Justice Journal
End of Term Newsletter
Sacramento County District ATtorney's Office
December 2022 - Issue 9
PAST ISSUES
End of Term Newsletter
Sacramento County District ATtorney's Office
December 2022 - Issue 9
PAST ISSUES
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Message from DA Anne Marie Schubert
Welcome to the December 2022 "End of Term" Justice Journal Newsletter. With this being my last newsletter, this issue will take a look back and recap the past eight years since I first took office in 2015. We have included landmark cases as well as significant efforts to sound the alarm on EDD fraud and so called “emergency” early prison releases. We have also included information on all of our units - many of which were created in recent years - and how these units work to protect the community. |
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The last part of the report will highlight all of the work our office has done in and with the community. This includes a number of youth and adult education programs and public awareness campaigns, including the Voices for Victims coalition and our most recent multi-year fentanyl prevention outreach campaign.
As I leave my position as your elected DA, I am grateful for the opportunity to have served this community for the past eight years. I am incredibly proud of the accomplishments this office has made, both in the courtroom and in the community, during this time .
I hope you find this End of Term newsletter informative and inspiring… and join me in recognizing the hard work and dedication of our prosecutors, victim advocates, criminalists, support staff and executive management team. - District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert
IN THE COURTROOM
Landmark Cases of Interest
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East Area Rapist / Golden State Killer -Joseph DeAngelo - Joseph DeAngelo was arrested in April 2018, after being identified through Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG). The case was prosecuted jointly in Sacramento, combining cases from Sacramento, Contra Costa, Orange, Santa Barbara, Tulare and Ventura counties. DeAngelo faced 13 felony counts of first-degree murder and 13 felony counts of kidnapping to commit robbery.
On June 29, 2020, DeAngelo pled guilty to all charges and allegations. He also admitted to dozens of uncharged crimes against dozens of uncharged victims, including attempted murder, kidnapping to commit robbery, rape, robbery, first-degree burglary, and false imprisonment. The uncharged crimes occurred in Alameda, Contra Costa, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Santa Clara, Stanislaus, Tulare and Yolo counties. View plea court hearing: Pt. 1 - Pt. 2 - Pt. 3 - Pt. 4. On August 21, 2020, DeAngelo was sentenced to multiple consecutive life in prison sentences without the possibility of parole. View sentencing court hearing. Due to COVID-19, the plea and sentencing hearings were held in the Sacramento State University Ballroom to accommodate the large number of victims and family members in attendance while maintaining social distancing. All other health and safety protocols were also followed during both hearings. “Sacramento, A Community Forever Changed: Stories From Those Who Lived Through the Terror of the East Area Rapist.” To give all those who lived through the terror of the East Area Rapist a voice, DA Anne Marie Schubert invited the community to email the office and tell their stories. Those stories were put into an online book, using only initials and protecting all other personal identifying information. See Online Book |
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The Exoneration of Ricky Davis
El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson was joined by DA Anne Marie Schubert to announce developments in a 1985 cold case murder that led to the exoneration of Ricky Davis. |
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Sounding the Alarm: Employment Development Department (EDD) Fraud
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.
See Additional Cases:
$2.75 Million EDD Fraud Scheme
One Arrested for EDD Fraud Totaling More Than $385,000
One Arrested for EDD Fraud and Possession of Illegal Weapon
One Arrested for EDD Fraud Totaling More Than $535,000
Two Arrested for EDD Fraud Totaling More Than $600,000
One Arrested in EDD Fraud Scheme Totaling More Than $250,000
Sounding the Alarm: 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 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.
See Additional Cases:
DA Anne Marie Schubert Exposes Violent Early Prison Release Reoffenders
DA Anne Marie Schubert Exposes Early Releases of Dangerous Inmates
Visit www.sacda.org/early-prison-releases for opposed prison releases from Sacramento County
Office Units
Adult Sexual Assault Prosecution (ASAP)
This unit prosecutes sexual offenses involving victims age 14 and older, including many forcible sexual assaults and “statutory rape” cases. ASAP works with the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART), which includes law enforcement, WEAVE counselors and medical professionals specially trained in the collection of sexual assault evidence.
This unit prosecutes sexual offenses involving victims age 14 and older, including many forcible sexual assaults and “statutory rape” cases. ASAP works with the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART), which includes law enforcement, WEAVE counselors and medical professionals specially trained in the collection of sexual assault evidence.
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Animal Cruelty Unit & Task Force This unit and task force became fully operational in January 2018. This podcast features examples of animal cruelty cases, the link between family and animal violence as well as advice on how to help protect animals. Visit: Animal Cruelty Unit The remaining episodes of this podcast are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, YouTube, sacda.org/media/podcast on social media @SacCountyDA, and other podcast sites. |
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Career Criminal Prosecution
Focuses on repeat criminal offenders who commit robbery and residential burglary. This unit includes the Targeting Armed Recidivist Gangsters Enforcement Team (TARGET) and Vehicle Theft.
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Child Abduction Investigates parental child abductions and helps enforce custody rights when a child has been taken, withheld or concealed in violation of a valid custody order. Visit Child Abduction |
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Collaborative Courts Dedicated courts are created for certain types of offenders and vulnerable populations that have unique needs and circumstances, such as veterans and the homeless. These alternative courts reduce trauma on victims and provide offenders with services, such as mental health and drug or alcohol treatment, rather than jail time. Visit: Collaborative Courts |
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Community Prosecution Unit (CPU) CPU focuses on targeted criminal acts and code enforcement issues to ensure public safety and uphold quality of life in our communities. Community prosecutors address issues traditional prosecutors have not typically handled, such as problem solving for crime prevention, public safety and health matters. In partnership with law enforcement, the community and public and private organizations, our combined efforts work to identify community issues and prevent crime. Visit: Community Prosecution Unit |
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Consumer & Environmental Protection Unit
The Consumer Unit investigates and prosecutes unfair, fraudulent, and dishonest business practices which harm consumers and honest businesses. The Consumer Unit also receives and investigates consumer complaints. The Environmental Unit uses a combination of civil and criminal prosecution to enforce the laws that prohibit the illegal disposal of hazardous wastes and other pollutants onto public or private property and into the air and waterways. Visit: Consumer & Environmental Protection Unit |
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Laboratory of Forensic Services (Crime Lab)
The DA's Crime Lab provides industry-leading forensic services. The units within the Crime Lab include Evidence, Biology, Comparative Evidence, Trace Evidence, Drug Chemistry, Toxicology and Crime Scene. Incoming evidence must first go through the Evidence Unit, where each piece of evidence is logged into the system, assigned a laboratory case number and picked up by corresponding analyzing units. Visit: DA Crime Lab |
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Cyber Crimes Prosecutes crimes committed against children using the Internet or social media, including the possession or distribution of child pornography. The unit also handles financial crimes by use of computer devices. |
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Domestic Violence Unit (DV)
This unit is comprised of a team of attorneys, victim advocates, investigators and support staff who are all involved in the prosecution of domestic violence cases. The cases prosecuted include sexual abuse, physical abuse, human trafficking, stalking and restraining order violations. Visit: DV Unit The DV bureau chief also chairs the Domestic Violence Death Review Team (DVDRT), which reviews domestic violence related homicide and homicide/suicide cases in Sacramento County. |
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Elder Abuse Unit This unit handles felony cases of elder and dependent adult physical and mental abuse, neglect, and cases where an elder or dependent adult is the victim of a crime. Visit: Elder Abuse Unit There is also an Elder Death Review Team (EDRT) that reviews elder and dependent adult abuse and neglect cases that resulted in death. The remaining episodes of this podcast are available now on all podcast sites listed above. |
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Felony Bureau
Handles felony cases not assigned to a specialized unit, including assaults, robbery, burglary, firearms charges, manslaughter and attempted murder.
Handles felony cases not assigned to a specialized unit, including assaults, robbery, burglary, firearms charges, manslaughter and attempted murder.
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Gangs & Hate Crimes Unit The DA's Office vertically prosecutes street gang offenders, targeting gang-related violent felonies. The office also recognizes hate crimes as very serious and is committed to prosecute hate crimes aggressively through vertical prosecution by the Hate Crimes Unit. The team collaborates with other agencies to share information about gang trends and develop investigative strategies to aid prosecution of these crimes. Visit: Hate Crime Unit |
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Homicides
Prosecutes murders, vehicular homicides, and similar unlawful killings. These cases involve heinous crimes, often entailing substantial follow-up investigation, trial preparation, and the use of cutting edge forensic DNA analysis and evidence.
Prosecutes murders, vehicular homicides, and similar unlawful killings. These cases involve heinous crimes, often entailing substantial follow-up investigation, trial preparation, and the use of cutting edge forensic DNA analysis and evidence.
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Human Trafficking Unit & Sacramento Together Coalition The Human Trafficking Unit prosecutes those who sexually exploit victims and commit labor human trafficking. This podcast episode focuses 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. Visit: Human Trafficking Unit Part two of this podcast is available now on all podcast sites listed above. |
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Insurance Fraud
Investigates and prosecutes workers’ compensation fraud, automobile insurance fraud and organized automobile fraud. Visit Insurance Fraud
Investigates and prosecutes workers’ compensation fraud, automobile insurance fraud and organized automobile fraud. Visit Insurance Fraud
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Investigations The Bureau of Investigation’s primary function is to perform follow-up investigation and trial preparation on criminal cases. It is also the primary investigative agency on a variety of cases where the DA has a unique legal mandate or specific investigative expertise or resources. This includes Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG). All criminal investigators are sworn California peace officers, and the Bureau of Investigation is accredited by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training. Visit: Investigations Bureau |
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Community Outreach & Media Relations This unit manages a number of adult and youth education and prevention programs. It also handles traditional news media and other platforms including the office video newsletter and podcast – Justice Journal, the neighborhood app “Nextdoor” and other social media sites. |
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Justice Training & Integrity (JTI) The JTI Unit handles post-conviction reviews, trains prosecutors on ethical and legal issues and promotes public safety in the legislative process. Its proactive approach has made this unit a model for other District Attorney offices statewide. Visit: Justice, Training & Integrity Unit In this video, the former JTI supervisor Morgan Gire describes the mission, origin and recent expansion of the unit. Morgan Gire is now the District Attorney of Placer County. |
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Juvenile Unit
Juvenile Justice Process: This unit handles crimes committed by juveniles in Sacramento County. Juvenile Hall Supervising Deputy District Attorney Nancy Smith discusses the goals and objectives of the juvenile justice system. The office's approach to juvenile justice is to focus on the rehabilitation and reform of minors while still ensuring the safety of the community. Nancy explains how the juvenile justice system works, details how a juvenile criminal case moves through the process, the collaborative approach and changes to laws. See Part 2, See Part 3 |
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Major Narcotics
This unit prosecutes the county’s largest drug cases. The unit has a 24/7 on-call service for narcotics enforcement agencies to review search warrants and handles Asset Forfeitures, depriving drug dealers of their illegally attained gains.
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Mental Health Litigation This unit handles civil commitment hearings for individuals who have completed their maximum prison sentences, but remain a danger to society. Visit Mental Health Litigation |
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Misdemeanors
Misdemeanor Court Review handles misdemeanor calendar departments and all misdemeanor appeals. Misdemeanor Jury trials handles all misdemeanor cases set for trial.
Misdemeanor Court Review handles misdemeanor calendar departments and all misdemeanor appeals. Misdemeanor Jury trials handles all misdemeanor cases set for trial.
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Prison Crimes Prosecutes crimes committed at state prison facilities in Sacramento County. This includes crimes committed by inmates, staff and visitors as well as state prison inmates in transit or in escape status. |
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Public Assistance Fraud
Prosecutes all fraud, including aid ineligibility, non-existing dependents, forgery, duplicate aid, food stamp trafficking or employee fraud.
Prosecutes all fraud, including aid ineligibility, non-existing dependents, forgery, duplicate aid, food stamp trafficking or employee fraud.
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Real Estate Fraud This unit serves as a central reporting, investigative and prosecution agency for real estate fraud in the city and county of Sacramento. Visit: Real Estate Fraud A podcast was released featuring a real estate fraud case with the prosecutor and investigator involved in the case and one of the victims. |
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Special Assault & Child Abuse Unit
This unit handles crimes committed against the most vulnerable of victims: children. Children are the least able to stop crimes from being committed against them, report crimes to law enforcement, and have the support they need through the court process. The attorneys and support staff in this unit are committed to helping the victims survive the crimes committed against them and empower them to be involved in the court process to hold their offender accountable. Visit: Special Assault & Child Abuse Unit |
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Special Investigations & Public Integrity
Prosecutes financial crimes with losses in excess of $100,000, cases involving misconduct by public officials, political corruption, election fraud and also reviews officer-involved shooting reports submitted by law enforcement.
TARGET
The Targeting Armed Recidivist Gangsters Enforcement Team (TARGET) prosecutes violent armed recidivists and current validated gang members who present the highest level of threat to the community.
Vehicle Theft
Prosecutes serious vehicle theft crimes, including carjackings, “chop shops,” two strikes vehicle thefts, vehicle thefts involving high-speed chases that result in injury or death and vehicle thefts committed by individuals who have already been convicted of vehicle theft at least twice.
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Victim Witness Assistance
This unit provides advocacy and supportive services to victims of crime in our community. Victim Witness advocates are extensively trained, compassionate individuals who are here to assist victims through the difficult task of coping with these challenges. Advocates provide court accompaniment, emotional support, and information during the court process as well as resource and referral counseling among other supportive services. Visit Victim Witness Assistance |
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IN THE COMMUNITY
Victim Advocates Go to Las Vegas
Sacramento County District Attorney Victim Advocates Dana Burns and Michelle Husbands joined other advocates from across California in Las Vegas to assist victims of the horrific mass shooting.
Sacramento County District Attorney Victim Advocates Dana Burns and Michelle Husbands joined other advocates from across California in Las Vegas to assist victims of the horrific mass shooting.
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Dana and Michelle arrived three weeks after the massacre and spent one week providing information on housing/tenant’s rights, lost driver’s license replacement, employment legal assistance and immediate financial services. Victim advocates were paired with a person, a couple, or a family right after the intake/screening process by Red Cross volunteers. Victims/survivors had to somehow show attendance at the concert, their attachment to a person who was at the venue or that he/she was working the event on the night of the mass shooting to be eligible for services. Because many people lost purses, ID’s, cell phones, concert tickets, plane receipts or sign in logs proving employment with food, merchandise and security vendors - it was not an easy task. |
DA Victim Advocates Dana Burns second in from left,
DA Victim Advocate Michelle Husbands third in from right, in Las Vegas to help shooting victims.
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Dana recalls hearing accounts of people trying to help other people, blood all over, feelings that life was over and sending thoughts of love for children, family and friends into the sky. She also read in the local and national news of how the local people of Las Vegas really rallied to support their city and the victims. While riding in a taxi or in an Uber, drivers told me stories of picking up people after the shooting and how all the companies provided free rides for the first week. |
Did you know? |
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Michelle remembers the level of gratitude from individuals who she met outside of the assistance center that were not directly impacted by the shooting. Once they knew why she was there, they thanked her repeatedly for coming to help their community. The camaraderie among the various staff, we all had one goal and that was to be of service.
She also stated that every city should have a place identified as the staging area for a Family Assistance Center in case of a mass casualty incident, and point agencies for law enforcement and victim services identified in advance. Victims and their families repeatedly spoke about not knowing where to go, how to get information and having to filter through so much inaccurate information. |
Mass Victimization Trauma and Crisis Response Team
In 2019, the Victim Witness Program received a grant for a mass victimization advocate. This program allows neighboring counties throughout California the opportunity to assist each other when mass victimization trauma occurs.
On Sunday, April 3rd, 2022, a tragedy shocked our community when dozens of gunshots rang out on K Street around 2 a.m. Our office's Mass Victimization Crisis Response Team sprang into action to provide support services for those directly and indirectly impacted by the large-scale, multi-victim criminal incident.
In 2019, the Victim Witness Program received a grant for a mass victimization advocate. This program allows neighboring counties throughout California the opportunity to assist each other when mass victimization trauma occurs.
On Sunday, April 3rd, 2022, a tragedy shocked our community when dozens of gunshots rang out on K Street around 2 a.m. Our office's Mass Victimization Crisis Response Team sprang into action to provide support services for those directly and indirectly impacted by the large-scale, multi-victim criminal incident.
Justice & Community Relations Bureau
In 2016, District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert created this bureau to increase community engagement. maximize prevention outreach efforts and strengthen public trust. The Justice & Community Relations (JCR) Bureau includes Community Prosecution, Community Outreach, Media Relations, Government Relations and the Justice, Training & Integrity (JTI) Unit.
In 2016, District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert created this bureau to increase community engagement. maximize prevention outreach efforts and strengthen public trust. 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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Community Programs & Outreach
JCR hosts a number of programs in collaboration with criminal justice and community partners. To prevent crime on the front end and reduce the opportunity gap, many programs are designed to educate youth about the criminal justice system while inspiring them to pursue careers in the public safety field. The office also collaborates with Reading Partners to boost literacy and close the achievement gap. Youth programs include #iSMART {Internet, Social Media Awareness, Resources and Training}, Criminal Justice and Crime Lab Youth Shadow Day, GIFT (Gun-Violence Information for Teens), Youth Academy, and PACT (Partners Against Chronic Truancy). Youth Programs Brochure Community Prosecution Unit (CPU) CPU accomplishments include working with law enforcement and local agencies to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Motel 6 to address criminal activity at all Motel 6 properties in Sacramento County, and creating a Business Watch, Chronic Nuisance Offender and Understanding Your Rights program. |
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Understanding Your Rights
In 2018, the “Understanding Your Rights” program was created in response to several landlords exploiting the non-English speaking community by providing them with substandard housing.
The Sacramento County District Attorney’s Community Prosecution Unit began working with county partners to address issues at large apartment complexes, including nuisance activity and substandard housing conditions. Prosecutors learned several owners of these apartment complexes were receiving government subsidies to provide housing for the new refugee community. The new immigrant arrivals were particularly vulnerable due to language barriers, lack of knowledge about safe housing, and a general fear of reporting problems to authorities.
As a result, the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, Sacramento City Attorney’s Office, Sacramento City and County Code Enforcement, local law enforcement and Highlands Community Charter School partnered to create a multilingual education program with the goal of informing these vulnerable groups of their basic legal rights. Highlands Community Charter School employees were instrumental in sharing the life experiences and fears of the new refugee arrivals. Not only did the refugees not understand the laws governing safe housing or how to report violations, but their fear was far broader and included a fear of law enforcement officers. Many of our new arrivals came from war-torn areas where people with guns were feared and avoided. The "Understanding Your Rights" program introduced law enforcement officers to the students in a friendly and educational environment.
The program is presented at various Highlands Community Charter School locations throughout Sacramento County. The program includes the explanation of landlord accountability, assisting the refugee community to adapt to their new lives in our society, an improved relationship between law enforcement and the newest arrivals as well as providing a safe place for open discussion. “Understanding Your Rights” is presented by a team comprised of a prosecutor, law enforcement officer, code enforcement officer and language translators.
In 2018, the “Understanding Your Rights” program was created in response to several landlords exploiting the non-English speaking community by providing them with substandard housing.
The Sacramento County District Attorney’s Community Prosecution Unit began working with county partners to address issues at large apartment complexes, including nuisance activity and substandard housing conditions. Prosecutors learned several owners of these apartment complexes were receiving government subsidies to provide housing for the new refugee community. The new immigrant arrivals were particularly vulnerable due to language barriers, lack of knowledge about safe housing, and a general fear of reporting problems to authorities.
As a result, the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, Sacramento City Attorney’s Office, Sacramento City and County Code Enforcement, local law enforcement and Highlands Community Charter School partnered to create a multilingual education program with the goal of informing these vulnerable groups of their basic legal rights. Highlands Community Charter School employees were instrumental in sharing the life experiences and fears of the new refugee arrivals. Not only did the refugees not understand the laws governing safe housing or how to report violations, but their fear was far broader and included a fear of law enforcement officers. Many of our new arrivals came from war-torn areas where people with guns were feared and avoided. The "Understanding Your Rights" program introduced law enforcement officers to the students in a friendly and educational environment.
The program is presented at various Highlands Community Charter School locations throughout Sacramento County. The program includes the explanation of landlord accountability, assisting the refugee community to adapt to their new lives in our society, an improved relationship between law enforcement and the newest arrivals as well as providing a safe place for open discussion. “Understanding Your Rights” is presented by a team comprised of a prosecutor, law enforcement officer, code enforcement officer and language translators.
To date, more than 900 adult students have participated in the program. The program is presented in English with students receiving a copy in their native language, including Farsi, Arabic, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese.
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District Attorney Component: Supervising Deputy District Attorney Ron Linthicum provides an overview of the justice system, describing the court process and explaining the different roles including the importance of citizens role as jurors. Prosecutors use this class to inform students of constitutional and fundamental rights we all enjoy including freedom of speech, religion, assembly and freedom from unreasonable search and seizure. Students are advised of some fundamental freedoms including: the right to have counsel, the right to a jury trial, the right to remain silent and the right against self-incrimination. They also learn about the rights and protections for victims of crime, how to identify the difference between hateful speech and hate crimes and who to contact for help. Code Enforcement Component: Code enforcement officers explain the Rental Housing Inspection Program, which is designed to inspect all residential rental properties on a routine and comprehensive basis to assure the overall quality of the rental unit meets the requirements of the Health and Safety Code. Examples of substandard conditions such as rodent infestation, presence of water or mold damage, smoke detector requirements and structural damage are provided as well as who to contact if they exist in your home. Tips include how to get your deposit back from a landlord if they fraudulently attempt to withhold it. Law Enforcement Component: Law enforcement officers cover several topics relating to public safety and law enforcement resources. Topics include: what to expect on a traffic stop and how to improve communication with officers during those routine encounters, the rules and rights of the road for cars and bikes, and information about how our public transportation system works. Officers discuss when to call 911 and when you should call 311. Students also learn about Neighborhood Watch, crime prevention tips and information on programs and youth activities. |
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Youth & Community Connect App
The Youth & Community Connect (YCC) app launched on August 20, 2019! YCC is a first-of-its-kind youth resource app specifically dedicated to youth and their families, linking them directly to resources and services provided by community, faith-based organizations, schools, and city, county and other government agencies that provide youth services within Sacramento County. The app is free to use and free to join! GET THE APP: go to sacyouthconnect.org or scan the QR code. TO REGISTER ORGANIZATIONS: Organizations within Sacramento County can register to be included in the app, go to agency.sacyouthconnect.org and select register. Participating nonprofit organizations must be a 501(c)(3) and have insurance. “The Youth & Community Connect app is a powerful mobile tool that will make it easier for youth and their families to access resources and services available to them,” states DA Anne Marie Schubert. “I believe if we connect with our youth through outreach, education and intervention, we create a stronger and healthier community for everyone.” |
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Programs & Special Events:
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GIFT (Gun-violence Information For Teens) GIFT educates teens about the legal consequences of gun possession and gun related violence as well as encourages them to make positive choices. The program focuses on the legal consequences of gun possession and gun related violence and the lifetime consequences of gun use. Facilitated by a prosecuting attorney, a defense attorney, and a probation officer, the presentation is interactive and involves photos, slides, case scenarios, personal stories and small group discussions. |
Former Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney Natalia Luna and Raymond Thomas from the Public Defender's Office present GIFT.
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The attorneys discuss the laws that apply and the penalties of those laws, including unlawful possession of a weapon, assault, manslaughter and murder. Teens are encouraged to consider options and choices available to them before they become involved in a situation involving guns. Also discussed are the concepts of accomplice liability and juvenile fitness hearings (juveniles being prosecuted as adults for their role in the commission of a crime).
The program is a collaboration between the Sacramento County's District Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office and Probation Department as well as local law enforcement. Community leaders such as Brother to Brother often participate.
The program is a collaboration between the Sacramento County's District Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office and Probation Department as well as local law enforcement. Community leaders such as Brother to Brother often participate.
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Citizens Academy: 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. Participants 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 academy was offered virtually starting 2021, but will be returning back to in-person soon. To date, there have been 1,910 graduates from the program since starting 22 years ago. |
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Outstanding Citizen and Beacon of Hope Awards: The Oustanding Citizen and Beacon on Hope Awards are the highest award our office presents because it provides us the opportunity to recognize citizens who have demonstrated uncommon courage under extraordinarily challenging circumstances. 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: Students have the opportunity to shadow our Criminalists that are experts in the various fields of forensic science. 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. 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 in 2021 of "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: Students actively learn about the criminal justice system, hear from our criminal justice partners, and engage in open communication between law enforcement and themselves concerning issues that affect youth today. 2021 was the second year the youth academy was 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. To date, there have been 1,782 graduates from the program since starting in 2015. |
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Justice Journal Podcast: What is #iSMART?
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Listen to the latest episode of the Justice Journal Podcast. Learn about important public safety issues, interesting and 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.
This episode focuses on cyber threats kids are up against today, and how to prevent them from becoming victims of online sexual predators. Guests are Principal Criminal Attorney Leland Washington, Sheriff’s Detective Christie Hirota, and Scott Meyer from Folsom High School. |
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One of the ways the District Attorney's Office, law enforcement and schools are working to protect kids from online threats is through the #iSMART (Internet, Social Media Awareness & Resources Training) program. #iSMART is an interactive presentation that educates middle and high school students about the dangers, risks, and threats the Internet and social media pose for them today and in the future. #iSMART is designed for kids to be active participants in the learning process. A prosecutor and a law enforcement officer use visual storyboards depicting several scenarios, including cyberbullying, sexting, sextortion, online strangers and stalkers. Throughout the scenarios, facilitators ask thought provoking questions to get students thinking and talking about what they post, how quickly pictures or texts spread, how easily stalkers or predators can find them, and the short- and long-term consequences. Potential civil and criminal legal consequences are also discussed. There is also a parent component that is available in English and Spanish to educate and provide parents with tools and resources to help them protect their children. To date, over 5,000 children have heard this presentation.
Created in 2016, #iSMART is a collaboration with the Sacramento City Unified School District, Sacramento County Office of Education, Sacramento County Probation Department, Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, and Sacramento Police Department.
Justice Journal podcasts can be found on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, YouTube, sacda.org/media/podcast on social media @SacCountyDA, and other podcast sites.
Subscribe or follow us @SacCountyDA or #SacDAJusticeJournalPodcast for alerts on future episodes.
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Special COVID-19 Series: Five Elected District Attorneys on Serving, Protecting Victims During the Stay at Home Order
The pandemic drastically changed our day to day lives and forced most of us to shelter at home. For some, that shelter put them at greater risk of physical harm. Elected DA’s from Alameda, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego and Santa Clara highlighted ways to protect victims of family violence during these unprecedented times. Child Abuse & Domestic Violence Resource Sheet 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. As part of the awareness campaign, our office recognized the need |
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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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Sacramento County District Attorney's Office
901 G Street, Sacramento CA 95814 sacda.org | @SacCountyDA |