Sacramento Police Arrest Sexual Predator

The Sacramento Police Department has arrested 32-year-old Domingo Vargas for two different sexual assaults.

On January 25, 2009, at around 1:00 a.m., a female was walking on K Street between 19th and 20th Street when she was grabbed, knocked unconscious, and dragged into a parking lot. The suspect then raped the victim before fleeing the scene.

On June 7, 2009, a female fell asleep in her vehicle in the 1300 block of Del Paso Boulevard. The victim woke up to a subject on top of her. The victim was able to yell for help and got the assistance of a security guard who chased the suspect away.

Based on evidence processed by the Sacramento County District Attorney's Forensic Lab we were able to determine the identification of the suspect responsible for the January 25 rape as being Domingo Vargas. The Police Department then was able to use further forensic evidence to link Vargas to the June 7 attempt sexual assault.

Due to the violent nature of the crimes committed by Vargas, detectives will review cold cases to determine if Vargas is linked to any other sexual assaults.

The Sacramento Police Department urges anyone with information pertaining to these crimes to contact Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP or text in a tip to 274637 (CRIMES). Enter SACTIP followed by the tip information. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

Sacramento Police Get Fed Money For More Cops

Federal Grant Awarded to Hire Officers

On July 28, 2009, Vice President Biden and U.S. Attorney General Holder announced the recipients of the Recovery Act Funding to Support Law Enforcement. The Sacramento Police Department is the recipient of $9,554,860.00 which will go to the hiring of over 30 new Officers.

The grant will fund over 30 officer positions for the next three years. The department is currently down 103 officer positions and 113 civilian positions. The added positions will help to bridge some of the losses the department has had to endure due to difficult economic times.

The department is one of 1,046 law enforcement agencies nationwide to receive funding. We will receive over 30 of the 649 officers that the funding will provide to California.

The Sacramento Police Department is grateful to all our leaders in government including Mayor Kevin Johnson and Congresswomen Doris Matsui for their continued support of the Sacramento Police Department. We would like to also thank the U.S. Department of Justice for selecting our department to receive this much needed funding.

Federal Bribery Charges Filed Against Former Washoe County Sheriff’s Deputy and Hollywood Video Producer

RENO, NV—Felony indictments have been returned against a former Washoe County Jail employee and a Hollywood video producer alleging that cash and gifts were provided to former jail employees in exchange for favorable treatment for a federal inmate who was housed at the jail during 2007 and 2008, announced Greg Brower, United States Attorney for the District of Nevada.

Michon Mills, 39, of Carson City, Nevada, a former sergeant with the Washoe County Sheriff’s Department, is charged with two counts of Gratuity Received By a Public Official. Aaron Weinstein, 45, of Woodland Hills, California, who works in the television and video production and marketing industry, is charged with three counts of Gratuity Paid to a Public Official. Mills was arrested this morning in Reno, and is scheduled to make an initial appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge at 2:00 p.m. today in Reno. Weinstein was arrested today in Los Angeles, and is scheduled to make an initial appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge at 2:00 p.m. today in Los Angeles. If convicted, the maximum penalty for each charge is two years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The indictment alleges that on numerous occasions between June 4, 2007, and January 1, 2008, Weinstein provided three former Washoe County Sheriff’s Department employees with money and gifts in return for favorable treatment to a federal pretrial detainee who was an associate of Weinstein. Specifically, Weinstein allegedly provided former Sheriff’s Deputy Ralph Hawkins with multiple gifts, including $3,200 in cash and four tickets to an Oakland Raiders football game in exchange for bringing food into the jail; Weinstein provided Mary Boxx, a former inmate classification specialist, with multiple gifts, including a television, a home entertainment system, and an airline ticket in return for Boxx bringing unauthorized items into the jail; and Weinstein provided Mills with multiple gifts, including a Cartier watch valued at approximately $4,500 and a $5,000 Saks Fifth Avenue department store gift card in return for the provision of special benefits to the detainee, including protecting the detainee from disciplinary action and ensuring that the detainee had almost unrestrained access to telephones.

In two related cases, Ralph Hawkins, 41, of North Fort, Florida, was charged by criminal information with Acceptance of Gratuity By a Public Official. Hawkins pleaded guilty on July 17, 2009, and is scheduled to be sentenced in Reno on October 21, 2009, at 9:00 a.m. by U.S. District Judge Brian Sandoval. Mary Boxx, 54, of Sparks, Nevada, is charged with Acceptance of Gratuity By a Public Official and is scheduled for an entry of plea on August 24, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Larry R. Hicks in Reno.

The public is reminded that an Indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case is being investigated by the FBI, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, and Sparks Police Department, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ronald C. Rachow and Sue Fahami.

New Digital Camera System To Be Activated on Watt Ave.

The Sacramento Metropolitan Red Light Photo Enforcement Detail has placed a new digital red light photo enforcement camera system at northbound Watt Avenue at Fair Oaks Boulevard.

The new camera system is currently being tested and is scheduled to go “live” on Friday, July 24, 2009. For a period of thirty days, red light violators will be mailed a warning notice.

On August 23, 2009, red light violators will begin to receive actual citations by mail from this intersection. When a citation is issued and received by the violator through the mail, they will be referred to a website where they can review the still and/or video images of their violation.

The violator will be able to clearly see where their vehicle is in relationship to the intersection’s limit line, and the green, yellow and red lights. The fine is currently $421 for red light running violations.

The enforcement detail anticipates new digital camera systems will be installed at four additional intersections in the unincorporated area of Sacramento County by the end of July 2009.

Increased traffic safety is the number one priority of the county’s Red Light Photo Enforcement Program. There has been as much as a 76% reduction in red-light related crashes at the photo enforced intersections in the city and county since the implementation of the program.

Furthermore, there has been a 28% reduction in red-light running related crashes at all signal-controlled intersections in the city and county of Sacramento.

Appeal-Democrat Editor Regrets Arrest

Yuba City

Appeal-Democrat Editor Len La Barth was arrested early Friday on suspicion of driving under the influence.

A Sutter County Sheriff's Department deputy stopped La Barth's 2005 Mazda pickup at 2:30 a.m. at Market Street and Lynn Way in Yuba City. He was booked into Sutter County Jail and released later Friday morning.

La Barth, 47, of the 1300 block of Tres Picos Drive, Yuba City, was ordered to appear Aug. 31 for an arraignment in Sutter County Superior Court.

"I regret the incident," La Barth said.

Watch video of La Barth downing peach margaritas

Elk Grove Man Arrested For Sexual Assault, Resisting Arrest

An Elk Grove man was arrested early this morning for sexual assaulting a teenage juvenile girl and resisting arrest.



According to police reports, 24-year old Daniel Cea approached the 17-year old victim at Berens Park and asked her to call his house as his mother would not grant him entry. Cea then reportedly grabbed the victim’s buttocks on the outside of her clothing.

After trying to grab the victims’ buttocks several more times, Cea fled the area on foot. Officers responded to the suspects house based on the phone number he provided to the victim.

Upon seeing officers, Cea ran into his residence and refused to open the door. After a few minutes, the suspect relented and opened the door and was detained. After positive verification by the victim and a witness, Cea was arrested and transferred to the county jail.

All You Can Eat Buffet Robbed By Armed Gunmen

The Sacramento Police Department is asking for the public's help in identifying two robbery suspects. On Monday, July 13, 2009, at 9:30 p.m., two suspects entered the China Buffet Restaurant (1402 Broadway) armed with a gun and demanded money.

They pistol whipped an employee and fled the business taking the cash register. Both suspects were seen running to an awaiting vehicle, described as a white sedan.

Suspect #1 is described as a male Black, between 20 and 30 years old, 6'0" in height, heavyset, with black hair and brown eyes wearing a black T-shirt, and blue jeans.

Suspect #2 is also described as a male Black, between 20 and 30 years old, average height and build, black hair, brown eyes, wearing a white T-shirt, dark jacket (with a stripe down the arm), blue jeans and armed with a gun.

The Sacramento Police Department urges anyone with information pertaining to this crime to contact Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP or text in a tip to 274637 (CRIMES). Enter SACTIP followed by the tip information. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

Sacramento Murder Suspect Arrested

On July 22, 2009, at 1:20 p.m., Anthony William Race (20) was arrested when he turned himself in at the Sacramento County Main Jail. Race was arrested for the July 15, 2009, murder of 19-year-old Isaac Bartkovsky.

On July 15, 2009, at 2:30 p.m., the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department’s Communications Center received a call from a man reporting his friend was dead and he died from a gunshot wound. Deputies arrived at an apartment complex in the 4600 block of Orange Grove Avenue and found an 18-year-old male victim in a second story apartment suffering from a wound to his upper body. Paramedics arrived a short time later and pronounced the victim dead at the scene.

Sheriff’s Homicide detectives arrived at the scene and initiated a suspicious death investigation. According to witnesses two men were seen leaving the apartment complex at the time of the shooting. Detectives eventually located and interviewed both subjects. As a result of their investigation detectives determined Bartkovsky was the victim of homicide. On July 20, 2009, an arrest warrant was issued for Anthony Race.

Race was booked (see booking photo below) into the Sacramento County Main Jail on the charge of murder. He is being held without bail and is scheduled to be arraigned on July 24, 2009, at 1:30 p.m., in Department 63.

Two Shot, One Dead in South Sacramento Shooting

The Sacramento Police Department is investigating a late night shooting that left one person dead and another in critical condition.

On July 21, 2009, at 10:14 p.m., the Police Department responded to Seavey Circle near 5th Street on a person who had been shot. Officers arrived and found a 35-year-old male Black who was declared deceased at the scene and a 28-year-old male Black who was transported from the scene to U.C. Davis Medical Center in critical condition.

The Sacramento Police Department's Homicide and Crime Scene Investigators responded and took over the investigation. The investigation is on-going and no further details are available at this time.

The Sacramento Police Department urges anyone with information pertaining to this crime to contact Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP or text in a tip to 274637 (CRIMES). Enter SACTIP followed by the tip information. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

Defendants Get Life Terms in Sacramento Murder Case

Sacramento COunty District Attorney Jan Scully announced that Defendants Zachary Tyler, David Griffin, Lashea Merritt, and Kimberly Knorr were all sentenced today to life in prison by the Honorable Judge Cheryl C. Meegan. Last May, co-defendant Jordan Kidd was sentenced to 65 years to life, plus fourteen years.

The defendants were convicted of multiple violent crimes after a home invasion robbery in South Sacramento on January 22, 2007. A female victim was kidnapped from the home, taken to several locations against her will, sexually assaulted, then shot and left to die in a field. She survived after emergency surgery. Separate juries found the crimes were committed in association with the 29th Street Crips gang.

Defendant Zachary Tyler was sentenced to 65 years to life, plus 55 years and 4 months. His sentence included terms for two additional cases: an attempted murder and robbery of a separate victim on January 29, 2007, and another robbery from July 25, 2006.

Defendant David Griffin was sentenced to 65 years to Life, plus 19 years, 8 months. Griffin was 17 years old at the time of the offenses and tried as an adult in this case. His sentence includes a term for one additional case: an attempted murder and robbery for a crime committed against a separate victim on January 29, 2007 (the same crime as that committed by his co-defendant Tyler).

Defendant Lashea Merritt was sentenced to 65 years to Life, plus 30 years. Merritt was fifteen years old at the time of the offense and was tried as an adult in this case. Defendant Kimberly Knorr was sentenced to 15 years to Life, plus 20 years.

Domestic Argument Results in Sacramento Murder

On Monday, July 20, 2009, at 4:39 p.m., the Sacramento Police Department responded to 631 Garden Highway on a female who had been shot. Officers arrived and found a female in her 20's who appeared to have died from a gunshot wound to her head. Officers detained the victim's boyfriend 31-year-old Demario Richard Wiggins.

Homicide and Crime Scene Investigators responded and took over the scene. Based on the investigation, detectives concluded that Richard Wiggins shot and killed his girlfriend after having an argument.

Richard Wiggins will be booked into the Sacramento County Jail on a murder charge. The identity of the victim is being withheld pending the notification of a next of kin.

The Sacramento Police Department urges anyone with information pertaining to this crime to contact Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP or text in a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter SACTIP followed by the tip information. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward up to $1,000

Five Sacramento Men Arrested by Elk Grove Police For Burglary

Elk Grove Police arrested five Sacramento men early this morning as they were burglarizing a home on the 4200 block of Zacarro Way.

According to police reports, officers responded to a call of possible break-in at 12:30 AM Monday morning. Arriving at the scene, officers discovered several individuals inside the residence.

When the suspects realized officers were on the scene, they attempted to flee through a side garage door. Two suspects, 18-year old Steven Nat and a 17-year old juvenile were immediately caught.

Officers used a police K-9 unit to capture another 17-year old suspect hiding inside a closet. The other two suspects were able to flee the scene.

24-year-old Sonny Chao was quickly apprehended near the residence and the fifth suspect, 20-year old Sarom Kuy was caught while trying to leave the area in a vehicle. The adult suspect were transferred to the county jail and the juveniles were transferred to juvenile hall.

Fatal Car Accident in Elk Grove

Early Saturday morning Elk Grove Police responded to a traffic collision involving a lone vehicle on Grantline Road just North of Bond Road. Officers arrived and found a vehicle had collided into an electrical pole.

Paramedics and fire personnel responding to the call found the 19-year Jason Davis had died on the scene.

Investigation indicates that Davis was traveling southbound on Grantline Road when for unknown reasons he lost control of his vehicle leaving the roadway before striking the pole.

The collision caused live power lines to touch down which sparked a small grass fire. The fire was quickly contained by fire personnel, but area power was disrupted.

It not known if alcohol or speed was a contributing factor.

Elk Grove Ctiy Council Asked to Investigate City Manger, Attorney

Detrick supportive of independent investigation

The Elk Grove City Council has been asked by community activists to investigate allegations of misconduct by the city’s manager and attorney.

The controversy stems from a three page letter from an unidentified city employee addressed to the city council who has, among other things, charged city manager Laura Gill and city attorney Susan Cochran of unprofessional conduct. The letter was made available to EGN by community activist Connie Conley.

Among other claims, the employees alleges that recent layoff decisions made by Gill were subjectively motivated and that Cochran plays computer games on city computers during regular business hours.

In her letter to the Elk Grove City Council, Conley urged the city council look into the matter immediately. Conley wrote:

I would rather the council spend a couple of thousand now than hundreds of thousands later. And shouldn't Laura Gill welcome outside validation that she fosters a healthy work environment as she claims? If this city government of ours is truly committed to honesty, transparency, accountability and respect, there should be no refusal now.

Linda Ford, a member of the Elk Grove Committee Advocating Proper Planning (EGCAPP) also urged the city council to investigate the matter. Ford, though not officially representing EGCAPP, noted that failure to investigate the matter leaves “the city exposed and vulnerable financially.”

Through public information officer Christine Brainerd, both Cochran and Gill declined invitation to comment on the matter. Previously, Gill said some of the difficult decisions the city was making regarding employment were understandably causing stress.

All the city council members were invited to comment for the story and only Steve Detrick has responded. Detrick said that he has supported an independent review since he first heard the allegations.

Detrick wrote:

I have supported and requested an independent review from the first time I received questions from employees. I treat all internal and external questions with the same level of care and concern. I feel the existing City Council and Executive Team are still overcoming the mistrust of prior administrations. Having an open, honest and transparent independent review by an independent attorney that reports directly to the City Council would be best. I see this as the only way City Council can ensure that we get accurate and honest information reported back to us. Then we can either put this behind us if there are no negative finding or address them as necessary if any are found.

My goal is to rise trust and respect to the highest level possible from top to bottom with the citizens, The entire City Council, The Executive Team and all of City of Elk Grove Employees.

There is no word as to whether the discussion of an independent investigation into the allegations will be on next week’s city council agenda.

Sacramento Police Make Arrest in May Murder Case

The Sacramento Police Department has arrested 18-year-old Gabriel Dominguez for homicide. (Booking photo attached)

On Friday, May 1, 2009, at 9:44 p.m., the Sacramento Police Department responded to 3315 Julliard Drive (Express Stop Liquor Store) regarding a disturbance.

All parties fled prior to police arrival. Minutes later, a call was received from UC Davis Medical Center regarding an assault victim in their emergency.

Officers arrived and initiated an investigation. Officers learned that the victim, 21-year-old Samuel Sanchez was stabbed multiple times during a fight that occurred earlier at 3315 Julliard Drive. The victim died later that night as a result of his injuries.

The Sacramento Police Department's Homicide Unit responded to investigate. The investigation revealed that victim Sanchez and several of his friends were involved in a fight with a rival gang member.

During the fight, associates from that rival gang arrived and became involved. Victim Sanchez was stabbed multiple times. All parties fled the scene prior to police arrival. Investigators developed several leads and a possible suspect, Gabriel Dominguez.

On Saturday, July 11, 2009, officers from the Rancho Cordova Police Department stopped a vehicle in which suspect Dominguez was a passenger. Sacramento Police Department Homicide Detectives were called to interview Dominguez. Based on the information gathered, Dominguez was arrested and booked into the Sacramento County Jail on murder charges.

The Sacramento Police Department urges anyone with information pertaining to this crime to contact Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP or text in a tip to 274637 (CRIMES). Enter SACTIP followed by the tip information. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

ROAD ALERT:Temporary Closure Twin Cities Road Bridge Over Snodgrass Slough

Friday, July 17th at 5 AM Until Saturday, July 25th at 7 PM
When: Starting Friday, July 17, 2009 at 5 AM, there will be a temporary full closure of the Twin Cities Bridge over Snodgrass Slough to all traffic including vehicles,
pedestrians, bicycles and all river traffic. The bridge is scheduled to be re-opened on Saturday, July 25th at 7 PM.

Where: Twin Cities Road Bridge over Snodgrass Slough, which is west of I-5 and east
of HW 160 and River Road.

Detour Routes: Hood Franklin Road, River Road and West Walnut Grove Road, in
conjunction with I-5 and HW 160, will be utilized as detour routes. Detour signs will be in place to guide motorists around the bridge closure. Motorists traveling in the vicinity of the bridge closure area should anticipate longer travel times due to detour routes.

Bridge Repairs: The Twin Cities Bridge deck surface over Snodgrass Slough needs to
be repaired as part of on-going bridge maintenance activities. Caltrans has assigned a load rating of 10 tons for vehicles crossing this bridge until the bridge is fully repaired.

Once maintenance work is completed, the bridge will be re-evaluated by Caltrans to
revise the existing load rating.

Contact Information: Motorists, residents or businesses who need additional detour or
project information can contact Sacramento County Department of Transportation
Customer Service at 916-875-5171.

Elk Grove Lady Arrested in Murder of Ex-Husband

On July 13, 2009 at 2:12 p.m., the Elk Grove Police Department responded to a 911 call made by a female caller regarding a shooting that had taken place inside a residence in the 9300 block of Rainbow Falls Way.


EGPD personnel arrived and contacted the female caller, 40-year-old Jennifer Dalton, inside the garage of the residence. Dalton indicated that her ex-husband, who was lying on the garage floor, had been shot.

Officers observed that the victim had been shot in the upper torso and began cardiopulmonary resuscitation in an effort to revive the unconscious 39-year-old male. Medical personnel arrived and relieved officers in administering life saving efforts.

After several minutes, medical personnel were unable to revive the victim and he died as a result of his injuries. The name of the deceased has not been released and identification will be made by the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office.

Jennifer Dalton was detained then transported by ambulance to a local area hospital for evaluation. During the course of the investigation, detectives were able to obtain a search warrant for the residence on Rainbow Falls Way. A search of the residence led to the discovery of a firearm believed to have been used in the shooting.

Through investigative efforts, detectives were able to determine that Jennifer Dalton was responsible for shooting her ex-husband in the upper torso. Detectives have not yet established a motive for the shooting. Dalton (booking photo attached) was arrested for Murder 187(a) Penal Code and transported to the Sacramento County Main Jail.

Anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to call the Elk Grove Police Department Communication Center (916) 714-5115 or Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP (4357).

Murder In Elk Grove

An Elk Grove man was murdered yesterday afternoon on the 9300 block of Rainbow Falls Way.

According to police reports, responding officers found the vicitm in a garage. The vicitm had reportedly been shot and died there.

A women was reportedly detained for questioning. Investigators said it was unclear what events led to the shooting but reportedly police had responded to several domestic disturbance calls in the past.

Police have not release released the name of the victim or the person being questioned.

Latest Sacramento Area Bank Robbery Suspect Uses Fake British Accent

While most bank robbers make efforts to conceal their physical identity a man suspected of robbing banks in Sacramento and Davis has also employed the use of a fake British accent to disguise his voice.

The first robbery occurred at Tri Counties Bank, 3250 Arena Boulevard, Sacramento, California, at 11:18 a.m. on April 5, 2009, when the suspect entered the bank and showed a demand note to the teller. Using a fake British accent he told the teller not to make a scene and to put the money in the brown paper bag he was holding.

The second robbery occurred at Bank of America, 1900 Anderson Road, Davis, California, at 1:34 p.m. on April 22, 2009. Again using a demand note and a fake British accent he instructed the teller to put money in a bag. After receiving the money he quickly exited the bank and was observed by witnesses running through the parking lot carrying a dark-colored backpack.

The suspect is described as a white male, 22 to 30 years old, 5-foot-7 to 5-foot-11, and weighing 160-200 pounds. He has short dark hair with a receding hairline as well as a goatee. He wore dark sunglasses during both of the robberies and during the Davis robbery he wore a black long-sleeve t-shirt with “Las Vegas, Sin City” printed on the front.

This case is being investigated by the Sacramento Violent Crimes Task Force (SVCTF), comprised of FBI agents and Sacramento County Sheriff's Department Robbery Detectives, and detectives from the Davis Police Department.

Anyone with information regarding this robbery is asked to contact the FBI in Sacramento at (916) 481-9110, the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department at (916) 874-5115, or the Davis Police Department at (530) 747-5400.

Elk Grove Police Make Three Weekend Shoplifting Arrests

Elk Grove Police made three separate arrest this weekend for shoplifting.


The first two incidents happened at the Winco Store on Sheldon Road on Friday afternoon. Arrested were 56-year old suspect Marilyn Thompson of Elk Grove at 4:31 pm. The second suspect, 25-year old Michael Grayson was arrested at 5:25 pm. Both suspects were transferred to the county jail.

The Other incident occurred on Saturday afternoon at the Walgreen’s Drugstore on the corner of Elk Grove-Florin and Bond. 27-year old suspect Veronica Delisle of Sacramento was also discovered to have an active outstanding warrant for her arrest. She was arrested and transferred to the county jail.

CANINE CRUELTY - Five-State Dog Fighting Ring Busted

FBI agents helped bust the largest dog fighting operation ever seen in the U.S.

A year-long investigation by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies has resulted in the arrests of approximately 30 people across five states in what officials are calling the largest dog fighting operation ever seen in the U.S.

In addition to the arrests, about 350 dogs—mostly pit bull terriers—were seized during early-morning raids yesterday in Missouri, Texas, Illinois, Iowa, and Oklahoma and will be cared for by local humane societies. Those arrested for their involvement face felony charges that carry maximum sentences of five years in prison and fines of up to $250,000.

“Forcing a dog to fight to its death is not a sport,” said John Gillies, special agent in charge of our St. Louis office. The FBI played a significant role in the multi-agency investigation that in the Eastern District of Missouri resulted in the arrests of five men and the seizure of more than 150 dogs at a variety of dog fighting locations. “There is nothing respectable about encouraging two animals to torture and dismember each other,” Gillies said.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General headed the investigation, and our St. Louis office was involved from start to finish. “This was a criminal enterprise,” said one of our agents there. “It involved illegal drugs given to the dogs and also money laundering from wagering that took place at the dog fights.”

According to the indictments, the defendants acquired, bred, and trained pit bull dogs for the purpose of fighting. The defendants denied the dogs adequate medical treatment as a result of injuries suffered after the fights, and they “routinely” destroyed dogs—sometimes by electrocution—that became severely injured after fighting.

In Kansas City, Missouri, defendants allegedly constructed fighting pits for the dog fights, were timekeepers and referees during the fights, and placed wagers on the outcomes. The fights were often so violent and bloody that some of the defendants were designated as “sponge men”—they provided sponges to the dogs’ handlers to wipe blood from their dogs or to cool them down during the fight.

After a set of fights last April, the indictment says, one of the defendants used a .22-caliber rifle to shoot and kill two dogs who fought but didn’t perform up to his expectations. The dogs were shot in the head twice, then placed in plastic containers outside the garage where the fights had taken place.

Thanks to a 2007 federal law championed by animal welfare organizations, dog fighting is banned throughout the country and is a felony in all 50 states.

“Dog fighting is an illegal and despicable practice,” our agent in St. Louis said. “We are very pleased with the outcome of the investigation and the way our law enforcement partners worked together.”

Elk Grove City Manager, Attorney Called 'Unprofessional' By City Employee

Employees says city could 'save millions'

Elk Grove News has received a letter addressed to the Elk Grove City Council from an unnamed city employee who has alleged city manager Laura Gill and city attorney Susan Cochran of, among other things, unprofessional conduct which has hurt city employee morale. (see letter below)

The employee states that the “arrogance” displayed by Gill and Cochran “have stripped away our morale, any sense of security and our ability to work as a team to produce a sense of pride in working or the City of Elk Grove.”

The employee also questions the pair’s conduct in which Gill and Cochran made “animal sound at each other during the entire course of the meeting.” The employee also accuses Cochran of constantly playing games in her Blackberry computing devise during meetings and playing solitaire and other games on her computer “all day long.”

With regards to recent employee layoffs, the employee said decisions were motivated primarily by subjective determinations on Gill’s part. Specifically it is alleged that Gill laid-off risk management employee Larry Brilliant because the employee believed Gill did not like Brilliant. To make it seem less subjective, the employee alleges Gill also laid-off another risk management employee so as not to give the appearance that Brilliant was specifically targeted.

The employee’s letter also questions several of the city’s business practices and offer suggestions that could “save millions.” The employee says that city contractors Interwest and PMC should be downsized particularly since city employees have been laid-off and have agreed to pay reductions. “It is as if contract staff runs the city and they are more secure in their employment than city staff,” the letter says.

In addition, the employee alleges the city could save money by reducing excessive benefits in area such as travel reimbursement, health benefits for life, elimination of catered lunches and elimination of $650 monthly payments for employees who decline health coverage.

The employee letter specifically targets one consultant, attorney John Hobbs. The letter states that Hobbs “is making an extreme amount of money and was supposed to stay only until Susan Cochran was grounded in her position, yet after two years of Susan being hired, he is still utilized as back-up attorney.”

For her part, Gill responded to a request from EGN seeking her comment on the matter. Gill sent the following:

Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

I did not personally receive a copy of the anonymous letter, and I haven’t been contacted directly by any staff member about these concerns.

Like many organizations and municipalities, we are in the midst of tough times, and we’ve had to make some difficult decisions that have a very real impact on our staff. Our staff have had to face a three percent pay cut with furlough days, cuts to benefits, and are generally having to do more work with fewer resources. We’ve also had to recently lay off four employees. Anxiety can sometimes be a byproduct of the uncertain economy and a changing workplace. As we have made these tough choices, we understood there can be an adverse impact to morale and more mean-spiritedness in the workplace.

While I don’t have the copy of the letter in front of me, I can tell you generally speaking, both the City Attorney and I have an open door policy with staff. We truly aim to have a happy and productive work environment.

I meet regularly with staff in open forums and encourage a constructive environment. And I truly take feedback to heart. I need to hear from staff so we can be better informed. I encourage City staff (and the public for that matter) to please contact me. Or if staff is not comfortable in contacting me directly, they may talk to their manager or the Human Resources Director. We take feedback very seriously.

Susan Cochran did not respond to EGN’s request for comment.
Council member Steve Detrick told EGN that it is under review but as a matter of policy, the city council does not comment on pending personnel issues.
It is believed that the city council did discuss the matter during the closed session at Wednesday night meeting. The closed meeting agenda was amended subsequent to the originally posting on July 2.


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Assault Leaves Victim On Life Support

On July 1, 2009, at 8:30 p.m., Sacramento County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call regarding a sick or injured person lying on the ground in the 8400 block of Florin Road. Deputies arrived and found a man, later identified as a 52-year-old Sacramento resident, who was bleeding from his head and barely breathing. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he remains on life support; he is not expected to survive.

Sheriff’s Homicide detectives responded to the scene and spoke to several subjects who said the victim had been beaten during a fight earlier in the day. At this point, investigators have not identified the suspect(s) who was involved in the fight or a motive for this crime.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to call Sheriff’s Homicide detectives at (916) 874-5115, or Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

Elk Grove Lady Arrested For Possession of Stolen Checks, Dope Paraphernalia

Elk Grove Police arrested an Elk Grove lady early this morning for possession of stolen checks and narcotics paraphernalia.

According to police reports, 42-year old Jamie Solorzano was stopped by officers for a vehicle code violation at 3:02 am. Officers determined the suspect was on a searchable probation.

A probation search of the vehicle revealed Solorzano to allegedly be in possession of checks not issued in her name and narcotics paraphernalia. The suspect was arrested and transferred to the county jail.

Second Defendant in Modesto Racketeering Case Pleads Guilty

Acting United States Attorney Lawrence G. Brown announced today that RAY M. HEFFINGTON, 40, of Chowchilla, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Oliver W. Wanger to trafficking in certain motor vehicles or motor vehicle parts, as part of the overall racketeering indictment brought against Stanislaus County business owner Robert C. Holloway and others.

This case was the result of an extensive investigation conducted by the Central Valley Gang Impact Task Force, which includes the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office, the Modesto Police Department, Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department, and the FBI.

According to Assistant United States Attorneys Mark E. Cullers and Laurel J. Montoya, who are prosecuting the case, HEFFINGTON admitted that, between August 3, 2006 and December 4, 2007, he bought or received motorcycle parts with altered vehicle identification numbers and delivered those parts to Road Dog Cycle in Denair, on June 29, 2007. At the time HEFFINGTON engaged in such conduct, he was the chapter president of the Merced chapter of the Hells Angels outlaw motorcycle club.

Sentencing is scheduled for September 14, 2009, at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Wanger. HEFFINGTON faces a statutory maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $250,000. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables and any applicable statutory sentencing factors.