Sat. Aug 9th, 2025

On Monday night, an K9 officer was on a paw patrol near Post and Shield when he sniffed out something shady, according to the Irvine Police Department.

A man was found tucked into the back seat of a parked car with a fake registration tab. It turns out the police officers had met him before during a previous drug arrest.

Kurtis James Dieterich, 40, of Placentia, was arrested for several outstanding warrants, including burglary, receiving stolen property, drug paraphernalia, and possession of a controlled substance.

The police officers also found more drugs stashed in his car and on him. He could not “skedaddle” his way out of this one.

The K9 officer caught a break for this one. His two-legged partner sniffed out the crime with good old-fashioned experience and intuition.

Here’s a plain-text summary of the potential penalties facing Kurtis James Dieterich, based on the charges reported and California law as of 2025:


1. Burglary

  • First-degree burglary (residential): Felony, punishable by 2 to 6 years in state prison.
  • Second-degree burglary (commercial): Felony or misdemeanor, punishable by up to 3 years in jail or 1 year if charged as a misdemeanor.

2. Receiving Stolen Property

  • Typically a wobbler (can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony).
  • Misdemeanor: Up to 1 year in county jail.
  • Felony: Up to 3 years in state prison.

3. Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Health & Safety Code §11364)

  • Misdemeanor: Up to 6 months in county jail and/or a $1,000 fine.
  • May affect professional licenses and eligibility for diversion programs.

4. Possession of a Controlled Substance

  • Usually a misdemeanor under Prop 47 reforms.
  • Penalty: Up to 1 year in county jail and/or $1,000 fine.
  • Felony charges may apply if aggravating factors exist (e.g., prior convictions, possession near schools, or intent to distribute).

5. Outstanding Warrants

  • These can lead to immediate arrest and denial of bail, especially if related to felonies.
  • Penalties depend on the nature of the original charges tied to the warrants.

Additional Notes

  • If convicted of multiple felonies, California’s Three Strikes Law could apply, potentially increasing prison time significantly.
  • Diversion programs (like Prop 36 or Deferred Entry of Judgment) may be available for drug-related charges, allowing rehab instead of jail if eligible.

By Art Pedroza

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

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