San Diego Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog

In San Diego, California, the Sheriff’s deputies are on the hunt for an inmate who was mistakenly released from a San Diego County jail.

The inmate, 50-year old Tuan Tran, also known as Kevin Nguyen, reportedly switched wristbands with another Otay Mesa jail inmate who was about to be bailed out of custody. Tran was released in the other inmate’s place in October, and the mix-up was discovered a few hours later when the other inmate’s mother called to ask about her son’s release from jail.

The Sheriff’s office says that Tran has been at large for several weeks, and he is believed to still be in the San Diego area. He was serving time for burglary and fraud; however, authorities do not believe that he is a threat. The search continues for Tran, who is described as a Vietnamese male around 5 feet 5 inches and 140 pounds.

Inmate Pulls a Switch on Jailers, Escapes, SanDiego6.com, November 18, 2008

Sheriff's Deputies Hunt Prison Escapee, 10News.com, November 17, 2008

Inmate mistakenly released from San Diego jail, MercuryNews.com, October 31, 2008

Continue reading "San Diego Police Searching for Escaped Inmate" »

Posted by Victor A. Orsatti | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: San Diego Crime , Theft

Bookmark:

Yesterday, a San Diego jury convicted a California man of murder. The 22-year old had fatally injured a professional surfer during a fight on the evening of May 24, 2007. Emery Kauanui sustained severe head trauma outside of his mother’s home in La Jolla and died in the hospital a few days later.

As a result, Seth Cravens, 22, has been convicted of second-degree murder, which carries a possible sentence of 15 years to life in prison. Cravens and his defense attorney claimed that he acted in self-defense when he punched Kaunaui. His lawyer said they plan to appeal the jury’s decision.

Craven’s sentencing is scheduled for January 12. In addition, Cravens faces charges of assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury and misdemeanor battery in connection with earlier incidents.

Man found guilty of second-degree murder in surfer's beating death, SignonSanDiego.com, November 18, 2008

San Diego jury finds man guilty of surfer's murder, Associated Press, November 18, 2008

Continue reading "California Man Found Guilty of Murder" »

Posted by Victor A. Orsatti | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Violent Crimes

Bookmark:

According to an article in today’s San Diego Union-Tribune, San Diego’s crime rates were down nearly 8% in the first nine months of 2008, as compared with the same period during 2007. The San Diego police noted a decrease in the number of robberies, assaults, hate crimes, and domestic violence.

However, the homicide rate is up nearly 10%. At this time last year, San Diego had 41 reported homicides. This year, that number was up to 45. The number of reported rapes in San Diego has also increased to 278, up from 207 in 2007. The city has also seen an increase in gang-related crimes, including tagging, theft, vandalism, and drugs, though shootings and stabbings were down.

“Crime (overall) is at the lowest it's been in more that 40 years, with fewer than 35 crimes per 1,000 residents,” said San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders. “This is the first time since 1966 that we've dipped below that 35 crime mark on the crime index.”

Continue reading "San Diego’s Crime Rate Drops, as Rapes, Homicides Increase" »

Posted by Victor A. Orsatti | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: San Diego Crime

Bookmark:

Last week, a graduate student at University of California San Diego reported being sexual assaulted. The 24-year-old told police that her attacker forced his way into her graduate-student housing and threatened her with a knife. Police say the suspect bound his sexual assault victim, possibly with duct tape.

The sexual assault victim notified police around 3:30 pm. She described her attacker as an white man in his twenties with a goatee. He was wearing a white San Diego Chargers t-shirt, baseball cap, and jeans and carrying a knife and a backpack.

San Diego Police are investigating the case along with campus police.

UCSD student says man sexually assaulted her, The Union-Tribune, November 8, 2008

Continue reading "San Diego Police Search for Sexual Assault Suspect " »

Posted by Victor A. Orsatti | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Violent Crimes

Bookmark:

San Diego sheriff’s officials say that three people are suspected in 24 residential, commercial break-ins and about 50 motor vehicle break-ins in San Diego County. The burglary ring is known as “Tats in Hats” because of their tattoos and the hats they wear to disguise their faces.

The trio believed to be involved in the burglary ring has resurfaced in Howell, Michigan. Police there say that Robert Alan Keyes, 32, of California, broke into cars parked outside a school in early October. Keyes and two co-defendants allegedly used stolen credit cards at area hotels, pharmacies, and gas stations.

Keyes waived his preliminary exam last week, sending to circuit charges that he stole personal items from cars in the area. He is charged with larceny from a building, breaking and entering to steal property, and two counts of stealing a financial transaction device.

California man, two others charged in Genoa Township auto break-ins, Lansing State Journal, November 6, 2008

Continue reading "California Man Charged with Car Break-ins " »

Posted by Victor A. Orsatti | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Theft

Bookmark:

A 39-year-old San Diego man is charged with murder and identity theft in conjunction with the death of Edward Clayton Andrews, 80, of Riverside County. Authorities said Andrews died of asphyxiation. Thomas Jeffrey Brooks, the defendant, pleaded not guilty on Monday.

During Brooks’ arraignment, the Deputy District Attorney recounted how Andrews and Brooks became “pen pals” while Brooks was serving in federal prison. After his release, Brooks stayed in contact with Andrews.

Neighbors say they saw Brooks at Andrews home a few days before Andrews was reported missing. Andrews’ body was discovered by suspicious neighbors who cracked open the large cement orb in the center of a rock garden Brooks had worked on. They had expected to find Andrews’ money or belongings. Instead, they found a human foot.

According to the Deputy District Attorney, Brooks has a criminal history including convictions for child abuse, possession of obscene material, fraud, and escape from federal prison.

Man pleads not guilty in 80-year-old's slaying, SignOnSanDiego.com, November 4, 2008

Continue reading "San Diego Man Pleads Not Guilty in Slaying " »

Posted by Victor A. Orsatti | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In:

Bookmark:

Police say that alcohol-related crimes in San Diego were down this year after the one-year booze ban went into effect. The City Council approved a temporary ban on alcohol at city beaches in November. Last year, San Diego police issued a total of 3,438 alcohol-related citations. So far this year, they have issued only 2,855, which is a decrease of 17 percent. The number of minors in possession of alcohol has also declined.

Of course, this drop in crime on San Diego’s beaches might also have to do with the drop in visitors. Some predict that if trends continue San Diego will see close to 4 million fewer visitors this year. However, the addition of security cameras and lower than normal temperatures may also explain the lower number of visitors.

If voters reject Proposition D, it will expire on January 14, 2009. If Proposition D passes, it will make consuming alcohol illegal at city beaches, including Mission Bay Park and other coastal parks.

Report: Alcohol-related crime drops following beach booze ban, North County Times, October 22, 2008

Continue reading "Alcohol-related Crime Down in San Diego Beaches " »

Posted by Victor A. Orsatti | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: San Diego Crime

Bookmark:

Today actor Keanu Reeves, famous for starring in “The Matrix” movies, went to court. A paparazzi photographer is attempting to sue Reeves, claiming that the actor knocked him down when he pulled his Porsche out of a parking spot in March of 2007.

Plaintiff Alison Silva filed a lawsuit against Reeves last November, alleging that the injuries he sustained during the incident diminished his job prospects and his ability to earn a living. During today’s proceedings, Silva’s attorney told the jury that his client’s current medical expenses are about $40,000, but that future surgery and health care could add another additional $50,000.

Reeve’s defense attorney countered that Silva’s story is inconsistent and that he has told at least five different versions of the incident. In one version, he told someone he did not know what happened. Both Silva and Reeves will testify in court tomorrow.

Opening Statements Given in Civil Suit against Keanu Reeves, MyFoxLA.com, October 27, 2008

Civil trial of Keanu Reeves begins in LA, Associated Press, October 27, 2008

Continue reading "Keanu Reeves Stands Trial in California" »

Posted by Victor A. Orsatti | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Celebrities on Trial

Bookmark:

Even more entertaining than reading about a celebrity crime is reading the lame excuses that celebrities give after they get busted. truTV rounded up some doozies. Here are a few of our faves.

Shelley Morrison, famous of playing Karen’s straight-talking maid Rosario on “Will & Grace,” was caught stealing jewelry from a department store. According to Morrison, “sometimes the mind has a mini earthquake.” Minor earthquake? We’re curious what constitutes a major earthquake of the mind.

When film actress Winona Ryder was caught stealing $5,560 worth of goods from Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills, California, she tried a different tactic. After denying her role in the store theft, she later claimed, “my director directed me to shoplift for a role I was preparing.” Hmm… a likely story.

Police found Gary Dourdan, former star of “CSI,” asleep at the wheel of his car after the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California. When questioned about the cocaine, ecstasy, and heroin discovered in his car, Dourdan said the drugs weren’t his. One would think that someone who appeared on a TV crime investigator show would know better…

Lamest Celebrity Excuses, truTV.com

Continue reading "Funniest Celebrity Arrest Excuses" »

Posted by Victor A. Orsatti | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Drug Crimes , Theft

Bookmark:

The Brit Awards have dropped pop singer George Michael from their 2009 line-up after Michael was arrested for possession of cocaine and marijuana in August. Michael was to receive the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music, but the awards ceremony organizers have decided to search for a new award recipient.

After his August drug arrest, Michael was released with a warning. Michael also made headlines several times in 2006 and 2007 for other drug-related incidents. He was found asleep behind the wheel of his car and discovered with cannabis in two separate instances. Both times he received a warning.

Michael has been open about his drug use in the past and even smoked a joint while recording a TV interview last year.

George Michael cut from Brits following drug arrest, PinkNews.co.uk, October 13, 2008

Continue reading "Singer Loses Award After Drug Arrest" »

Posted by Victor A. Orsatti | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Drug Crimes

Bookmark:

They may have looked cute and innocent as kids, but TruTV.com has a photo gallery featuring child stars behind bars. Here’s a rundown of who’s doing time and what crimes they’ve committed.

Tatum O’Neal was arrested earlier this summer after attempting to buy cocaine. Her alibi? “I was doing research for a movie role.” Tatum was charged with a misdemeanor, criminal possession of a controlled substance and later pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct. Guess her acting skills aren’t as convincing as she thought.

Next is Danny Donaduce from The Partridge Family. Danny was arrested several times for possession of cocaine and once for beating up a transvestite hooker. Another star child turned criminal is Gary Coleman, who was arrested and pleaded no contest to disturbing the peace after punching a fan.

And, of course, the list would be incomplete without mention of Lindsay Lohan, who was arrested last year for drunk driving and cocaine possession, or Macaulay Culkin, who was arrested for possession of marijuana and controlled substances without a prescription. Who would have thought that of cute little Macaulay?

Child Stars Behind Bars, truTV.com

Continue reading "Child Stars Doing Time in Prison" »

Posted by Victor A. Orsatti | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Drug Crimes

Bookmark:

In San Diego, California, a study examining victims and suspects of violent crimes has revealed that about half of last year’s San Diego homicides with known motives were connected to gang violence. One hundred and five homicides occurred in San Diego County last year. Of those, 88 had a known motive and 41 were attributed to gang activity.

The study was released last week by the San Diego Association of Governments. The study also found that San Diego homicide victims tended to be older than in past years. In fact, 42% were between 25 and 39. The reason behind this trend is unknown.

In addition, the SANDAG study found that a quarter of female rape victims were under 18 and 85% of homicide victims were male. Children and younger teens were suspected in a third of the San Diego County robberies last year.

Gangs blamed in half of San Diego homicides, San Diego Union-Tribune, October 9, 2008

Continue reading "Study Offers Insights Into San Diego Violent Crime" »

Posted by Victor A. Orsatti | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Violent Crimes

Bookmark: