Tag Archive for: San Diego news

In Photo: Scripps Health President and CEO Chris Van Gorder today presented San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan with the Scripps President’s Award.

DA Stephan Receives Scripps President’s Award for Efforts to Help Reduce Hospital Violence

Scripps Health President and CEO Chris Van Gorder today presented San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan with the Scripps President’s Award for her leadership and partnership in efforts to help reduce crimes involving workplace violence against hospital workers across the region.

The award is the nonprofit health system’s highest honor for distinguished service to patients, physicians and staff at Scripps and to the broader community. DA Stephan has played a pivotal role in the growth of the San Diego Hospital Workforce Violence Task Force and in prosecuting criminal cases that have come forward since the group began in mid-2023.

“We are deeply grateful to DA Stephan for championing the important work of our regional Hospital Workforce Violence Task Force,” Van Gorder said. “Her leadership is helping us continually improve the way we protect and bring justice for frontline health care workers all across San Diego County.”

A former police officer and a retired reserve assistant sheriff, Van Gorder initiated the San Diego Hospital Workforce Violence Task Force as violent incidents in Scripps’ hospitals grew more common. With strong support from DA Stephan, the group has gradually grown to include leaders from various hospitals and health systems from throughout San Diego County, the DA’s Office, San Diego City Attorney’s office, San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, various regional police departments and others. The DA’s Office has put in place a special unit to handle hospital violence cases.

“It is a tremendous honor to receive the Scripps President’s Award and to stand alongside President Chris Van Gorder and our hospital partners in sending a clear message that violence against health care workers will not be tolerated,” said DA Stephan. “Our nation and region have seen an alarming rise in violence against doctors, nurses and health workers who have devoted their lives to serving others. In San Diego County, we took action to protect these selfless health professionals through the Hospital Workforce Violence Task Force, and creating a specialized team within the DA’s Office to effectively prosecute crimes committed against health workers.

“Our message is clear – You don’t get to threaten, spit on, beat, or stab the devoted hospital staff without facing justice,” DA Stephan said. “Justice in the over 100 cases we’ve prosecuted often includes addressing the root causes of the violence through court ordered mental health and substance abuse treatment. This recognition reflects the extraordinary work of our District Attorney’s Office team – especially Deputy District Attorneys Jessica Coto and Jessica Sutterley, and District Attorney Investigator Donte Kendricks, whose leadership and dedication on the Hospital Workforce Violence Task Force have strengthened protections for frontline medical professionals and helped ensure accountability for those who harm them.”

 

Group photo of the Scripps Health President's Award presented to DA Summer Stephan.

Group photo of the Scripps Health President’s Award presented to DA Summer Stephan.

The DA’s Office has prosecuted a combined 125 cases of hospital-related violence across the region since July 2023, when it started tracking such data. This includes 88 felonies countywide and 37 misdemeanors outside of the city of San Diego. (The City Attorney’s Office prosecutes misdemeanor cases within the city of San Diego.) These prosecutions have resulted in just consequences.

Moving forward, the DA’s Office plans to report expanded statistics on how many cases occur in specific medical facilities, as well as the type of criminal charges seen most frequently.

The task force, which meets every other month, has taken several steps to help improve communication and mutual understanding of workplace violence among regional hospitals, law enforcement agencies and prosecutors’ offices. For example, the group has established liaisons between hospitals and law enforcement agencies; arranged rounding tours through hospitals by law enforcement; and improved training for both hospital staff and law enforcement officers.

Scripps has worked closely with the DA’s Office to develop an online resource to guide Scripps staff through the prosecution process and has created other educational materials on the health system’s internal employee website. Scripps also has trained its staff to help avoid injuries and de-escalate potentially violent situations; incorporated artificial intelligence into existing video surveillance cameras to identify and respond to suspicious activity; integrated hospital security officers more closely into patient care teams; and deployed metal detectors outside of some facilities.

These internal efforts at Scripps, combined with its ongoing collaboration with the task force, have yielded positive results. After the first year that the task force was in place, Scripps achieved a 31% reduction in workplace violence injuries at its five hospital campuses, compared to the previous year. And from the start of the task force through the end of 2025, Scripps has achieved a 21% reduction in workplace violence injuries.

Scripps also advocated for Assembly Bill 977, a state law implemented in 2025 that increases jail time and financial penalties for people who assault emergency department workers. And Scripps supported Senate Bill 19, which was signed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2025 and allows prosecution for threats made against medical facilities, schools, houses of worship and other locations.

Health care workers account for 73% of all nonfatal workplace violence victims and are five times more likely to experience workplace violence than are other workers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

 

ABOUT SCRIPPS HEALTH 

Founded in 1924 by philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps, Scripps Health is a nonprofit integrated health care delivery system based in San Diego, Calif. Scripps treats more than 600,000 patients annually through the dedication of more than 3,500 affiliated physicians and nearly 18,000 employees among its five acute-care hospital campuses, more than 70 outpatient and specialty locations, and hundreds of affiliated physician offices throughout the region.

 

Recognized as a leader in disease and injury prevention, diagnosis and treatment, Scripps is also at the forefront of clinical research and is the only health system in the region with two level 1 trauma centers. With highly respected graduate medical education programs at all five hospital campuses, Scripps is a longstanding member of the Association of American Medical Colleges. Scripps has been ranked seven times as one of the nation’s best health care systems by Premier. Its hospitals are consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the nation’s best, and Scripps is recognized by the Advisory Board, Fortune and Working Mother magazine as one of the best places in the nation to work. More information can be found at www.scripps.org.

 

ABOUT THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE

The San Diego County DA’s Office prosecutes all felony crimes in the county and misdemeanor crimes committed outside the City of San Diego. The office files about 40,000 criminal cases a year and balances prosecution with numerous crime prevention programs. District Attorney Summer Stephan leads the office of more than 1,000 dedicated employees who pursue fair and equal justice, and support victims daily across San Diego County. You can learn more at SanDiegoDA.gov.

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

In this week’s DA news, DA Summer Stephan discusses the felony charges against a former nonprofit executive accused of misappropriating more than $130,000 in County opioid settlement funds. The case highlights the importance of transparency, oversight, and protecting taxpayer dollars. If you suspect misuse of public funds, you can report concerns to the DA’s Public Integrity Unit through the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office website. The District Attorney’s Public Integrity Unit investigates and prosecutes cases involving elected or appointed public officials, government employees committing crimes on the job, misuse of public funds or resources, fraud on the court and attorney misconduct. County employees or the public can submit a complaint on our website: https://www.sdcda.org/preventing/public-integrity/ or by emailing DA Public Integrity Unit at SDDAPublicIntegrity@sandiegoda.gov.

Photo of news conference at the DA's Office as DA Summer Stephan announces charges against Amy Knox for embezzlement of county funds.

Ex-Convict with Record of Embezzlement Charged with Misappropriation of Public Money for Using County Consumer Opioid Settlement Grant Funds for Plastic Surgery, Vacations, and Personal Expenses

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced charges today against a woman who was previously convicted of stealing over $500,000 from her employer. Her latest scheme involved bilking San Diego County out of more than $130,000 to fund her lavish lifestyle including two cosmetic plastic surgeries, luxury vacations, SDG&E bills for her personal homes, home improvement, and martial arts training. [WATCH THE NEWS CONFERENCE HERE]

Amy J. Knox, 45, has been charged with three felony counts of misappropriating public money and three felony counts of embezzlement with the white-collar fraud allegation for great taking from the over $4 million consumer protection monies awarded by San Diego County to the nonprofit organization Harm Reduction-SD. The funds were part of the over $50 billion secured by The California Attorney General as part of nationwide settlements and bankruptcy agreements from corporations implicated in the opioid epidemic. These consumer funds obtained from opioid settlements, were intended to increase prevention and treatment and reduce fentanyl deaths in the County.

“This defendant had a history of stealing large amounts of money from her employer and violating their trust, yet she was still able to be in charge of millions of dollars in public funds,” DA Stephan said. “Checks and balances exist for a reason, yet there was no evidence of a background check. Even after professional county staff raised concerns, County officials awarded a second contract to Harm Reduction-SD, allowing this defendant to line her pockets with public funds.”

From July 2022 to June 2025, Knox served in the chief operating officer role for Harm Reduction-SD. She controlled the nonprofit’s finances and was designated as the contract administrator for the County contracts, serving as the main liaison between Harm Reduction-SD and County contracting officials. Knox was responsible for oversight of the naloxone distribution, managing payroll, tax filings, vendor contracting, and supplies management.

Harm Reduction-SD received $4.2 million from the County’s Health and Human Services Agency, Behavioral Health Services Department. The first contract in July 2022 was for Naloxone distribution. The second contract in August 2024 was for drug checking. This service was to check for the presence of fentanyl in illegal street drugs that community members in homeless encampments planned to ingest.

In January 2023, a concerned citizen alerted the County that Harm Reduction-SD CEO, Tara Stamos, was storing Narcan (opioid overdose reversal medication) under a tarp in her East County front yard in 100-degree weather. In April 2023, a financial audit completed by the county’s professional employees uncovered significant financial control weaknesses, including insufficient bank reconciliations and a deficient general ledger.

The County then discovered that Knox had previous embezzlement convictions. Less than a year later in August 2024, Harm Reduction-SD was awarded the second contract.

During her embezzlement of public funds, Knox made thousands of purchases for personal items and services on at least four personal credit cards. From January 2024 to May 2025, she used Harm Reduction-SD’s checking account to pay off her monthly credit card balances via electronic bank transfers. Her personal expenses on these cards included trips to Hawaii and Disneyland, high end women’s clothing and cosmetics, various streaming service subscriptions, home improvement expenses, purebred dogs and dog training, and martial arts training. The total amount was more than $90,000.

In addition to paying off her credit cards, from October 2023 to May 2025, Knox embezzled over $10,000 in public funds to pay the SDG&E bills on two of her residential properties. She also used embezzled public funds to pay for $30,000 worth of full body cosmetic surgery.

Knox’s fraud came to light when she began to accuse Harm Reduction-SD’s CEO, Tara Stamos of malfeasance. Stamos responded by reporting to the District Attorney’s Office that she had discovered unauthorized transactions by Knox. The DA’s Special Operations Division, which has a premier Public Integrity Unit, began the investigation that resulted in these charges. The investigation is ongoing to determine how this malfeasance occurred, why it was allowed to continue and to prevent it from happening again.

The County terminated both Harm Reduction-SD contracts in June 2025.

“When the county terminated the contract, there was no referral for criminal investigation to the DA’s Public Corruption Unit, as has been done by Board leadership in prior instances of suspected malfeasance,” DA Stephan said. “Consumer protection funds are public dollars that should be safeguarded. They are the public’s funds that must be treated with transparency and accountability.”

If any County employees in charge of public funds have information about suspected malfeasance, they should feel comfortable coming forward to report their concerns to the District Attorney’s Office. Under whistleblower laws, they will be protected.

“Whistleblowing is an important part of public safety,” DA Stephan said. “It is often the first line of defense against corruption and misuse of public funds.”

The District Attorney’s Public Integrity Unit investigates and prosecutes cases involving elected or appointed public officials, government employees committing crimes on the job, misuse of public funds or resources, fraud on the court and attorney misconduct. County employees or the public can submit a complaint on our website: https://www.sdcda.org/preventing/public-integrity/ or by emailing DA Public Integrity Unit at SDDAPublicIntegrity@sandiegoda.gov.

Deputy District Attorney Matthew Dix is prosecuting this case, and DA Investigator Mark Kelley conducted the investigation.

Knox was arraigned today and pleaded not guilty. Her bail was set at $200,000 and a bail review hearing is set for February 25 at 8:30 a.m. in Department 101. A readiness hearing is set for April 1 at 8:15 a.m. in Department 1102. [WATCH THE NEWS CONFERENCE HERE]

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

DA Summer Stephan announces charges against a woman who bilked San Diego County out of more than $130,000 to fund her lavish lifestyle including plastic surgery and luxury vacations. The defendant, Amy J. Knox, was previously convicted of stealing over $500,000 from her employer.

DA Weekly News with DA Summer Stephan 11-13-25 | DA Visits Businesses to Share Prop 36 Resources

This week, District Attorney Summer Stephan visited local businesses across San Diego to discuss the implementation of Proposition 36 and hear directly from business owners about their public safety concerns. During the visits, the DA’s Office also provided theft-deterrent posters designed to help prevent retail crime and support shop owners. Together, we’re working to keep our neighborhoods safe, informed, and supported. To request a free window cling theft warning for a business, please email SanDiegoDA@sdcda.org. Learn how Prop. 36 is preventing retail theft and providing drug treatment for offenders, CLICK HERE.

Second-Degree Murder Conviction for Defendant Who Killed Ex-Girlfriend

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said today that 48-year-old Eduardo Magana has been convicted by a jury of second-degree murder in the disappearance of his former girlfriend, Alexis Berenice Guadarrama Orozco, 33.

At his trial, prosecutors laid out a timeline that showed the defendant met Guadarrama at the Star Motel in Otay Mesa on July 15. The defendant was later seen placing a large, heavy object in the trunk of his car in the early morning hours of July 16. At the same time, all communication from the victim to her friends and family stopped. Magana was arrested three days later in Bell Gardens, CA near Los Angeles. He faces 15 years-to-life at his sentencing hearing on December 2.

Guadarrama’s body was never found and today it is believed to be in the Southern California area. DA Stephan and San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl are asking for the public’s help locating it.

“While this killer is being held accountable for his crime and justice is being delivered, Alexis Berenice’s family and friends also deserve the closure of knowing her remains can be laid to rest,” DA Stephan said. “Investigators are not giving up and sometimes a tip that seems small or inconsequential can help lead law enforcement to a break in the case. The San Diego Police Department’s Homicide Unit has done an outstanding job investigating this murder and the dedicated prosecution team led by Deputy DAs Justine Santiago and Jennifer Crampton brought a just murder conviction. Now, our team is focused on bringing Alexis Berenice home. Let this case also be a warning that hiding the victim’s body will not deter us from pursuing justice and that jurors will still convict without a body in accordance with the law. The only thing killers prove by hiding the body is that their cruelty is at a greater level.”

 

“This case highlights the thorough investigative work by our homicide detectives who tirelessly pursued the truth for Alexis Berenice and her loved ones,” Chief Wahl said. “Even though the verdict brings justice, our work is not over. We need your help in finding her body so her family can have the peace they deserve and give her a proper burial. We are asking anyone who may have information to please come forward.”

Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact the San Diego Police Department’s Homicide Unit at (619) 531- 2293 or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477. Please visit www.sdcrimestoppers.org for information on how to send a web or mobile app tip.

While murder prosecutions where no body has been located are rare, hundreds of such convictions have occurred in the U.S. over the past several decades, thanks to advances in forensic science and digital evidence. Deputy District Attorneys Justine Santiago and Jennifer Crampton prosecuted this case. Assistance on this case was also provided by the Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles County Sherriff’s Department, and the San Bernardino County Sherriff’s Department.

Photo of Gavel and prison cell.

Hells Angels Assault Case Concludes

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced today that a criminal prosecution involving members of the Hells Angels and other gang members has concluded with 14 defendants being convicted and sentenced for a vicious attack on three young men on a public sidewalk in Ocean Beach. The attack was perpetrated by members of the San Diego Hells Angels along with members of other motorcycle gangs that subordinate to the Hells Angels.

“The successful conclusion of this case demonstrates my office’s commitment to holding organized gangs accountable for a wide range of offenses, including violent hate crimes,” said DA Stephan. “This was an unprovoked, vicious attack that nearly ended in tragedy. Thanks to our dedicated prosecution team for their commitment to delivering justice as this complex case wound its way through the criminal justice system.”

The case resulted from an incident in June of 2023, after a large group of motorcycle gang members had taken over a public sidewalk on Newport Avenue for a “Bike Night.” The victims, all Black men ages 19, 20 and 21, were walking down the street when the defendants brutalized them in an unprovoked attack. Despite their efforts to run away, the victims were caught by the defendant group and punched and kicked in the head and body while they lay on the sidewalk as their assailants used racial epithets.

The Hells Angels is an international organization whose primary purpose is the commission of criminal activity and who’s membership has been known to espouse racist ideology.

During that attack, longtime Hells Angels member Troy Scholder, 45, pulled out a knife and stabbed one victim in the chest, fracturing his sternum, severing an artery, and nearly killing him. At the time of the stabbing, the victim had been curled up on the ground, trying to protect his head. After this attempted murder, Mr. Scholder casually folded up his knife, walked away, and returned to the Hells Angels clubhouse in El Cajon where he was later arrested. The victim survived his injuries, as did the second victim who was knocked unconscious.

Thirteen of the defendants pleaded guilty to felony assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury and admitted allegations that they acted for the benefit of, and in association with their gang. Their sentences ranged from formal probation to custody in state prison. Scholder was convicted by a jury of premeditated attempted murder with a hate crime enhancement, along with additional felony charges, and was sentenced to 21 years-to-life in state prison.

The DA’s Gangs Division prosecutes complex murder cases and other serious crimes perpetrated by violent gang members who terrorize neighborhoods. These cases are handled by one prosecutor from beginning to end – also called vertical prosecution. Cases in this division are expertly navigated by 26 prosecutors and 20 investigators to bring justice to families left in the wake of violence. In 2024, the Gangs Division conducted 23 murder jury trials, which is more than 40% of the total murders tried in the DA’s office. The division also prosecuted other cases including kidnapping for rape, assault with great bodily injury, robbery, carjacking and possession of illegal firearms, such as ghost guns, by gang members.

Deputy District Attorney Miriam Hemming prosecuted this case.

DA Weekly News with DA Summer Stephan 10-23-25 | Grand Opening of One Safe Place South County

In this week’s DA News, District Attorney Summer Stephan shares highlights from the grand opening of One Safe Place: The South County Family Justice Center in National City — a new hub providing hope, healing, and no-cost support services for victims of abuse close to home.

Photo of gavel, law book opened and scales of justice on a table in front of books.

Man Who Threatened School with Mass Shooting Found Guilty by a Jury

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced today that a man who threatened a mass shooting at Shoal Creek Elementary School in Carmel Mountain Ranch has been convicted by a jury of one felony count of making a criminal threat. The jury arrived at this just verdict on October 21.

Lee Lor, 40, sent more than 400 emails to various recipients that threatened he would commit a mass shooting at the school, sending fear through the community in Carmel Mountain and beyond.

“The threat of a mass school shooting has become one of the most unsettling fears we live with each day,” DA Stephan said. “These threats take a real toll on students, teachers, parents, and communities, who are continually confronted with stories and images of school shootings nationwide. I am proud and grateful to our team for fighting for justice for this school and community. This conviction by jury should send a clear message that we will not tolerate anyone criminally attempting to threaten our schools and instill fear in our community.”

In San Diego County, the School Threats Protocol guides school, law enforcement and prosecutorial responses to school threats. The protocol was established in 2018 with law enforcement agencies, mental health professionals, prosecutors, school staff and more to advise the 42 school districts in the County. Last year, the Law Enforcement Coordination Center in San Diego County received 580 school threat suspicious activity reports.

Having this type of coordination is more important than ever to the public’s safety. Teachers and school staff play a critical role in detecting and addressing concerning and threatening behavior.

“When we look back at most school shootings, attackers made threats or exhibited concerning behaviors that were ignored or went unreported,” DA Stephan said. “Our School Threats Protocol highlights the importance of recognizing warning signs, reporting them, and working together to with our community partners to keep everyone safe.”

Lor’s sentencing is set for November 19.

Deputy District Attorneys Savanah Howe and Clay Biddle in the DA’s Superior Court Division prosecuted this case.

 

DA Weekly News Update with DA Summer Stephan 10-09-25: DA Shares Vital Domestic Violence Resources

In this week’s DA News, District Attorney Summer Stephan highlights the resources available for those affected by domestic violence and the community partners working to support survivors.