District Attorney Issues New Policy Related To Civil Asset Forfeiture Cases
From the Office of the District Attorney: Martinez, Calif. – Today, Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton formalized a new policy for civil asset forfeiture cases within the DA’s Office. In June 2019, DA Becton implemented an interim policy to address growing concerns with certain types of civil asset forfeiture cases. This interim policy is now permanent…
Nine Suspects In “Organized” Walnut Creek Looting Spree Charged
Nine people investigators say took part in an organized and systematic looting spree through downtown Walnut Creek earlier this year have been charged by the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office. Hundreds of people, including some police maintain are part of mobile, organized gangs who travel the state to pull off swarming, “blitz-style” shoplifting raids…
Concord Man Held To Answer For Threats Against Jewish Community, Local Detective
From the Office of the District Attorney: Martinez, Calif. – Earlier this week, defendant Ross Farca was held to answer on multiple felony counts, including a hate crime enhancement and threat against the primary investigating officer. Due to the public safety risks posed by Farca, Hon. Judge Nancy Stark ordered Farca’s bail forfeited and that…
Moraga Couple Defrauded By Home Health Aide, Federal Complaint Alleges
OAKLAND – A criminal complaint unsealed Monday in federal court alleges that an Alameda home health aide defrauded an elderly Moraga couple of $360,000 – money she allegedly used for cosmetic surgery, cars, and expensive care packages for her dog. Federal prosecutors charged Heidi Suzanne Miller of Alameda with credit card fraud in the alleged…
Former Lamorinda Soccer Coach Convicted Of Trying To Meet Minor For Sex
From the Office of the District Attorney: Martinez, Calif. – On September 28, 2020, after a three-day trial, a jury in Contra Costa County convicted 29-year-old Martinez resident Alejandro Sanchez for attempting to meet who he thought was an underage girl for sex. The jury found Sanchez guilty of three felonies including arranging to meet…
District Attorney Becton Announces Misdemeanor Filing Considerations
Martinez, Calif. – Today, Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton announces misdemeanor filing considerations for the DA’s Office. Originally initiated as a pilot, the considerations are now formal policy for the Office. The DA’s Office will no longer file charges against most people arrested or cited solely for the possession of small amounts of…
Former Danville Teacher Pleads Not Guilty To Sexual Assault Of Minor
From the Office of the District Attorney: Martinez, Calif. – Last week, defendant Raymond Engeszer of Oakland (54-years-old) made his first court appearance and pleaded not guilty to the sexual assault case our Office filed against him. The criminal allegations are for the sexual assault of Jane Doe, a minor at the time of the…
San Ramon Firms Found At Heart Of Insurance, Tax Fraud Scheme
From the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office: Martinez, Calif. – Selina Singh, 57, and Kabir Singh, 30, both of San Ramon, pled guilty to conspiracy to commit insurance premium fraud and related felonies Tuesday. Both defendants also admitted an aggravated white collar crime enhancement for a loss exceeding $500,000 through a pattern of criminal…
Francis Robert “Bob” Fritzky Pleads Guilty To Defrauding Moraga Community Foundation
Moraga resident Francis Robert Fritzky told a United States District Court Judge that he looted more than $250,000 from the Moraga Community Foundation’s coffers while serving as its treasurer from June, 2016 to July, 2019. Fritzky, currently free and reportedly still living in Moraga, had initially entered a plea of not guilty to two counts…
Martinez Couple Plead Not Guilty To Misdemeanor Hate Crime, Other Charges Linked To BLM Paint Over Incident
Two Martinez residents accused of attempting to paint out a city-approved Black Lives Matter slogan on a downtown street pleaded not guilty to hate crime and other misdemeanor charges filed against them after they were videotaped in the act. Residents Nichole Anderson, 42, and David, Nelson, 53, were charged with three misdemeanors including a hate…