Tag Archive for: San Diego County District Attorney

Photo of a gavel over law books and scales of justice.

Teacher Who Committed Sex Crimes against two Underage Students Sentenced to Prison

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said today that a teacher who inappropriately engaged in sexual relationships with two underage students has been sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to seven felony counts of related to various sex crimes.

Kyiri Tisdale, 32, a former teacher at Escondido High School, was arrested in August 2024 following an investigation by the Escondido Police Department’s Family Protection Unit. He was arrested at school while preparing for the upcoming school year.

“This defendant used his position of trust as a teacher to commit sex crimes against teenage students whom he’s supposed to nurture and protect,” DA Stephan said. “He not only physically violated his students but also violated the trust that the overwhelming number of teachers in our county work so hard to build with their students. There is no room in our schools for corrupt teachers who abuse their positions of trust to gain the confidence of students, only to take advantage of them sexually. I hope today’s sentence serves as a warning to anyone in a position of power that the truth eventually comes out, and you will be held accountable. I am proud of the victims for coming forward and I hope the end of this case provides the closure they need to move on and live healthy lives.”

Tisdale was 29 when he began the first sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student. While that conduct was ongoing, Tisdale committed several illegal sexual acts with a separate, 16-year-old victim.

Detectives with Escondido Police worked quickly to investigate when the report from the first victim came to light just days before the start of a new school year. They developed enough information to make the arrest even as Tisdale was in his classroom, prepping for classes to start and to meet a new group of students. After the arrest, the District Attorney’s Office worked with detectives to locate and speak to the second victim, developing further evidence for additional criminal charges.

Every student in San Diego County deserves to have a safe and nurturing educational environment, free of sexual and physical abuse. But if that kind of abuse does happen, students, parents and teachers should report to their local police department or Sheriff’s Office. If anyone suspects any misdeeds related to schools but is uncertain about what to do, they can report to the District Attorney’s Office at https://www.sdcda.org/helping/studentsafety/.

Once suspected abuse is reported, the task force members will evaluate and investigate the claim, law enforcement will be notified to investigate allegations when appropriate, and families will be connected with trauma-informed resources and support.

Another important public safety reminder is that mandated reporters have a duty under the law to report suspected child abuse, which includes sexual abuse.

Deputy District Attorney Peter Estes from the DA’s Sex Crimes and Human Trafficking Unit prosecuted this case.

Violent Bank Robber Sentenced to Prison for Four Armed Heists Committed in Three Years

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said today that a violent and armed bank robber, who terrorized bank employees, made off with hundreds of thousands of dollars, and was eventually convicted by a jury of 30 felony counts in connection with four bank robberies across multiple jurisdictions, has been sentenced to life in prison.

Larry Lightning Jr., 45, was sentenced to 488 years and eight months in prison following a four-week trial that included 76 witnesses and extensive evidence entered into the record. The felony convictions 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 Summer Stephan. “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.”

Beginning in 2019 and over the span of four years, Lightning was the leader in four violent armed take-over robberies across San Diego County. In each of the robberies, he stole a vehicle close in time to the robbery that he used as a getaway car and staged a second vehicle he transferred to less than a mile from the bank, leaving the stolen car behind. Lightning covered himself from head to toe with gloves, a hoodie and a mask before he stormed each bank with his gun drawn, jumping over the teller counter.

The defendant grabbed bank employees by their hair and pulled, pushed, and shoved them into the vault at gunpoint. He yelled at them to go faster, and even counted down, threatening to kill them if they did not get the safes open fast enough. The victims testified about the fear they felt, with some saying they believed they were going to die, and that they said goodbye to their children. Lightning emptied the vaults of all cash and escaped with almost $400,000 in total from the robberies.

The case went unsolved with no leads until June 2022, when a DNA hit from the driver’s seat of a stolen vehicle came back to the defendant. The FBI performed an extensive follow-up investigation using warrants, surveillance video collection and physical surveillance with the evidence pointing to this defendant. His cell phone records and DNA in each of the stolen cars used in the robberies also contributed to his conviction. After hearing all the evidence and arguments, the jury found defendant Lightning guilty of all counts and allegations, including all the aggravating factors charged in the criminal complaint.

“I want to especially thank Deputy District Attorneys Kristie Nikoletich and Savanah Howe for their outstanding work in presenting a thorough and compelling case to the jury,” Stephan said. “Their commitment to justice and protecting our communities along with the support of the DA and law enforcement teams helped ensure this dangerous individual will no longer be a threat.”

Deputy District Attorneys Recognized with MADD “Prosecutor of the Year” Awards

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced today that Deputy District Attorneys Mary Loeb and Natalie Garcia were each recognized as Prosecutor of the Year for their work in the DA’s DUI Homicide Unit. The honors were announced by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) at the annual MADD San Diego Law Enforcement and Prosecutor Recognition Awards held June 5th at the Town and Country Resort.

“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.”

In 2024, 26 people were killed in 21 DUI-related crashes in San Diego County. So far in 2025, the DA’s DUI Homicide Unit has filed 11 new DUI homicide cases.

Recipients of MADD’s awards are chosen through a call for nominations process. The organization reaches out to community partners, law enforcement agencies, local officials and their internal victim advocates asking them to nominate individuals who stand out in the community with regards to DUI-related work.

Every year, MADD honors law enforcement officials for their continuous efforts in DUI-related enforcement. This year, the event recognized law enforcement with awards for the number of DUI arrests made annually. According to MADD, each arrest is a life saved and MADD awards law enforcement’s service as they dedicate their lives to keeping our roads safe.

Deputy DAs Mary Loeb and Natalie Garcia were nominated by Deputy DA Hailey Williams, the Director of the DA’s DUI Homicide Unit. In 2024, Loeb and Garcia successfully prosecuted Tayishe Baltys for killing 15-year-old Jessica Talamante and her 39-year-old stepfather Brian McKee. In 2022, Baltys drove drunk and fatally struck Jessica and Brian as they walked across East Plaza Boulevard in National City toward their home. Prior to the collision, Baltys spent three hours drinking alcohol with co-workers at a Dave & Buster’s restaurant in Mission Valley. Despite two separate bartenders asking Baltys if she planned to take an Uber or Lyft home, Baltys instead got behind the wheel of her car so intoxicated that she drove to National City, even though she resides in Mission Valley.

Although Baltys repeatedly denied drinking to the responding officers, her blood-alcohol content was approximately 0.16%, which is twice the legal driving limit. Just 19 days before the fatal collision, Baltys had completed DUI probation following a DUI arrest and conviction one year earlier. Deput DAs Mary Loeb and Natalie Garcia’s skilled presentation of the facts of their case and cross-examination of defense witnesses secured justice for the deaths of Jessica and Brian. In December 2024, a Chula Vista jury returned guilty verdicts against Baltys for their murders.

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

In this week’s DA News Update, District Attorney Summer Stephan talks about the regional expansion of Shelter Ready— an innovative mobile app designed to connect people experiencing homelessness with emergency shelter in real time.

 

 

New App to Find Shelter for the Homeless

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan just 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.

 

 

Innovative Shelter Ready App Expanding Countywide

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. [WATCH NEWS CONFERENCE HERE]

“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.”

Today’s event also provided an update on the DA’s Three Point Plan to address the intersection of homelessness, behavioral health, and criminal justice—an initiative originally introduced by DA Stephan in 2022. The Shelter Ready app regionalization represents the fulfillment of a key goal from that plan: expanding the use of technology to support unsheltered populations, building on a model that previously helped victims of domestic violence and human trafficking find shelter in minutes rather than days. Three years of District Attorney data shows that individuals who are experiencing homelessness become involved with the justice system as victims and perpetrators at dramatically higher rates than the rest of the population, as well as a higher rate of overdose deaths.

“The most common question people ask when experiencing homelessness is, ‘Where can I go for help?’ And there’s nothing more frontline workers want than to help,” said Tamera Kohler, CEO of the Regional Task Force on Homelessness. “So, it’s incredibly timely to have an app to help connect people to services they need, including finding a shelter bed. This has been a real challenge, but that’s a little easier now thanks to this innovative technology, which provides valuable real-time information frontline workers need to connect to services quickly.”

Attendees witnessed a live demonstration of the app and heard from organizations that have participated in the pilot phase and are already using Shelter Ready in the field. The platform was built specifically for the San Diego region and shaped by feedback from local stakeholders.

One of the organizations that has partnered with the DA’s Office in testing and developing the Shelter Ready app for the past several months is the San Diego Rescue Mission’s North County Lighthouse.

“The San Diego Rescue Mission (SDRM) has been honored to participate with the DA’s Office to utilize and evaluate this unique technology that is a game changer when it comes to providing homeless services,” said Donnie Dee, San Diego Rescue Mission CEO. “The Shelter Ready platform is clearly a tool that can be essential for all shelter providers in the county. Since using Shelter Ready, we’ve seen stronger collaboration and communication between shelter providers and our outreach workers. The result has been a more efficient and effective process in helping people experiencing homelessness find the right shelter for them at the right time.”

The Shelter Ready app stems from a larger effort that began in 2018, when DA Stephan convened regional symposiums to tackle the intersection of mental health, homelessness, and the justice system. The 2019 Blueprint for Mental Health Reform and subsequent Three Point Plan have since guided local reforms and partnerships focused on creating long-term, system-wide change.

“Having awareness of available resources for people experiencing homelessness is essential to making the right connections,” said Dr. Kimberly Giardina, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for the County Health and Human Services Agency. “As usage of this new app expands regionally, we look forward to working with the District Attorney and other providers to maximize transparency and connections to accessible resources.”

The most recent Point-in-Time Count, conducted in January 2025 by the Regional Task Force on Homelessness, reported 9,905 individuals experiencing homelessness in San Diego County with 5,714 of those individuals identified as being unsheltered. [WATCH NEWS CONFERENCE HERE]

DA Weekly News Update with DA Summer Stephan 11-14-24

This week, DA Summer Stephan explains why ‘wildcatters’ (or “raiteros” in Spanish) are a problem near the U.S./Mexico border, and what officials are doing about it.

DA Weekly News Update with DA Summer Stephan 10-17-24

In this week’s DA News Update, DA Summer Stephan discusses two recent cases where justice was served: The defendant in a deadly carjacking in Coronado was sentenced and a Pacific Beach rapist was denied parole.

One Safe Place Celebrates 2 year anniversary

One Safe Place Celebrates 2-Year Anniversary

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced that One Safe Place: The North County Family Justice Center in San Marcos, is celebrating its two-year anniversary and has released an Impact Report, which highlights the achievements and services offered at this state-of-the-art Family Justice Center. The report was released during a celebration at One Safe Place on Monday with more than 100 community partners, leaders and dignitaries in attendance. WATCH a video of the 2-year anniversary celebration below. Read more about the milestones accomplished by One Safe Place, here.

 

DA Weekly News Update with DA Summer Stephan 09-12-24

In this week’s DA News Update, DA Summer Stephan reveals the result of a school shooter’s parole hearing and discusses upcoming educational forums about a ballot proposition.