Tag: suspicion

Leaders of secretive California religious group accused of murder after members vanish
Two leaders of a group described as “cult-like” by authorities in the Inland Empire have been arrested along with a prominent member on suspicion of murder amid multiple investigations into the disappearance of two former members and the death of a 4-year-old boy many years ago.

Darryl Muzic Martin, 58, who identifies himself as the pastor of His Way Spirit Led Assemblies, and Shelley Bailey “Kat” Martin, 62, who refers to herself as a prophetess and a gifted oracle, have been arrested on suspicion of murder along with member Rudy Moreno, 43, according to Redlands police.

The leaders of the group have been under investigation in connection with the disappearance of former member Emilio Ghanem in May 2023 after visiting a Redlands Starbucks. Separately, Claremont police are investigating the disappearance of Moreno’s brother, Ruben, who was also a member, while Colton police have been probing the death of 4-year-old Timothy Thomas in 2010, who was in the Martins’ custody when he died after not receiving medical treatment.

Authorities have yet to explain whom they allege each person killed. But Darryl Martin’s booking records in the Riverside County jail show he was held on allegations of murder, possession of a machine gun, and explosives. His wife was booked in the San Bernardino County jail on suspicion of murder and possession of a machine gun. Moreno was booked on suspicion of second-degree murder, possession of a firearm by a felon, and possession of a machine gun. The arrests occurred Thursday morning.

On Aug. 6, Redlands police, with help from the FBI, swarmed the current base of His Way Spirit Led Assemblies in Hemet as part of the investigation into the disappearance of Ghanem.

Emilio Ghanem was reported missing in May 2023.

(Redlands Police Department)

Four residents were briefly detained, with two booked on unrelated weapons charges, police said. Several illegal firearms — converted fully automatic rifles, short-barreled rifles and unserialized ghost guns, were recovered.

Police conducted a similar raid on Aug. 12 at a remote compound connected to the group in the Riverside County town of Anza, where they briefly detained eight people and recovered electronic devices and other digital evidence, according to Redlands Police Department spokesperson Carl Baker.

Officers at that time also detained the Martins at a motel in Laguna Hills but ultimately released them without seeking any criminal charges.

But the investigation did not stop.

Authorities began giving the group a closer look last year, after Ghanem had disappeared and investigators found the truck he’d been driving along with other evidence that led them to believe a homicide may have occurred.

Ghanem joined His Way Spirit Led Assemblies around 2000 and helped launch a pest control business run by the group, called Fullshield Inc., his sister, Jennifer Ghanem, said.

For many years, he lived in one of the group’s Colton homes.
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A California religious group that police describe as ‘cult-like’ has landed in the spotlight after a 4-year-old boy died and two members disappeared.
In April 2023, Ghanem left both the religious group and the company it operated, MaxGuard, behind and moved to Nashville to reunite with his family. Ghanem started his own pest control company, then returned to the Inland Empire to open a satellite office to win back some of his old clients before he disappeared.

While Redlands police were looking into Ghanem’s disappearance, over the summer Claremont police announced that another missing man, Ruben Moreno, had been affiliated with the group. Moreno was reported missing in 2019.

As word of the Redlands police investigation spread, Colton police renewed its investigation into the death of 4-year-old Timothy Thomas on Jan. 16, 2010 — after he died within an hour of the 911 call, according to the coroner’s report. He was in the custody of Darryl and Shelley Martin at the time.

Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the January 2010 death of Timothy Thomas.

(Colton Police Department)

Timothy’s cause of death was ruled to be septic shock due to a ruptured appendix, according to the coroner’s report. Detectives suspect neglect also played a role, according to Colton detectives.

Police recommended charges against the Martins in 2010, but the San Bernardino County district attorney’s office declined to prosecute.

Neither the Martins nor their attorney has responded to The Times’ inquiries.

Timothy Thomas was staying with members of His Way Spirit Led Assemblies in Colton when he suffered a medical emergency, authorities say.

(Daniel Flesher / LA Times Studios)

When Timothy died, group members were uncooperative with the investigation and gave conflicting testimony, making it challenging to prosecute the case, authorities said.

At the time, then-Det. Jack Morenberg, who was investigating, expressed concern over allegations of child abuse and said the home had the appearance of a possible “‘cult-like’ ministry,” according to the coroner’s investigative report.

As part of the probe, Darryl Martin told police that Timothy’s parents had given him and his wife temporary custody of their three children because their mother had problems and couldn’t provide a stable home, according to the report. One of Timothy’s aunts told police that the Martins would not allow the boy’s mother to see him, or her other children.

A second aunt felt that Darryl Martin was responsible for Timothy’s death and reported this to Colton police and child protective services in an effort to get the boy’s two remaining siblings removed from the house, according to the report. That aunt said that Martin had instructed Timothy not to vomit and “showed him how to place his hand over his mouth to stop the vomit from coming out,” the report states.

Since Timothy’s death, several members have parted ways with the group and recently revised their statements to Colton police, saying that their original testimony was made under duress from the group’s leaders, Colton police Sgt. Shawn McFarland told The Times recently.

In September, Colton police officials said they planned to resubmit the death investigation to prosecutors based on new evidence.

Because of the statute of limitations, McFarland said, the only charge available to pursue is child homicide or murder.
Richard Winton, Clara Harter

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December 12, 2025
Singer Ray J arrested on Thanksgiving Day on suspicion of making threats in Los Angeles

R&B singer Ray J was arrested early Thanksgiving morning, according to jail records and a police spokesman.

The 44-year-old artist — whose legal name is Willie Norwood — was arrested on suspicion of making criminal threats, according to Los Angeles Police Department Capt. Mike Bland.

Jail records show Norwood was arrested around 4 a.m. by officers from LAPD’s Devonshire Division, which patrols parts of the San Fernando Valley including Chatsworth and Northridge.

Bland could not provide details on the incident or say exactly where Norwood was arrested. He was released on $50,000 bond a few hours after his arrest, according to jail records.

The younger brother of actress and singer Brandy, Norwood is best known for the tracks “One Wish” and “Sexy Can I.” He was sued for defamation in October by his ex-girlfriend, Kim Kardashian, over comments he made in a TMZ documentary.

Ray J is married to actor and producer Princess Love Norwood, whom he co-starred with on the reality show “Love & Hip Hop,” which showcased an often contentious relationship. The two, who share two children, are in the process of a divorce, as People reported last year.

James Queally

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November 27, 2025
Woman found dead in trash can in Costa Mesa, was killed by a friend, police say

A 38-year-old woman was found dead in a backyard trash can in Costa Mesa on Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.

A man was arrested in Glendale on suspicion of murder. Police said he was a friend of the woman.

The victim, whose identity was not released pending notification of her family, was found around 2:27 p.m. at a home in the 1900 block of Maple Avenue, according to a news release.

As Costa Mesa police conducted an investigation Tuesday, the home was cordoned off with crime scene tape. In interviews, neighbors described the area as safe and the incident as shocking.

“Never a problem, never had any type of violence or anything like that, any disturbance,” said a neighbor who gave only her first name, Sherri.

No further details were available.

Anyone who may have additional information is asked to call Det. K. Moore at (714) 754-4986.

OnScene.TV contributed to this report.

Sandra McDonald

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October 22, 2024
Fire engineer arrested on suspicion of setting blazes in Northern California

While fellow firefighters were battling voracious blazes throughout Northern California, Cal Fire engineer Robert Hernandez is accused of igniting his own fires, according to authorities.

Hernandez, 38, was arrested Friday morning on suspicion of committing arson on forest land in the areas surrounding Geyserville, Healdsburg and Windsor, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the agency tasked with fire prevention on the state’s more than 31 million acres of privately owned wildlands.

“I am appalled to learn one of our employees would violate the public’s trust and attempt to tarnish the tireless work of the 12,000 women and men of Cal Fire,” Joe Tyler, the agency’s director and fire chief, said in a statement.

A Cal Fire spokesperson said the agency would not be providing any additional details.

Hernandez’s case is unusual but not unique.

Former Glendale Fire Capt. John Orr proclaimed his innocence even as he was sentenced in 1992 to 30 years in federal prison for setting fire to three stores in the San Joaquin Valley in 1987 as he drove home from an arson investigators conference in Fresno.

Orr, a 17-year firefighting veteran, was also sentenced to four consecutive life terms in prison for the 1984 fire at Ole’s Home Center in South Pasadena.

Cal Fire law enforcement officials allege Hernandez started five fires while off duty: the Alexander fire on Aug. 15, the Windsor River Road fire on Sept. 8, the Geyers fire on Sept. 12 and the Geyser and Kinley fires on Sept. 14.

The blazes, in total, scorched less than an acre of wildland, according to Cal Fire, due in part to fire-suppression resources promoted by the agency.

Cal Fire said it was in the process of booking Hernandez into Sonoma County Jail.

The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Hernandez had not been booked as of 11 a.m. Friday.

Cal Fire is asking residents to take note of suspicious persons when a fire starts.

Anyone with information about potential arson is asked to contact the Cal Fire arson hotline at (800) 468-4408. Callers may remain anonymous.

Andrew J. Campa

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September 20, 2024
Men charged with murder in Johnny Wactor’s death implicated themselves in jailhouse talk, sources say

Prosecutors on Monday charged two men with known associations to a notorious South Los Angeles street gang with murder in the death of “General Hospital” actor Johnny Wactor after the suspects implicated themselves during jailhouse discussions, sources told The Times.

Two other men were also charged with lesser crimes in connection with Wactor’s death, authorities said.

Robert Barceleau, 18, is accused of shooting Wactor after the actor came upon him and two other members of the Florencia 13 gang on Hope Street near Pico Boulevard and confronted them because he thought they were trying to tow his car in the wee hours of May 25. Authorities say the men were jacking up Wactor’s car to steal its catalytic converter and he was shot after accosting them.

Johnny Wactor was shot to death after interrupting men trying to steal his car’s catalytic converter on May 25, authorities say.

(Willy Sanjuan / Invision / Associated Press)

Barceleau, who is also known as “Smallz,” is an identified member of the Florencia 13 gang, according to information from a search warrant filed in the Wactor investigation. His fingerprints, as well as those of Sergio Estrada and Leonel Gutierrez, matched those lifted from the floor jack left at Wactor’s car, according to the search warrant. Authorities say Estrada, a.k.a. “Prieto,” and Gutierrez, or “Tripps” — both also 18 — are affiliated with the gang.

Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. George Gascón and interim LAPD Chief Dominic Choi said more than 50 search warrants were served in the case.

Witnesses identified Gutierrez as a suspect in Wactor’s slaying because of a distinct “F” tattoo on his face — for Florencia, police said.

The three men were arrested Thursday on suspicion of murder. A fourth person — Frank Olano, 22 — was arrested on suspicion of being an accessory to murder.

After their arrests, some of the men implicated themselves in the slaying during recorded jailhouse conversations, according to two law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation but not authorized to discuss it publicly.

Calling Wactor’s death a “senseless shooting,” Gascón on Monday charged Barceleau and Estrada with murder.

Barceleau was charged with special circumstances murder during an attempted robbery with personal use of a firearm, attempted robbery, grand theft and aggravated circumstances of using a firearm. If convicted, he faces life without the possibility of parole.

Anita Joy, right, who was with Johnny Factor when he was killed, hugs Gary Hoiness after Monday’s news conference where murder charges against Factor’s suspected killers were announced.

(Al Seib/For The Times)

Estrada was charged with murder with the use of a firearm, attempted robbery and grand theft with a firearm.

Gutierrez was charged with attempted robbery and grand theft with allegations of a principal armed with a firearm.

Olano was charged with one count of accessory after the fact to murder, one count of receiving stolen property and three counts of being a felon with a firearm.

“There are two that are facing life in prison, one life without the possibility,” Gascón said during a news conference Monday. “One of them fired a weapon; the other one was there. … Barceleau fired the gun.”

Barceleau, Gutierrez and Estrada all have lengthy criminal histories, according to court and arrest documents reviewed by The Times.

Barceleau has previously been arrested on suspicion of assault with a firearm, robbery and burglary. Gutierrez has prior arrests on suspicion of possession of a firearm, vehicle theft, grand theft, assault with great bodily injury, battery and robbery. Estrada’s priors include suspicion of assault with a firearm, robbery and burglary. Alano, a.k.a. “Little,” has been arrested on suspicion of grand theft, vandalism, possession of a firearm and assault on a police officer.

Barceleau is being held without bail, and Estrada is being held in lieu of $2.070 million bail. Olano’s bail was set at $1.08 million and Gutierrez’s at $120,000.

Moses Castillo, a retired LAPD detective and advocate for the Wactor family, said the failure to file special gang allegations against the men, as the district attorney has repeatedly done in prior gang cases, means the men will face far less time in prison if convicted.

L.A. County Dist. Atty. George Gascón and interim LAPD Chief Dominic Choi announced murder and other charges Monday against slain “General Hospital’’ actor Johnny Wactor’s suspected assailants.

(Al Seib/For The Times)

Neither Gascón nor Choi would discuss the evidence in the case, including any statements made by the accused. All four appeared in a downtown court Monday and were waiting to be called for their hearing.

The charges come after friends of the actor called for the district attorney to lock up those responsible for the actor’s death.

“I don’t think it is right that these suspects, whoever killed Johnny, ever gets freedom ever again,” fellow actor Micah Parker said Monday outside the downtown criminal courts building. “That is justice in our eyes, and we asked George Gascón to serve justice and do his job today.”

Parker and others were asking the district attorney to commit to seeking the maximum sentence for the men — life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Wactor’s slaying has become symbolic of growing issues related to violent robberies in Los Angeles, and particularly the rise of street violence in the city’s downtown core.

The actor had finished a shift at the Level 8 bar about 3:20 a.m. May 25 when he and co-worker Anita Joy were walking to his car and interrupted the thieves.

Wactor first thought his car was being towed, Joy said. After realizing that wasn’t the case, he asked the men to leave, showing his open hands to indicate he wasn’t a threat. Nevertheless, he was shot at close range, Joy said. A security guard from the bar said he found Joy and the mortally wounded Wactor and called 911.

Joy asked Wactor whether he was OK, and he responded, “Nope. I’ve been shot,” according to the statement of probable cause in the arrests of the suspects.

After the shooting, the men fled north on Hope Street in a stolen getaway car described as a 2018 black four-door Infiniti Q50 with a tan interior, police said.

Given the description of the assailants and some security video from the scene, the focus of the investigation almost immediately turned to Florencia 13 gang members tied to catalytic converter thefts in the region.

After reviewing videos and interviewing witnesses, homicide detectives with the Los Angeles Police Department identified the suspects. Barceleau had been arrested June 5 on suspicion of assault by the LAPD, but was not charged with a crime and was released the same day.

It was not until this month that arrests were made, after repeated efforts by friends, family and politicians calling for more resources on the case and a tougher approach to crime in Los Angeles.

After the arrests, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass thanked police “for their continued efforts to keep Angelenos safe and to bring justice to victims of violence.”

“Now, we must ensure that those who are responsible for this brazen and heinous act are held fully accountable,” she said.

On Monday, Choi said the “tragic, untimely death” of Wactor has left a void in the hearts of his family, friends and fans as well as the broader community.

“To the family and loved ones of Mr. Wactor, we know that no legal action can bring back the person you have lost, but we hope that today’s announcement brings some measure of comfort in knowing that those who are responsible are no longer on the streets and not going to be able to hurt anyone again,” Choi said.

Richard Winton

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August 19, 2024
D.A. Gascón to announce charges Monday in killing of actor Johnny Wactor

Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. George Gascón will announce criminal charges Monday in the slaying of “General Hospital” actor Johnny Wactor, who was killed in May by men suspected of trying to steal the catalytic converter from his car.

Los Angeles Police Department Interim Chief Dominic Choi will also be on hand at the press conference scheduled for 3 p.m. at the Hall of Justice downtown, according to a news release from the L.A. County district attorney’s office issued Sunday.

Four men were arrested in connection to the killing, LAPD announced last week. Law enforcement sources told The Times the investigation had focused on Florencia 13 gang members tied to catalytic converter thefts in the region.

After reviewing videos and interviewing witnesses, LAPD homicide detectives identified three men, one with distinctive facial tattoos, who they say jacked up Wactor’s car on Hope Street near Pico Boulevard in order to steal its catalytic converter on the morning of May 25. Wactor was shot when he confronted the men.

Robert Barceleau, Leonel Gutierrez and Sergio Estrada were booked on suspicion of murder Thursday and held in lieu of $2-million bail, according to L.A. County Sheriff’s Department records. An additional person, Frank Olano, 22, was arrested on suspicion of being an accessory to murder.

Wactor had just finished a late night bartending shift at the nearby Level 8 bar about 3:20 a.m when he and co-worker Anita Joy were walking to his car and interrupted the thieves.

Wactor first thought his car was being towed, Joy said. After realizing that wasn’t the case, he asked the men to leave, showing his open hands to indicate he wasn’t a threat. Nevertheless, he was shot at close range, Joy said. A security guard from the bar said he found Joy and the mortally wounded Wactor and called 911.

After the shooting, the suspects fled north on Hope Street in a stolen getaway car described as a 2018 black four-door Infiniti Q50 with a tan interior, police said.

Thieves target catalytic converters because they contain precious metals, including rhodium, palladium and platinum. They can sell for hundreds of dollars to auto parts suppliers or scrapyards, where they can be melted down and the valuable metals extracted.

Thefts of catalytic converters skyrocketed in California during the COVID-19 pandemic. That prompted new state laws that make it illegal for recyclers to buy the parts from anyone other than the vehicle’s legal owner or a licensed dealer. Penalties were increased for buyers who fail to certify that a catalytic converter wasn’t stolen.

Ben Poston

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August 18, 2024
Boxer Ryan Garcia arrested on suspicion of felony vandalism in Beverly Hills

Boxing star Ryan Garcia was arrested on suspicion of felony vandalism at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Beverly Hills on Saturday evening, authorities said.

A watch commander at the Beverly Hills Police Department confirmed the arrest but could not answer additional questions. Media representatives for the city and police agency did not immediately respond to requests for comment Sunday morning.

The boxer’s attorney, Darin Chavez, told ESPN that his client might also face charges of public intoxication and said the Victorville-born athlete has been struggling with family and mental health issues recently.

“Ryan has been open about his struggles with mental health over the years, and at this time he is dealing with an immense emotional burden,” Chavez said in a statement to ESPN. “The support and understanding from fans and the public are crucial as he navigates these personal challenges. We are working diligently to provide Ryan with the resources he needs.”

An employee who answered a phone call at the hotel Sunday morning referred all questions to police, citing a guest privacy policy.

Garcia, 25, would not have automatically been required to post bail in relation to a felony vandalism charge. A case will now likely be presented to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.

Garcia (25-1, 20 KOs) made headlines in April when he knocked off unbeaten World Boxing Council super lightweight champion Devin Haney by decision in Brooklyn. The fight has been mired in controversy — Garcia came in over the 140-pound weight limit, so the WBC junior welterweight title did not change hands. Garcia has since tested positive for a banned substance.

Observers had also noted that Garcia was acting erratic and making bizarre social media posts in the leadup to the fight. That trend continued Saturday afternoon. Just hours before his arrest, Garcia was posting messages to X about people protecting “pedos,” shorthand for pedophiles, and complained he hadn’t been paid yet for the Haney fight.

“Everyone is disgusting [expletive] trying to hide their wrongs,” Garcia wrote in his last post around 3 p.m. Saturday.

James Queally

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June 9, 2024
Los Angeles woman arrested again on suspicion of attempted kidnapping in Koreatown

For the second time this year, a Los Angeles woman with a mental health disorder has been arrested on suspicion of attempting to kidnap a child in Koreatown.

Her previous sentencing for attempted kidnapping resulted in a diversion program for a mental health disorder that the court believed had a role in her initial crime.

But police say she tried another abduction Tuesday, when LAPD officers responded to reports of a woman approaching children about 5 p.m. at Seoul International Park on the 3200 block of San Marino Street, according to the department.

Witnesses who spoke to officers said the woman, identified as Yara Vanessa Pineda, approached several children, picked them up and then let them go, KTLA-TV Channel 5 reported.

Pineda, 27, allegedly put the children down after their parents confronted her, and then she fled.

Officers saw Pineda running down Normandie Avenue and tried to arrest her, said Jader Chaves, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department. She resisted, and officers used a Taser to subdue her, Chaves said.

The LAPD had arrested her Feb. 28 on suspicion of trying to kidnap a young boy from a Target.

On Feb. 25, Olympic Division officers responded to a report that Pineda allegedly grabbed a 4-year-old child from behind and carried him out of the store, according to a police report.

Pineda allegedly put the child down after his parents confronted her outside. The family told officers they didn’t know Pineda.

Three days later, officers in the North Hollywood area got a call from a person who saw Pineda and recognized her from a community alert issued by police. She was found and arrested in the attempted kidnapping.

On May 21, Pineda was sentenced to two years of a mental health diversion program. It was unclear from court records why she was released so recently after the previous arrest.

A court is allowed to grant a mental health diversion for individuals with a felony charge if they are diagnosed with a mental health disorder and do not pose a significant safety risk if treated in the community, according to the California Department of State Hospitals. The charges, however, can’t be murder, voluntary manslaughter, rape or lewd and lascivious acts with a child under the age of 14.

The diagnosis can be of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or bipolar disorder.

Pineda’s diagnosis was not disclosed in court documents.

A mental health diversion is granted when the court deems that a mental health disorder played a role in the criminal behavior.

Karen Garcia

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May 30, 2024
Woman arrested in theft of French bulldog that left victim clinging to hood of car

Authorities have arrested a woman on suspicion of stealing a French bulldog in downtown Los Angeles last month in an incident that gained attention when onlookers filmed the victim clinging to the hood of a car as it sped away with her dog, Onyx, inside.

Police arrested Sadie Slater, 21, of Los Angeles, in connection with the crime, according to a news release from the Los Angeles Police Department.

Onyx was not recovered as of Saturday afternoon, but detectives were still conducting interviews, police said.

Ali Zacharias’ heartbreak began Jan. 18 when she was on a lunch break with Onyx at the Whole Foods on Grand Avenue near 8th Street, she told The Times in an interview. Onlookers were watching the 44-year-old interact with her dog: a black-and-white-speckled French bulldog a little over a year old with different colored eyes, the left blue and the right green.

The next thing Zacharias knew, she said, a woman had picked up Onyx and was walking away with him.

Onyx, a French bulldog with one blue eye and one green eye, was stolen from his owner in downtown L.A. on Jan. 18.

(Ali Zacharias)

Zacharias said she attempted to follow the woman into a car — a white Kia Forte that held four people — before being pushed out. That’s when she stood in front of the car in an attempt to stop it, then fell onto the hood as it drove forward, she said.

She rode atop the hood for a short way before the car swerved and she rolled off. She was bruised and cut but not badly hurt, she said.

Video of the ordeal was posted on Instagram and widely shared.

French bulldogs are one of the most popular small-breed dogs in the world, according to the American Kennel Club, “especially among city dwellers.” They’re known for their square heads, “bat” ears and charming disposition. Expensive and in high demand, the dogs have been a favorite target of thieves in recent years in the L.A. area.

Two of Lady Gaga’s French bulldogs were stolen in February 2021, and her dog walker was shot and wounded during the heist. The woman who recovered them and later sued — trying to claim the $500,000 reward — was found to be involved with the dognappers. More recently, thieves stole 12 purebred French bulldogs, including a 10-month-old show dog named Roll X, from a Gardena pet shop.

Slater was taken into custody late Friday in Inglewood by members of the LAPD gang and narcotics division and U.S. Marshals’ fugitive task force, according to investigators. She was booked on suspicion of robbery and remained jailed Saturday in lieu of $70,000 bail, jail records state.

Zacharias has offered a reward for her beloved pet’s safe return.

Onyx, a French bulldog with one blue eye and one green eye, was stolen from his owner in downtown L.A. on Jan. 18.

(Ali Zacharias)

Alex Wigglesworth, Amy Hubbard

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February 3, 2024
Mother arrested on suspicion of killing her 4-year-old daughter

A woman has been arrested on suspicion of killing her 4-year-daughter, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and local news reports.

Deputies responded to a call about a child being assaulted in the 4800 block of Civic Center Way in East Los Angeles about 11 p.m. Thursday, authorities said. They found the young girl unresponsive in a vehicle.

The child, who was not identified, was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

The mother was detained at the scene and subsequently placed under arrest on suspicion of murder, according to a Sheriff’s Department press release. She was identified as Maria Avalos, 38, authorities told ABC7.

A Los Angeles County medical examiner’s autopsy report released Saturday ruled the child’s death a homicide. The autopsy report listed the cause of death as “combined effects of strangulation and sharp force injury of the wrist.”

The department said the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.

Melody Gutierrez

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January 28, 2024
Suspect arrested in sexual assault of 12-year-old girl during Culver City home break-in

A man has been arrested on suspicion of breaking in to a Culver City home last month and sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl, police said.

Marcos Maldonado, 35, was on a bus headed to Bakersfield when it was stopped by police and he was arrested Thursday, according to the Culver City Police Department. Police identified Maldonado through DNA evidence.

Maldonado was booked on suspicion of felony aggravated sexual assault of a child and is being held on $1.25 million bail, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department jail records show.

On the morning of Dec. 2 , Culver City police responded to a call of a sexual assault in the Blair Hills neighborhood. Investigators said that Maldonado allegedly entered the child’s home around 2 a.m. and left around 7 a.m. The family reported the crime a short time later, police said.

Officers immediately canvassed the surrounding area for witnesses and additional evidence, recovering video surveillance footage that showed the suspect leaving the area. At the time, investigators released images from that video.

“From the day that this crime occurred, detectives have worked tirelessly to identify and locate the involved suspect,” Jennifer Atenza, a department spokeswoman, said in a news release.

Culver City police collaborated with the UCLA Santa Monica Rape Treatment Center and the Los Angeles district attorney’s office throughout the investigation and will continue to do so for the filing and prosecution of this case, authorities said.

The police department has not received any reports of Maldonado’s connection to additional crimes in the Culver City area. The department said it will continue collaborating with other law enforcement agencies to identify any potential additional victims.

Anthony De Leon

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January 6, 2024
Orange County mother arrested on suspicion of killing 9-year-old daughter

A Westminster woman was arrested Friday on suspicion of killing her 9-year-old daughter, police said.

Officers were called to a home in the 14100 block of Goldenwest Street shortly after noon to conduct a welfare check after receiving a tip from a concerned family member, Westminster police said in a news release.

The officers forced themselves into the residence and found the girl dead and alone in the house “with obvious signs of trauma,” police said.

The child’s mother, 32-year-old Khadiyjah Pendergraph, was identified as a person of interest. She was later located and arrested at a shopping center in Aliso Viejo by Westminster police detectives working with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

Pendergraph was booked into the county jail on suspicion of murder, police said. There are no additional suspects, and the incident appears to be isolated.

“While police officers are exposed to tragedies on a daily basis, this murder is particularly disturbing, due to the senseless loss of a child allegedly at the hands of her own mother,” Police Chief Darin Lenyi said in a prepared statement.

Anyone with additional information is encouraged to call Det. Marcela Lopez at (714) 548-3773. Anonymous calls can be made to Orange County Crime Stoppers at (855) 847-6287 or sent to www.occrimestoppers.org.

Dorany Pineda

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November 25, 2023
Column: You said you were the anti-De León, Wendy. You’re more like a disappointment

The L.A. politics chisme mill flooded my phone with texts and calls this morning. Was it true that Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving?

My immediate thought:

Not Wendy.

Not the candidate for the L.A. City Council 14th District seat held by Kevin de León in a race that’s roiling Eastside politics.

Not the Roosevelt High and Cal State Los Angeles graduate who loves to speak to students and community groups to let Latinas know that more of them are needed in politics.

Not the former radio personality who used to host a public affairs show on Power 106 called “Knowledge Is Power” that profiled local heroes and urged Latinos to uplift our community at all times.

Not the daughter of Mexican and Salvadoran immigrants who has fought the good fight in Sacramento for undocumented Californians and to get restitution for women sterilized by the state without their consent.

Yep, Wendy. The chisme turned out to be true.

Carrillo, 43, was booked Friday morning on suspicion of driving under the influence and being involved in a traffic collision while having a high blood-alcohol count — in other words, double the legal limit or more. A law enforcement source said that police responded around 1:30 a.m. to the 6200 block of Monterey Road near Highland Park, where a motorist had struck two parked cars.

In a statement released before she left jail, Carrillo apologized, though she didn’t say anything about an arrest or allegedly driving while intoxicated. “I must adhere to a higher standard that demands personal accountability for my conduct and I accept responsibility for my actions,” Carrillo wrote. “I intend to seek the necessary help and support.”

Oy vey, Wendy.

Considered one of De León’s two main challengers, her arrest will inevitably launch a sea of “Wino Wendy” opposition mailers from now until the March primary. Whether her chances are kaput is something Eastside voters get to decide — if she stays in the race. But she can no longer claim the moral high ground against De León, who’s still trying to move on after he mocked Black political power on a leaked tape that upended City Hall.

It’s one thing to be caught talking bigoted trash in a secretly recorded conversation. It’s another to get behind the wheel after too many drinks and crash into the night.

That stain to Carrillo’s reputation and career is permanent. She’s no longer going to be thought of as just a homegrown champion of the Eastside. She’s the latest Latina politician to make her constituents proud, then embarrass them with stupid falls from grace that never had to happen.

In 2018, it was Bell-area Assemblymember Cristina Garcia, who was stripped of her committee assignments after being investigated for allegedly sexually harassing a male staffer years earlier. Though cleared of that charge, Garcia was found to have violated the Assembly’s sexual harassment policy for “commonly and pervasively” using foul language.

Last year, it was then-L.A. City Council President Nury Martinez, the first Latina to hold that position and someone who reveled in presenting herself as la más chingona — the boss bitch — of City Hall. She resigned after she appeared on the same tape as De León, uttering anti-Black and anti-Oaxacan nonsense.

This summer, Riverside City Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes was arrested for the second time on drunk driving charges just weeks after having told a judge, “Each day I carry remorse and promise to never repeat those actions.” That hasn’t stopped the 32-year-old from continuing to run for the Assembly seat held by her sister, Sabrina.

Now, Wendy.

Politicians of all genders and ethnicities mess up, of course. But Carrillo’s arrest is especially disappointing, coming in a year where Los Angeles lost two legendary Latina politicians: former L.A. County Supervisor Gloria Molina and former Assemblymember Cindy Montañez. The two leaned on their backgrounds to fight against a racist, macho world that would be better if only more mujeres had a say in it.

Molina and Montañez were beloved precisely because they held themselves to a higher standard as Latinas, because allies and enemies alike knew that they were true public servants — no way would they get caught violating the public’s trust, whether on or off the job.

Driving while boozed up as an elected official is as bad a middle finger to regular folk as you can give.

You’re always a fool if you drink and drive. In this day and age of Uber and Lyft, you’re a straight-up pendejo. When you’re a politician and do that, you probably shouldn’t be in office. Constituents entrust to you the responsibility of devising policy and making things run right. The last thing they need to worry about is you smashing into their cars early in the morning.

Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo shows murals that are defaced by grafitti in Boyle Heights

(Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

It’s especially maddening that Carrillo got caught up in an easily avoidable mistake. In 2020, she was reprimanded by then-Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon for “unwelcome” behavior after she was accused of inappropriately hugging and kissing an employee. Did she not realize that opponents have had her under a microscope ever since?

It’s even more frustrating when you consider that Carrillo can lean on mentors like state Sen. Maria Elena Durazo and former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and a roster of friends across the Eastside, whenever she needs help. Did no one in that circle think to have a handler around Carrillo at every public appearance, in the lead-up to one of the most contentious political races to hit the Eastside in decades?

I’m sadly familiar with drunk driving arrests. Friends have lost their jobs and relationships. My father was collared at least twice when I was a young child, although he’s been sober now for over 40 years. Carrillo should take whatever legal penalties may come her way and not ask for any special treatment. Then, she should spend the rest of her life and career urging everyone not to drink and drive — and offer herself as a cautionary tale.

Already, calls are coming for Carrillo to drop out of the council race, and even resign her Assembly post. She probably won’t, but she should at least think about it — as a lesson in humility, and as a reminder of what could’ve been.

I still remember when she and I met at her family home in Boyle Heights in the spring, after she told me she was running for City Council. We walked down Avenida Cesar Chavez, where shopkeepers and pedestrians greeted her with genuine joy.

She cast herself as the anti-De León, someone who wouldn’t embarrass Latinos and the Eastside with hubris — and she also claimed the Eastside deserved someone who actually cared. We saw streets in disrepair, trash inside planters, historic murals tagged beyond recognition.

“It’s not even about Kevin,” Carrillo said then. “It’s about respecting this community.”

A DUI arrest is not respecting the community. All you had to do was call an Uber.

Ay, Wendy.

Gustavo Arellano

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November 3, 2023
‘Double the legal limit’: Assemblymember, L.A. council candidate arrested on suspected DUI

State Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo, who is running for an Eastside seat on the Los Angeles City Council, was arrested in Northeast Los Angeles early Friday morning on suspicion of drunk driving, authorities said.

Carrillo, 43, was apprehended at 1:35 a.m. and was booked a few hours later, according to inmate records posted by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Police responded around 1:30 a.m. to the 6200 block of Monterey Road, where a motorist had struck two parked cars, according to a law enforcement source familiar with the incident but was not authorized to speak publicly about it and requested anonymity. A spokesperson for the LAPD issued a summary of the arrest that said Carrillo was booked on suspicion of driving under the influence and being involved in a traffic collision while having a high blood-alcohol count.

LAPD Capt. Kelly Muniz said that the charge of having a high blood-alcohol count indicates the suspect’s alcohol level was “double the legal limit or more.”

In a statement later Friday, Carrillo expressed thanks that no one was harmed in the crash, and said she is cooperating with law enforcement.

“As a public servant, I am aware that I must adhere to a higher standard that demands personal accountability for my conduct and I accept responsibility for my actions,” Carrillo said. “I sincerely apologize to my family, constituents, colleagues and staff for any actions of mine that have fallen short of that expectation. I intend to seek the necessary help and support. As I do so, I remain dedicated to my family, my constituents and the community that I grew-up in and am proud to represent.”

Carrillo was elected in 2017 to represent an Eastside Assembly district. She is now one of about a dozen people running in the March city election to unseat Councimember Kevin de León in a district that stretches from downtown to El Sereno and Eagle Rock.

The incident comes about six months after another state legislator was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. In May, state Sen. Dave Min (D-Irvine) was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and released from Sacramento County jail.

Min later confirmed that he was cited with a misdemeanor DUI, saying his behavior was “irresponsible.”

David Zahniser, Richard Winton

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November 3, 2023
U-Haul with 2,000 pounds of marijuana in back crashes into Sierra Madre police station

The driver of a U-Haul truck loaded to the brim with around 2,000 pounds of marijuana crashed into a Sierra Madre police station Thursday night, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

The driver, whose name was not released, had been shot earlier in the Temple City area and drove away from the shooting scene before crashing into a gate outside the police station, according to LASD Lt. David Hernandez.

Responding deputies found the U-Haul truck’s cargo area loaded up with cardboard boxes and black, vacuum-sealed plastic bags full of marijuana, according to the department.

The driver was hospitalized at a nearby hospital and was later arrested on suspicion of possession of narcotics. A passenger in the truck, who was not shot, was also arrested on suspicion of narcotics possession.

The Sheriff’s Department did not have any details on possible suspects in the shooting, or why it occurred.

Noah Goldberg

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October 27, 2023
Driver sped at 104 mph in Malibu crash that killed 4 Pepperdine students, D.A. says

The driver accused of killing four Pepperdine students in a Malibu crash last week was charged with murder, with prosecutors saying he was speeding at 104 mph before the fatal collision.

Fraser Michael Bohm, 22, faces four counts of malice murder and four counts of gross vehicular manslaughter, L.A. County Dist. Atty. George Gascón said during a Wednesday news conference, adding that the charges stem from Bohm’s “complete disregard for the life of others.”

“When you are driving at 104 mph in [a] 45-mph [zone], the only conclusion is you have a complete disregard for life,” Gascón said.

The four people killed — Niamh Rolston, Peyton Stewart, Asha Weir and Deslyn Williams — were sisters in the Alpha Phi sorority and seniors at Pepperdine University. Authorities believe they were standing near several parked vehicles in the 21600 block of Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu when Bohm’s speeding BMW barreled into the cars and then struck the women shortly before 9 p.m. Oct. 17.

Bohm was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence following the crash, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Sgt. Maria Navarro said. But he was released hours later. In a news release at the time, the Sheriff’s Department said he was “released to allow detectives time to gather the evidence needed to secure the strongest criminal filing and conviction.”

Bohm was re-arrested Tuesday night and booked on suspicion of four counts of murder. In the intervening days between arrests, investigators collected additional evidence — including toxicology results, search warrants and speed analyses — before submitting the case to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office on Monday.

Investigators determined that Bohm was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash, but the onboard computer of his car shows he was traveling at 104 mph before he lost control in the deadly collision, according to law enforcement sources not authorized to discuss the case publicly. It was that data, along with statements by Bohm that he was familiar with the stretch of PCH and that he was aware of the posted 45-mph speed limit, that led to the charges against him, sources say.

Richard Winton, Jeremy Childs

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October 25, 2023
LAUSD teacher arrested on suspicion of sharing child pornography

A Los Angeles Unified School teacher was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of sharing child pornography with a county government worker, authorities said.

Detectives with the San Bernardino Police Department arrested Rene Gregorio Estrella on the 210 Freeway around 6:30 a.m. on suspicion of distributing and receiving child pornography. Estrella, 60, is a teacher at the School of Business and Tourism at the Miguel Contreras Learning Complex, according to the school’s website.

Investigators said Estrella exchanged multiple images of child pornography with 62-year-old Steven Frasher, who worked as a public information officer with the Los Angeles County Public Works Department.

Investigators with the San Bernardino Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and Specialized Crimes Unit served search and arrest warrants on Estrella at a residence in Claremont and a second location in the city of Los Angeles. Police found several electronic devices that were taken as part of their investigation, according a news release from the police department.

In a statement, the Los Angeles Unified School District said it was notified about an employee’s arrest by San Bernardino police, but it did not name Estrella. Officials said the employee will be blocked from entering any LAUSD sites.

“All District protocols are being followed, and we remain in cooperation with local authorities,” the statement said. “Due to the ongoing investigation by law enforcement, we are unable to disclose additional details about this matter. Please be assured that the safety of our students continues to be our utmost priority. Students and the greater school community are always encouraged to share any and all concerns with their school or with local authorities.”

Jail records show that Estrella was booked into custody on Wednesday but released later that day.

Frasher, a resident of Redlands, was arrested Oct. 3 after investigators received a tip indicating that he was downloading illicit child porn on the internet and saving it in an internet storage account, police said.

Frasher, a candidate for the Redlands City Council in 2020, worked for the Riverside Police Department as a public information officer and also served as a public information officer for the Glendale Unified School District.

The San Bernardino Police Department posted a video on its Instagram account of Frasher’s arrest, showing officers entering and searching his home. The video also shows Frasher being led away in handcuffs.

Times staff writer Summer Lin contributed to this story.

Nathan Solis

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October 19, 2023