old enough to understand them.”A fun fact about you or what do you enjoy doing in your free time?“I love baking bread. There’s something magical about taking a bunch of random ingredients like flour, water, salt, and somehow ending up with something delicious. It reminds me in many ways of what public service feels like – a mix of small, humble ingredients, a lot of patience, and the courage to step into the heat when it matters. And if everything goes well, you come out with something that is pretty great.”“Beyond my professional journey, I am also the proud mother of three wonderful children and the spouse of a military service member. My husband has dedicated over 20 years to serving this country in the Navy’s special warfare community as an EOD bomb technician. His career has been marked by sacrifice, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to protecting others. The weight of that service is immeasurable, and being part of his journey has deepened my appreciation for the many forms public service can take. Our family has grown alongside the challenges and triumphs of his career, and I carry immense pride in the strength and purpose that binds us. His dedication continues to inspire me in my own work and reinforce my commitment to serving our community.”EN ESPAÑOL: https://danewscenter.com/?p=10211 ... See MoreSee Less

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In honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and P In honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage 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 Deputy District Attorney Mei Owen, who has been with the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office since 2011. She began her journey as a legal intern, then continued as a graduate law clerk and later as a volunteer attorney, then ultimately as a Deputy District Attorney. Over the years she has served in several of our branches, including Vista, Juvenile, and El Cajon. She is now downtown in our Special Operations Division.

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?
“My path toward public service began with a moment from my early childhood that has never left me. When I was three or four years old, I was walking home from the grocery store with my mother when she was robbed at knifepoint. I didn’t understand why a stranger wielded a kitchen knife in my mother’s face or why she handed over the contents of her purse so quickly. But I understood her fear. I remember the tears on her face and the way she instinctively shielded me. The man was never caught. Justice was never done. Even at that young age, something in me recognized the profound impact of harm and the importance of accountability. That experience planted a seed that grew over time. It shaped my belief in fairness, safety, and the need for a justice system that protects vulnerable people, families, and communities like mine. It’s what inspired me to pursue a career as a deputy district attorney. Every day, I’m reminded that the work I do is not abstract. It’s personal. It’s rooted in a lifetime of experiences, my own and those passed down to me."

FULL ARTICLE:  https://danewscenter.com/?p=10200
Today, we stand with friends, family and colleague Today, we stand with friends, family and colleagues to remember and honor our military heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
They will never be forgotten.
Thank you for your service.
#MemorialDay
#NeverForget
Samuel Holthaus was brutally murdered in September Samuel Holthaus was brutally murdered in September 2023, by Kenneth McNally Jr. Today, at the sentencing hearing, the victim's family gave powerful victim impact statements before Judge Kathleen Lewis sentenced the defendant to more than 200 years in prison.

McNally is a third-strike offender with a lengthy and violent criminal history. At the time of the murder, he was on probation for his second-strike offense after being convicted of attacking a dog with an axe. McNally was also on Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS) for two additional criminal cases; one involving assault and the other resisting an officer with force. His first strike conviction stemmed from a 2004 case, in which he was convicted of assault on a peace officer.

The charges stem from events that occurred on September 3, 2023, on a six-acre property in Harbison Canyon, which is an unincorporated area of El Cajon, where McNally had been intermittently staying with acquaintances in a trailer alongside several other residents. Earlier that day, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office received calls from residents reporting that McNally was aggressively demanding rides off the property while appearing to conceal a weapon beneath a jacket. One witness later told investigators that during a drive near Sloan Canyon Road off Dehesa Road, McNally confessed that he had killed Holthaus and dragged him down a hill with a noose around his neck. A second witness also revealed McNally made a similar confession to her earlier that day. She also reported seeing McNally driving the victim’s truck erratically before parking it near the grave.

Read more:

https://danewscenter.com/news/man-sentenced-for-brutal-2023-murder-and-series-of-violent-crimes-in-el-cajon/

#VictimImpactStatement #MurderTrial #VictimsRights
Protecting our seniors means protecting their heal Protecting our seniors means protecting their health, safety, and financial wellbeing. This is just one example of the many educational community outreach events the DA's Office offers throughout the year.

San Diego County District Attorney  @summerstephan  was honored to join the @alzassociationsandiego and community partners for a Senior Health & Wellness Awareness event focused on empowering older adults and caregivers with tools to stay safe, informed, and healthy.

From recognizing and preventing Alzheimer’s to learning how to avoid scams and financial fraud targeting seniors, this important event provided resources to help our community take early, protective action against cognitive decline and financial exploitation.

Topics included:
✔️ Consumer protection and crime prevention tips
✔️ Common scams targeting seniors
✔️ How to report fraud
✔️ Health and wellness resources
✔️ Recognizing and preventing Alzheimer’s
✔️ Early action against cognitive decline

Together, we can build safer, healthier communities for our seniors and their families.  Learn more about how to protect our seniors, in the following links:

📌 https://www.sdcda.org/helping/elder-abuse
📌 https://www.sdcda.org/preventing/Elder-Scam-Prevention-Campaign-Materials

#SeniorWellness #ElderFraud #SeniorScams #AlzheimersAwareness #FraudPrevention #ProtectOurSeniors #SanDiegoDA
DA Issues Statement; Deploys Victim Services/Crisi DA Issues Statement; Deploys Victim Services/Crisis Response Team to Assist Victims of Islamic Center Shooting:

“Words cannot adequately express the heartbreak and trauma caused by today’s shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, where innocent lives were lost. A place of worship and learning should always be a place of peace, safety, and community, never violence. Our hearts are with the victims, their families, and everyone impacted by this devastating attack. The District Attorney’s Office has deployed its special prosecution and investigation team to support the San Diego Police Department and law enforcement partners in getting all the answers needed to keep our community safe from further harm. The District Attorney’s Office Victim Services/Crisis Response Team is actively working with victims, families and community to provide services needed at this critical juncture. Victims, parents, students and employees of the Islamic Center and school along with impacted community members of this incident can call 619-531-4041 for help. Please contact police or the FBI to report anything suspicious.” 
- District Attorney @summerstephan 

You can also email SanDiegoDA@sandiegoda.gov
On Friday, San Diego County District Attorney @sum On Friday, San Diego County District Attorney @summerstephan  joined Supervisor @joelandersonca , @sdsheriff Kelly Martinez, and @sandiegoarcc  Jordan Z. Marks for a major press conference where Supervisor Anderson unveiled a revised charter proposal focused on restoring fair term limits, preventing the politicization of County staffing, strengthening independent oversight, and ensuring a transparent process the public can trust.

On May 19, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors will consider ITEM 25, on the agenda, "Adopting a Revised Resolution of the Board of Supervisors Proposing Amendments to the Charter of the County of San Diego entitled ‘A Transparent, Accountable, Modern County Government,’ and Amending the Ordinance ‘Modernizing The San Diego County Charter to Strengthen Transparency, Accountability and Independent Oversight’." This is a revised charter reform proposal that preserves important accountability measures while removing misleading and problematic provisions contained in the original proposal (ITEM 24). 

The revised measure supports meaningful reform while ensuring voters clearly understand what they are being asked to approve. It protects transparency, strengthens independent oversight, and prevents political interference in county operations.

Good government reforms should be honest, transparent, and designed to serve the public interest, not create confusion or expand political power.

Community voices matter, and public testimony will help shape this process. We respectfully encourage you to make your own decision whether you want to join DA Stephan in supporting ITEM 25 at the May 19 Board of Supervisors meeting.

San Diego residents deserve reforms built on clarity, accountability, and public trust.

WATCH the full livestream as County leaders discuss the proposal and the importance of accountability, transparency, and good governance for San Diego County residents: https://youtube.com/live/p6Ff1j3ale4?feature=share
Today, San Diego County District Attorney @SummerS Today, San Diego County District Attorney @SummerStephan joined the Attorney General from Baja California @_fgebc_ , the Baja California Justice Center for Women @cejum.bc, and the Mexican Consulate in San Diego  @consulmexsdi to renew and expand a historic binational partnership dedicated to supporting victims and survivors on both sides of the border.

The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding strengthens collaboration between One Safe Place: San Diego County Family Justice Centers in San Marcos and National City, the Baja California Attorney General’s Office, and the Baja California Justice Center for Women to ensure victims have greater access to safety, services, protection, and justice—regardless of language or geography.

This partnership reflects a shared commitment to standing with victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, child abuse, and other crimes through trauma-informed, culturally responsive care.

READ MORE and WATCH highlights from today’s press conference and ceremonial MOU signing:  https://danewscenter.com/?p=10176 

EN ESPAÑOL: https://danewscenter.com/?p=10181 

#SanDiegoDA #OneSafePlace #FamilyJusticeCenters #VictimServices
Join the San Diego County District Attorney Bureau Join the San Diego County District Attorney Bureau of Investigation for a virtual Community Engagement Meeting regarding the Department’s Annual Military Equipment Report in accordance with Assembly Bill 481.

📅 Thursday, May 21, 2026
🕕 6:00 PM
💻 Virtual via Zoom

Community members are encouraged to attend, learn more about department military equipment use, and participate in the conversation by submitting questions in advance.

📲 RSVP and submit questions in advance using the QR code or Zoom webinar link provided in the following link: 
https://www.sdcda.org/office/boi/BOI-Military-Equipment
Today marked a historic moment in San Diego as Dis Today marked a historic moment in San Diego as District Attorney @SummerStephan joined leaders from across the federal and state justice systems to launch Justice 250 — a landmark initiative commemorating America’s 250th anniversary and the enduring principles that have shaped our nation for nearly two and a half centuries. 🇺🇸⚖️

For the first time in San Diego County, distinguished members of the judiciary, prosecutors, Federal Defenders Board of Directors, legal community, and law enforcement stood together in a united commitment to honor the Constitution, judicial independence, civic engagement, and the rule of law — the very foundations of American democracy.

During today’s press conference, leaders unveiled the official Justice 250 logo and announced the keynote speaker for the upcoming public celebration aboard the USS Midway on July 2, a symbolic setting that reflects both America’s history and its enduring commitment to freedom and justice.

As our nation approaches this once-in-a-generation milestone, Justice 250 will inspire the community to reflect on the rights, freedoms, and democratic institutions that continue to protect and unite us.

Learn more justice250.com

#Justice250 #America250 #RuleOfLaw #Constitution #Democracy CivicEngagement USSMidway SanDiego SummerStephan AmericanHistory
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