From the Office of the Alameda County District Attorney
Nancy E. O'Malley, District Attorney
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DA's Office National Conference on Human Trafficking a Resounding Success
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From June 13-15, 2012, the Alameda County District Attorney's Office hosted the Bay Area's first National Conference addressing the epidemic of domestic minor sex trafficking. The Conference, entitled "Plan 2 Act: the 2012 National Human Exploitation and Trafficking (H.E.A.T.) Watch Conference", brought together a capacity crowd of over 450 prosecutors, law enforcement and community practitioners from throughout North America for three days of intensive training, education and problem solving.
Speaking at the conference were national experts in the field, as well as notable speakers such as United States Congresswoman Jackie Speier, US Attorney - Northern District of California Melinda Haag, award-winning investigative journalist Julian Sher, survivor "T" Ortiz and actress/activist Jada Pinkett Smith.
"Through our collective hard work, we have made significant strides towards changing the dialogue around this issue," says DA Nancy E. O'Malley."We hope our attendees from the 2012 National H.E.A.T. Watch Conference will return to their own communities and tailor some of the lessons and strategies they learned in ways that suit their own community. Ultimately, we aim to encourage the dialogue and action to continue in many different counties around the nation."
The DA's Office staged the event in partnership with The Sage Project and Shared Hope International.
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$1.96M Settlement Reached in Bay Oil Spill
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DA O'Malley announces the $1.96M settlement to the press alongside San Francisco DA George Gascón (third from left)
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On May 9, 2012, Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley and San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón announced a $1.96 million settlement was reached in a civil action against the owner and operator of the Dubai Star for causing an oil spill in the San Francisco Bay on October 30, 2009. This civil settlement is the result of a unique partnership between local law enforcement and the California Department of Fish and Game.
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The oil spill on the Dubai Star, 2009.
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District Attorney O'Malley praised the settlement as "a victory for environmental restoration and the citizens of the Bay Area who cherish access to clean and safe public beaches." Ms. O'Malley was thankful for the hard work and cooperation of the San Francisco District Attorney's Office and the Department of Fish and Game.
The oil spill occurred in the jurisdictional waters of San Francisco County and the prevailing Bay tide carried the spilled bunker fuel to the tidal areas of Alameda and Bay Farm Islands.
Read more...
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One L. Goh Charged with Multiple Counts
of Murder
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Defendant One L. Goh
(photo courtesy of Alameda County Sheriffs Office).
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The Alameda County District Attorney's Office
charged defendant One L. Goh following the brutal multiple murders committed at Oikos University on Monday, April 2, 2012. Defendant Goh faces seven counts of murder with special circumstances and three counts of attempted murder.
DA O'Malley states, "The enormity and devastation of these crimes is unprecedented in Alameda County. My Office will work tirelessly to ensure that this defendant is brought to justice.
"Through our Victim-Witness Assistance Division, we will also provide every possible service to the surviving victims and the families of those victims who were senselessly murdered to help them navigate this unimaginable tragedy and the legal process as it unfolds."
The defendant was arraigned on April 4, 2012. The case will be in court next on October 1 for setting.
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| DA's Office Carries Torch for Special Olympics |
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2012 DA's Office Torch Run Team
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On June 19, 2012, members of the Alameda County DA's Office and their children participated in the annual Northern California Law Enforcement Torch Run in support of the Special Olympics.
Our runners received the Flame of Hope from the Alameda Police Department on 29th Avenue in Oakland and ran a five mile course, assisted by volunteers from the California Highway Patrol. Our team paused briefly on the steps of the Rene C. Davidson Courthouse for a ceremony before continuing their journey.  The team passed the torch to the Oakland Police Department outside OPD Headquarters on 7th Street.
The Special Olympics were held at University of California Davis on June 22-24, 2012. |
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Conviction in Attempted Murder of Police Officer
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People v Alexander Diaz
On June 18, 2012, a jury convicted Alexander Diaz of the willful, deliberate and premeditated attempted murder of a peace officer with multiple enhancements, unlawful driving and taking of a vehicle, and grand theft of personal property.
On October 4, 2010, sometime after 9:00 am, defendant Diaz stole a delivery van with over $33,000 in electronics inside. A short time later, Officer Patrick Brower, a Fremont Police motorcycle officer with over 10 years experience, advised dispatch he had located the stolen van. Defendant Diaz noticed Officer Brower and floored the accelerator, aiming the stolen van straight at the officer. Defendant Diaz's van slammed into Officer Brower and continued to accelerate and increase speed after striking him. Defendant Diaz pushed the officer 68 feet across three lanes of northbound traffic, and up a curb, before the officer and his motorcyle were pinned against the light pole. Defendant Diaz immediately fled on foot.
Officer Brower was extracted from the scene by firefighters and sustained serious injuries. Defendant Diaz was arrested at a home in Los Angeles on October 6, 2010. He is due to be sentenced on July 17, 2012. The prosecutor was DDA Brian Owens.
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| $3.6 Million Dollar Settlement in Environmental Action Against Costco |
On June 4, 2012, Alameda County District Attorney Nancy E. O'Malley announced her office, together with 28 other California District Attorneys, has filed and settled a $3.6 million civil law enforcement action against Costco Wholesale Corporation.
The civil action was filed in Alameda County Superior Court and the settlement resolves allegations that Costco violated California laws for the safe storage, handling and disposal of pharmaceutical and pharmacy waste as well as other hazardous waste.The violations occurred over a five-year period at numerous Costco stores and distribution stores statewide, including five stores in Alameda County.
"My Office's Environmental Protection Division is dedicated to ensuring that businesses operating in Alameda County comply with the law," says DA O'Malley. "As a result of this investigation and prosecution, regulated waste produced by Costco stores in California must now be properly stored, handled, transported and disposed of."
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DA's Office Celebrates Victims Rights Week
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 | Victim-Witness Division volunteers welcome our friends in blue at the
Albany Library |
During the week of April 23-29, the Alameda County DA's Office held a series of events in honor of National Crime Victims' Rights Week. Representatives from our Victim-Witness Division, the Alameda County Family Justice Center and public libraries hosted events at various libraries throughout the county.
Numerous community agencies, law enforcement and counseling centers were also on hand to provide information regarding resources available to victims of crime.
 | | Kids enjoying the BEE SAFE art project |
Children were entertained with a coloring book designed by the DA's Office for Victims' Rights Week, and they participated in an art project about safety.
Download our free coloring book, BEE SAFE, here.
Thanks to Albany Library for the photos.
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Felony Verdicts -- June 2012
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- On June 28, 2012, a jury convicted David Mills of three counts of first degree murder, one count of premeditated attempted murder, and two counts of animal cruelty stemming from a March 10, 2005 shooting in Oakland's Brookfield Village district. During the five week trial jurors heard testimony from Elizabeth Martinez who survived after being shot three times. Ms. Martinez identified David Mills as the shooter of her husband, Dale Griffin, her sister, Rebecca Martinez, and a friend, James Martin as they were seated in a car parked in the 9900 block of St. Elmo Drive. Ms. Martinez's willingness to cooperate with Oakland Police led to David Mills' arrest several hours later. Read more...
- On June 27, 2012, a jury found Navdeep Singh Virk guilty of first degree residential burglary. The jury also found true the allegation that there was a person present in the residence at the time of the burglary. On July 24, 2009, the victim was home asleep on the second story of her two story home when she awoke to the sound of breaking glass downstairs. As a security measure, she had placed a baby monitor downstairs. She heard the footsteps of someone inside of her home and called police. While speaking with police she looked out her bedroom window and saw two male adults getting into a car that was parked across the street. When police arrived they saw that a brick used to break the living room window facing the backyard. A footprint was found inside of the house and one latent fingerprint was recovered on the window frame. Nothing was taken from the house. At that time no hits came back on the fingerprint, so the fingerprint was registered with the Cal-ID unsolved fingerprint database. About a year later, an automated run of the Cal-ID database returned a possible hit for the identify of the unknown latent print. Fremont PD fingerprint analyst did a comparison and positively identified the recovered print as the left thumb of Navdeep Virk. Defendant Virk is scheduled to be sentenced on August 8, 2012. The prosecutor was DDA Glenn Kim.
- On June 26, 2012, a jury found Daniel Alem guilty of attempted second degree robbery with enhancements including the intentional discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury, attempted murder with enhancements, and assault with a semi-automatic firearm with enhancements. On December 1, 2010, at 11:00 pm, victim Natsagdor Gantumur was texting on his phone as he walked along Madison Street in Oakland. Defendant Alem grabbed the victim's phone and took off running. The victim chased after defendant Alem, eventually catching up to him about half a block away. Defendant Alem removed a semi-automatic firearm from under his clothes and pointed it at the victim. The victim knocked defendant Alem to the ground and a struggle ensued. While on the ground defendant Alem fired eight shots at the victim. One of the shots hit the victim in the abdomen. Once the victim realized the gun was out of ammunition, he was able to pull the gun away from the defendant and get to his feet. The defendant then demanded his gun back. The victim realized he was shot and felt weak, and eventually capitulated, handing the weapon back to defendant Alem, who then fled the scene. The defendant was arrested shortly thereafter wearing the empty gun holster around his waist. A civilian found the gun in the bushes twelve hours later and a ballistics examination confirmed it was the gun the defendant used in the shooting. The prosecutor was DDA Carrie Skolnick.
- On June 19, 2012, a jury found Damon Jones guilty of first degree murder with an enhancement for the intentional discharge of a gun causing death. On August 15, 2009, around 5:40pm, defendant Jones shot and killed his cousin Wayne Griffin after losing to him in a fistfight. The victim, who had a criminal history and was described by many witnesses as a bully, had just won a fistfight against defendant Jones. Defendant Jones, who admitted to police of having a reputation of playing with guns and of being known as a trigger man in the West Oakland neighborhood, went to his nearby car and retrieved a semiautomatic handgun. Defendant Jones shot the unarmed victim in the back of the right leg. The victim fell to the sidewalk and pleaded with defendant Jones to stop. Defendant Jones proceeded to shoot the victim a total of ten times, hitting him in the left buttock, left arm and left leg with several of the bullets passing into his torso and piercing vital organs and arteries. The victim died of multiple gunshot wounds. The DDA was Eddie Vieira-Ducey.
- On June 19, 2012, a jury found Nicholas P. Harris guilty of two counts of first degree murder, each with personal use of a firearm, for the brutal murders of 17-year-old Edward Hampton and 18-year-old Nario Jackson. On November 6, 2010, at approximately 3:30 pm, victims Edward Hampton and Nario Jackson were sitting in a vehicle parked in front of City Towers, located on the 1000 block of 8th Street in West Oakland. Defendant Harris appeared from a side gate of the City Towers and fired 9 to 11 times into the passenger side of the victims' vehicle. Both victims died at the scene. Although there were multiple witnesses at the location, there were few leads in the case until a fellow gang member provided a statement to the Oakland Police Department six months after the murders. After an extensive investigation by the Oakland Police Department, defendant Harris was arrested on June 20, 2010. At the preliminary hearing, defendant Harris' ex-girlfriend provided text messages which confirmed the defendant's involvement in the shooting. As the case was pending trial, defendant Harris and his mother were recorded during hours of jail calls discussing the murder weapon, coordinating gang members to appear in court to intimidate witnesses, physical attacks by other gang members on the defendant's ex-girlfriend, and posting the witnesses statement on Facebook/Twitter so that she could be labeled a "snitch." The prosecutor was DDA Charles Wilson.
Felony Verdicts -- May 2012- On May 14, 2012, a jury convicted Brian Young of forcible rape, second degree robbery, false imprisonment and felony evading a peace officer. In the early hours of July 28, 2012, defendant Young raped the victim, Jane Doe, in a van in the area of 88th and Hillside in East Oakland. The victim had met defendant Young for the first time the previous evening while at a bar with her friend, and exchanged numbers with him. After leaving the bar alone, she agreed to meet defendant Young when she learned that her friend was without a ride home. When she arrived at the meeting spot, 88th and Hillside, the 6'5" and 250 lbs defendant Young opened the car door and pulled the victim out of the car by her neck, dragged her to a van parked nearby, and threw her inside. Over a period of two hours, defendant Young alternated between normal conversation to making threats. Defendant Young vaginally raped the victim who was on her period and still had a tampon inserted. After raping her, defendant Young took the victim's purse, wallet, cell phone, and car keys. Defendant Young also took the victim's ID, as he said to "check up on her". Defendant Young left the victim in the van and drove off in her car.
Not knowing where she was, the victim tried to get help in the area but was not successful. She began walking down MacArthur Boulevard where she found a city worker who took her to the Eastmont substation, where the victim reported her rape. Two days later, the officer who took the victim's rape report saw the victim's car parked in the area of 87th and E. Defendant Young entered the car an hour later and drove off. When officers tried to stop the car, defendant Young led them on a five mile pursuit down International into San Leandro. He was apprehended when he crashed into a parked car and the front porch of a residence. At the trial, a jury heard from two of defendant Young's prior sexual assault victims, as well as physical evidence (such as defendant Young's DNA in the form of his sperm on the victim's vaginal swab) that convicted defendant Young. The prosecutor was DDA Eddie Vieira-Ducey.
- On May 9, 2012, a jury found Bahsson C. Smith guilty of first degree murder with personal and intentional discharge of a firearm. On February 19, 2006, victim Keith Stephens was upset with a man named Kamasa over the sale of, and nonpayment of money for, a car. Stephens went looking for Kamasa at his girlfriend Nora's house, where he broke a window in her van. That misdemeanor act of vandalism cost him his life. Nora called Defendant Smith and within 30 minutes, Smith hunted Stephens down and shot him in the chest with a shotgun. The investigation focused on Kamasa as a suspect. Four days after the murder, Smith was arrested for an unrelated domestic violence incident, and he presented himself as a witness to the murder, admitting that he was driving his car in front of the crime scene at the time of the murder, and blaming Kamasa in an attempt to shift suspicion away from himself. Three years after the murder, as the only eyewitness to the murder was being discharged from parole, he came forward and indicated he had actually seen the face of the shooter. He identified Smith in a photo lineup. Subsequent investigation revealed Smith and Nora had had a closer relationship than originally thought, and various statements in recorded jail calls corroborated the eyewitness identification. Sentencing is scheduled for June 22, 2012. The prosecutor was DDA Stacie Pettigrew.
- On May 3, 2012, a jury found defendant Luis Alberto Hernandez guilty of first degree murder with special circumstances for lying in wait, and the personal use of a deadly weapon. Additionally, defendant Hernandez was convicted of stalking with enhancements for personal use of a deadly weapon and causing great bodily harm in circumstances involving domestic violence.
Defendant Hernandez and victim Rose Goulart were common law married for 18 years and had two teenage children together. Defendant Hernandez physically abused Ms. Goulart throughout the entire relationship. In December 2008, Ms. Goulart left defendant Hernandez, moved to a confidential location and obtained a no HAM stay away order against defendant Hernandez. He continuously violated the order. On May 28, 2009, the night before the murder, defendant Hernandez borrowed his Aunt's car because he knew Rose and her coworkers would recognize his distinctive white truck. On May 29, 2009, defendant Hernandez arrived at Rose's workplace in his Aunt's car around 7:30am to wait for her. He had gloves, a trash bag and 2 sharpened screwdrivers. Around 8:15am, Ms. Goulart arrived and defendant Hernandez blocked her in with his car. He exited the vehicle, walked up to her and immediately started stabbing her in the chest. Three coworkers of Ms. Goulart tried unsuccessfully to pull defendant Hernandez off of Ms. Goulart. After she fell to the ground, he stabbed her in the chest and made a stirring motion with the weapon, grinding it into her chest. Defendant Hernandez left the weapon inside of Ms. Goulart after stabbing her a total of 24 times. He walked away from her lifeless body and then returned to her to kick her twice in the head. He then calmly waited for the police. Defendant Hernandez will be sentenced on July 13, 2012. The prosecutor was DDA Lindsay Walsh.
Felony Verdicts -- April 2012
- On April 26, 2012, a jury found defendant Cameron Mathew Rose guilty of a felony violation of using force or violence to deter an officer in his duties and a misdemeanor violation of assault on a police officer. On December 30, 2011, defendant Rose struck an Oakland Police officer in the back with a metal folding chair. The assault took place at Frank Ogawa Plaza, adjacent to an Occupy Oakland Teepee Vigil. At the time of the assault, Oakland Police officers were attempting to write citations for Municipal Code violations. Defendant Rose assaulted the officer when he was trying to prevent a protestor from grabbing another officer. Defendant Rose is scheduled to be sentenced on May 24, 2012. The prosecutor was DDA Tim Wagstaffe.
- On April 24, 2012, a jury convicted defendant Todd Brandon Tackwell of continuous sexual abuse of a 13 year-old, a violation of Penal Code § 288.5, along with a burglary enhancement. The criminal conduct came to light on the afternoon of July 23, 2010, when a Pleasanton Police officer stopped a pick up truck with Nebraska plates because it had a cracked front windshield. Defendant Tackwell was driving, and victim Jane Doe was in the passenger seat. The officer suspected something was amiss and asked the defendant how old his daughter was. The defendant replied that she was 13-years-old, and that she was not his daughter. The officer asked Jane Doe if her father knew where she was and whom she was with. Jane Doe gave evasive answers, so the officer separated the two and questioned defendant Tackwell further. Over the next several days, Jane Doe revealed that she had been in a sexual relationship with defendant Tackwell since approximately March or April of 2010. She met defendant Tackwell in an internet chat room in October of 2009. She learned that he was 35 and living in Nebraska, and the two communicated almost daily until January of 2010 when he moved to California. Defendant Tackwell did not have a job, home, and knew noone in the Bay Area, except for Jane Doe. Sexual contact began immediately, first at her mother's home in San Jose and then at her father's in Alameda County. The relationship escalated quickly, with defendant Tackwell was entering her bedroom through a window on an almost nightly basis. The sexual contact continued until the officer made his traffic stop. After defendant Tackwell was arrested, a woman named Emily Doe came forward in Lincoln, NE. She was the victim of strikingly similar conduct by the defendant for two years when she was 14 and 15 years old in 2004-2005. She flew out from Nebraska and testified at trial. Defendant Tackwell will be sentenced on June 22, 2012, and is facing 25 years to life in prison. The prosecutor was DDA Chris Infante.
- On April 5, 2012, a jury found Phillip White guilty of the June 28, 2007, first degree murder of his girlfriend, Jacqueline Mason. The jury also found true the allegation that White personally used a knife as a deadly weapon. At the time of the murder, Ms. Mason, 43, was involved in a dating relationship with the 27-year-old defendant. Defendant White was living in Indianapolis, Indiana, and came to Oakland in June 2007 to visit Ms. Mason. During the visit, he stayed with Ms Mason and her two daughters in their apartment. On the night of the murder, Ms. Mason and the defendant went to a Hayward club. Ms. Mason returned home first, and the defendant arrived back at the apartment about 2 hours later. In the early hours on June 29, 2007, Ms. Mason's eldest daughter heard her mother yelling for the Defendant to get out of her room. The next morning, Ms. Mason's daughters found her stabbed to death, face down, lying on her bed. Ms. Mason suffered 12 wounds concentrated to the right side of her head and right arm. Defendant White fled by taking Ms. Mason's van and then taking a Greyhound bus headed to Chattanooga, TN. Oakland Police caught defendant White in Denver, Colorado. The defendant faces a prison term of 25 years to life when he is sentenced on May 3, 2012. The prosecutor was DDA Danny Lau.
Misdemeanor Verdicts
For a full description of our misdemeanor verdicts, please visit our website.
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We are proud and honored to serve the people of Alameda County, and we wish you a safe and happy 4th of July!
Sincerely,
Nancy E. O'Malley
Alameda County District Attorney
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Mission Statement
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The Alameda County DA's Office is dedicated to serving our community through the ethical prosecution of criminal offenses and the vigorous protection of victims' rights.
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Do you have a question for the District Attorney's Office?
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The District Attorney's Office receives many calls and e-mails from the public asking a wide variety of questions. Please feel free to e-mail a question of your own that you would like to see answered here.
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