New Santa Ana | Category Archives: OC Sheriff

A Theo Lacy Facility inmate died on Sunday, July 3

Posted on July 5, 2022 by Editor Posted in Crime, Garden Grove, OC Sheriff, Orange 3 Comments

ORANGE, Ca. (July 5, 2022) – On Sunday, July 3, 2022, an inmate housed at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange died at the hospital.

The inmate, Eric Garcia, 40, was booked into jail on June 25, 2022, by the Garden Grove Police Department for vandalism.

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Garcia was pronounced deceased at the hospital after being transferred to the hospital for a medical issue on June 29, 2022. A final cause of death will be determined following toxicology and an independent autopsy.

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office will investigate the in-custody death. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will conduct an in-custody death review. No additional information will be released at this time.

Suspect in O.C. church shooting identified, additional details of investigation released

Posted on May 16, 2022 by Editor Posted in Churches and Religion, Crime, Guns, OC Sheriff, Orange County Leave a comment

SANTA ANA Ca, (May 16, 2022): OC Sheriff investigators today released additional details about the 68-year-old man arrested on suspicion of entering a Laguna Woods church and shooting multiple victims during a lunch banquet, including evidence that points to a methodical plan devised by the suspect to carry out his crimes.

On Sunday, May 15, 2022, investigators arrested David Chou, 68, of Las Vegas, on suspicion of murder and attempted murder after he entered Geneva Presbyterian Church in the 24000 block of El Toro Road and fired multiple rounds, striking six victims. At the time of the shooting, members of the Irvine Taiwanese Presbyterian Church, which has had a space at the church since 2009, were having a lunch banquet

to welcome a pastor who had recently returned from Taiwan.

Five victims sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to local hospitals for treatment. The sixth victim, identified as Dr. John Cheng, 52, of Laguna Niguel, sustained multiple gunshot wounds when he intervened and tackled the suspect, allowing other church members to detain the suspect. The victims also were able to tie his legs with extension cords and confiscate two handguns from the suspect. Dr. Cheng, who was attending the lunch banquet with his mother, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

“Dr. Cheng was a loving family man, dedicated doctor and a beloved member of our community, and we send our deepest condolences to all who knew

him,” said Don Barnes, Orange County Sheriff-Coroner. “There is no doubt that Dr. Cheng’s actions that day saved the lives of many other church members. He is a hero and will be remembered by this community as such.”

Deputies arrived at the scene, arrested the suspect and provided lifesaving measures until paramedics with the Orange County Fire Authority arrived to provide advanced critical care.

Investigators believe the suspect may have traveled to the Southern California area on Saturday, May 14, 2022, and came to the church Sunday morning. During the lunch, the suspect is believed to have secured the doors to the building with chains and placed superglue into the keyholes. He then started shooting inside

the building.

Investigators located three bags strategically placed in the building containing various items, including additional ammunition and four Molotov cocktail-type devices. The incendiary devices were collected by the OC Sheriff Hazardous Devices Section and will be analyzed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

OC Sheriff investigators worked with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department to serve a search warrant on the suspect’s residence. Investigators currently are processing multiple items of evidence, including electronic devices. In addition, evidence was collected from the suspect’s

vehicle, which was located in the church parking lot.

Based on preliminary findings of the investigation, evidence collected, and statements from the suspect, investigators were able to connect the suspect to the shooting. It also was determined the suspect was upset about political tensions involving China and Taiwan.

“It appears this tragic incident was fueled by politically motivated hate, and that is something we do not tolerate,” Barnes said. “Orange County is a community that celebrates diversity and takes pride in being a place people feel safe to worship, work and live. While someone from outside our community has attempted to diminish these ideals through an act of violence,

we remain united in our commitment to tolerance and acceptance.”

Additional evidence is still being processed and the investigation is ongoing. The Sheriff’s Department continues to work with the Orange County Fire Authority, ATF, and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) on this incident.

The O.C. Sheriff arrested a man who opened fire at an O.C. church this afternoon

Posted on May 15, 2022 by Editor Posted in Crime, Guns, OC Sheriff, Orange County Leave a comment

At 1:26 p.m. on Sunday, May 15, 2022, deputies responded to reports of a man with a gun at Geneva Presbyterian Church in the 24000 block of El Toro Road. When deputies arrived, they found the congregants had detained the suspect by tackling him then tying his legs with extension cords.

Deputies located one deceased individual and five others who were injured. They immediately began lifesaving measures until paramedics with the Orange County Fire Authority arrived to provide advanced critical care. Five individuals were taken to local hospitals where they are being treated.

• Victim #1: 66-year-old Asian male, gunshot wound
• Victim #2: 92-year-old Asian male, gunshot wound
• Victim #4: 82-year-old Asian male, gunshot wound
• Victim #5: 75-year-old Asian male, gunshot wound
• Victim #3: 86-year-old Asian female, gunshot wound

The identity of the decedent will be released pending official identification by the Coroner and notification next of kin.

The suspect, David Wenwei Chou, a 68-year-old Las Vegas resident, was taken into custody and two firearms were recovered at the scene. The man is not believed to live in the area and investigators are working to determine his city of residence and whether he has any connections to the church or its congregants. The identity of the suspect will be released after he is booked into the Orange County Jail.

The investigation remains ongoing. The Orange County Fire Authority, the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are assisting in the incident.

A female inmate died at the O.C. Intake Release Center

Posted on May 13, 2022 by Editor Posted in OC Sheriff, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, Ca. (May 13, 2022) – On Wednesday, May 11, 2022, an inmate housed at the Intake Release Center in Santa Ana died at the jail.

The inmate, Jade Castellanos, 44, was booked into jail on May 9, 2022 by the Huntington Beach Police Department for child endangerment, violation of a restraining order, and driving under the influence.

The female was pronounced deceased at the jail shortly after she was found unresponsive in her cell on Wednesday morning. She was housed alone at the time, and her death does not appear to be suspicious. A final cause of death will be determined following toxicology and an independent autopsy.

A witness description led to the arrest of high-dollar O.C. retail theft suspects

Posted on April 26, 2022 by Editor Posted in CHP, Crime, OC Sheriff, Orange County Leave a comment

Last night O.C. Sheriff Deputies received a report of a high-dollar theft from a local retail store which had just occurred. A witness provided a great suspect description including the suspect vehicle’s license plate number.

The O. C. Deputies, who work in Mission Viejo, were assisted by the CHP, and police officers from the Irvine, Newport Beach and Lake Forest police departments.

This incident highlights the important role our community plays in helping address crime. The O.C. Sheriff remains committed to addressing property crime and holding accountable those who steal from our residents and businesses.

A transient died at the O.C. Intake Release Center in Santa Ana

Posted on April 21, 2022 by Editor Posted in Anaheim, Crime, homeless, OC Sheriff, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, Ca. (April 21, 2022) – On Wednesday, April 20, 2022, an inmate housed at the Intake Release Center in Santa Ana died at the jail.

The inmate, Nicholas Brown, 28, a transient, was booked into jail on April 9, 2022 by the Anaheim Police Department for elder or dependent adult endangerment along with assault and battery.

The man was pronounced deceased at the jail shortly after he was found unresponsive in his cell on Wednesday morning. He was housed alone at the time, and his death does not appear to be suspicious. A final cause of death will be determined following toxicology and an independent autopsy.

A Theo Lacy inmate arrested in Westminster died on Sunday

Posted on April 19, 2022 by Editor Posted in Crime, OC Sheriff, Orange, Orange County, Westminster Leave a comment

ORANGE, Ca. (April 19, 2022) – On Sunday, April 17, 2022, an inmate housed at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange died at the hospital.

The inmate was booked into jail on April 6, 2022, by the Westminster Police Department for criminal threats and vandalism. His name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin by the Orange County Coroner’s Division.

The man was pronounced deceased at the hospital after being transferred to the hospital for a medical issue shortly after midnight on Sunday. His death does not appear to be suspicious. A final cause of death will be determined following toxicology and an independent autopsy.

A man arrested on molestation charges died at Theo Lacy

Posted on April 19, 2022 by Editor Posted in Cochino Alert, Crime, Irvine, OC Sheriff Leave a comment

ORANGE, Ca. (April 19, 2022) – On Saturday, April 16, 2022, an inmate housed at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange died at the hospital.

The inmate, Larry Esquivel, 61, of Irvine, was booked into jail on September 21, 2020, by the Irvine Police Department for child molestation charges.

The man was pronounced deceased at the hospital after being transferred to the hospital for a medical procedure. His death does not appear to be suspicious. A final cause of death will be determined following toxicology and an independent autopsy.

Man arrested for committing burglaries and thefts in O.C. and other counties

Posted on April 15, 2022 by Editor Posted in Crime, OC Sheriff 1 Comment

person wearing metal handcuffs — Photo by Kindel Media on Pexels.com

SANTA ANA, Ca. (April 15, 2022): Orange County Sheriff’s investigators have arrested a 58-year-old man wanted for committing multiple burglaries, thefts and identity theft across four counties in Southern California.

Douglas Allen Schlichting, 58, was arrested on April 13, 2022 outside his home in the 300 block of Plaza Serena in the city of Ontario.

Schlichting was identified as the suspect in multiple crimes committed between January 2022 and March 2022 in Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita and Yorba Linda. In these cases, he is suspected of stealing victims’ personal items, including credit cards that were fraudulently used to purchase items such as jewelry, home goods and gift cards.

Schlichting also is suspected of committing similar crimes in other cities in Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino and San Diego counties.

Cases in the Orange County Sheriff’s Department jurisdiction are as follows:

Lake Forest

· At approximately 2:30 p.m. on March 26, 2022, a 55-year-old man living in the 26000 block of Vista Terrace in Lake Forest reported his wallet was stolen from his vehicle and his credit card was later charged multiple times. The reported loss was $4,000, which included cash and $848 in fraudulent credit card purchases.

Mission Viejo

· At 10:50 a.m. on March 20, 2022, employees at Presbyterian Church of the Master located at Oso and Marguerite parkways reported personal items of four employees had been stolen. The victims lost $540 in cash and there was another $1,725 in fraudulent purchases charged to the victims’ credit cards.

· At approximately 10:45 a.m. on March 27, 2022, a 55-year-old woman reported fraudulent activity on her credit card totaling $517.77. She reported the crime at Mission Viejo Police Services and told investigators she did not know where or when her credit card was stolen.

Rancho Santa Margarita

· At approximately 10:30 a.m. on January 20, 2022, a manager at Pet Supply in the 22000 block of El Paseo reported a man entered the employee locker area and stole cash and personal items valued at $1,000.

Yorba Linda

· At 11:50 a.m. on January 11, 2022, a 71-year-old woman reported that on January 10, 2022 her credit card and $1,000 in cash had been stolen from her purse at St. Martin de Porres Church in the 19000 block of Yorba Linda Boulevard. Her credit card had been fraudulently charged $808.

· At nearly 3 p.m. on February 1, 2022, a 57-year-old woman reported that on January 22, 2022 at the Pope John Paul II Polish Center in the 3900 block of Rose Drive a man stole $1,100 in cash and two credit cards from her purse. Her credit cards were later charged $3,128 in fraudulent purchases.

The investigation is ongoing and investigators believe there may be additional cases involving Schlichting. Anyone who can provide additional information can call OC Sheriff Dispatch at 714-647-7000 or anonymous tips can be sent to OC Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or at occrimestoppers.org.

A state inspection showed that food at the O.C. Jail is consistent with grocery store standards

Posted on April 11, 2022 by Editor Posted in California, Food & Health, Health, OC Sheriff, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, Ca. (April 11, 2022): The California Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) conducted an onsite unannounced inspection of food service at the Orange County Jail, and found that “kitchen facilities were clean, orderly, well-stocked and contained food items that were consistent with grocery store standards.”

On March 11, 2022, BSCC notified the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OC Sheriff) of an American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) inquiry regarding meal delivery service in the jails. The ACLU asserted that OC Sheriff was in violation of multiple standards and regulations set forth in Title 15 of the California Code of Regulations pertaining to jails. The Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA) provided documentation to BSCC on March 15 to verify that OCHCA’s recent inspections found no areas of noncompliance related to the alleged Title 15 violations.

On March 17 and 18, BSCC conducted unannounced onsite inspections to “verify that food service has resumed to normal operation, that food storage systems are appropriate and that items being served are fit for human consumption.” An April 6 letter from BSCC outlines their verification through visual observation and interviews that “hot meal components are included in meal service, medical and religious diets have not been interrupted, and the kitchen facilities were clean, orderly, well-stocked and contained food items that were consistent with grocery store standards appearing edible, without mold or a rotten appearance from a consumer perspective.”

“Despite assertions, the findings from BSCC after an unannounced inspection show exactly what we have said time and time again – we provide nutritionally balanced and healthy meals that meet or exceed requirements for incarcerated persons entrusted to our care,” said Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes.
BSCC also noted that OC Sheriff and OCHCA have fully cooperated and provided access to the facilities, requested information, and documentation during the inquiry.

A former O.C. Reserve Sheriff’s Captain has to pay back over $13.7M in workers’ comp payments for his security guard company

Posted on March 29, 2022 by Editor Posted in OC Sheriff, OCDA, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, Calif. – The Orange County District Attorney’s Office has recovered $5.2 million in unpaid workers’ compensation payments from a former Orange County Reserve Sheriff’s Captain who intentionally underreported the number of unarmed security guards he had working for him and his payroll in order to avoid paying $17.2 million in insurance premiums. An additional $8.56 million in additional restitution is expected to be paid by the defendant when he is sentenced in May.

Simon Semaan was charged on September 8, 2021 with seven felony counts of Insurance Fraud Section 11760 – one count for each policy year in which he intentionally and falsely underreported his payroll and the number of employees to two different workers’ compensation carriers in order to substantially lower his premium payments.

Semaan was charged with the white collar crimes enhancement pursuant to Penal Code section 186.11 because the loss in the case was over $500,000. Semaan faced a maximum exposure of 16 years in state prison. OCDA seized $9 million dollars of the defendant’s assets to ensure the victims received restitution in this case.

Semaan ran Pacwest Security (d.b.a PSMG, Inc., PS, Inc., PSSA, Inc.)- a company providing licensed unarmed security guards to more than 40 clients, including Coca-Cola, the City of West Hollywood, United Port of San Diego, Cushman & Wakefield, Inc. and the Water Replenishment District of Southern California. Semaan is a former Orange County Reserve Sheriff’s Captain.

“By underreporting payroll and employees, this business owner not only broke the law, he also put honest businesses at risk,” said California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara. “It is crucial we protect California consumers who pay the price for this type of fraud through higher insurance premiums and increased costs.”

“The Orange County District Attorney’s Office is committed to ensuring a level playing field for business owners,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “By prosecuting bad actors, we are standing up for law-abiding business owners so that they can continue to remain competitive and support their families in an honest and upstanding way.”

Per Worker’s Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau information, Semaan carried a workers’ compensation policy for a company called PSSM, Inc. with QBE-Praetorian insurance company (QBE) between May 2013 and May 2017, and Redwood Fire and Casualty, between May 2017 and May 2020. During those seven policy years, the defendant intentionally and falsely underreported his payroll and the number of his employees to both workers’ compensation carriers in order to substantially lower his premium payments and avoid paying a combined $17 million in insurance premiums.

On March 3, 2022, Semaan pled guilty to a court offer that required him to plead guilty to all the charged counts and enhancements. In exchange the Court will sentence him to up to 365 days in custody to be served via electronic monitoring and grant him probation. The Court ordered the defendant to pay victim QBE $5.2 million and Redwood Fire and Casualty up to $8.56 million in restitution.

On March 11, 2022, Semaan paid $5.2 million dollars in restitution to QBE as ordered by the Court. Restitution payments of $8.56 million is expected to be paid to Redwood Fire and Casualty by the time Semaan is sentenced. Sentencing is scheduled for May 13, 2022.

This case was investigated by OCDA’s Insurance Fraud Unit Investigators Valencia Smith and Jeff Stuart. Deputy District Attorneys Tasha Soroosh and Erika Pennington prosecuted this case.

O.C. piano teacher convicted of molesting eight girls

Posted on March 14, 2022 by Editor Posted in Cochino Alert, Crime, OC Sheriff, OCDA, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

John Mordecai Scott, a 65-year-old Orange County piano instructor was convicted on Monday, March 14, of molesting eight girls, with a ninth testifying as a witness in his trial, over a span of 18 years.

Scott initially was accused of molestation by 11 girls however one chose not to testify and the presiding Judge, Steve Broomberg, dismissed charges against another alleged victim.

Scott, is now facing up to 111 years to life in prison for his conviction on 26 sex-related counts. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 13.

Scott, who had been out on bail, was immediately taken back into custody after Judge Broomberg announced the verdict.

The first allegation against Scott happened way back in 1996 when he allegedly groped the breast of a female student during a lesson and he spread her legs at other times during an exercise that was supposed to be about music timing, according to the opening statement of O.C. Deputy District Attorney Kristin Bracic. She said Scott also had the victim lie down on a piano bench while he lifted the waistband of her panties. He told the girl not to tell her parents about his conduct.

The next victim was 11 when she took piano lessons from Scott at his home in Lake Forest. She said that he would leave pornographic magazines lying around his house. Scott used a finger to sexually assault that victim, claiming at the time that he was a “doctor” and was examining her to see if she was developing normally.

Scott took “took racy photos with the another victim when she was 15. Scott also discussed his sex life with her and also talked about doing drugs, when driving her home. He also tried to talk her into putting on a G-string bikini for the photographs. The girl refused, but did put on various dresses for photos and he insisted she undress in front of him.

Another victim was only 7 years old when she started to take piano lessons from Scott at her home. Once he walked in on her as she was using the bathroom allegedly to ensure that she washed her hands. Scott also groped her once and littered her music sheets with pictures from his pornographic magazines.

A13-year-old victim took piano lessons from Scott from July 2011 through June 2014. He molested her over and under her clothes and also showed her pornographic pictures.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department investigated the allegations which and the OCDA filed charges in August of 2014. The investigators found images of three girls in Scott’s files. Some were considered to be pornographic while the vast majority were treated as child erotica.

O.C. church volunteer arrested for sexual assault of a minor

Posted on March 9, 2022 by Editor Posted in Churches and Religion, Cochino Alert, Crime, Garden Grove, OC Sheriff, Westminster 1 Comment

SANTA ANA, Ca. (March 9, 2022): On Wednesday, March 2, members of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Special Victims Detail arrested Terry Lyn Myers, 65, of Garden Grove, for felony aggravated sexual assault.

He is currently in custody at the Orange County Jail. Myers is booked on charges related to a suspected sexual assault of a minor that occurred in the 1990s.

Myers has been a volunteer at multiple churches in Orange County. He was a volunteer at Grace Community Church, formerly known as Nutwood Church, in Garden Grove from 1995-2013. Since 2013, Myers has been volunteering at MidCities Baptist Church in Westminster.

Due to the suspect’s role at these churches and his access to children, investigators believe there may be additional victims.

Anyone with information regarding possible additional victims or with information they believe may assist in this investigation is asked to contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at (714) 647-7419, or submit an anonymous tip to OC Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or at occrimestoppers.org.

An inmate at the Theo Lacy Facility died on Monday

Posted on March 8, 2022 by Editor Posted in Crime, OC Sheriff, Orange County Leave a comment

ORANGE, Ca. (March 8, 2022) – On Monday, March 7, 2022, an inmate housed at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange died of unknown causes.

The decedent is Joshua James Campos, 28. He was booked into jail on March 4, 2022 by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department on a solicitation charge.

In the evening of March 7, 2022, Campos was found unresponsive in his cell. Deputies and correctional medical staff attempted life-saving measures.

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He was pronounced deceased at the Theo Lacy Facility at approximately 11:45 p.m. Preliminarily, there are no suspicious circumstances. A final cause of death will be determined following toxicology testing and an independent autopsy.

Body camera footage shows shooting of a theft suspect at an O.C. Walmart

Posted on March 3, 2022 by Editor Posted in Crime, Guns, OC Sheriff, Orange County Leave a comment

LAKE FOREST, Ca. (March 1, 2022): Today, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department released a Critical Incident Video depicting the deputy-involved shooting that occurred in Foothill Ranch, a community located in the city of Lake Forest, Calif., on January 19, 2022.

The Critical Incident Video is available at the Orange County Sheriff’s Department website.

In order to foster greater public trust with the community we serve, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department will publish Critical Incident Videos about incidents in which the actions of department members in the performance of their duties are likely to have a significant impact on the Department, community, citizens, or any other person, and/or incidents involving the use of deadly force or force resulting in serious physical injury.

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Critical Incident Videos offer a clear and concise overview of the incident with relevant video, audio, photographs and information to give context to what occurred preceding, during and immediately after a critical incident. The videos will contain the factual circumstances as they are known at the time. No conclusions will be drawn about whether or not deputies acted in a manner consistent with our policies, and in accordance with the law, until all facts are known and the investigations are complete.

Per protocol, the investigation of the deputy-involved shooting will be handled by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.