| GANG MEMBER SENTENCED FOR DOUBLE MURDER |
A gang member who killed two teenagers was sentenced in February to a pair of life terms in state prison. Deshawn Broadnax, 22, was convicted of first-degree murder for murdering two teens in retaliation for another gang murder. Broadnax and a co-defendant were near Paradise Valley Road when Broadnax disappeared into a cul-de-sac, fired seven to eight gunshots and left. The co-defendant testified that Broadnax later boasted about how he tricked the teens into lighting a cigarette then shot them. Broadnax's sentence includes an additional 75 years-to-life term with no possibility of parole.
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| SCAM ARTIST PLEADS GUILTY |
A Fallbrook man pled guilty to fraud charges in February in connection with a multi-million dollar Ponzi scheme that preyed on hundreds of elderly investors. Edward Bevilacqua, 51, was sentenced to seven years in state prison. Bevilacqua conducted a scheme involving the sale of kiosks offering the public Internet access at hotels, bowling alleys, and restaurants. Investors were promised a guaranteed monthly income from the Internet terminals. More than 450 consumers purchased thousands of these kiosks, but only a fraction of the kiosks purchased were actually installed. Victims in the case lost a total of $20 million.
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DRUG STING IN MILITARY HOUSING
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San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie M. Dumanis in cooperation with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and the San Diego Police Department announced 33 people were arrested and charged with drug-related felony charges as a result of a three-month undercover drug operation. "Operation Endless Summer" was launched in response to concern over drug trafficking in military housing. The operation targeted drug dealers and violent criminals. Law Enforcement seized $19,000 in cash, seven guns, two pounds of crystal methamphetamine, more than 400 marijuana plants, 100 Ecstasy pills, more than 75 Oxycontin pills, and six pounds of marijuana. If convicted, most of the defendants face between 16 months and five years in prison.
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DA TARGETS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
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A new training video to educate law enforcement about domestic violence is being shown to more than 5,000 police officers and sheriff's deputies in San Diego County over the next three months. The new training program comes amid law enforcement concerns that a worsening economy is resulting in an increase in domestic violence. "We have seen a slight, but steady statistical increase in domestic violence prosecutions the past few years. As the economy worsens, it's likely that trend will get even worse," said DA Dumanis. Recent data from the San Diego County Domestic Violence Hotline (888-DV-LINKS) may suggest a link between financial stress and domestic violence. The hotline reported a 20 percent increase in calls for January 2009 as compared to January 2008.
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HIGH SCHOOLS STUDENTS IN TRIAL
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The verdict was "success" during the 2009 High School Mock Trial Competition in February. High schools from across San Diego County competed in courtrooms downtown. By taking on the roles of prosecutor and defense attorney, the students learned more about the legal profession and the criminal justice system. The event was organized on by the San Diego County District Attorney's Office along with the San Diego Bar Association, the Constitutional Rights Foundation, and San Diego Superior Court. At the end of the day, Otay Ranch High School walked away with a first place victory and will go on to compete in the state finals this month.
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CITIZENS OF COURAGE AWARDS: SAVE THE DATE!
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A young girl who witnessed the stabbing murder of her mother who bravely called 911 and testified against the attacker is just one of the six local individuals being recognized at an upcoming annual awards luncheon known as "Citizens of Courage 2009" on April 30, 2009. If you would like to attend, RSVP information will be included in next month's newsletter, so stay tuned!
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DA Case Files
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SETH CRAVENS, 23, was sentenced to 20 years-to-life for murdering a professional surfer with one punch in La Jolla following a verbal confrontation at a local bar.
JORGE ROJAS LOPEZ and JUAN FRANCISCO ESTRADA-GONZALEZ, both 29 were both sentenced to serve life terms in prison without parole after kidnapping and assaulting a wealthy businessman in Chula Vista.
TERRANCE STAMPS, 50, was sentenced to 50 years-to-life in prison after fatally shooting a rival pimp and gang member in Normal Heights.
MICHAEL PETER BUFFALO, 47, was sentenced to 12 years and 4 months in state prison for threatening to blow up the Vista Courthouse and leaving two connected pipe bombs in La Jolla along Interstate 5.
JESUS MIGUEL BECERRA, 26, was sentenced to six years in state prison after repeatedly stabbing a rival in hopes of trying to win a woman's affection back in December.
TRAVIS SEAN HOPKINS, 25, was sentenced to life in prison for fatally stabbing a man during a drug deal in Fallbrook.
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