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DA Unveils New Resource Page for Formerly Incarcerated
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 A NEW resource for formerly-incarcerated individuals and their family members was launched this month in an effort to help inmates transition back into the community with out re-offending. The Post-Incarceration Re-Entry Resources web page combines a directory of information for inmates in local custody. Information on substance abuse treatment, mental health services, family counseling, housing and employment opportunities are all located on one page. The web page was developed by the District Attorney's Office, which worked closely with San Diego Sheriff William Gore, County Supervisor Ron Roberts, 2-1-1 San Diego and other partners. "This page is an important resource for those being released from custody as they work toward becoming sober, productive, law abiding citizens," DA Bonnie Dumanis said. "Former inmates and their families can now locate all of these resources in one place, helping them stabilize their lives and not re-offend." For more information click here. |
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DA, Sheriff & County Leaders Oppose Release of Prisoners
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 | | WATCH: DA Discusses Prisoner Relesase |
COUNTY LEADERS, including DA Dumanis, Sheriff William Gore and Chief Probation Officer Mack Jenkins are opposing a federal court order that would release thousands of potentially violent prisoners into San Diego County by the end of the year.
The prisoner release will likely strain the county jail system, which is already pushing capacity because of a state law passed in 2011, known as "realignment," that sends select felons to local jail instead of state prison. "This is clearly something that is very deeply concerning to all of us and a very real threat to public safety," DA Dumanis said. Earlier this month, the County Board of Supervisors voted to officially oppose the planned release of state prisoners into San Diego County, but to devise measures to ease weekend spikes in jail populations in case the release happens. The potential prisoner release comes after recent ruling by a federal three-judge court confirmed earlier rulings directing the State to reduce its chronically overcrowded prison system to 137.5 percent of capacity by the end of this year. Governor Jerry Brown is appealing the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court, but it is unclear if that effort or local opposition will prevent the court order from talking effect. |
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Couple Pleads Guilty in Senior Citizen Scam
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Michael and Melissa Woodward |
A MAN who operated a fake insurance company and scammed nearly $2 million from senior citizens, pleaded guilty to residential burglary, theft from an elder and other felonies last month and will be sentenced to 11 years in prison in August. Michael Woodward, 50, and his wife, Melissa Woodward, 47, were arrested at their home in Las Vegas in April and extradited to San Diego to face charges stemming from their roles in bilking $1.9 million from hundreds of San Diego County senior citizens in a scam in which the couple sold phony 'in-home service agreements. "The defendants in this case were ruthless and heartless in the way they targeted the elderly and sold them fake insurance policies," DA Dumanis said. "I'm proud of the work Deputy DA Michael Zachry and our Insurance Fraud Unit are doing to bring justice to the victims" Melissa Woodward pleaded guilty to failure to file a tax return and will sentenced to probation. For more information on this case click here. |
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DA Participates in DUI Radio Campaign
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THE DISTRICT Attorney participated in a 4th of July radio and online crime prevention campaign with two local radio stations, reaching hundreds of thousands of San Diego County Residents with a message of 'Save Lives, Don't DUI!' Historically, about half of all fatal traffic crashes on July 4th are alcohol-related, which is why DA Dumanis felt strongly about participating in the campaign.
"By partnering with two popular radio stations, we targeted our message to younger listeners who relate to the on-air personalities," DA Dumanis said. "Our office prosecutes about 10,000 cases of driving under the influence every year. Through this campaign, we were able to reach the masses with an important message that I hope caused people to think twice about drinking and driving."  Click here to read more about the campaign.
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Joseph Gotell, 85, a man convicted of gunning down Deborah, his estranged wife in broad daylight in the Gaslamp District was sentenced to 50 years-to-life in state prison. Deputy District Attorney C.J. Mody prosecuted the case.
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Jovan Garcia, 20, a man convicted of first-degree murder in the shooting of a motorcyclist in Southcrest two years ago was sentenced to 50 years-to-life in prison. Deputy District Attorney Chris Lindberg prosecuted the case.
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Wanda Lee Ann Podgurski, 60, a woman who fled after being convicted in an insurance and disability fraud scam, before her capture in Mexico, was sentenced in absentia last month to 20 years and four months in state prison. Deputy District Attorney Carol Buck prosecuted the case.
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Pedro Antonio Sainz, 29, a motorist who drank 17 beers before triggering a Mountain View-area freeway pileup that killed a Las Vegas couple and seriously injured two other people pleaded guilty to gross vehicular manslaughter and was immediately sentenced to 14 years in state prison. Deputy District Attorney Kristen Spieler prosecuted the case.
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