Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Tag Archives: Lake Forest

Remarks by OCDA Rackauckas regarding the murder of an OC School of the Arts grad

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ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

Case # 18HF0073

Date: January 17, 2018

REMARKS BY DISTRICT ATTORNEY TONY RACKAUCKAS

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Good morning and thank you for joining us today. We have been working with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department around the clock since Blaze Bernstein was reported missing on January 3.

As the search continued, Blaze’s family, friends, fellow Orange County residents, and tens of thousands of people around the world were all hoping there was an innocent explanation as to why Blaze had not returned home. We were all hopeful he would show up and reunite with his friends and family and life for all involved would resume. As we all became sadly aware last week, that is not the case. Continue reading→

OC School of the Arts grad charged with murdering a former classmate

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ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

Case # 18HF0073

Date: January 17, 2018

FORMER CLASSMATE CHARGED WITH MURDERING 19-YEAR-OLD BLAZE BERNSTEIN AND BURYING HIS BODY IN SHALLOW GRAVE IN BORREGO PARK

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A former classmate of 19-year-old Blaze Bernstein was charged today with murdering the victim and burying his body in a shallow grave in Borrego Park in Lake Forest.

Defendant: Samuel Lincoln Woodward, 20, Newport Beach

Charged today with: Continue reading→

A Santa Ana man was killed in a car crash in Lake Forest on Saturday

Posted on by Posted in Accidents, Alcohol, Santa Ana Leave a comment
Photo Courtesy of the Seegmiller Law Firm

Photo Courtesy of the Seegmiller Law Firm

The Orange County Coroner’s office has confirmed that Jose Barraza-Soto of Santa Ana, 40, was killed last Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, when two-vehicles crashed in Lake Forest, near the Foothill Towne Centre, according to the Patch.

A 2016 Hyundai collided with a 1997 Ford F150 truck, which Barraza-Soto was driving, at around 2:20 a.m. at Alton Parkway and Towne Center Drive, according to the O.C. Register. Video of the crash scene is available here. Continue reading→

90-year-old man dies after being struck by a car at Harbor Blvd. and Westminster Ave.

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Tran Nguyen, of Lake Forest, a 90-year-old man died on Sunday after he was hit by a car while crossing an intersection in Santa Ana, according to the O.C. Register.

The accident happened at the intersection of Harbor Blvd. and Westminster Ave. Police received a call on Sunday at 9:24 a.m. and when they arrived at the scene they found the victim lying on the ground. Continue reading→

ESL teacher suspected of helping the escaped OC Jail inmates is arrested

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Education, Orange County, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Nooshafarian Ravaghi, 44, of Lake Forest, an English as a Second Language teacher from the Rancho Santiago Community College District who worked in the OC Central Men’s Jail has been arrested, according to the O.C. Register.

Ravaghi allegedly helped the three escaped inmates – Hossein Nayeri, Jonathan Tieu and Bac Duong to escape by providing them with Google Maps and in other ways not yet disclosed by the OC Sheriff.

The motive?  Apparently Ravaghi and Nayeri exceeded their student-teacher association as they developed what has been described as a “closer relationship.” Continue reading→

Bank robbery suspect arrested in Tustin

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Chandler Graham,

NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042, JHallock@ocsd.org

Carrie Braun, 714.647.1848, CBraun@ocsd.org

Bank Robbery Suspect Arrested

LAKE FOREST, Calif. (September 21, 2015) – On Monday, September 21, 2015, Orange County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Chandler Graham, 52, Los Angeles, in connection with an armed robbery at the Eagle Community Credit Union located at 23021 Lake Center Drive, in Lake Forest. Graham was arrested near the intersection of Red Hill Avenue and El Camino Real in the City of Tustin, following a short vehicle pursuit.

At approximately 10:46 a.m., Sheriff’s deputies responded to the Eagle Community Credit Union for a report of a robbery in progress. Responding deputies were provided a description of Graham and indicated he left in a tan or gold sedan. Approximately six minutes later, a deputy observed the vehicle matching the description travelling northbound Interstate 5, approaching Sand Canyon Road. The vehicle exited Tustin Ranch Road and a short vehicle pursuit ensued before the vehicle yielded near Red Hill Avenue and El Camino Real in the City of Tustin. Graham, the driver and lone occupant in the vehicle, was taken into custody without incident or injury. Continue reading→

Suspected DUI driver crashes during pursuit by Sheriff’s Deputies

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OC Sheriff's Department

NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042, JHallock@ocsd.org

Suspected DUI Driver Crashes During Pursuit by Deputies

LAKE FOREST, Calif. – (January 10, 2015) – On Friday, January 9, 2015 at approximately 10:30 p.m., Orange County Sheriff’s deputies initiated a pursuit of a 2002 Ford Explorer in the area of Toledo Way and Serrano Road. The driver of the vehicle was suspected by deputies of driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. Deputies pursued the vehicle for approximately (5) minutes through the cities of Lake Forest, Irvine and Mission Viejo. The pursuit terminated on southbound Trabuco Road near Carlota Road, Mission Viejo, when the vehicle was unable to negotiate a curve in the road and collided with an embankment.

As a result of the collision, the 18 year-old female driver was ejected from the vehicle and suffered life-threatening injuries. She was transported to a nearby hospital where she remains in grave condition. A 20-year old male passenger in the vehicle sustained moderate injuries and remains hospitalized; an 18 year-old female passenger in the vehicle sustained minor injuries and was treated and released from an area hospital. Continue reading→

Orange County 2014 Veterans Day events

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Labor Veterans Day Event

Anaheim
2014 Veterans Day Ceremony
Saturday, November 8, 10:00 AM
Anaheim Veterans Monument, 241 S. Anaheim Blvd.

Brea
What: City of Brea Veteran’s Day Ceremony
When: November 11, 2014
Where: Brea War Memorial Brea Civic & Cultural Center 1 Civic Center Circle
Time: 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM

Costa Mesa

“Veterans and Labor – Partners in Service,” a special Veterans Day event, is set for Nov. 11, 2014 at the Orange County Fair & Event Center (88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa). For more information, check out the Veterans + Labor website by clicking here.

Continue reading→

Carpetbagging 46th CD candidate Nick caught stealing signs in Lake Forest

Posted on by Posted in 2014 Elections, Adam Nick, Anaheim, Politics, Republican Party, Santa Ana, Sherry Walker Leave a comment

Adam Nick aka Afshin Nikmanesh

A couple of nights ago, a deputy spotted a black Ford sedan in a no-parking zone near Bake Parkway and Trabuco Road and saw a man with campaign signs climb into the passenger seat. The driver was Lake Forest Mayor Pro Tem Adam Nick, according to the Sheriff’s Department, and in the car were 10 campaign signs belonging to Scott Voigts, a fellow councilman seeking re-election, according to the OC Register.

Calling the incident, at 2 a.m. Thursday, a misunderstanding, Nick said Friday he had taken Voigts’ signs to move them to a better location, though he had not asked his permission to do so. “They’re making something out of nothing,” Nick said. Continue reading→

Suspect busted for operating brothels in Lake Forest and Stanton

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OC Sheriff's Department

NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042, JHallock@ocsd.org; Emily Osterberg, 714.647.1840, EOsterberg@ocsd.org

Suspect Arrested for Pimping and Pandering by Operating Brothels

SANTA ANA, Calif. – (September 3, 2014) – On Tuesday, September 2, 2014, Orange County Sheriff’s investigators served multi-location search warrants following a pimping and pandering investigation involving two locations. Nga “Sandra” Tran, 45, Lake Forest, was arrested following an investigation that identified her as the owner/operator of brothels in the cities of Stanton and Lake Forest.

Tran is suspected of exploiting two female adults, 19 and 20 years of age, who worked for her as prostitutes. Tran is believed to have operated/owned two brothels where the victims would receive money in exchange for sex acts. As operator/owner of the brothel, Tran collected a portion of the proceeds from sex services performed and provided condoms, lubricant and information on ways to avoid detection by law enforcement. Several items of evidence were obtained from each of the locations. Continue reading→

Additional charges filed against music teacher who targeted young girls

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John Mordecai Scott

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release: August 22, 2014

Case# 14HF2171

ADDITIONAL CHARGES FILED AGAINST MUSIC TEACHER WHO COMMITTED LEWD ACTS UPON MULTIPLE FEMALE STUDENTS

*Law enforcement seeks public’s help identifying potential additional victims in this case

NEWPORT BEACH – Additional charges have been filed against a music teacher for committing lewd acts upon multiple female students during music lessons. John Mordecai Scott, 58, Lake Forest, was charged today for crimes against Jane Doe #5 with two felony counts of committing lewd acts upon a child under 14 and a sentencing enhancement for committing lewd acts on multiple victims.

Scott was previously charged for four victims with one felony count of continuous sexual abuse, four felony counts of committing lewd acts upon a child under 14, two felony counts of distributing pornography to a minor, one felony count of using a minor for sex acts, one felony count of possession and control of child pornography, four felony counts of committing lewd acts upon a child, one misdemeanor count of child annoyance, and a sentencing enhancement for obscene matter used during a sexual offense. Continue reading→

Lake Forest Piano teacher arrested for lewd acts with a child

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John Mordecai Scott

NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042, JHallock@ocsd.org; Emily Osterberg, 714.647.1840, EOsterberg@ocsd.org

OC Child Exploitation Task Force Arrests Piano Teacher for Lewd Acts with a Child

LAKE FOREST, Calif. – (August 8, 2014) – On Friday, August 8, investigators from the Orange County Child Exploitation Task Force (OCCETF) arrested John Mordecai SCOTT, 58, Lake Forest, following an investigation involving lewd acts with a child. Scott is suspected of showing and taking lewd photographs of a minor female victim at his residence and place of employment.

Scott worked as a piano teacher out of his residence at 20702 El Toro Road #34 in the city of Lake Forest. In addition to teaching at his home, Scott teaches at Coast Band Music on Via Fabricante in the city of Mission Viejo and OC Music located on Aventura in the city of Rancho Santa Margarita. During the course of the investigation, evidence has been obtained that leads investigators to believe there may be additional victims. Continue reading→

OC NORML to host a meeting about the SAPD raids on medical marijuana dispensaries

Posted on by Posted in Marijuana, Orange County, Santa Ana 2 Comments

Orange County NORML

OC NORML is hosting a South County Meeting tonight at 8:30 pm at Fuddruckers located at 23621 El Toro Rd., in Lake Forest.

Tonight they will be discussing current state legislation regarding medical marijuana and the Santa Ana raids on medical marijuana dispensaries that took place yesterday and on in mid-July. Continue reading→

Formal complaint filed against 69th A.D. carpetbagger Sherry Walker

Posted on by Posted in 2014 Elections, Adam Nick, Anaheim, Cecilia Iglesias, Politics, Santa Ana, Sherry Walker, Tom Daly Leave a comment
Lake Forest carpetbaggers Sherry Walker and Adam Nick

Lake Forest carpetbaggers Sherry Walker and Adam Nick

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, July 23, 2014

State Assembly candidate may have violated residency requirements and acted to deceive the voters

69th Assembly District candidate Cecilia “Ceci” Iglesias calls for investigation into election irregularities and violations

Santa Ana – Cecilia “Ceci” Iglesias, who narrowly lost in the June 3 Primary Election in the 69th Assembly District, has filed a formal complaint against neophyte Republican candidate Sherry Walker. In a letter to Secretary of State Debra Bowen’s Election Fraud Investigation Unit, Iglesias alleges Walker violated residency requirements and conspired to deceive voters who live in Santa Ana and parts of Anaheim, Garden Grove and Orange. Continue reading→

Meet Sherry Walker and Adam Nick aka Shehrzad Rahgozar and Afshin Nikmanesh

Posted on by Posted in 2014 Elections, Adam Nick, Anaheim, Politics, Republican Party, Sherry Walker 5 Comments
Lake Forest carpetbaggers Sherry Walker and Adam Nick

Lake Forest carpetbaggers Sherry Walker and Adam Nick, aka Shehrzad Rahgozar and Afshin Nikmanesh.

We finally found solid evidence that Sherry Walker, the carpetbagging Republican candidate for the 69th Assembly District, may have lied to the Voter Registrar of Orange County and to the voters. Case number 30-2014-00698760-CU-PT-CJC of the Orange County Superior Court shows that she changed her name, from Shehrzad Rahgozar to Sherry Walker on March 5, 2014. She started the name change process on January 16, 2014.

The address she listed was 25422 Trabuco Road #105-255, in Lake Forest. That happens to be the same address used by Adam Nick and Associates. Nick is her husband – and he is running for the 46th Congressional District as a carpetbagger from Lake Forest. He changed his name too. His real name is Afshin Nikmanesh. Continue reading→