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Message from DA Anne Marie Schubert
Welcome to the January 2022 Justice Journal Newsletter! This issue will look back at the past year and highlight how our office has worked in the courtroom and in the community to protect the health and safety of everyone we serve. We will close by looking forward to the new year and new opportunities ahead. We began 2021 announcing the office’s first Employment Development Department (EDD) fraud criminal case since announcing the rampant statewide unemployment fraud rings. There have been a number of additional EDD fraud cases filed since then, totaling millions of dollars in stolen unemployment benefit dollars – much of which has funded illegal guns and gun-violence. |
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I was also joined by 44 other elected DAs in announcing a lawsuit against the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to prevent the early release of 76,000 prison inmates. Our office then released announcements informing the community of dangerous inmates who were released after serving less than half of their prison sentences and those who were rearrested for violent crimes.
Outside of the courtroom, our office launched the “2021: Year for Victims” campaign and “Voices for Victims" community coalition. The campaign and coalition work to ensure victims are not forgotten by the criminal justice system, legislators, public officials, the media or the community. Another significant initiative we launched is the “1 Pill Can Kill” fentanyl awareness campaign to alert the community that there are now more fentanyl-related deaths than firearm-related homicides in Sacramento. The goal is to inform everyone, especially youth, that pills not sold by a pharmacy likely contain deadly fentanyl.
Many of these initiatives will continue into 2022. Our office remains committed to addressing new challenges that may arise in the new year and creating new opportunities to connect with our community and protect public safety.
We will also recognize January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month by reposting a podcast discussing human trafficking along with tips and resources to assist victims of sex trafficking and exploitation.
I hope you find this issue informative and share it with your family, friends and colleagues.
IN THE COURTROOM
Justice Journal Podcast
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 Podcast, 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 released a new podcast discussion on how those combatting this crime work to curtail traffickers. This episode features a discussion with the founder of the 3Strands Global Foundation and Deputy District Attorney Courtney Martin who prosecutes these cases vertically. See press release for more information on Human Trafficking Awareness Month and the Sacramento Together coalition. |
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Cases of Interest
November 24, 2021 – Sacramento County DA Anne Marie Schubert, El Dorado County DA Vern Pierson, Kern County DA Cynthia Zimmer, San Mateo County DA Stephen Wagstaffe and then US Attorney of the Eastern District of California McGregor Scott held a virtual press conference to announce widespread EDD fraud across California benefiting, or in the names of, jail and prison inmates. |
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Defendant Pleads to EDD Fraud Charges, Sentenced to Prison (Walter Lee Dawson Case #20FE019364) – Sacramento probation officers and sheriff’s deputies conducted a probation compliance search on Walter Lee Dawson. Officers recovered a Glock style pistol with no serial number, multiple rounds of 9 mm ammunition, approximately $58,000 in cash, approximately 3.8 pounds of marijuana and packaging material consistent with marijuana sales. Dawson was arrested and charged with felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition and possession of marijuana for sales charges.
During the search, nine EDD debit cards issued in different names were also recovered as were approximately 20 additional EDD documents in various people’s names. After Dawson’s arrest, a joint investigation by the District Attorney, Probation Department, Sheriff’s Office and the California Employment Development Department Investigations Division revealed that approximately $219,000 had been fraudulently acquired by Dawson when he obtained the nine EDD cards. On January 4, 2021, nine felony counts of EDD fraud were filed against Dawson.
On March 26, 2021, Dawson pled to five counts of fraudulently applying for unemployment benefits (EDD Fraud) and possession for sale of marijuana. He also admitted to a prior 2015 strike conviction for residential burglary. Dawson was immediately sentenced to 9 years and 4 months in state prison. He was also ordered to pay $219,964 in restitution to EDD. The $58,155 in cash and all money left on the EDD cards that were found during the probation search will be turned over to EDD as restitution.
During the search, nine EDD debit cards issued in different names were also recovered as were approximately 20 additional EDD documents in various people’s names. After Dawson’s arrest, a joint investigation by the District Attorney, Probation Department, Sheriff’s Office and the California Employment Development Department Investigations Division revealed that approximately $219,000 had been fraudulently acquired by Dawson when he obtained the nine EDD cards. On January 4, 2021, nine felony counts of EDD fraud were filed against Dawson.
On March 26, 2021, Dawson pled to five counts of fraudulently applying for unemployment benefits (EDD Fraud) and possession for sale of marijuana. He also admitted to a prior 2015 strike conviction for residential burglary. Dawson was immediately sentenced to 9 years and 4 months in state prison. He was also ordered to pay $219,964 in restitution to EDD. The $58,155 in cash and all money left on the EDD cards that were found during the probation search will be turned over to EDD as restitution.
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Significant EDD Fraud, Assault Weapons Arrests - On January 14, 2021, the Sacramento Police Department North Gang Enforcement Team executed a search warrant at an apartment. During service of the warrant, officers contacted 25-year-old James Smith and his girlfriend, 21-year old Chyna Hill.
The investigation led to the discovery of several illegally possessed assault weapons with extended magazines, handguns and $1,100 in cash. Officers also located 15 Employment Development Department (EDD) debit cards with various names on them and a red notebook. In the notebook, officers located a list of 55 different individual profiles with names, dates of birth, social security numbers, usernames, and passwords associated with EDD accounts. |
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An examination of the EDD accounts revealed that Hill and Smith received over $550,000 in fraudulent EDD funds.
On February 19, 2021, the Sacramento Police Department SWAT team and Sacramento District Attorney’s Office investigators arrested Hill and Smith. They were charged with two counts of being in possession of assault weapons, 23 counts of unemployment insurance fraud, 13 counts of possession of stolen property and one count of possessing identifying information with the intent to defraud more than 10 persons. Smith was also charged with two counts of possessing firearms as a felon and one count of possessing ammunition as a felon.
Smith, who is a validated gang member, has also suffered a prior strike conviction for residential burglary.
An examination of the EDD accounts revealed that Hill and Smith received over $550,000 in fraudulent EDD funds.
On February 19, 2021, the Sacramento Police Department SWAT team and Sacramento District Attorney’s Office investigators arrested Hill and Smith. They were charged with two counts of being in possession of assault weapons, 23 counts of unemployment insurance fraud, 13 counts of possession of stolen property and one count of possessing identifying information with the intent to defraud more than 10 persons. Smith was also charged with two counts of possessing firearms as a felon and one count of possessing ammunition as a felon.
Smith, who is a validated gang member, has also suffered a prior strike conviction for residential burglary.
Early Prison Releases
In 2015, Sacramento District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert began opposing and publicizing the early release of so-called “non-violent second-strike felons.” Under California law, “non-violent” felonies include domestic violence, rape of an unconscious person, human trafficking and assault with a deadly weapon. “Second strike” refers to an inmate who was previously convicted of a serious or violent felony.
Many of these inmates have long and violent criminal histories – including felony domestic violence, sexual assault and gun violence. DA Schubert opposed a number of these early releases, noting that after criminal realignment (AB 109) only individuals with serious and violent criminal convictions were sent to prison and housed at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR).
In May 2021, the Sacramento DA’s Office submitted a California Public Records Act (PRA) request to CDCR. Pursuant to the PRA request, CDCR produced a list of inmates sentenced from Sacramento County to CDCR and released from January 2019 to May 17, 2021.
There were 4,070 inmates sentenced from Sacramento County released from CDCR custody during that time frame. More than 1,300 served less than half of their sentence.
In 2015, Sacramento District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert began opposing and publicizing the early release of so-called “non-violent second-strike felons.” Under California law, “non-violent” felonies include domestic violence, rape of an unconscious person, human trafficking and assault with a deadly weapon. “Second strike” refers to an inmate who was previously convicted of a serious or violent felony.
Many of these inmates have long and violent criminal histories – including felony domestic violence, sexual assault and gun violence. DA Schubert opposed a number of these early releases, noting that after criminal realignment (AB 109) only individuals with serious and violent criminal convictions were sent to prison and housed at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR).
In May 2021, the Sacramento DA’s Office submitted a California Public Records Act (PRA) request to CDCR. Pursuant to the PRA request, CDCR produced a list of inmates sentenced from Sacramento County to CDCR and released from January 2019 to May 17, 2021.
There were 4,070 inmates sentenced from Sacramento County released from CDCR custody during that time frame. More than 1,300 served less than half of their sentence.
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CDCR passed so-called “emergency” regulations that allowed for additional credits to be awarded to serious and violent felons, including credits that are not based upon completing any rehabilitation programs. The information gained by the PRA chronicled individuals released before the passage of the additional so-called “emergency” credits. Those credits will now result in even more early releases.
Concerns over these releases is why DA Schubert and 44 other elected District Attorneys throughout California joined together to file suit against CDCR to oppose the additional so-called “emergency” credits. |
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Below are just a few examples of inmates who were released from prison early and rearrested as well as egregious cases in which individuals were released from prison for serious and violent offenses after serving only fractions of their sentences.
AKEIM MCFADDEN (CASE #16FE007206) - In April 2016, Akeim McFadden hit his ex-girlfriend over the back of the head with a bicycle pump, requiring seven staples to her scalp. In May 2016, he pled guilty to felony domestic violence and was sentenced to 5 years in state prison. However, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) released McFadden after serving only 2 years and 10 months of that 5-year sentence. This represents 58% of his sentence.
McFadden was released from prison in February 2019. In June 2019, he shot a victim in the stomach at point blank range over a dispute about a bicycle. That victim survived. Just five months later, he shot and killed a second victim while that victim was sleeping in a tent in the backyard of a residence. McFadden was convicted of first-degree murder, attempted voluntary manslaughter and two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
If McFadden would have served his full sentence, one man would be alive and another would not be recovering from life threatening injuries. McFadden was sentenced to 98 years and 8 months to life in prison.
CORDELL JONES (CASE #14F06952) - Cordell Jones has a 20-year history of violence, particularly against women, with two prior convictions for domestic assaults that occurred in 2007 and 2013. He has a prior strike conviction for assault with a deadly weapon for threatening to kill his then girlfriend and then striking her with a shovel. He then tried to run her over with his vehicle.
In September 2014, Jones attacked a victim with a knife, threatened to kill her and her family members, punched the victim repeatedly in the face, strangled her two times and punched her in the face and mouth with a set of metal keys. Jones told the victim, “I’ll kill you,” and “I’ll chop you up into little pieces.” In January 2015, a jury convicted Jones of felony domestic violence, assault with a deadly weapon, battery causing serious bodily injury and assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury.
In February 2015, Jones was sentenced to 15 years in state prison by the trial court judge. However, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) released Jones after serving only 5 years and 4 months of that 15-year sentence. This represents 36% of his actual sentence. See Opposition Letter
Jones was rearrested in May 2021 and convicted of felony domestic violence in September 2021.
LAWRENCE PELA (CASE #07F05487) - Lawrence Pela committed a series of robberies that involved similar fact patterns. Pela went into several Game Stops and Circle Ks wearing a ski mask and holding a gun. He demanded money of the clerks (often teenagers) while pointing the gun at the victims and threatening to kill them. He robbed these victims of thousands of dollars of property and money, predominantly cash and video game systems. During two of the robberies, children were present to witness these violent crimes. A witness described Pela pointing a gun at the children. Pela was ultimately caught by police using a tracker attached to stolen money taken in one of the robberies. When he was caught by police, he had a loaded firearm in his possession. In June 2009, a jury convicted Pela of 11 counts of robbery and made 11 separate findings that Pela personally used a firearm in each one of those robberies.
In November 2009, Pela was sentenced to 46 years and 8 months in state prison by the trial court judge. However, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) released Pela after serving only 12 years and 1 month of that 46-year and 8-month sentence. This represents 26% of his actual sentence. See Opposition Letter
GEORGE WILSON (CASE #04F01376) - In January 2004, the victim awakened to George Wilson stabbing her with a knife. The victim had stab wounds to her shoulder, wrist and abdomen. The victim’s 14-year-old daughter awoke to her mother screaming for help. When the daughter entered the victim’s bedroom, she saw Wilson hit the victim with a lamp. The victim was screaming for Wilson to stop. In response, Wilson said, “no you deserve it.” The daughter then called 911 and Wilson fled the scene. Wilson was on the run from law enforcement for nearly 2 ½ years before being arrested. Wilson’s criminal history spans decades, including convictions for murder, robbery with a firearm, burglary, vehicle thefts and multiple DUIs. In April 2007, a jury convicted Wilson of felony domestic violence and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon. Three prior strike convictions were also found true for murder in 1976, robbery with a firearm in 1979 and robbery in 1993. See Opposition Letter
In February 2008, Wilson was sentenced to 40 years to life in state prison by the trial court judge. However, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) released Wilson after serving only 13 years and 9 months of that 40-year-to-life sentence. This represents 35% of his minimum 40-life sentence.
View additional cases "DA Anne Marie Schubert Exposes Violent Early Prison Release Reoffenders"
View additional cases "DA Anne Marie Schubert Exposes Early Releases of Dangerous Inmates"
Visit www.sacda.org/early-prison-releases for opposed prison releases from Sacramento County
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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Fentanyl Awareness Campaign
In August of 2021, District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert made a presentation to the Board of Supervisors addressing the fentanyl epidemic raging across Sacramento. From January 2020 to July 2021 there were more than 140 confirmed fentanyl deaths in Sacramento; that number rose to 187 deaths as of October 2021. The Sacramento County District Attorney's Crime Lab has reported 98% of the most common street pills seized are fake and 98% of those contain fentanyl. |
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As part of the awareness campaign, our office recognized the need for strong public outreach to combat the high level of fentanyl in street drugs and the alarming rise in deaths. On November 2, 2021, Sacramento County Supervisor Rich Desmond presented Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney Thien Ho with a resolution recognizing the County's fentanyl response efforts.
On November 6, 2021, our office, in partnership with the Department of Health Services, Use Prevention and Treatment Services organized Sacramento's first "Fentanyl Awareness Safety Fair." The fair was attended by over 30 vendors from various law enforcement agencies, treatment facilities, impacted families and other community-based organizations. As part of the program, Sacramento Metro Fire conducted a Narcan demonstration. The fair was well attended, and the county dispensed over 300 Narcan kits to community members.
On November 6, 2021, our office, in partnership with the Department of Health Services, Use Prevention and Treatment Services organized Sacramento's first "Fentanyl Awareness Safety Fair." The fair was attended by over 30 vendors from various law enforcement agencies, treatment facilities, impacted families and other community-based organizations. As part of the program, Sacramento Metro Fire conducted a Narcan demonstration. The fair was well attended, and the county dispensed over 300 Narcan kits to community members.
| Fentanyl Awareness Flyer |
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Year For Victims Campaign & Voices For Victims Coalition
After announcing 2021 as the "Year for Victims Campaign," the Voices for Victims coalition was formed. Citizens who showed a strong dedication to victim advocacy joined the coalition and worked to ensure that victims are not forgotten by the media, criminal justice system, or legislators. Coalition members have been hard at work to elevate their voices by participating in the Profiles in Courage online book (click here to view) and some members have already spoken at the Capitol regarding pending legislation.
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Programs & Special Events: Outstanding Citizen and Beacon of Hope Awards: In 2021, we honored several recipients: Rhiannon DeBeaufer, Paduacee Vue, Pahouang Vue, Nhia Vang, Kimberly Vang, Herbert Halloway, Luetta Luman, and Geri Welsh (posthumously) as Outstanding Citizens and awarded the Beacon of Hope Award to Mervin Brookins. Awardees were celebrated separately in front of smaller audiences using social distancing and other COVID protocols. Crime Lab Youth Shadow Days: 2021 was the second year we offered the Crime Lab Youth Shadow Days virtually. Due to its popularity, we hosted over 100 students over two days in July. Students were treated to multiple demonstrations by criminalists Ryan Nickel and Jonathan Charron, from our Crime Lab. Students observed live "virtual" demonstrations of different types of analysis the Crime Lab does, including: blood spatter, bodily fluid identification, footprint casting, gun shot residue, trajectory and drug investigation. Citizen's Academy: As it was slated to start in April, the pandemic prevented our office from hosting the academy in 2020. In 2021, the Citizen's Academy was converted to a virtual format for the first time. We had over 70 students register. Academy students met once a week for 10 weeks via zoom. As in previous years, students were given an in-depth view of the justice system. Topics covered included: special challenges for California prosecutors, internal affairs and complaints, use of force, federal criminal justice system, and community focus & gangs. Public Safety & Community Appreciation Luncheon: Although the pandemic kept us from hosting the public safety lunch in 2020, we were finally able to celebrate in October 2021. Our office hosted a hybrid lunch with a smaller number of attendees and a zoom option for guests who wanted to join us virtually. The theme "Voices for Victims. Voices for Justice. Justice for All." was inspired by the "Year for Victims" announced by DA Schubert. Our panelists included several members of the Voices for Victims coalition: Rhonda Campbell, a victim advocate at MADD who lost her baby sister Irene to a drunk driver and Dr. Nicole Clavo who lost her son JJ when he was shot and killed by a gang member. Dr. Clavo heads Sacramento City's Office of Violence Prevention and runs the "Healing 5 Foundation". Other panelists were Keith and Tamra Dobson, who lost their daughter Luv to domestic violence murder suicide. The Dobson's sit on the "Voices" group at the Sacramento Regional Family Justice Center. Also on the panel was Melissa Oliver Storz, who runs the Danny Oliver Foundation, and who lost her father Deputy Dan Oliver when he was shot and killed in the line of duty. Youth Academy: 2021 is the second year the youth academy has been hosted virtually. In 2021, we had over 90 students register from over 15 different Sacramento high schools. Based on very favorable reviews, the year's curriculum featured additional classes (10 total) and longer class times. Students learned about real homicide case examples, crime scene investigation, human trafficking, and participated in a virtual mock trial (complete with verdicts). We also hosted a virtual graduation with special guest speakers', Sacramento County District Attorney Chief Deputy Rod Norgaard, Sacramento Police Department Chief Daniel Hahn, Sacramento County Sheriff's Office Captain and Chief of the Rancho Cordova Police Department Brandon Luke and Sacramento County Probation Chief Deputy Marc Marquez. |
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A Message from the JCR Bureau Assistant Chief:
Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney Thienvu Ho took over the Justice and Community Relations Bureau in April 2020, assuming responsibility for the bureau at the beginning of the COVID-19 health crisis. He helped navigate the bureau and its programs through its transitions into the virtual realm. For this newsletter, he shares the accomplishments the bureau continued to achieve, even during the second year of the pandemic, including the Voices for Victims and Fentanyl Awareness campaign. Thienvu ends his message with one of hope as he looks forward to 2022. |
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Snapshots: In the Courtroom & In the Community
Calendar of Events
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Tips & Alerts
What is Fentanyl Poisoning?
We have a fentanyl epidemic in our community. Drug dealers are contacting children through social media apps like Snapchat and Instagram and selling fake pills. The Sacramento County District Attorney's Crime Lab reported 98% of the most common street pill tested are fake, and 98% contained fentanyl. From January 2020 to October 2021, more people in Sacramento County have died from fentanyl poisonings than firearm-related homicides.
We have a fentanyl epidemic in our community. Drug dealers are contacting children through social media apps like Snapchat and Instagram and selling fake pills. The Sacramento County District Attorney's Crime Lab reported 98% of the most common street pill tested are fake, and 98% contained fentanyl. From January 2020 to October 2021, more people in Sacramento County have died from fentanyl poisonings than firearm-related homicides.
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What to know:
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Less than 2 grains of fentanyl is enough to kill
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What are the signs of an opioid overdose:
- Blue lips or nails
- Dizziness and confusion
- Slow or no breathing
- Choking/snoring/gargling sounds
- Can't be woken up
- Difficulty staying awake
If you believe someone is a victim of fentanyl poisoning, call 911 and administer Naloxone if available. For more information visit
www.1PillCanKillSac.com
www.1PillCanKillSac.com
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. The illicit commercial sex industry has continued unabated during the pandemic, with some victims being particularly vulnerable to traffickers after losing jobs and safe places such as schools during COVID-19.
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Forms of human trafficking include:
Who are the victims?
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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 Domestic Violence?
Domestic Violence is abuse committed against a person who:
- Is in a dating or engagement relationship
- Is in a current or prior intimate relationship
- Is a spouse or former spouse
- Has children in common
Types of Abuse:
- Physical
- Emotional
- Psychological
- Sexual
- Stalking
- Attacks on property or pets
If you believe someone is a victim of Domestic Violence, call law enforcement or 911 if there is immediate danger. Or Call:
National Domestic Violence Hotline 800.799.7233
National Domestic Violence Hotline 800.799.7233
What is Employment Development Department (EDD) Fraud?
The California EDD warned Californians to be on alert for scammers who pretend to be EDD or Bank of America in attempt to trick people into giving personal information by text message. The U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission have also warned consumers about this type of scam. Customers who are unsure whether a text message is legitimate can check their online account or their mailed notice to verify information.
What is Employment Development Department (EDD) Fraud?
The California EDD warned Californians to be on alert for scammers who pretend to be EDD or Bank of America in attempt to trick people into giving personal information by text message. The U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission have also warned consumers about this type of scam. Customers who are unsure whether a text message is legitimate can check their online account or their mailed notice to verify information.
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Tips to determine whether a text message is a scam:
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If you believe you or someone you know is a victim of fraud, report it immediately to the National Center for Disaster Fraud by calling or visiting:
866.720.5721 or https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud
Ask EDD at https://askedd.edd.ca.gov/AskEDD/s/reportfraud
866.720.5721 or https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud
Ask EDD at https://askedd.edd.ca.gov/AskEDD/s/reportfraud
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Sacramento County District Attorney's Office
901 G Street, Sacramento CA 95814 sacda.org | @SacCountyDA |