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Message from DA Anne Marie Schubert
Welcome to the January 2020 Justice Journal Newsletter. As we begin the new year, we will highlight some of our office’s accomplishments and how we will continue to build on them by working both in the courtroom and in the community. In recognition of January being Human Trafficking Awareness Month, we included a podcast episode on human trafficking cases and victim advocacy. This January also marks two years since the formation of the Animal Cruelty Unit and Task Force. To mark this milestone, we are previewing upcoming podcasts featuring this specialized unit and task force as well as some successful cases and achievements. |
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We will also introduce our new assistant chief and new supervisor over the Justice & Community Relations Bureau, discuss new laws for 2020 that impact public safety and highlight our 2020 Citizens Academy - which is now open for application submissions.
I hope you enjoy this edition and share it with your family, friends and colleagues.
Featured: Justice Journal Podcasts
Listen to the Justice Journal Podcast to learn about important public safety issues, notable cases and how the office is working both in the courtroom and in the community to provide the highest level of public safety through prosecution, prevention and innovation.
Listen to the Justice Journal Podcast to learn about important public safety issues, notable cases and how the office is working both in the courtroom and in the community to provide the highest level of public safety through prosecution, prevention and innovation.
Justice Journal podcasts can be found on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, YouTube, or sacda.org/media/podcast. Subscribe or follow us @SacCountyDA or #SacDAJusticeJournalPodcast for alerts on future episodes.
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Human Trafficking: With January being Human Trafficking Awareness Month, we have included the first of a two-part podcast discussion on the prosecution of traffickers and the progress made by the Sacramento Together human trafficking coalition in cracking down on sex buyers to reduce demand, protecting victims and educating the community to prevent new victims. Part two is also available now on all podcast sites listed above. See press release for more information on Human Trafficking Awareness Month and the Sacramento Together coalition. |
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Animal Cruelty Unit & Task Force:
This month marks two years since the formation of the Animal Cruelty Unit and Task Force, which became fully operational in January 2018. We are previewing the first of a four-part podcast series discussing the specialized unit and task force. The podcast features examples of animal cruelty cases, the link between family and animal violence as well as advice on how to help protect animals. The remaining episodes will be available in March 2020. Since the creation of the Animal Cruelty Unit, there have been a total of: - 75 felony cases filed, 33 felony convictions with 31 felony cases pending; and - 51 misdemeanor cases filed, 22 misdemeanor convictions with 22 misdemeanor cases pending. |
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The Animal Cruelty Unit specializes in the vertical prosecution of almost all felony cases from filing to trial. Some animal cruelty charges are prosecuted in units outside of the Animal Cruelty Unit because they occur simultaneously with other criminal offenses. Most misdemeanor animal cruelty cases are handled in the Misdemeanor Unit, but some misdemeanors are also handled in the specialized unit based on caseload and in special cases where the offender poses a grave risk to animals.
See statistics and citations on the link between family and animal violence.
IN THE COURTROOM
Cases of Interest
Defendant Sentenced for Human Trafficking (Robert Taylor - Case #17FE006278) - Robert Taylor (age 43) was sentenced to 95 years to life in prison. On July 30, 2019, a jury convicted Taylor of human trafficking of a minor with the special findings of force, fear or violence and the allegation of force and violence was found true. Taylor was also convicted of pimping of a minor, pandering of a minor, conspiracy, sodomy of a 14-year-old victim, statutory rape of a minor and committing lewd acts on a child. An allegation that Taylor suffered a prior 1995 strike conviction for first-degree burglary was found true. In January 2017, the 14-year-old victim ran away from her home in another state and was in a known prostitution area making money to survive on the streets. She met a 17-year-old girl, who recruited the victim to work for Taylor in Sacramento. Taylor told the victim she could live with him if she gave him all of her money from her acts of prostitution. Taylor drove the underaged girls and two other women to areas to engage in acts of prostitution. The underaged girls and women gave Taylor all of the money from their sex acts. Taylor physically assaulted one of the women with his hands, belts and metal hangers in front of the other girls and women that worked for him. He also sexually assaulted the underaged girls and women. In April 2017, the 14-year-old victim called 911 to report that her pimp had “put his hands on her.” An investigation revealed that Taylor began acting as a pimp in 2012. From 2012 to his arrest in April 2017, he had at least 10 women and underaged girls that worked for him and lived with him. The women and girls gave him all of their money from their acts of prostitution, so they could have a place to live.
Defendant Sentenced for Human Trafficking (Robert Taylor - Case #17FE006278) - Robert Taylor (age 43) was sentenced to 95 years to life in prison. On July 30, 2019, a jury convicted Taylor of human trafficking of a minor with the special findings of force, fear or violence and the allegation of force and violence was found true. Taylor was also convicted of pimping of a minor, pandering of a minor, conspiracy, sodomy of a 14-year-old victim, statutory rape of a minor and committing lewd acts on a child. An allegation that Taylor suffered a prior 1995 strike conviction for first-degree burglary was found true. In January 2017, the 14-year-old victim ran away from her home in another state and was in a known prostitution area making money to survive on the streets. She met a 17-year-old girl, who recruited the victim to work for Taylor in Sacramento. Taylor told the victim she could live with him if she gave him all of her money from her acts of prostitution. Taylor drove the underaged girls and two other women to areas to engage in acts of prostitution. The underaged girls and women gave Taylor all of the money from their sex acts. Taylor physically assaulted one of the women with his hands, belts and metal hangers in front of the other girls and women that worked for him. He also sexually assaulted the underaged girls and women. In April 2017, the 14-year-old victim called 911 to report that her pimp had “put his hands on her.” An investigation revealed that Taylor began acting as a pimp in 2012. From 2012 to his arrest in April 2017, he had at least 10 women and underaged girls that worked for him and lived with him. The women and girls gave him all of their money from their acts of prostitution, so they could have a place to live.
Defendants Sentenced for Murder and Abuse of 22-Month-Old Victims (Taylor Montgomery-Gutzman & Rebecca Thomas - Case #16FE022095) - Taylor Montgomery-Gutzman (age 26) was sentenced to 31 years to life in prison. Rebecca Thomas (age 37) was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. On May 3, 2019, a jury convicted Taylor Montgomery-Gutzman and Rebecca Thomas of the second-degree murder of 22-month-old Kash Thomas, and felony child abuse involving Kash’s 22-month-old twin brother. Montgomery-Gutzman was also found guilty of assault on a child causing death. On October 13, 2016, Taylor Montgomery-Gutzman strangled Kash Thomas to death. Rebecca Thomas, the children’s mother, had seen injuries on her children prior to the murder, but nonetheless left the 22-month-old twins in Montgomery-Gutzman’s care. Thomas had been told to seek medical attention for both children, but she failed to do so.
Defendant Sentenced for Murdering Wife in Land Park Home (Mark Long - Case #18FE000521) - Mark Long (age 61) was sentenced to 26 years to life in prison. On August 28, 2019, a jury convicted Long of the first-degree murder of his wife, Susan Roberts. The jury also found that Long used a deadly weapon in the commission of the murder. On January 6, 2018, Susan Roberts did not show up for dinner with friends. The next day, her friends went to Ms. Roberts’ home, which she shared with her husband, Mark Long. After the friends called for a welfare check, Sacramento police officers responded to the home. SWAT was eventually called out, and a stand-off ensued for hours. After entry was made, Long was taken into custody. Ms. Roberts’ body was found deceased inside the home.
For more cases of interest, visit http://www.sacda.org/media/latest-news/.
Defendant Sentenced for Murdering Wife in Land Park Home (Mark Long - Case #18FE000521) - Mark Long (age 61) was sentenced to 26 years to life in prison. On August 28, 2019, a jury convicted Long of the first-degree murder of his wife, Susan Roberts. The jury also found that Long used a deadly weapon in the commission of the murder. On January 6, 2018, Susan Roberts did not show up for dinner with friends. The next day, her friends went to Ms. Roberts’ home, which she shared with her husband, Mark Long. After the friends called for a welfare check, Sacramento police officers responded to the home. SWAT was eventually called out, and a stand-off ensued for hours. After entry was made, Long was taken into custody. Ms. Roberts’ body was found deceased inside the home.
For more cases of interest, visit http://www.sacda.org/media/latest-news/.
Early Prison Releases
Voluntary Manslaughter, Felony Battery with Serious Bodily Injury Conviction (Dawan Rowe-Manns - Case #04F05796) – In March 2004, Rowe-Manns attacked the victim and the victim’s girlfriend. The attack was in retaliation for the girlfriend telling Rowe-Manns’ wife that he made sexual advances toward the girlfriend and her minor sister. The girlfriend suffered multiple fractures to her face. Rowe-Manns then fled out of state and was arrested in August 2004 in Tennessee on a parolee-at-large warrant. That parole status stemmed from a homicide that he committed in 1995. In that case, Rowe-Manns shot the victim in the neck with a 9mm semi-automatic pistol. He was shown leniency and pled to voluntary manslaughter for a sentence of 6 years in prison. Following his apprehension in Tennessee, Rowe-Manns was convicted in March 2005 of felony battery causing serious bodily injury and misdemeanor battery. In June 2005, he again fled out of state, failing to appear at his sentencing hearing. He was arrested in Nevada more than 7 years later. In November 2012, he was sentenced to 13 years in prison. The Board of Parole Hearings found this inmate to be a nonviolent offender who does not pose an unreasonable risk of violence to the community and granted early release on October 4, 2019. Opposition Letter
Assault with a Firearm, Stalking with Intent to Cause Fear (Ceasar Garcia - Case #17FE016426) – Garcia's criminal history began in 1988 when he was convicted of assault with a firearm. In that case, Garcia shot a gun from a vehicle into another vehicle. Since then, Garcia’s criminal history includes a 1994 conviction for domestic violence, a 1995 conviction for stalking with intent to cause fear and a 2009 conviction for assault with a deadly weapon for which he received a 10-year prison sentence. He also has several felon in possession of a firearm and drug possession convictions. His current 2017 commitment offense is another felon in possession of a firearm conviction. In this case, Garcia was on parole when law enforcement pulled him over for driving with expired tags. A search of his vehicle revealed a loaded semi-automatic firearm with five rounds of ammunition hidden in the dashboard. The firearm was stolen. Garcia has consistently committed crimes over the past 30 years. Garcia has failed to remain crime-free for any significant period of time following his release from prison. The Board of Parole Hearings found this inmate to be a nonviolent offender who does not pose an unreasonable risk of violence to the community and granted early release on November 14, 2019. Opposition Letter
Visit www.sacda.org/early-prison-releases for early prison release laws and procedures, and for more inmates granted early prison release.
Voluntary Manslaughter, Felony Battery with Serious Bodily Injury Conviction (Dawan Rowe-Manns - Case #04F05796) – In March 2004, Rowe-Manns attacked the victim and the victim’s girlfriend. The attack was in retaliation for the girlfriend telling Rowe-Manns’ wife that he made sexual advances toward the girlfriend and her minor sister. The girlfriend suffered multiple fractures to her face. Rowe-Manns then fled out of state and was arrested in August 2004 in Tennessee on a parolee-at-large warrant. That parole status stemmed from a homicide that he committed in 1995. In that case, Rowe-Manns shot the victim in the neck with a 9mm semi-automatic pistol. He was shown leniency and pled to voluntary manslaughter for a sentence of 6 years in prison. Following his apprehension in Tennessee, Rowe-Manns was convicted in March 2005 of felony battery causing serious bodily injury and misdemeanor battery. In June 2005, he again fled out of state, failing to appear at his sentencing hearing. He was arrested in Nevada more than 7 years later. In November 2012, he was sentenced to 13 years in prison. The Board of Parole Hearings found this inmate to be a nonviolent offender who does not pose an unreasonable risk of violence to the community and granted early release on October 4, 2019. Opposition Letter
Assault with a Firearm, Stalking with Intent to Cause Fear (Ceasar Garcia - Case #17FE016426) – Garcia's criminal history began in 1988 when he was convicted of assault with a firearm. In that case, Garcia shot a gun from a vehicle into another vehicle. Since then, Garcia’s criminal history includes a 1994 conviction for domestic violence, a 1995 conviction for stalking with intent to cause fear and a 2009 conviction for assault with a deadly weapon for which he received a 10-year prison sentence. He also has several felon in possession of a firearm and drug possession convictions. His current 2017 commitment offense is another felon in possession of a firearm conviction. In this case, Garcia was on parole when law enforcement pulled him over for driving with expired tags. A search of his vehicle revealed a loaded semi-automatic firearm with five rounds of ammunition hidden in the dashboard. The firearm was stolen. Garcia has consistently committed crimes over the past 30 years. Garcia has failed to remain crime-free for any significant period of time following his release from prison. The Board of Parole Hearings found this inmate to be a nonviolent offender who does not pose an unreasonable risk of violence to the community and granted early release on November 14, 2019. Opposition Letter
Visit www.sacda.org/early-prison-releases for early prison release laws and procedures, and for more inmates granted early prison release.
IN THE COMMUNITY
Justice & Community Relations Bureau
The Justice & Community Relations (JCR) Bureau includes Community Prosecution, Community Outreach, Media Relations, Government Relations and the Justice, Training & Integrity (JTI) Unit.
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Introducing the JCR Bureau Assistant Chief & Supervisor Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney Morgan Gire spent six years as a prosecutor in southern California before starting at the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office in 2005. Morgan has rotated through various assignments as a trial attorney before joining the Justice Training & Integrity (JTI) Unit in 2015. In 2019, Morgan became supervisor of JTI and then the assistant chief over the JCR Bureau. Supervisor Rochelle Beardsley of the Community & Media Relations Unit has been a prosecutor in the office for 20 years. She has rotated through trial assignments before joining Morgan's team. Rochelle has a non-traditional prosecutorial role, focusing on intervention and prevention efforts. Much of her time is spent out in the community managing the office's outreach programs, speaking to youth groups or attending events to strengthen relationships, educate and engage the public. |
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Morgan and Rochelle are excited about their new roles overseeing the JCR Bureau and look forward to continuing to build upon the great work the office is doing both in the courtroom and in the community.
Justice Training & Integrity Unit - New Laws for 2020
The JTI Unit was created in 2013. The unit was designed to provide prosecutors with training, best practices, research assistance and guidance on how to navigate difficult issues that might occur with cases. Additionally, JTI reviews and investigates any claims of actual innocence and handles any requests for post-conviction DNA analysis.
Justice Training & Integrity Unit - New Laws for 2020
The JTI Unit was created in 2013. The unit was designed to provide prosecutors with training, best practices, research assistance and guidance on how to navigate difficult issues that might occur with cases. Additionally, JTI reviews and investigates any claims of actual innocence and handles any requests for post-conviction DNA analysis.
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JTI also provides analysis of proposed legislation and develops protocols and procedures for implementing new laws that affect the way the office does business. Changes in laws can ultimately affect all aspects of the office - how it works with the community, victims and those accused of committing crimes and their defense counsel. Each year provides new challenges and new opportunities to develop new programs and educate the community about how these laws impact public safety - this includes some new laws for 2020: |
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- AB 433 - Requires a court hearing and notice to crime victims before a court can terminate a defendant's probation early.
- SB 136 - Eliminated a one-year sentence enhancement for defendants who have served a prior prison term. This change will affect a number of cases currently pending.
- AB 1537 - Permits prosecutors to access sealed juvenile records for purposes of complying with statutory and constitutional obligations to disclose favorable or exculpatory evidence to a criminal defendant.
The District Attorney's Office plays a vital role in shaping public safety policies by testifying at legislative hearings and meeting with legislators to discuss how proposals will affect the local criminal justice system.
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Citizens Academy 2020 The District Attorney's Citizens Academy is a community program in collaboration with the Sacramento Police Department, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office and Probation Department. The Citizens Academy was created to improve communication, develop a better understanding and build relationships between members of the criminal justice system and our citizens - from all ethnic, cultural and faith-based communities throughout the county. |
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Participants will get an overview of our local criminal justice system, including the roles and challenges of law enforcement, attorneys and the courts. There are also several field trips to visit our office, the courthouse, jail, Sacramento Police Communications Center and includes an officer ride-along. Representatives from the District Attorney’s Office, Probation Department, Public Defender’s Office, law enforcement, the judiciary, and community organizations will engage with participants - providing information, answering questions and addressing community concerns in an open discussion.
The Citizens Academy is an 11-week program held on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Sacramento Police Department Headquarters (5770 Freeport Blvd.). This year's program is from April 7 to June 16, 2020. There is NO cost for participants.
We are now accepting applications! For more information about the program and to apply, visit our website at sacda.org.
Snapshots: In the Courtroom & In the Community
Calendar of Events
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District Attorney's Office
January - Citizens Academy Registration Begins March -Youth Academy Graduation North (3/10) -Youth Academy Graduation East (3/11) April -Youth Academy Graduation South (4/2) -Youth Academy Graduation Elk Grove/Galt (4/6) -Citizens Academy Begins (4/7) -Outstanding Citizens Award Ceremony (4/24) |
Community Calendar
January -Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month / Human Trafficking Awareness Day (1/11) -Stalking Awareness Month February -Teen Dating Violence Awareness/Prevention Month -Public Safety Month March -Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Month - "No More" - Together We Can End Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (3/9-15) April -Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month -National Youth Violence Prevention Week (3/30-4/3) -National Crime Victims' Rights Week (4/19-25) |
Tips & Alerts
What is Human Trafficking?
Human trafficking is a felony offense that involves the use of force, fraud, coercion, isolation and/or threats of violence to control victims for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts or labor services against his/her will.
What is Human Trafficking?
Human trafficking is a felony offense that involves the use of force, fraud, coercion, isolation and/or threats of violence to control victims for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts or labor services against his/her will.
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Forms of human trafficking include:
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If you believe someone is a victim of human trafficking, call law enforcement or 911 if there is immediate danger. Or call:
National Human Trafficking Hotline – 888.373.7888
National Human Trafficking Hotline – 888.373.7888
What is Animal Cruelty?
In California, animal cruelty is an act or omission, or neglect, whereby unnecessary or unjustifiable pain or suffering is caused or permitted.
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Animal cruelty includes:
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Consequences of animal cruelty:
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Sacramento County District Attorney's Office
901 G Street, Sacramento CA 95814 sacda.org | @SacCountyDA |