Tag Archive for: Pacific Beach

Prisoner handcuffed behind bars

Ex-Convict Sentenced for Cold Case Sexual Assault in Pacific Beach Alley

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said today that a 53-year-old man, who attacked a woman from behind in 2001 and dragged her into a Pacific Beach alley, forcing her to have sex with him, has been sentenced to 15 years-to-life in prison.

After deliberating for one day, a jury found John House guilty last November of forcible oral copulation as well as a kidnapping allegation.

“The victim waited more than 20 years for this defendant to be brought to justice for his horrific kidnap and sexual assault,” DA Stephan said. “Through the tireless work of specialized prosecutors and investigators in our Cold Case and Sex Crimes Units along with our law enforcement partners, we are able to solve these crimes that leave victims and their families living in fear and looking behind their shoulder for years.”

On a late morning in August 2001, the victim was walking down a Pacific Beach street when the defendant approached her from behind, put his hand over her mouth and dragged her into an alley to have sex while threatening her with a knife. Given the limitations of the DNA technology at the time, the San Diego Police Department Crime Laboratory was unable to develop a DNA profile from the sperm fraction collected from victim’s lips and the case went cold.

In 2022 there was a break in the case thanks to developments in DNA testing technology and retesting of the evidence. A full DNA profile was developed, which matched the defendant. It turned out he was involved in previous incidents, including a criminal case from 2001. In that case, defendant House approached five different female joggers from behind and sexually battered them, resulting in a prison sentence of seven years.

The DA’s Cold Case Homicide Division has dedicated and experienced investigators and prosecutors who use the latest forensic evidence technology to deliver justice to victims. The division promotes public safety by working with local law enforcement to resolve unsolved homicides within San Diego County. These partnerships are key to solving and successfully prosecuting cases where the trail has gone cold for years. Since it was established in 2003, the Cold Case Homicide Division has played a role in solving and prosecuting numerous murders.

Deputy District Attorney Zachary Wallace prosecuted this case.

 

Photo of gavel and scales of justice.

Eight Antifa Defendants Sentenced in Pacific Beach Assault Case

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced today that eight defendants convicted in connection with violent criminal acts committed during a demonstration in Pacific Beach have been sentenced and the case, which garnered national attention, is now closed.

 “From the start this prosecution has been about holding individuals accountable for conspiring to bring violence to our community, something we won’t tolerate,” said DA Stephan. “This was a complex case with all 11 defendants convicted. Our prosecution team worked tirelessly with law enforcement on this case to ensure our community remains safe, and that the rule of law is followed.”

Alexander Akridgejacobs, 33; Brian Cortez Lightfoot Jr., 27; Christian Martinez, 25; Ruchelle Ogden, 26; Bryan Rivera, 22; Faraz Martin Talab, 29; Joseph Austin Gaskins, 23; and Jeremy White, 41 received sentences ranging from 180 days in jail to two years in prison. Three other defendants have already been sentenced to state prison ranging from two years, eight months to five years.

The sentencings come after a criminal grand jury returned indictments against 11 individuals charged with crimes including conspiracy to commit a riot, use of tear gas, assault with a deadly weapon, and assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury. In lieu of a preliminary hearing, the grand jury heard testimony over 13 days and delivered the unsealed indictment in May of 2022. In total, the defendants were indicted on 29 felony counts.

The grand jury indictment noted that the defendants were all affiliated with Antifa. A group of the defendants were based in the Los Angeles area and the remaining defendants were from San Diego County. Ten of the defendants faced conspiracy charges after the indictment and prosecutors told the court that the objective of the conspiracy was to incite and participate in a riot. It’s believed that this is the first criminal case in the nation where crimes committed by members of Antifa were brought to justice and held accountable.

In January of 2021, Antifa supporters posted on social media calling for “counterprotesting” and direct action in response to a scheduled political demonstration in Pacific Beach. The defendants and other uncharged co-conspirators confirmed their support and participation by showing up in Pacific Beach dressed in black clothing and armed with weapons and protective gear.

As the case made its way through the criminal justice system, nine of the defendants entered guilty pleas and two others were convicted by a jury at trial.  All defendants indicted by the criminal grand jury for conspiracy entered a plea to that charge or were convicted of that charge at trial.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorneys Makenzie Harvey, William Hopkins, and Evan Andersen with investigative support from District Attorney Investigator Jonah Conley and SDPD Detective Emily Clark.