San Diego Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog

San Diego man pleaded not guilty for stabbing his pregnant wife in front of her young children.

29 year-old Jesus Arteaga Garcia pleaded not guilty on Friday to several counts of murder and child abuse. The defendant was extradite from Mexico to face the charges of brutally slaying his pregnant and estranged wife in front of her two young children in Chula Vista. The San Diego crime occurred on December 9, 2009 where the defendant fatally stabbed Maribel Arteaga, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent, in front of her 4- and 6 – year-old children killing both Arteaga and her unborn child.

Arteaga Garcia was arrested in Tijuana on January 28 and was finally released to the United States on Wednesday to face his charges. South Bay Judge Garry Haehnle ordered the defendant to be held without bail and set a preliminary hearing date for August 31. If convicted of two counts of murder and two counts of felony child abuse, the accused is facing a maximum of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Deputy District Attorney Enrique Camarena reported that in order for Arteaga Garcia’s extradition to take place, United States authorities had to agree not to seek the death penalty.

Maribel Arteaga was able to tell authorities that her estranged husband was her attacker before she died. Authorities were informed by witnesses that Arteaga Garcia had family in Mexico and often visited there. The defendant was staying with his parents and sister in Northern Baja California until he was arrested six months ago.

Man Accused In Death Of Pregnant Wife Pleads Not Guilty, 10news.com, July 29, 2011

Man pleads not guilty to killing wife in front of kids, fox5sandiego.com, July 29, 2011

Continue reading " San Diego Man Pleads Not Guilty for the Murder of His Pregnant Wife " »

San Diego Robbery suspect arrested after two San Diego Banks were held up, according to the FBI.

San Diego Police arrested Jaquett Ebony Darby, 31, on Tuesday for allegedly robbing a North Park and a Rancho Penasquitos U.S. Bank. Both banks were robbed in a matter of 10 days. On July 9 in the 3200 block of University Ave, the suspected thief presented the bank teller with a note that read, “Give me the money or Die.” She left the scene after receiving a sum of money.

Then again on July 19, around 10:00 a.m., in the 14000 block of Penasquitos Drive the alleged bank thief gave the teller a note that read, “Money now or die.” The teller abided by her terms and gave her the money. Both times the robbery suspect wore a green dress, a hat and sunglasses.

Darby was identified after surveillance photos were released by the FBI. The suspected thief was arrested and taken into custody for the San Diego crimes.

Woman Accused Of Robbing 2 SD Banks Arrested, 10News.com, July 28, 2011

Bank Robber Arrested, San Diego 6 The CW, July 28,2011

Continue reading " San Diego Robbery Suspect Arrested " »

San Diego man is suspected of identity theft from installing skimming devices at a local ATM.

Authorities announced Wednesday that 49-year old Daniel Axinte allegedly used a debit card skimming device on a Rancho Penasquitos Chase Bank ATM machine. The skimming device was placed on the bank security door and ATM machines so Axinte could steal PIN numbers of customers who used the machines. Axinte is being charged with multiple counts of identity theft as well as other crimes and also had a scheduled arraignment at the downtown courthouse Wednesday afternoon. The suspect had also allegedly placed cameras aimed at the keypad where customers would enter their PIN’s while using the ATM.

According to District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, the suspect is said to have stolen over 970 debit cards with a loss of over $100,000. Dumanis said “this brazen crime is a twist on debit card skimming, perpetrated by an ID thief who wasn’t afraid to repeat his crime over and over at the same location. Bank customers had no idea their personal information was being compromised. But this latest crime should remind San Diegans how important it is to protect their personal financial information as best they can”.

According to Deputy District Attorney Sharla Evert, Axinte would withdraw money mostly $500 at a time using reconfigured debit cards from the stolen personal information. She also said that one of Axinte’s victims had to get a new debit card three times. The Chase Bank branch located on Black Mountain Road in Rancho Penasquitos had contacted the San Diego Regional Fraud task Force and informed them of the ongoing crime. Investigators of the task force arrested Axinte after conducting surveillance at the branch.

Man Accused Of Installing ATM Skimming Devices, ID Theft, 10news.com, July 27, 2011

DA: Man stole debit card info with recorder on ATM, fox5sandiego.com, July 27, 2011

Continue reading " San Diego Man Accused of Identity Theft Through use of Skimming Device " »

Oceanside resident was found guilty of second-degree murder for shooting and killing his neighbor early Christmas morning.

48 year-old Robert Glenn Pulley, a former Marine, was convicted Friday for fatally shooting his neighbor Jimmy Misaalefua and for threatening and beating his 20 year-old son Matthew. Pulley’s sentencing is scheduled for September 2 in which he faces more than 43 years to life in prison. Jurors found Pulley not guilty of threatening to murder his wife six weeks prior to the murder of Misaalefua.

The incident occurred at about 2:45 a.m. December 25, 2010 where Pulley went over to his 44-year-old neighbors’ house and started talking with him. The exchange between the two men appeared to be friendly. Witness testimony reveals that the two men had moved their conversation to a nearby cul-de-sac between the men’s homes where Pulley allegedly told Misaalefua “I’ve got something for you”. Pulley denied making the statement while on the stand during trial last week. According to prosecutor Dino Paraskevopoulos, Pulley walked into his home while the victim headed in the same direction behind him. The defendant then took his loaded gun from his house, walked onto his driveway and fired two shots at the victim one hitting him in the chest. About 45 minutes prior to the victims death, Pulley who was drunk, assaulted his son knocking him to the ground shouting “I’m going to kill you. I’m going to stab you. I’m going to shoot you.”

Pulley’s San Diego criminal defense attorney, David Thompson, claimed that the defendant was acting in self defense only trying to protect his life and property from a man much bigger than Pulley. The defendant claimed that Misaalefua had previously struck him and that he at the time believed that he was being attacked. Pulley said he took his gun from his home “because I thought Jimmy and his family were coming in my house.”

Man Convicted In Fatal Christmas Shooting, 10news.com, July 22, 2011

Ex-Marine convicted of killing neighbor Christmas morning, fox5sandiego.com, July 22, 2011

Continue reading " Oceanside Man Found Guilty in Fatal Christmas Shooting " »

San Diego crime sweep that took place on Tuesday nets forty-three arrests for crimes ranging from robberies and homicide to weapons and drug trafficking.

The crime sweep also known as “Operation Second Sole,” was made up of local, state and federal law enforcement. According to San Diego police Lt. Kevin Ammon, “Many of the suspects arrested today have significant criminal histories and were considered to be armed and dangerous. The success of today’s operation rid the county of a serious threat to the safety and security of our citizens.”

The operation was started by San Diego Police dept officials and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives “to interrupt and prevent dangerous individuals from committing acts of violence in furtherance of narcotics trafficking,” said ATF special agent John Torres. “As a result of this joint effort, suspects implicated in criminal activity ranging from homicide to armed robbery have been taken into custody along with seized contraband, including illegal firearms and methamphetamine, said Torres.

If you find yourself in need of legal assistance trust your case to San Diego Criminal lawyer, Victor Orsatti who has years of experience in successfully handling all types of criminal cases. A San Diego Criminal Attorney can evaluate your case and offer the best legal advice for your situation.

Dozens Arrested In High-Risk Warrant Sweep, 10News.com, July 19, 2011

Continue reading " San Diego Criminal Sweep Nets 43 Arrests " »

A San Diego murder involving the stabbing death of a SDPD Detective and her daughter over the weekend is under criminal investigation, according to San Diego police.

San Diego Police arrested Brian Rockwell Williams, the 24 year old son of the San Diego murder victim after he surrendered himself without incident. “He was very calm when the officers got there, and he followed their commands (and) was arrested without any incident,” said SDPD Capt. Jim Collins at a news conference.

San Diego Police were called after neighbors reported hearing screams coming from the house in the 9800 block of Paseo Montril at 1:22 a.m. When they arrived they found 52 year old Donna Williams, and her 18 year old daughter Bree Williams stabbed to death.

Brian Williams was arrested and taken to county jail where he is likely to be charged on two counts of murder. The intention of this San Diego violent crime is uncertain. According to SDPD homicide Lt. Ernie Herbert said Preliminary evidence “only revealed there was a disturbance between the son, mother and daughter.”

Mother, Daughter Stabbed To Death By Son Identified, 10News.com, July 18, 2010

Continue reading " San Diego Homicide of Mother and Daughter in Rancho Penasquitos " »

San Diego gang members are being charged for the death of a City Heights man.

20-year old Laquan Antione Jordan and 19-year old Darius Isaiah Peete are being charged with murder in the death of a City Heights man identified as Aaron Robinson age 29. The suspected gang members plead not guilty on Tuesday to murder and other charges. Deputy District Attorney Christine Israel reported that the bail set for each gang member is $1 million.

During a party held at an apartment complex in the 4300 block of 54th Street, a conflict broke out between the victim and some friends who were confronted by several men who tried to crash the party. Witnesses reported that after the young men were told to leave they became confrontational and aggressive. San Diego police Lt. Kevin Rooney reported that “one of the males issued a gang challenge, and a fight ensued. During the fight, a suspect pulled out a handgun and shot at the victim group.” A 21-year old woman was shot during the incident. When the authorities responded to a report of a shooting, they found the woman on the third-floor unit around 4 a.m. suffering from a gunshot wound. Patrol officers were informed by another resident that a man was lying inside a doorway of a first-floor unit. Police officers found the renter, Robinson, dead inside the apartment. According to Rooney “the investigation revealed that the same (assailants) were responsible for both incidents”.

The victim was not in attendance at the party and was shot in the doorway to his apartment. Robinson’s alleged attackers were identified as Jordan and Peete. Peete was already in custody for another separate crime and was then re-booked as a suspect in the shootings. Jordan was arrested by detectives in the 600 block of North Mollison Avenue in El Cajon. In addition to the murder charge, Jordan is being charged with assault with a semiautomatic weapon and for another unrelated robbery.

2 Plead Not Guilty In Fatal Party Shooting, 10news.com, July 12, 2011

2 accused of fatal party shooting in City Heights plead not guilty, cbs8.com, July 12, 2011

Continue reading " San Diego Suspected Gang Members Plead Not Guilty To Murder Charge " »