San Diego Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog

On Wednesday in Los Angeles, a Superior Court Judge, Keith Schwartz, gave Lindsay two options and either decision could result in jail time.

Lohan could either fight or accept a plea deal for stealing a $2500 necklace from an expensive jewelry store. Ultimately, the twenty four year old actress decided to plead not guilty. In Los Angeles, around Venice, a store reported that a $2500 necklace was missing when the necklace all of a sudden showed up to detectives by an undisclosed associate of the young, troubled actress.

Since May, there was always the slight possibility that Lohan could have returned to jail since she failed to appear at her DUI court hearing which resulted in the judge withdrawing her probation. Last year alone, the Parent Trap star was sentenced to rehab twice as well as jail twice. Her punishment was cut short due to overcrowding in the jail. Judge Schwartz revealed that Lohan needs to “get her life back on track” and that she should be given a new sobriety sponsor as well as psychological counseling.

Last year the actress failed her drug test which landed her three months of treatment. Lohan’s father believes that his daughter’s actions were the result of his divorce from her mother. Her behavior has really taken a toll on her professional career when she lost the part of Linda Lovelace for an upcoming film and has not had any work for almost four years ever since she was charged for driving under the influence of alcohol and possessing cocaine.

Judge Tells Lohan Day Of Reckoning Coming Soon, San Diego 10 News, February 25, 2011

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In Chula Vista on Wednesday, Miguel Angel Malacara was arrested due to DNA evidence linking him to a string of groping occurrences.

According to police, Malacara groped fourteen women in the Chula Vista area. Twenty-five year old Malacara is arranged to appear in court for his arraignment on Friday. Police were concerned that there would be other potential victims if Malacara hadn’t been caught. His arrest alleviated the stress for his victims as well as the community.

A week ago, there was a community meeting where a couple of sketches of the possible suspect were circulating around the meeting. The fourteen victim’s ages ranged from fifteen to late fifties and all the sexual batteries took place around the Broadway corridor located in the city’s downtown. Malacara is accused of touching the private parts of his victims over their clothes. According to one woman, Malacara not only touched her but bit her rear end. The evidence of DNA composed corresponded to Malacara, who in 2009 was arrested for selling drugs in National City. That same day, there was a domestic violence occurrence between Malacara and his girlfriend.

Malacara will not be able to post bail and is detained in county jail for domestic violence as well as violating his probation. He remains in custody while the investigation persists for the sexual battery groping case.

Arrest Made in Chula Vista Groper Series, Sign On San Diego, February 24, 2011

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In Chula Vista on Tuesday, Raul Casilla pleaded guilty for working without a contracting license and taking two elderly victims money.

Fifty-year old Casillas was sentenced to a year in jail and five months probation. The prosecuting attorney as well as the defense attorney explained that Casilla was considered a good man in his community who was religious and honest; however, Casilla tricked those who trusted him. According to Paul Greenwood, the Deputy District Attorney, explains that “he [Casilla] is a classic Jekyll and Hyde. He has destroyed people’s lives.” The San Diego criminal previously plead guilty to a felony and a misdemeanor for stealing from an elderly man, working without a license and using a false license number. As part of the charge, Casilla will have to repay the $60,000 at sentencing.

Since Casilla is repaying the money, he will not receive any prison time. While he is on probation he cannot do any contracting work, and if he violates probation there is the possibility that he could receive five years and eight months behind bars. According to the prosecutor, there were five victims who paid Casilla to work on their homes but the work was never completed. In 2005 through 2006 as well as 2008 he also pleaded guilty to working without a contacting license but still didn’t intend to ever apply for a legitimate license.

Supporters of Casilla that showed up to his sentencing accused that the elderly folks were lying when the hearing ended. As everyone was leaving the courtroom, deputies had to keep the groups seperated.

Man Gets a Year in Jail, Probation in Elder Theft Case, Sign on San Diego, February 15, 2011

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San Diego Ex Marine was found guilty of first-degree murder and faces life in prison without parole.

21-year old Raphael Ramey, a former Camp Pendleton Marine was convicted on Thursday for stabbing 23-year-old Charles Evan Williams because he had not finished Ramey’s classic car restoration on time. The victim was tortured by Ramey and was stabbed more than 50 times. Williams was the owner of Classic and Luxury Street Concepts and was restoring a red 1970 Chevrolet Impala for which Ramey bought of him for $12,500. According to Oceanside police, the defendant was angry at Williams for not having the car ready for him on time.

Charles Williams Sr. and Debra Williams, the parents of the victim were relieved when the verdict was read. Debra Williams said “There’s not a day goes by that I don’t go through what happened to him. I don’t agonize over that he might have wanted his mommy there”. Charles Williams Sr. added “When it happened, I went to his business. I saw the blood everywhere and it just drove me crazy”.

According to Deputy District Attorney Minaz Bhayani told the court that Ramey had bought two knives to kill Williams and brought Xavier Adams a friend and former Marine for backup. Ramey had also previously talked about physically hurting Williams before the murder. Ramey’s San Diego Criminal Attorney told the court that it was not a premeditated murder and was done in the heat of passion. Adams, Ramey’s co-defendant who is 20 is also being charged with murder and is scheduled to go to trial next month.

Ex-Marine Found Guilty In Businessman's Death, 10news.com, February 10, 2011

Ex-Marine guilty of killing mechanic over classic car, fox5sandiego.com, February 10, 2011

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Joe Lizura, a popular San Diego weatherman pleaded guilty for engaging in lewd conduct inside an office window.

Lizura, 49, left KUSI-TV without a word of why he decided to leave. The misdemeanor charge he pled guilty to was in response to allegations made that he was masturbating in an office building window located in Normal Heights. The allegation was made in October of last year. On January 31st, Lizura entered his guilty plea resulting for him to serve three years probation. In addition to probation, Lizura has to attend a counseling session as well as pay a $200 fine.

A twenty-something female SDSU student who witnessed Lizura’s indecent exposure explained
that Lizura, although he was fully clothed, was masturbating in front of a glass door at the Latin America Multimedia Corporation offices while looking at her as she waited for the bus across the street. Chris Morris, his attorney, explained that “The witnesses are adamant that they saw what they saw," Morris said. "Joe is adamant that it didn’t happen that way.”

According to police LT. Andra Brown, there was another witness at that same bus stop who saw what was happening. It was confirmed that the San Diego weatherman had been in the building during that time when Police went to check it out. When Lizura was being questioned about the incident, he told Police that he was adjusting the blinds. The SDSU student picked Lizura out of a photo lineup. According to an official at KUSI, Lizura resigned in order to pursure his business.

TV Weatherman Joe Lizura Pleads Guilty to Lewd Act, Sign On San Diego, February 11, 2011

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San Diego and Los Angeles county alleged bank robber was arrested on Thursday.

The suspect is known as the “Drywaller Bandit” who has been involved in a series of armed bank robberies for the past six months from banks across San Diego and Los Angeles counties. Following his 11th alleged holdup, he was caught by the authorities. According to Lt. Jim Walker, at about 9:15 a.m. on Thursday, an armed man wearing a dust mask robbed a Chase Bank branch office located in Encinitas on the 100 block of North El Camino Real.

Witness Joe Radick witnessed the San Diego crime and was inside the bank when the suspect aggressively stomped into the lobby of the bank. Radick reported that he was startled when he heard the suspect say “This is a stickup”. The startled witness also reported “I see his mask and his gun in his left hand. I look at him… wow, he’s really focused on robbing this bank and I make a run for the door, ran to my truck”. Radick then claims that he was nervous and was wondering if the man was going to shoot him and any others in the bank. Radick left the building and made a call to the authorities.

A few minutes after Radick made his call, the police arrived and saw a man matching the description of the robber walking east near the bank. Deputies caught up with the alleged bank robber and later identified the suspect as John Leendert Oskam, a 39-year-old man from Pasadena. Oskam was arrested and taken to the Encinitas Sheriff’s Station to be interviewed.

Man In 'Drywaller Bandit' Robberies Arrested In Encinitas, 10news.com, February 3, 2011

Alleged 'Drywaller Bandit' arrested after Encinitas heist, fox5sandiego.com, February 4, 2011

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