latimes--2020-11-06--Sex trafficked and imprisoned, California woman wins freedom after long fight

For Keiana Aldrich , freedom felt like sand between her toes .
Late Thursday night , after being released from the California Institution for Women after nearly a decade behind bars , the former sex trafficking victim dug her feet in the coastline at Huntington Beach , exhilaration hitting her like the waves coming on shore .
“ It still feels unbelievable , ” Aldrich , 25 , said Friday morning , a breakfast burrito in her stomach .
“ So unreal.
” She was freed from prison because of the work of advocates and family , and a Sacramento @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the way of her resentencing .
But Aldrich ’ s journey from being a sexually exploited child to a formerly incarcerated woman has been tumultuous and uncertain , highlighting how victims of abuse end up in California prisons , despite reforms .
As Aldrich begins a new chapter in her life , one she hopes will allow her to “ grow into somebody who is strong and smart , ” she is intent on sharing her story in the hopes of raising a conversation about how criminal courts treat exploited women and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ known to advocates and those in the criminal justice system , but one gaining broader awareness amid the push for criminal justice reform in California .
“ We need to be fighting for and standing up for the other Keianas that came into the carceral system traumatized and are probably facing more trauma behind bars and wondering why they were punished for standing up for their lives , ” said state Assemblywoman Sydney Kamlager ( D-Los Angeles ) , head of a select committee on incarcerated women .
“ Her story is one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aldrich was 5 years old and living with her teenage mother in Northern California when she was first sexually abused by her father , a minister nearly twice her mother ’ s age .
She testified against him , and he was sentenced to eight years in prison .
But , faced with poverty and a difficult relationship with her mother , by the time Aldrich was 14 , she was regularly living on the streets in Sacramento , being sexually exploited .
At 16 , she was arrested on prostitution charges and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with the hopes authorities would provide her with counseling and safe housing .
Despite the pimp ’ s conviction , no help materialized , she said .
Instead , she found herself once again on the streets and alone .
Aldrich was taken in by a gang-affiliated family that also sold her for sex .
When Aldrich was 17 , a member of that household , another female pimp , answered an online ad from two men looking to purchase Aldrich for sex and to make pornography .
But when the pimp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrived at the hotel , the pimp pulled a gun and forced one of the men into the trunk of a car with Keiana ’ s help .
Court documents allege the girls forced the man to buy goods and give them money , actions caught on surveillance video from a store .
Though neither of the men was charged for soliciting sex from a minor , Aldrich was charged as an adult with kidnapping and robbery , and faced decades in jail .
She took a plea bargain for 10 years .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from exploitation , she said .
Aldrich said she was sexually coerced or molested by three correctional staff members and one guard .
She filed complaints against all of those involved , despite what she describes as retaliation for speaking out .
The guard was subsequently terminated from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation after an investigation , and the case was referred to the San Bernardino County district attorney , CDCR said in a statement in September .
CDCR officials also said the three civilian staffers whom Aldrich reported for alleged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The department said at the time that it has a “ zero tolerance ” policy on sexual misconduct and “ investigates each allegation thoroughly.
” The alleged abuse left her feeling “ disgusting , ” she said earlier this year .
While in prison , she attempted suicide multiple times , once ingesting pencils .
Another time , she tried to hang herself .
As the coronavirus kicked in this summer , leaving her stuck in her cell with little mental health treatment , she slashed her wrists with razor blades before swallowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , her family and legal advocates did not know what had happened , or how serious her condition was .
Maggy Krell , a Sacramento lawyer who has been working to free Aldrich , pushed hard for action on a request to Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s to grant Aldrich clemency , but with no luck .
Increasingly worried that Aldrich would not survive the pandemic in a prison where services had been cut back to prevent transmission of the virus and with less than a year left in Aldrich ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Sacramento County district attorney ’ s office , asking it to reconsider Aldrich ’ s sentence .
Dist .
Atty .
Anne Marie Schubert agreed to not oppose such a request if Krell took it before a judge , Krell said , despite the fact that the male victim in the case opposed her release .
“ In Ms. Aldrich ’ s case , a request was made to our office for re-sentencing given her upbringing , the circumstances of the crime as well as her rehabilitation efforts while incarcerated , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After reviewing all of those facts , we felt it was appropriate to agree to re-sentencing.
” Thursday morning , Krell and Aldrich were granted a Zoom court hearing , but remained uncertain what a judge would say .
Krell said she argued that sex trafficking laws in California have evolved since Aldrich was convicted , and Aldrich may have not received such a harsh sentence under today ’ s standards .
She also pointed out that “ her mental health was suffering ” because “ prison is supposed to be a mix @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time would not rehabilitate her given the circumstances of the pandemic.
” Judge Michael Bowman agreed with those points , and by 9:30 , Krell had been granted a release order reducing Aldrich ’ s sentence to time served .
Krell drove from Sacramento to Riverside Thursday to pick Aldrich up .
Friday , they returned to Northern California , where Aldrich will begin a transition program to help her adjust to life on the outside .
But , she said , she doesn ’ t want to forget her past .
Instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other young women in similar circumstances .
“ It ’ s so overwhelming when you first going to prison , and once you start doing your time there a lot of bad things happen , ” she said .
“ I wouldn ’ t want anyone to experience bad things like I have.
” It ’ s a sentiment shared by Krell , who has had conversations with legislators about how to fix a system that sometimes punishes women who have been victimized .
“ This is bigger than one case , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told me about some of the people she ’ s left behind .
We need to continue to work vigilantly to prevent sex trafficking but also create a better off ramp for girls like Keiana who slide down this insidious pipeline from sex abuse to prison .
”

Keiana Aldrich, 26, was freed from prison Thursday after nearly a decade behind bars for a crime related to being sex trafficked as a minor.
For Keiana Aldrich, freedom felt like sand between her toes.
Late Thursday night, after being released from the California Institution for Women after nearly a decade behind bars, the former sex trafficking victim dug her feet in the coastline at Huntington Beach, exhilaration hitting her like the waves coming on shore.
“It still feels unbelievable,” Aldrich, 25, said Friday morning, a breakfast burrito in her stomach. “So unreal.”
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She was freed from prison because of the work of advocates and family, and a Sacramento district attorney who decided not to stand in the way of her resentencing. But Aldrich’s journey from being a sexually exploited child to a formerly incarcerated woman has been tumultuous and uncertain, highlighting how victims of abuse end up in California prisons, despite reforms.
As Aldrich begins a new chapter in her life, one she hopes will allow her to “grow into somebody who is strong and smart,” she is intent on sharing her story in the hopes of raising a conversation about how criminal courts treat exploited women and children. It is a path long known to advocates and those in the criminal justice system, but one gaining broader awareness amid the push for criminal justice reform in California.
“We need to be fighting for and standing up for the other Keianas that came into the carceral system traumatized and are probably facing more trauma behind bars and wondering why they were punished for standing up for their lives,” said state Assemblywoman Sydney Kamlager (D-Los Angeles), head of a select committee on incarcerated women. “Her story is one that so many other women face.”
Aldrich was 5 years old and living with her teenage mother in Northern California when she was first sexually abused by her father, a minister nearly twice her mother’s age. She testified against him, and he was sentenced to eight years in prison.
But, faced with poverty and a difficult relationship with her mother, by the time Aldrich was 14, she was regularly living on the streets in Sacramento, being sexually exploited. At 16, she was arrested on prostitution charges and agreed to testify against her female pimp, with the hopes authorities would provide her with counseling and safe housing. Despite the pimp’s conviction, no help materialized, she said. Instead, she found herself once again on the streets and alone.
Aldrich was taken in by a gang-affiliated family that also sold her for sex. When Aldrich was 17, a member of that household, another female pimp, answered an online ad from two men looking to purchase Aldrich for sex and to make pornography. But when the pimp, also a minor, and Aldrich arrived at the hotel, the pimp pulled a gun and forced one of the men into the trunk of a car with Keiana’s help. Court documents allege the girls forced the man to buy goods and give them money, actions caught on surveillance video from a store.
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Though neither of the men was charged for soliciting sex from a minor, Aldrich was charged as an adult with kidnapping and robbery, and faced decades in jail. She took a plea bargain for 10 years.
An attorney for Keiana Aldrich had petitioned Gov. Gavin Newsom for clemency. (Maggy Krell)
But life behind bars offered little relief from exploitation, she said.
Aldrich said she was sexually coerced or molested by three correctional staff members and one guard. She filed complaints against all of those involved, despite what she describes as retaliation for speaking out.
The guard was subsequently terminated from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation after an investigation, and the case was referred to the San Bernardino County district attorney, CDCR said in a statement in September. CDCR officials also said the three civilian staffers whom Aldrich reported for alleged abuse have all left state employment.
The department said at the time that it has a “zero tolerance” policy on sexual misconduct and “investigates each allegation thoroughly.”
The alleged abuse left her feeling “disgusting,” she said earlier this year. While in prison, she attempted suicide multiple times, once ingesting pencils. Another time, she tried to hang herself. As the coronavirus kicked in this summer, leaving her stuck in her cell with little mental health treatment, she slashed her wrists with razor blades before swallowing them.
For days after that attempt, her family and legal advocates did not know what had happened, or how serious her condition was. Maggy Krell, a Sacramento lawyer who has been working to free Aldrich, pushed hard for action on a request to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s to grant Aldrich clemency, but with no luck.
Increasingly worried that Aldrich would not survive the pandemic in a prison where services had been cut back to prevent transmission of the virus and with less than a year left in Aldrich’s sentence, Krell took her plea to the Sacramento County district attorney’s office, asking it to reconsider Aldrich’s sentence. Dist. Atty. Anne Marie Schubert agreed to not oppose such a request if Krell took it before a judge, Krell said, despite the fact that the male victim in the case opposed her release.
“In Ms. Aldrich’s case, a request was made to our office for re-sentencing given her upbringing, the circumstances of the crime as well as her rehabilitation efforts while incarcerated,” Schubert said in a statement. “After reviewing all of those facts, we felt it was appropriate to agree to re-sentencing.”
Thursday morning, Krell and Aldrich were granted a Zoom court hearing, but remained uncertain what a judge would say. Krell said she argued that sex trafficking laws in California have evolved since Aldrich was convicted, and Aldrich may have not received such a harsh sentence under today’s standards.
She also pointed out that “her mental health was suffering” because “prison is supposed to be a mix of punishment and rehabilitation, and further time would not rehabilitate her given the circumstances of the pandemic.”
Judge Michael Bowman agreed with those points, and by 9:30, Krell had been granted a release order reducing Aldrich’s sentence to time served.
Krell drove from Sacramento to Riverside Thursday to pick Aldrich up. Friday, they returned to Northern California, where Aldrich will begin a transition program to help her adjust to life on the outside.
But, she said, she doesn’t want to forget her past. Instead she hopes to become an advocate for other young women in similar circumstances.
“It’s so overwhelming when you first going to prison, and once you start doing your time there a lot of bad things happen,” she said. “I wouldn’t want anyone to experience bad things like I have.”
It’s a sentiment shared by Krell, who has had conversations with legislators about how to fix a system that sometimes punishes women who have been victimized.
“This is bigger than one case,” Krell said. “Keiana has already told me about some of the people she’s left behind. We need to continue to work vigilantly to prevent sex trafficking but also create a better off ramp for girls like Keiana who slide down this insidious pipeline from sex abuse to prison.”


latimes--2020-11-06--California campaign finance complaints rose sharply in 2020

California ’ s political watchdog agency saw a big jump in the number of complaints alleging campaign law violations for the November election , even in comparison to the tumultuous 2016 presidential election year , and dozens of investigations are ongoing , officials say .
The state Fair Political Practices Commission received 445 complaints of campaign finance violations and other offenses from Oct. 1 through election day , compared with 307 in the five weeks leading up to the Nov. 8 , 2016 , election .
The agency said it has so far opened investigations into 112 of the complaints @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surge in allegations of campaign irregularities may partly be the result of a large slate of statewide ballot initiatives that generated political heat , political scientist Larry Gerson said he thinks a bigger factor is the tension sparked by the presidential contest .
“ I haven ’ t seen this much collective angst since 1968 , ” said Gerston , professor emeritus at San Jose State .
“ The political environment is singed with distrust and anger.
” The complaints received by the FPPC allege violations of California campaign laws regarding state and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported contributions and how they were spent , as well as whether political ads included required disclosures , such as who paid for them .
The FPPC does not have jurisdiction to look at allegations of offenses involving federal races , including the contest for president .
Still , the turmoil over the contest between President Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden has raised the political temperature for other contests as well , experts say .
The state campaign watchdog agency has tried to make people aware of the complaint process and has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which a citizen hasn ’ t filed a formal complaint , said Richard C. Miadich , chairman of the FPPC .
Of the 445 complaints filed in the last month , five were initiated by commission staff based on information such as media reports of allegations .
“ It ’ s the nature of things to see more complaints in an election year , ” Miadich said .
“ The total numbers reflect both the cases that would normally be submitted as well as our increased outreach to not only seek cases but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which is when it matters most.
” Some investigations are closed quickly after campaigns agree to take corrective action , including publicly reporting financial activity that should have been disclosed .
Other complaints result in months-long investigations and may end in civil fines for campaigns that investigators determine ran afoul the law .
With two months left in the year , the FPPC has already received or initiated 1,284 complaints of alleged campaign violations in 2020 , eclipsing the 1,180 filed in all of 2016 , the last presidential election year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ contentious campaign battles of the 12 statewide ballot measures decided by voters on Tuesday .
Complaints were filed alleging campaign violations by both opponents and supporters of Proposition 21 , the failed initiative to expand rent control statewide , and supporters of Proposition 22 , which voters passed and allows app-based companies to treat drivers as independent contractors rather than employees .
Contributions on both sides of Proposition 22 totaled more than $ 224 million , with more than 90 % of the money coming from a handful of companies supporting the measure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The FPPC confirmed it is investigating multiple complaints against Uber , Lyft and the Proposition 22 campaign .
Complaints filed by citizens include allegations that mass emails to ride-hailing app users in support of the initiative did not fully comply with state requirements for disclosing who is behind political messages , according to copies of the complaints released by the FPPC .
“ By failing to include a required disclaimer on these emails , the senders of these communications denied recipients important information regarding the name of the entity paying to send @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filed Aug. 14 by Michael Robinson , a Lyft driver and organizer for Mobile Workers Alliance .
A representative of the Yes on 22 campaign disputed the allegations .
“ This was a frivolous complaint filed purely for political reasons as so many pre-election complaints are , and we expect that the FPPC will treat it accordingly , ” said Geoff Vetter , speaking for the campaign .
Meanwhile , the battle over rent control resulted in FPPC complaints against both sides of Proposition 21 .
The No on Proposition 21 campaign , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including the California Apartment Assn.
, battled with the “ yes ” campaign , funded in large measure by the Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation .
Complaints raised with the FPPC include one that alleged that the “ yes ” campaign failed to disclose the use of a paid actor to portray a firefighter in campaign ads .
“ We immediately corrected it when the FPPC brought the issue to our attention , ” said Beverly Grossman Palmer , an attorney for the rent-control initiative campaign .
Another complaint , which remains open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 21 committee was late in reporting in-kind contributions from the AIDS Healthcare Foundation to the committee it sponsors .
A representative for that campaign said any late filing was inadvertent .
The Yes on Prop .
21 campaign in turn filed a formal complaint with the FPPC alleging that the “ no ” side laundered campaign contributions to obscure the true source of money by having contributions misattributed from one source reported as having come from another .
The complaint says that contributions came from groups with different names but with identical addresses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denied that it violated campaign rules , and said the use of identical addresses for multiple donors was acceptable .
“ The allegations are categorically false .
We properly reported all of the contributions in question , ” said Chris Skinnell , an attorney for the “ no ” campaign , Californians for Responsible Housing .
“ We can ’ t speculate as to why the FPPC chose to open an investigation , but we ’ re confident that they will conclude that we have reported properly once they know the facts.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigate “ because doing so will shine a light on these duplicitous practices and the way in which these activities have undercut the [ state ’ s ] powerful political reporting requirements , ” according to the complaint .
Two weeks later , on Oct. 2 , the FPPC ’ s chief of enforcement wrote back that the agency would investigate some of the allegations , including whether the “ no ” campaign failed to accurately report that contributions from related business entities came from a single source .
But the agency found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that contributions given to a business association were improperly earmarked to go to the “ no ” campaign .
“ I was disappointed that the FPPC did not take the opportunity to enforce it , ” Palmer said of the law against earmarking .
However , the campaign has filed a lawsuit in Superior Court pressing some of the same claims .
Miadich said the agency will pursue any complaint until the issue is resolved .
He noted the agency went to court last week and won an order compelling a local candidate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ created a public portal for checking on the status of complaints and has expanded its AdWatch program , through which the public can submit campaign ads to the FPPC for review to make sure all disclosure rules were followed .
This year , members of the public submitted 180 campaign ads for review , and the agency issued warning letters to several local campaigns notifying them of violations that needed corrective actions .

Rachel Dobas, left, and Analy Nakat show their excitement as they drop off their ballots in front of the Wabash Recreation Center in Los Angeles.
California’s political watchdog agency saw a big jump in the number of complaints alleging campaign law violations for the November election, even in comparison to the tumultuous 2016 presidential election year, and dozens of investigations are ongoing, officials say.
The state Fair Political Practices Commission received 445 complaints of campaign finance violations and other offenses from Oct. 1 through election day, compared with 307 in the five weeks leading up to the Nov. 8, 2016, election. The agency said it has so far opened investigations into 112 of the complaints filed in recent weeks.
Though the surge in allegations of campaign irregularities may partly be the result of a large slate of statewide ballot initiatives that generated political heat, political scientist Larry Gerston said he thinks a bigger factor is the tension sparked by the presidential contest.
“I haven’t seen this much collective angst since 1968,” said Gerston, professor emeritus at San Jose State. “The political environment is singed with distrust and anger.”
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The complaints received by the FPPC allege violations of California campaign laws regarding state and local elections, including whether campaigns properly reported contributions and how they were spent, as well as whether political ads included required disclosures, such as who paid for them.
The FPPC does not have jurisdiction to look at allegations of offenses involving federal races, including the contest for president.
Still, the turmoil over the contest between President Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden has raised the political temperature for other contests as well, experts say.
The state campaign watchdog agency has tried to make people aware of the complaint process and has taken the lead in some situations in which a citizen hasn’t filed a formal complaint, said Richard C. Miadich, chairman of the FPPC. Of the 445 complaints filed in the last month, five were initiated by commission staff based on information such as media reports of allegations.
“It’s the nature of things to see more complaints in an election year,” Miadich said. “The total numbers reflect both the cases that would normally be submitted as well as our increased outreach to not only seek cases but to get disclosure ahead of any election, which is when it matters most.”
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Some investigations are closed quickly after campaigns agree to take corrective action, including publicly reporting financial activity that should have been disclosed.
Other complaints result in months-long investigations and may end in civil fines for campaigns that investigators determine ran afoul the law.
With two months left in the year, the FPPC has already received or initiated 1,284 complaints of alleged campaign violations in 2020, eclipsing the 1,180 filed in all of 2016, the last presidential election year.
Many of the complaints involve the most contentious campaign battles of the 12 statewide ballot measures decided by voters on Tuesday.
Complaints were filed alleging campaign violations by both opponents and supporters of Proposition 21, the failed initiative to expand rent control statewide, and supporters of Proposition 22, which voters passed and allows app-based companies to treat drivers as independent contractors rather than employees.
Contributions on both sides of Proposition 22 totaled more than $224 million, with more than 90% of the money coming from a handful of companies supporting the measure, including Uber, Lyft and DoorDash.
The FPPC confirmed it is investigating multiple complaints against Uber, Lyft and the Proposition 22 campaign. Complaints filed by citizens include allegations that mass emails to ride-hailing app users in support of the initiative did not fully comply with state requirements for disclosing who is behind political messages, according to copies of the complaints released by the FPPC.
“By failing to include a required disclaimer on these emails, the senders of these communications denied recipients important information regarding the name of the entity paying to send the communication,” said a complaint filed Aug. 14 by Michael Robinson, a Lyft driver and organizer for Mobile Workers Alliance.
A representative of the Yes on 22 campaign disputed the allegations.
“This was a frivolous complaint filed purely for political reasons as so many pre-election complaints are, and we expect that the FPPC will treat it accordingly,” said Geoff Vetter, speaking for the campaign.
Meanwhile, the battle over rent control resulted in FPPC complaints against both sides of Proposition 21. The No on Proposition 21 campaign, which is largely funded by landlord groups including the California Apartment Assn., battled with the “yes” campaign, funded in large measure by the Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation.
Complaints raised with the FPPC include one that alleged that the “yes” campaign failed to disclose the use of a paid actor to portray a firefighter in campaign ads.
“We immediately corrected it when the FPPC brought the issue to our attention,” said Beverly Grossman Palmer, an attorney for the rent-control initiative campaign.
Another complaint, which remains open, alleges the Yes on Prop. 21 committee was late in reporting in-kind contributions from the AIDS Healthcare Foundation to the committee it sponsors. A representative for that campaign said any late filing was inadvertent.
The Yes on Prop. 21 campaign in turn filed a formal complaint with the FPPC alleging that the “no” side laundered campaign contributions to obscure the true source of money by having contributions misattributed from one source reported as having come from another.
The complaint says that contributions came from groups with different names but with identical addresses.
The No on Proposition 21 campaign denied that it violated campaign rules, and said the use of identical addresses for multiple donors was acceptable.
“The allegations are categorically false. We properly reported all of the contributions in question,” said Chris Skinnell, an attorney for the “no” campaign, Californians for Responsible Housing. “We can’t speculate as to why the FPPC chose to open an investigation, but we’re confident that they will conclude that we have reported properly once they know the facts.”
Palmer asked the FPPC in mid-September to investigate “because doing so will shine a light on these duplicitous practices and the way in which these activities have undercut the [state’s] powerful political reporting requirements,” according to the complaint.
Two weeks later, on Oct. 2, the FPPC’s chief of enforcement wrote back that the agency would investigate some of the allegations, including whether the “no” campaign failed to accurately report that contributions from related business entities came from a single source. But the agency found no evidence to support a separate allegation that contributions given to a business association were improperly earmarked to go to the “no” campaign.
“I was disappointed that the FPPC did not take the opportunity to enforce it,” Palmer said of the law against earmarking. However, the campaign has filed a lawsuit in Superior Court pressing some of the same claims.
Miadich said the agency will pursue any complaint until the issue is resolved. He noted the agency went to court last week and won an order compelling a local candidate to disclose campaign finances.
The agency created a public portal for checking on the status of complaints and has expanded its AdWatch program, through which the public can submit campaign ads to the FPPC for review to make sure all disclosure rules were followed.
This year, members of the public submitted 180 campaign ads for review, and the agency issued warning letters to several local campaigns notifying them of violations that needed corrective actions.


latimes--2020-11-06--L.A.-area man who allegedly threatened mass shooting if Biden won is held, sources say

A Los Angeles-area man who took to social media to threaten a mass shooting if Joe Biden won the presidential election has been taken into custody , law enforcement sources confirmed to The Times .
The man was detained after being stopped in a vehicle and handcuffed Friday by members of a task force of federal and local law enforcement agencies , the sources said .
Investigators were searching his home for evidence of any means he has to carry out any form of attack , the sources said .
“ The FBI is aware of the reported threats , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partners .
The subject is being evaluated by state officials .
The federal government has not made any arrest nor filed charges at this time , ” FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said in a statement .
Sources familiar with the investigation who were not authorized to discuss it and requested anonymity said investigators may use a mental health hold to keep the man in custody .
He was detained by a team known as CT 6 , a counterterrorism unit that chases potential domestic terror threat tips .
The unit often discovers people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health treatment .
In an Instagram video attributed to the unidentified man that has since been removed , he says , “ If Biden gets in , I ’ m just going to do like a school shooter , just take out all these Democrats.
” The move comes after Philadelphia police arrested two armed men near the Pennsylvania Convention Center .
Authorities had received a tip about a potential threat at the convention center , where the presidential election vote count is ongoing .

A Los Angeles-area man who took to social media to threaten a mass shooting if Joe Biden won the presidential election has been taken into custody, law enforcement sources confirmed to The Times.
The man was detained after being stopped in a vehicle and handcuffed Friday by members of a task force of federal and local law enforcement agencies, the sources said. Investigators were searching his home for evidence of any means he has to carry out any form of attack, the sources said.
“The FBI is aware of the reported threats, and we’re working with our partners. The subject is being evaluated by state officials. The federal government has not made any arrest nor filed charges at this time,” FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said in a statement.
Federal officials declined to comment further.
Sources familiar with the investigation who were not authorized to discuss it and requested anonymity said investigators may use a mental health hold to keep the man in custody. He was detained by a team known as CT 6, a counterterrorism unit that chases potential domestic terror threat tips. The unit often discovers people connected to potential threats who need mental health treatment.
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In an Instagram video attributed to the unidentified man that has since been removed, he says, “If Biden gets in, I’m just going to do like a school shooter, just take out all these Democrats.”
The move comes after Philadelphia police arrested two armed men near the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Authorities had received a tip about a potential threat at the convention center, where the presidential election vote count is ongoing.


latimes--2020-11-06--George Gascón will be L.A. County's next district attorney as incumbent Jackie Lacey concedes

Reform candidate George Gascón will take control of the nation ’ s largest local prosecutor ’ s office after incumbent Los Angeles County Dist .
Atty .
Jackie Lacey conceded the contest Friday , handing a major win to the movement to elect progressive district attorneys .
Gascón , 66 , the former San Francisco district attorney and Los Angeles Police Department assistant chief , jumped out to an early election-night lead that has remained steady as the ballot count continued .
Lacey would have needed to win more than two-thirds of the remaining tally to be reelected .
Instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Hall of Justice in downtown Los Angeles .
The location has been the site of ongoing protests by Black Lives Matter organizers over her role as D.A .
Lacey entered the room holding hands with her husband , David , to loud applause from a few dozen prosecutors and staff members before conceding .
During a 10-minute speech in which she listed a wide array of accomplishments during her tenure , she said her campaign advisers believed that Gascón ’ s lead in the race was too much to overcome .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ count , but my consultants tell me that while I may close the gap between the two of us , I will not be able to make up enough based on the trending of the ballots to win this election , ” she said .
Her voice frequently cracking with emotion , she offered a message of unity and called for calm after a contentious race against Gascón .
The race took a number of ugly turns , with Lacey receiving death threats during the primary and facing protesters outside her home on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incident ended with her husband pointing a gun at unarmed protesters on the family ’ s doorstep .
David Lacey faces three counts of misdemeanor assault in that incident .
“ We must work together to make the system better for everyone without demonizing people , ” she said .
Lacey , 63 , nearly ended the race in March , claiming 48 % of the primary vote , far ahead of Gascón and former public defender Rachel Rossi , but falling short of the majority that would have given her an outright @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long championed alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent and mentally ill defendants , gained momentum throughout the summer during nationwide protests calling for changes to the criminal justice system .
Ultimately , that wave was enough to topple Lacey , who has been criticized locally for declining to charge police officers in a number of shootings of unarmed men during her eight years in office .
Lacey was L.A. County ’ s first female and first Black district attorney and had served as a deputy district attorney for more than 30 years .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D.A .
but also embraced reforms such as diversion programs for mentally ill defendants .
But Lacey acknowledged a summer of unrest over the police killings of George Floyd in Minneapolis and Breonna Taylor in Louisville , Ky. , helped fuel her defeat .
“ These incidents were painful and exposed an issue that existed in this country for years .
Racism .
Our nation is going through a reckoning , and what happened in my election may one day be listed as a consequence of that , ” she said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the results of this election is a result of our season of discontent and a demand to see a tsunami of change.
” Gascón ’ s victory could dramatically alter the operations in the Los Angeles County office , which includes nearly 1,000 deputy district attorneys and on average files charges in more than 100,000 cases each year .
In San Francisco , Gascón made frequent use of diversion programs and alternative sentencing methods for defendants accused of nonviolent crimes , juveniles and those suffering from mental illness or drug addiction .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jail population during his eight years in office , but some police officials also blamed his policies for driving a historic surge in car break-ins and other property crimes .
During the campaign , Gascón said he would consider reopening investigations into a number of fatal police shootings in which Lacey declined to prosecute officers , including the 2016 killing of Brendon Glenn in Venice Beach .
A staunch opponent of the death penalty , he also said he will work to have death row inmates who were convicted in L.A. County re-sentenced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office , Gascón will have to find a way to mend fences with line prosecutors and law enforcement in the county .
Unions representing rank-and-filed LAPD officers and sheriff ’ s deputies spent millions in support of Lacey , and the union representing deputy district attorneys spent much of the campaign criticizing Gascón ’ s tenure in San Francisco .

Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey concedes, clearing way for George Gascón to become head of the largest prosecutor’s office in the nation.
Fresh on the heels of claiming victory Friday in the nationally watched battle to lead the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office, reform challenger George Gascón promised swift changes in criminal justice policies, vowing to stop trying juveniles as adults and prevent prosecutors from seeking the death penalty.
Gascón’s ascension as D.A. in the nation’s largest local prosecutor’s office was a major victory in the movement to elect progressive district attorneys and came after incumbent Jackie Lacey, who had been seeking a third term, conceded the race earlier in the day.
Gascón, 66, is the former district attorney in San Francisco and has had a long career in law enforcement, serving as police chief in San Francisco and Mesa, Ariz., and as an assistant chief in the Los Angeles Police Department.
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He jumped out to an early election-night lead that has remained steady as the ballot count continued. Lacey would have needed to win more than two-thirds of the remaining tally to be reelected but instead chose to concede after consulting with her campaign advisers.
“Just one year ago I entered this race. I moved home to be closer to my family. I entered this race because after decades of working to reform safety institutions in Arizona, in San Francisco, I knew doing it here, in my hometown, was the most important place of all,” Gascón said Friday during a virtual news conference.
Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey takes to the podium before her concession speech in downtown Los Angeles on Friday morning. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
A champion of alternative sentencing measures and reducing mass incarceration, Gascón’s candidacy was met with fierce opposition from law enforcement unions, which cited his lack of trial experience and surging property crime rates in San Francisco under his tenure as disqualifiers of his candidacy. But with the support of L.A.’s burgeoning activist community and a massive fundraising advantage buoyed by hefty donations from progressive mega-donors, Gascón had captured 236,000 more votes than Lacey by the end of the week.
His win marks the biggest victory yet for a nationwide movement that has seen similar candidates win control of prosecutor’s offices in St. Louis, Chicago and Philadelphia.
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“We cannot continue to do business as we have for the past 30 years and somehow expect a different result,” he said. “It’s important to recognize that community safety does not travel alone on a singular track.”
Earlier in the day, Lacey heaped praise on her colleagues and recounted gains the office made in combating sex trafficking and advocating for mentally ill defendants during her eight years in office.
She offered a message of unity and called for calm after a contentious race against Gascón. The contest took a number of ugly turns, with Lacey receiving death threats during the primary and facing protesters outside her home on more than one occasion. One incident ended with her husband pointing a gun at unarmed protesters on the family’s doorstep. David Lacey faces three counts of misdemeanor assault in that incident.
“We must work together to make the system better for everyone without demonizing people,” she said during her address at the Hall of Justice in downtown Los Angeles.
George Gascón is introduced by Mark Gonzalez, chair of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party, during a drive-in election night watch party at the L.A. Zoo. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
Lacey, 63, nearly won the race in March, claiming 48% of the primary vote, far ahead of Gascón and former public defender Rachel Rossi, but falling short of the majority that would have given her an outright victory. But Gascón, who has long championed alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent and mentally ill defendants, gained momentum throughout the summer during nationwide protests calling for changes to the criminal justice system.
Ultimately, that wave was enough to topple Lacey, who has been criticized locally for declining to charge police officers in a number of shootings of unarmed men during her eight years in office. Lacey was L.A. County’s first female and first Black district attorney and had served as a deputy district attorney for more than 30 years.
Lacey tried to present herself as a balanced candidate, one who had aggressively prosecuted dangerous criminals while also acknowledging a need to change the way her office handled defendants who were homeless or mentally ill. But opponents repeatedly grilled her record on police shootings, and Lacey acknowledged a summer of unrest over the police killings of George Floyd in Minneapolis and Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Ky., helped fuel her defeat.
“These incidents were painful and exposed an issue that existed in this country for years. Racism. Our nation is going through a reckoning, and what happened in my election may one day be listed as a consequence of that,” she said. “It may be said that one day the result of this election is a result of our season of discontent and a demand to see a tsunami of change.”
A Times analysis of election results shows Lacey’s support in Black neighborhoods slipped between the primary and election. She won 51% of Black-plurality neighborhoods in March but just 42% in November. Her share of the vote in largely liberal Westside enclaves such as Santa Monica and Venice also fell off.
Gascón takes office Dec. 7. His victory could dramatically alter the operations of the district attorney’s office, where he will oversee roughly 1,200 prosecutors who file, on average, more than 100,000 cases each year. In San Francisco, Gascón made frequent use of diversion programs and alternative sentencing methods for defendants accused of nonviolent crimes, juveniles and those suffering from mental illness or drug addiction.
The moves helped lower San Francisco’s jail population during his eight years in office, but some police officials also blamed his policies for driving a historic surge in car break-ins.
During the campaign, Gascón said he would consider reopening investigations into a number of fatal police shootings in which Lacey declined to prosecute officers, including the 2016 killing of Brendon Glenn in Venice Beach. A staunch opponent of the death penalty, he also said he will work to have death row inmates who were convicted in L.A. County re-sentenced to life without parole. Gascón has also promised to expand the use of alternative sentencing courts and pretrial diversion programs for mentally ill defendants in Los Angeles, initiatives Lacey supported but faced criticism for not making broad use of.
Once in office, Gascón will have to find a way to mend fences with a law enforcement establishment that fiercely opposed his candidacy. Unions representing rank-and-file LAPD officers, sheriff’s deputies and deputy district attorneys spent millions in support of Lacey.
In a statement Friday, the Association of Deputy District Attorneys said its members would “remain devoted to carrying out our office’s nonpartisan and apolitical public mission: to protect our communities through the fair and ethical pursuit of justice and to safeguard the rights of crime victims.”
Gascón promised to work closely with those who opposed his election but also asked critics to cease suggesting the decades-long law enforcement veteran’s positions were antithetical to combating crime as well.
“Contrary to most of the rhetoric you’ve heard, I’m a public safety person. I’ve worked my entire life, since very early in my career, to make sure that people were protected,” he said.


latimes--2020-11-06--San Marino man accused of driving truck into Black Lives Matters protest freed on $10-million bond

A San Marino man accused of intentionally driving a truck into a crowd of Pasadena Black Lives Matter protesters and charged with conspiring to violate firearms laws will be released after his parents put up a $ 10-million property bond and he surrendered his stock of firearms , authorities said .
U.S. District Judge Stephen V. Wilson signed an order that Benjamin Jong Ren Hung , who is accused of collecting weapons and building a training camp for civil disorder , will be placed on electronic monitoring and subject to drug testing after his release once federal authorities take control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firearms discovered at his homes in San Marino and Lodi .
Hung drove a Dodge Ram truck flying three large flags related to right-wing extremist groups — a “ Thin Blue Line ” flag , a Gadsden “ Don ’ t Tread on Me ” yellow flag , and an original 13 states “ Betsy Ross ” American flag — into the crowd of Black Lives Matter protesters in the Old Pasadena shopping district in May , prosecutors said .
In court documents , federal prosecutors have shown Hung ’ s ties to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black Lives Matters protesters .
Hung ’ s family owns a winery in Lodi and a recreation vehicle park in Oregon .
Records showed Hung was still in the federal detention center in downtown Los Angeles on Friday morning .
Hung was charged with one count of conspiracy to transport firearms across state lines and making a false statement in relation to the acquisition of firearms .
According to an affidavit , he had collected weapons and equipment from suppliers across the country and turned his family ’ s Northern California vineyard into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engage in civil disorders.
” Pasadena police first arrested Hung on May 31 on suspicion of attempted assault with a deadly weapon after he intentionally drove into a crowd of protesters peacefully demonstrating against racial injustice , according to an FBI affidavit filed with the criminal complaint .
About 150 protesters had gathered at an intersection when a police sergeant “ saw the truck accelerate rapidly as it drove toward the crowd , and he saw the protesters , including two plainclothes PPD detectives , sprint out of the truck ’ s way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Special Agent Diamond Outlaw said .
When police searched Hung ’ s truck , they found a loaded semiautomatic handgun , various loaded high-capacity magazines , an 18-inch machete , $ 3,200 in cash , a megaphone and a long metal pipe .
He was charged in L.A. County Superior Court with a misdemeanor for carrying a loaded firearm , but not in relation to the attempted assault on the crowd .
A friend purchased the firearm that had been in Hung ’ s truck for him in Oregon and transported it to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s friend falsely represented that he was the transferee of the gun instead of Hung , according to an FBI affidavit .
Hung kept it at his home in San Marino , and bought at least three other firearms in Oregon and transported them to California earlier this year , documents show .

Tiffany & Co. sits along Colorado Boulevard in Old Pasadena. A man accused of driving his truck through a crowd of protesters in the area in May and charged with conspiring to violate firearms laws has been released on bond.
A San Marino man accused of intentionally driving a truck into a crowd of Pasadena Black Lives Matter protesters and charged with conspiring to violate firearms laws will be released after his parents put up a $10-million property bond and he surrendered his stock of firearms, authorities said.
U.S. District Judge Stephen V. Wilson signed an order that Benjamin Jong Ren Hung, who is accused of collecting weapons and building a training camp for civil disorder, will be placed on electronic monitoring and subject to drug testing after his release once federal authorities take control of the bond and an array of firearms discovered at his homes in San Marino and Lodi.
Hung drove a Dodge Ram truck flying three large flags related to right-wing extremist groups — a “Thin Blue Line” flag, a Gadsden “Don’t Tread on Me” yellow flag, and an original 13 states “Betsy Ross” American flag — into the crowd of Black Lives Matter protesters in the Old Pasadena shopping district in May, prosecutors said.
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In court documents, federal prosecutors have shown Hung’s ties to anti-government extremists and his discussions about targeting Black Lives Matters protesters. Hung’s family owns a winery in Lodi and a recreation vehicle park in Oregon. Records showed Hung was still in the federal detention center in downtown Los Angeles on Friday morning.
Hung was charged with one count of conspiracy to transport firearms across state lines and making a false statement in relation to the acquisition of firearms. According to an affidavit, he had collected weapons and equipment from suppliers across the country and turned his family’s Northern California vineyard into a training camp “to prepare to engage in civil disorders.”
Pasadena police first arrested Hung on May 31 on suspicion of attempted assault with a deadly weapon after he intentionally drove into a crowd of protesters peacefully demonstrating against racial injustice, according to an FBI affidavit filed with the criminal complaint.
About 150 protesters had gathered at an intersection when a police sergeant “saw the truck accelerate rapidly as it drove toward the crowd, and he saw the protesters, including two plainclothes PPD detectives, sprint out of the truck’s way to avoid being run over,” Special Agent Diamond Outlaw said.
When police searched Hung’s truck, they found a loaded semiautomatic handgun, various loaded high-capacity magazines, an 18-inch machete, $3,200 in cash, a megaphone and a long metal pipe. He was charged in L.A. County Superior Court with a misdemeanor for carrying a loaded firearm, but not in relation to the attempted assault on the crowd.
A friend purchased the firearm that had been in Hung’s truck for him in Oregon and transported it to California, prosecutors said. Hung’s friend falsely represented that he was the transferee of the gun instead of Hung, according to an FBI affidavit. Hung kept it at his home in San Marino, and bought at least three other firearms in Oregon and transported them to California earlier this year, documents show.
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Times staff writer Leila Miller contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-11-06--Ventura police fatally shoot man after pursuit

A Ventura police officer fatally shot a man at the end of a vehicle pursuit Thursday night , authorities said .
The Ventura Police Department said the man had a firearm , but the agency would not describe the final moments of the deadly encounter .
Late Friday afternoon , the Ventura County coroner ’ s office identified the man as Javier Magana , 32 , of Thousand Oaks .
A preliminary coroner ’ s investigation said Magana died from a gunshot to the chest .
Oxnard police vehicles were pursuing “ an armed suspect ” when he crossed into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city ’ s surface streets , Ventura Police Cmdr .
Sarah Starr said .
The man had been involved in a shooting in the neighboring city , she said .
Oxnard police officers radioed for assistance from Ventura police , and that department took over the pursuit about 7:30 p.m .
The driver crashed his vehicle near Harbor Boulevard and Seaward Avenue .
He got out of his vehicle and was shot by a Ventura police officer , Starr said in a statement .
“ The suspect was struck by the gunfire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
No officers or bystanders were injured , ” the statement said .
An armored Bearcat vehicle was at the scene Thursday night , and tactical officers had broken out the car ’ s window to make sure no other people were inside the vehicle .
When asked whether the man had a weapon in his hands or visible on his person at the time of the shooting , Starr declined to provide specifics and issued an updated statement .
“ The suspect was in possession of a loaded handgun at the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dynamic event with the critical events happening very quickly .
The investigation is still fresh and ongoing , ” she said .
“ The Ventura Police Department is committed to transparency and openness with our community .
We will release full details of this incident , including video , once we have all the facts and can report them accurately .
We expect to have more details and video released within one week .
”

An investigation is underway after a Ventura police officer fatally shot a man at the end of a vehicle pursuit from Oxnard, where he wanted in connection with an assault with a deadly weapon.
A Ventura police officer fatally shot a man at the end of a vehicle pursuit Thursday night, authorities said.
The Ventura Police Department said the man had a firearm, but the agency would not describe the final moments of the deadly encounter.
Late Friday afternoon, the Ventura County coroner’s office identified the man as Javier Magana, 32, of Thousand Oaks. A preliminary coroner’s investigation said Magana died from a gunshot to the chest.
Oxnard police vehicles were pursuing “an armed suspect” when he crossed into Ventura, and the chase continued onto the city’s surface streets, Ventura Police Cmdr. Sarah Starr said. The man had been involved in a shooting in the neighboring city, she said.
Oxnard police officers radioed for assistance from Ventura police, and that department took over the pursuit about 7:30 p.m.
The driver crashed his vehicle near Harbor Boulevard and Seaward Avenue. He got out of his vehicle and was shot by a Ventura police officer, Starr said in a statement.
“The suspect was struck by the gunfire and was pronounced deceased at the scene. No officers or bystanders were injured,” the statement said.
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An armored Bearcat vehicle was at the scene Thursday night, and tactical officers had broken out the car’s window to make sure no other people were inside the vehicle.
When asked whether the man had a weapon in his hands or visible on his person at the time of the shooting, Starr declined to provide specifics and issued an updated statement.
“The suspect was in possession of a loaded handgun at the time of the shooting. This was a dynamic event with the critical events happening very quickly. The investigation is still fresh and ongoing,” she said.
“The Ventura Police Department is committed to transparency and openness with our community. We will release full details of this incident, including video, once we have all the facts and can report them accurately. We expect to have more details and video released within one week.”


latimes--2020-11-06--Disney California Adventure to reopen some shops, restaurants with COVID-19 protocols

Though a widescale reopening remains off the table for now because of the COVID-19 pandemic , visitors will soon have more options at the Disneyland Resort .
Several stores and restaurants inside Disney California Adventure will open Nov. 19 as part of an extension of the Downtown Disney District , officials announced this week .
Those include Elias & Co. , Julius Katz & Sons , Kingswell Camera Shop , Trolley Treats , Smokejumpers Grill , Award Wieners , and Fiddler , Fifer & Practical Cafe .
Outdoor sit-down dining also will be available at the Carthay Circle restaurant .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a $ 10 parking fee at the Simba Lot .
Both Disney California Adventure and Disneyland remain closed because of COVID-19 restrictions .
Following safety protocols , the number of visitors allowed in the Downtown Disney District “ will be limited to promote physical distancing , ” according to a company statement .
Face coverings are also required for anyone 2 and older , and visitors will have their temperatures checked before entry .
“ With Buena Vista Street soon opening select shopping and dining experiences , guests can find even more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fun shopping excursion during their visit , ” the statement said .
Under guidelines the state released last month , large theme parks such as Disney ’ s can reopen only with modifications once their home counties have successfully stymied the spread of the coronavirus to the point that they can enter the least-restrictive category of California ’ s four-tiered , color-coded reopening roadmap .
Reaching Tier 4 , also called the yellow tier , requires a county to have less than one new coronavirus case per 100,000 people per day and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 % .
Orange County , home to the Disneyland Resort , is currently in the second-most-restrictive “ red ” tier — with an adjusted case rate of 6.0 and a 3.6 % positivity rate .

Stores and restaurants inside Disney’s California Adventure in Anaheim may reopen later this month.
Though a widescale reopening remains off the table for now because of the COVID-19 pandemic, visitors will soon have more options at the Disneyland Resort.
Several stores and restaurants inside Disney California Adventure will open Nov. 19 as part of an extension of the Downtown Disney District, officials announced this week.
Those include Elias & Co., Julius Katz & Sons, Kingswell Camera Shop, Trolley Treats, Smokejumpers Grill, Award Wieners, and Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe.
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Outdoor sit-down dining also will be available at the Carthay Circle restaurant.
Also starting Nov. 19, there will be a $10 parking fee at the Simba Lot.
Both Disney California Adventure and Disneyland remain closed because of COVID-19 restrictions. Following safety protocols, the number of visitors allowed in the Downtown Disney District “will be limited to promote physical distancing,” according to a company statement.
Face coverings are also required for anyone 2 and older, and visitors will have their temperatures checked before entry.
“With Buena Vista Street soon opening select shopping and dining experiences, guests can find even more places to enjoy a memorable meal or a fun shopping excursion during their visit,” the statement said.
Tracking coronavirus in Orange County The latest maps and charts on the spread of COVID-19 in Orange County, including cases, deaths, closures and restrictions.
Under guidelines the state released last month, large theme parks such as Disney’s can reopen only with modifications once their home counties have successfully stymied the spread of the coronavirus to the point that they can enter the least-restrictive category of California’s four-tiered, color-coded reopening roadmap.
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Reaching Tier 4, also called the yellow tier, requires a county to have less than one new coronavirus case per 100,000 people per day and a testing positivity rate of less than 2%.
Orange County, home to the Disneyland Resort, is currently in the second-most-restrictive “red” tier — with an adjusted case rate of 6.0 and a 3.6% positivity rate.


latimes--2020-11-06--Mother charged with murder after 2-year-old son dies of fentanyl overdose

A Bay Area woman has been charged with murder after prosecutors say her 2-year-old son died of a fentanyl overdose while under her care .
Genesis Barrera-Galdamez , 22 , of Brentwood was also charged with felony child abuse and felony possession of fentanyl to sell , according to the Contra Costa County district attorney ’ s office .
She also faces enhanced charges of willful harm causing injury and great bodily injury resulting in brain damage and paralysis .
An autopsy report found that the toddler , Jasani Kerry Jr. , died of acute fentanyl toxicity , the D.A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a synthetic opioid that ’ s up to 100 times stronger than morphine and has been responsible for a of U.S. overdose deaths each year .
“ While the defendant did not intend that her son Jasani die , the evidence shows that she was aware her fentanyl possession and use was dangerous to human life , ” said Derek Butts , homicide unit supervisor for the Contra Costa district attorney ’ s office .
“ Well known amongst abusers , fentanyl is an exceptionally toxic and dangerous substance , ” Butts said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to or supplying others with fentanyl , if death results , can lead to murder charges.
” Prosecutors say that Barrera-Galdamez called police in the early morning hours of Sept. 20 and reported that her son was not breathing and nonresponsive .
He appeared blue and his body was very cold , she said .
“ It was the call that every officer dreads to hear , ” Brentwood police said in a post on Facebook .
Medical response personnel performed CPR for over 30 minutes but were not able to revive the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drug paraphernalia on and around the bed Barrera-Galdamez shared with her son , including 13 grams of powdered fentanyl and baggies and foil pieces containing fentanyl residue , prosecutors said .
The district attorney ’ s office alleges that Berrera-Galdamez tried to sell fentanyl to “ multiple parties ” after her son ’ s death .
She was arrested at a Comfort Inn in Antioch on Oct. 29 and charged with selling the drug .
In an online obituary published by the family , Jasani was described as a “ special boy whose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone ’ s hearts.
” He loved throwing balls and playing with cars and balloons , the obituary said .
Berrera-Galdamez ’ s bail was set at $ 1.1 million .
Her arraignment is scheduled for Nov. 18 .

A 2-year-old boy died of a fentanyl overdose in Brentwood, Calif., and his mother has been charged with murder.
A Bay Area woman has been charged with murder after prosecutors say her 2-year-old son died of a fentanyl overdose while under her care.
Genesis Barrera-Galdamez, 22, of Brentwood was also charged with felony child abuse and felony possession of fentanyl to sell, according to the Contra Costa County district attorney’s office. She also faces enhanced charges of willful harm causing injury and great bodily injury resulting in brain damage and paralysis.
An autopsy report found that the toddler, Jasani Kerry Jr., died of acute fentanyl toxicity, the D.A.’s office said. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that’s up to 100 times stronger than morphine and has been responsible for a growing number of U.S. overdose deaths each year.
“While the defendant did not intend that her son Jasani die, the evidence shows that she was aware her fentanyl possession and use was dangerous to human life,” said Derek Butts, homicide unit supervisor for the Contra Costa district attorney’s office.
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“Well known amongst abusers, fentanyl is an exceptionally toxic and dangerous substance,” Butts said. “The act of exposing people to or supplying others with fentanyl, if death results, can lead to murder charges.”
Prosecutors say that Barrera-Galdamez called police in the early morning hours of Sept. 20 and reported that her son was not breathing and nonresponsive. He appeared blue and his body was very cold, she said.
“It was the call that every officer dreads to hear,” Brentwood police said in a post on Facebook.
Medical response personnel performed CPR for over 30 minutes but were not able to revive the child.
Officers found multiple items of drug paraphernalia on and around the bed Barrera-Galdamez shared with her son, including 13 grams of powdered fentanyl and baggies and foil pieces containing fentanyl residue, prosecutors said.
The district attorney’s office alleges that Berrera-Galdamez tried to sell fentanyl to “multiple parties” after her son’s death. She was arrested at a Comfort Inn in Antioch on Oct. 29 and charged with selling the drug.
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In an online obituary published by the family, Jasani was described as a “special boy whose smile brightened up any room and warmed everyone’s hearts.” He loved throwing balls and playing with cars and balloons, the obituary said.
Berrera-Galdamez’s bail was set at $1.1 million. Her arraignment is scheduled for Nov. 18.


latimes--2020-11-06--Firefighters get control of brush fire near San Dimas

A brush fire that broke out early Friday near San Dimas has been largely controlled , officials said .
The fire broke out around San Dimas Canyon and Golden Hills roads around 4 a.m. , according to a tweet from the U.S. Forest Service .
By noon , the blaze had consumed about 100 acres and was 25 % contained .
Firefighters stopped forward progress on the blaze about five hours after it began .
“ The fire is no longer moving .
It ’ s no longer spreading , ” Los Angeles County Fire Department spokesman Marvin Lim said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on containing it fully , but there ’ s no more active flame that ’ s spreading.
” Three firefighters suffered minor “ lower-extremity ” injuries while battling the blaze , Los Angeles County Fire Department spokesman Sean Ferguson said .
Two of the firefighters were with L.A. County , and one was with the Forest Service .
He could not confirm whether the injuries were burns .
The firefighters were transported off the hillside by helicopter and taken to a nearby hospital .
The fire was burning in dense vegetation within the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Service spokesman Andrew Mitchell .
Experimental forests are areas designated for research ; the one in San Dimas was established in 1933 and is the only such forest in Southern California .
Firefighters battled the fire from the air and on the ground , and Lim said they would continue to lay hose lines throughout the day .
No homes were threatened by the blaze .
Southern California had experienced dry and warmer-than-normal temperatures over the past two days , but back-to-back storms , the first of which is moving in Friday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chance of rain and mountain snow , the National Weather Service reported Thursday .
The cause of the fire is still under investigation .

The fire broke out around 4 a.m. and was burning in dense vegetation, but no homes are currently threatened, the U.S. Forest Service said.
A brush fire that broke out early Friday near San Dimas has been largely controlled, officials said.
The fire broke out around San Dimas Canyon and Golden Hills roads around 4 a.m., according to a tweet from the U.S. Forest Service. By noon, the blaze had consumed about 100 acres and was 25% contained. Firefighters stopped forward progress on the blaze about five hours after it began.
“The fire is no longer moving. It’s no longer spreading,” Los Angeles County Fire Department spokesman Marvin Lim said. “We’re still working on containing it fully, but there’s no more active flame that’s spreading.”
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Three firefighters suffered minor “lower-extremity” injuries while battling the blaze, Los Angeles County Fire Department spokesman Sean Ferguson said. Two of the firefighters were with L.A. County, and one was with the Forest Service. He could not confirm whether the injuries were burns.
The firefighters were transported off the hillside by helicopter and taken to a nearby hospital.
The fire was burning in dense vegetation within the San Dimas experimental forest, said Forest Service spokesman Andrew Mitchell. Experimental forests are areas designated for research; the one in San Dimas was established in 1933 and is the only such forest in Southern California.
Firefighters battled the fire from the air and on the ground, and Lim said they would continue to lay hose lines throughout the day.
No homes were threatened by the blaze.
Southern California had experienced dry and warmer-than-normal temperatures over the past two days, but back-to-back storms, the first of which is moving in Friday, will bring cooler temperatures and a good chance of rain and mountain snow, the National Weather Service reported Thursday.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.


latimes--2020-11-06--California bans insurers from dropping coverage for 2.1 million homes in fire-stricken areas

With parts of California still smoldering , the state Department of Insurance has issued a one-year moratorium prohibiting insurers from canceling or not renewing about 2.1 million homeowners ’ policies , the second consecutive year policyholders in or near fire-stricken areas have gotten a temporary measure of relief .
The move will temporarily protect homeowner policies in from Siskiyou to San Diego counties .
“ Losing your insurance should be the last thing on someone ’ s mind after surviving a devastating fire , ” said Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara in a statement Thursday .
“ My action gives millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pause button on insurance non-renewals while we take additional steps to expand our competitive market.
” Repeated , destructive wind-driven fires in forest and foothill communities have been bleeding billions of dollars of insurance provider profits in recent years , leading them to spike premiums or flee the marketplace altogether .
In 2020 alone , wildfires have burned across 4 million acres of local , state and federal land — more than twice the state ’ s previous record — destroying thousands of homes and killing at least 30 people .
Lara ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adjacent to state-declared disaster zones from this year ’ s wildfires and includes homeowners in the following counties : Butte , Fresno , Lake , Los Angeles , Madera , Mariposa , Mendocino , Napa , Nevada , Monterey , Plumas , San Bernardino , San Diego , San Mateo , Santa Clara , Santa Cruz , Siskiyou , Solano , Stanislaus , Yolo and Yuba .
It ’ s the second moratorium Lara has issued since taking office in 2019 and though the initial move elicited concerns it would dissuade insurers from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major insurance groups have said they are complying with the order .
A 2018 study showed humans continue to settle despite the increased fire risks .
In a joint statement , the American Property Casualty Insurance Assn .
and Personal Insurance Federation of California said it ’ s time they “ adapt to this new reality.
” “ We hope to work collaboratively on comprehensive solutions to better account for increased wildfire risk in homeowners coverage , which will increase availability of insurance , ” the statement said .
“ While changing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we need to take action now to make our communities more resilient and protect the lives and property of all Californians.
” About 413,000 of last year ’ s protected policyholders will be protected again under Lara ’ s new order , though some 600,000 will not .
Beyond the moratorium , Lara ’ s office is working with insurance providers and consumer advocates and others to find agreement on how to stabilize the state ’ s insurance market , which is the fourth largest in the world .
Over the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both macro and micro , from climate change to California ’ s housing costs and availability , have converged head-on in the state ’ s wildland-urban interface where the suburbs blend into rugged mountain terrain .
Residents are seeing policy premiums jump by hundreds of percent a year while others are opting to quietly forgo coverage altogether .
Still others have turned to the secondary market , which has fewer consumer protections , or to the state ’ s plan for high-risk policies which is more expensive and offers less coverage .
Between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 31 % increase in homeowner policy non-renewals statewide and a 61 % increase in areas deemed at moderate or very high risk of fire , according to state data .
The worst-hit counties watched insurers refuse to renew policies at an even greater clip while those that remained jacked up their policy premiums .
To stem the rising tide against homeowners , Lara ’ s office announced earlier this year that changes were coming down the pike for insurers , including a requirement that they offer an incentive for homeowners who reduce fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in how insurers calculate their risks and justify their premiums .
A second hearing on the possible changes is scheduled for Dec. 10 .
“ If we don ’ t want to be in this position every year , we have to reduce the risk to lives and homes , which means everyone plays a part — homeowners and state and local governments through home-hardening , the federal government though forest management , and the insurance industry working as a partner , ” the commissioner ’ s statement said .

The remains of a burned home in the Bobcat fire in the Angeles National Forest in Juniper Hills.
With parts of California still smoldering, the state Department of Insurance has issued a one-year moratorium prohibiting insurers from canceling or not renewing about 2.1 million homeowners’ policies, the second consecutive year policyholders in or near fire-stricken areas have gotten a temporary measure of relief.
The move will temporarily protect homeowner policies in select ZIP Codes from Siskiyou to San Diego counties.
“Losing your insurance should be the last thing on someone’s mind after surviving a devastating fire,” said Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara in a statement Thursday. “My action gives millions of Californians breathing room and hits the pause button on insurance non-renewals while we take additional steps to expand our competitive market.”
Repeated, destructive wind-driven fires in forest and foothill communities have been bleeding billions of dollars of insurance provider profits in recent years, leading them to spike premiums or flee the marketplace altogether.
In 2020 alone, wildfires have burned across 4 million acres of local, state and federal land — more than twice the state’s previous record — destroying thousands of homes and killing at least 30 people.
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Lara’s order affects homeowner policies in and adjacent to state-declared disaster zones from this year’s wildfires and includes homeowners in the following counties: Butte, Fresno, Lake, Los Angeles, Madera, Mariposa, Mendocino, Napa, Nevada, Monterey, Plumas, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Siskiyou, Solano, Stanislaus, Yolo and Yuba.
It’s the second moratorium Lara has issued since taking office in 2019 and though the initial move elicited concerns it would dissuade insurers from covering homes in fire-vulnerable areas, two major insurance groups have said they are complying with the order. A 2018 study showed humans continue to settle despite the increased fire risks.
In a joint statement, the American Property Casualty Insurance Assn. and Personal Insurance Federation of California said it’s time they “adapt to this new reality.”
“We hope to work collaboratively on comprehensive solutions to better account for increased wildfire risk in homeowners coverage, which will increase availability of insurance,” the statement said. “While changing the trajectory of climate change will take time, we need to take action now to make our communities more resilient and protect the lives and property of all Californians.”
About 413,000 of last year’s protected policyholders will be protected again under Lara’s new order, though some 600,000 will not.
Beyond the moratorium, Lara’s office is working with insurance providers and consumer advocates and others to find agreement on how to stabilize the state’s insurance market, which is the fourth largest in the world.
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Over the last three years, a number of issues both macro and micro, from climate change to California’s housing costs and availability, have converged head-on in the state’s wildland-urban interface where the suburbs blend into rugged mountain terrain.
Residents are seeing policy premiums jump by hundreds of percent a year while others are opting to quietly forgo coverage altogether. Still others have turned to the secondary market, which has fewer consumer protections, or to the state’s plan for high-risk policies which is more expensive and offers less coverage.
Between 2018 and 2019, there was a 31% increase in homeowner policy non-renewals statewide and a 61% increase in areas deemed at moderate or very high risk of fire, according to state data. The worst-hit counties watched insurers refuse to renew policies at an even greater clip while those that remained jacked up their policy premiums.
To stem the rising tide against homeowners, Lara’s office announced earlier this year that changes were coming down the pike for insurers, including a requirement that they offer an incentive for homeowners who reduce fire risks on their property and greater transparency in how insurers calculate their risks and justify their premiums.
A second hearing on the possible changes is scheduled for Dec. 10.
“If we don’t want to be in this position every year, we have to reduce the risk to lives and homes, which means everyone plays a part — homeowners and state and local governments through home-hardening, the federal government through forest management, and the insurance industry working as a partner,” the commissioner’s statement said.