Danville Man Admits To Running $9.5 Million Ponzi Scam
OAKLAND — Danville resident Edwin Emmett Lickiss, Jr. pleaded guilty to running a Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors out of a combined $9.5 million over more than 20 years, federal prosectors announced Wednesday. Lickiss, 78, was convicted of one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering for the scheme, which he operated…
Former Richmond Pastor Sentenced For Sexually Assaulting Child Parishioner
From the Office of the District Attorney: Martinez, California – A Contra Costa County judge has sentenced a former Richmond pastor — convicted on multiple counts of child sexual assault — to 120 years to life, plus an additional term of life without the possibility of parole. On February 4, 2026, a Contra Costa County…
Lafayette Murder Trial Paused After Suspect Competency Concerns Arise
Courtroom proceedings in the case of a Chico man accused of murdering a Lafayette resident on his family property March 21 have been paused amid questions of the suspect’s mental competency with what, if any, connection existed between the two before their lethal meeting still a mystery. Judge Terri Mockler ordered David Swank Prince, 35,…
San Francisco Man Charged With 2021 Richmond Murder
From the Office of the District Attorney: Martinez, California – The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office has filed a two count criminal complaint against a San Francisco man in connection with the 2021 murder of a Richmond resident. Reno Goldie Fiapoto, 26, has been charged with the murder of Derrick McDougal, who was 21…
County District Attorney’s Office Issues 2025 Annual Report
From the Office of the District Attorney: Martinez, California – Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton issued the office’s 2025 Annual Report, showcasing the justice reform progress made for the county’s residents. “We are making meaningful progress with a sharp focus on public safety, pragmatic solutions, and alternatives to a one-size-fits-all criminal justice system,”…
Walnut Creek Double Murder Defendant Charged With Additional 2024 Murder
Howard Wang allegedly stabbed his wife and mother-in-law to death in their Walnut Creek home last year – then tried to blame the murders on a mystery intruder when police arrived to investigate. Prosecutors allege Wang committed the murders so he could be with his girlfriend Yan Wang, no relation, who was later arrested for…
New Judges Appointed To Contra Costa County Superior Court
Governor Gavin Newsom announced his latest around of appointments to local courts this week, including two new judges for headed for Contra Costa County Superior Court. Hanni Fakhoury has worked as a partner of Moeel Lah Fakhoury since 2021. Fakhoury was an assistant federal public defender for the Northern District of California from 2015 to…
Parents Charged With Child Abuse In Walnut Creek e-Moto Crash; Enter Not Guilty Pleas
Parents of a teenaged boy making daily rides from their home in Benicia to his high school in Concord entered not guilty pleas via their attorneys after they were charged with child abuse following the boy’s serious crash on Treat Boulevard in Walnut Creek last year. Attorneys for Jeanna Gabellini and Steven Crews pleaded not…
Walgreens Ordered To Pay Six Million Dollars For Business Code Violations
From the Office of the District Attorney: Martinez, California – Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton and other District Attorneys in the State of California reached a settlement with Walgreen Co. for six million dollars for violations related to expired baby food, drugs, and overcharging customers. The civil case and settlement centered on the company…
DA Charges Chico Man With Murder In Lafayette Hatchet Homicide
From the Office of the District Attorney: Martinez, California – The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office has charged a Butte County man with the murder of a Lafayette resident. David Swank Prince, 35, is scheduled to be arraigned in court on March 25th for the murder of 34-year-old Christopher Jaber. Prince unlawfully and with malice…