San Diego Criminal Attorneys Blog

Rape, Crajacking and Robbery Suspect Arrested in Escondido

Published on: May 23, 2011 | by Leslie Legal Group

Eighteen year old Jugo Elmer Garcia, an illegal immigrant, was arrested Wednesday night on suspicion of armed robbery, rape and carjacking on East Valley Parkway in Escondido.

The first part of Mr. Garcia’s crime spree started at 1690 East Valley Parkway where he assaulted and robbed a lone store clerk in a small strip mall. Mr. Garcia held her at gun point and raped her and then proceeded to take several items from the store along with the store clerk’s vehicle, a 2000 Ford Expedition. The Police call came in at 5:07 p.m confirmed by Lt. Mark Wrisley.

Mr. Garcia returned several hours later to a nearby location where he tried to commit another series of crimes. He attempted to rob another woman, however, she was able to quickly run to a near-by gas station and call 911.

Oceanside Police Detective Prosecuted for Misconduct?

Published on: May 19, 2011 | by Leslie Legal Group

Oceanside Police department is reviewing evidence against former Oceanside Detective Brian Bruce. He may need to hire a criminal defense attorney to protect his rights! Mr. Bruce was accused of several misconduct crimes, including stealing cash and personal property from alleged criminals. The crimes came to light after a 1.5 million lawsuit between Detective Aaron Miller, his partner, and Oceanside Police Department. There are three main incidents that Police Chief Frank McCoy made mention of, and hinted that there could be more.

The first incident is directly involves Detective Aaron Miller, who was Mr. Bruce’s partner before he resigned. Mr. Miller left for a vacation leaving his work car with personal possessions inside to Detective Bruce’s care. Nothing was to be taken from the car but Detective Bruce had permission to use the vehicle. Upon return, Mr. Miller noticed that one of his T-shirts was missing from the car. He accused Detective Bruce of taking his T-shirt but he denied everything.

A few months later in April of 2009 the second allegation against Detective Brian Bruce came to light. Both Mr. Miller and Mr. Bruce were at a crime scene where they arrested a women for suspicion of dealing drugs. She had in her possession $512 dollars according to Mr. Miller who counted the money several times. Later that night Mr. Bruce had reported they had confiscated $412 dollars from the suspect. When Mr. Miller addressed Detective Bruce he stated in his defense that their was a possibility that some money might have been left at the crime scene.

Attorney Accused of Stalking Peads Not Guilty

Published on: May 18, 2011 | by Leslie Legal Group

Yesterday, a Carlsbad Attorney plead not guilty to stalking and several other charges, including harassment. Attorney Michael T. Pines, who handled many legal foreclosure transactions, advised clients to break into their homes after they had been forced out of their homes through foreclosure proceedings. Mr. Pines was accused of stalking new property owners of clients he represented in these home foreclosure cases. The alleged harassment occurred between mid February through April 14th. During this time Mr. Pines allegedly stalked both the new property owners and his business partner; sending emails, phones calls, along with various other forms of alleged harassment.

Likewise, Mr. Pines practice of encouraging clients to break into their foreclosed homes has also not gone unnoticed. He was arrested at least three times for this alleged legal malpractice, in Escondido, Carlsbad and several other Southern California Cities. As a result of these legal malpractices allegations and his stalking charges he faces a $227,000 bail.

Currently, the California State Bar Association has suspended his license to practice as certified attorney. Mr. Pines plans to represent himself in court.

Police Crimes and Misconduct Initiates Reform in San Diego

Published on: May 17, 2011 | by Leslie Legal Group

Recently, numerous Police Officers in San Diego have been arrested and charged with serious criminal cases including rape, kidnapping, assault, stalking and DUI. San Diego Police Department have questioned the way it trains new officers and reviews existing officers. Chief of Police, William Lansdowne, proposed a seven point program that will hopefully reduce any misconduct performed by San Diego Officers.

This”new” program was initiated due to raising rates of Officer crime including accusations of domestic violence, sexual battery, DUI’s and a variety of other serious crimes. Many aspects of this program emphasize the responsibility Officers have to come forward when witnessing fellow colleagues break the way or abuse their power. Breaking this “code of silence”, held by many Officers, is a major goal that Lansdowne hopes to achieve.

Officers under investigation and accused of crimes include:

Poway DUI Checkpoint ends with 7 Arrested

Published on: May 15, 2011 | by Leslie Legal Group

From Friday night to early Saturday morning Poway Police Officers enforced a DUI and a driver safety checkpoint, located in the 16700 block of Espola Road. This DUI checkpoint resulted in the arrest of seven people, four of which were suspected of driving while under the influence of alcohol. In addition, two other arrests were made for driving while under the influence by patrol units close to the checkpoint.

Along with these DUI arrests Officers issued several traffic citations including, possession of marijuana, driving without a valid driver’s license, driving without a license in possession, driving without current vehicle registration, and driving without proof of insurance.

Out of the 1,055 vehicles that passed through the DUI and safety checkpoint 18 drivers were either cited or arrested by Poway Officers. 28 of the 1,055 vehicles were pulled to a secondary stop to undergo further inspection.

Shelley Malil’s Attempted Murder Case to begin in Vista Courtroom

Published on: August 26, 2010 | by Leslie Legal Group

Actor, Shelley Malil, appeared Wednesday in a Vista courtroom for trial on charges of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and burglary. Many of you may remember Shelley Malil and his role in the hit 2005 comedy, “The 40-Year-Old Virgin”, but he has also appeared in a Super Bowl beer commercial as well as numerous television programs. In August 2008, he allegedly assaulted Kendra Beebe allegedly fueled by rage and jealously. Mr. Malil pleaded not guilty to all three charges-attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and burglary-against him.

Mr. Malil faces a potential life sentence in prison because the prosecution, Deputy District Attorney Watanabe, says that the attack was planned out (premeditated) by Mr. Malil. Evidence supprotingg the prosecutions’ theory is the alleged bringinga knife from his apartment to Ms. Beebe’s home and then breaking in and assaulting her. Mr. Malil allegedly ‘surprised’ Ms. Beebe on her back patio while she was having a drink with one of her friends. It was at this time when Mr. Malil started his attack stabbing Ms. Bebee several times.

Ms. Beebe’s friend stated that he was able to wrestle the knife away from Mr. Malil but then left to go get help. But while he was gone, Mr. Malil allegedly grabbed another knife, according to prosecution attorney Watanabe, and continued the violent stabbing of Ms. Beebe. Finally, the attack ended when her next door neighbor responded to an array of screams. It is alleged that Ms. Kendra Beebe suffered at least 23 stab wounds several of which were life threatening, one of which was within an eight of an inch of her carotid artery.

San Diego man, War Machine, sentenced to a year in jail.

Published on: August 25, 2010 | by Leslie Legal Group

A 28 year old man, who legally changed his name from Jon Koppenhaver to War Machine was sentenced on Tuesday after pleading guilty to felony assault charges. War Machine, a former mixed martial arts fighter, assaulted a female bar tender as well as punching a bouncer in two separate bar attacks. The assaults happened in February and March where he punched a bouncer and assaulted the female bar tender at a club in Point Loma. War Machine didn’t actually strike the female bar tender but by pushing bottles off the bar toward her. At the time of both attacks War Machine was on probation for a misdemeanor assault conviction from 2008.

Judge David Danielsen initially refused the plea agreement because he felt that War Machine’s poor attitude would make him unable to comply with terms of probation and would just allow him to get out of jail custody quicker. However, at Tuesday’s hearing War Machine presented a three page letter explaining his willingness to comply with terms of probation and his wish to stay out of prison. He further stated that he wants to turn his life around and he has already messed his life up enough. He told the judge Danielson that he recently got married and plans to open a gym with one of his friends once he gets out of jail. Judge Danielsen agreed to give him one shot at probation sentencing with terms and conditions including one year in jail and to stay away from alcohol for three years as well as getting treatment, therapy and or counseling for his anger issues.

More and more these days, person’s in the public eye including athletes and actors are finding themselves in the criminal justice system for their juvenile or misguided actions that could have been easily prevented by utilizing some restraint and or good judgment. I have represented both athletes and actors and they are just like the rest of us who from time to time do not make the best decisions even though, a lot of the time, the public puts them through a higher standard!

Oceanside Police Officer Pleads Guilty to DUI & Reckless Driving

Published on: August 18, 2010 | by Leslie Legal Group

Armando Arriaga, a 46 year old California Highway Patrol officer, plead guilty on Tuesday to driving while under the influence as well as reckless driving. Mr. Arriaga was arrested on July 7th after witnesses reported that a BMW was slowly and repeatedly tapping the rear bumper of a PT Cruiser in an alley in downtown Oceanside. When Oceanside Police officers arrived they found Mr. Arriaga and his wife Melanie Arriaga both out of their vehicles. After police questioning, they learned that both Mr. and Mrs. Arriaga had an argument after spending the whole afternoon drinking wine at their home. Mrs. Arriaga decided to go sleep in her car to get out of the house, but when Mr. Arriaga constantly bugged her to come back inside she left for her cousin’s house a short distance away. Mr. Arriaga pursued her in his BMW in attempt to change her mind to come back home.

Melanie Arriaga informed the officers that her husband didn’t mean her any harm and had never hurt her in any way. However, the Oceanside officers arrested and booked him into jail with charges of assault with a deadly weapon as well as driving while intoxicated (DUI). Mr. Arriaga’s blood alcohol concentration level measured 0.17 percent which is double the legal limit of a 0.08 percent. Mrs. Arriaga was also arrested and booked into jail on DUI charges, but her blood alcohol level measured at 0.04 percent. Oceanside police officers investigated this case thoroughly to make sure there was no signs of domestic violence, especially not to show bias towards a fellow Police Officer.

Mr. Arriaga was sentenced to five years of informal probation, a $2000 dollar fine, ten (10) days public works service, alcohol program/classes for first time DUI offenders, and 100 hours of community service. The punishment is slightly harsher than a regular first time DUI conviction in San Diego County. However, the judge felt that because of Mr. Arriaga’s job as a Police Officer that better behavior was expected from him. Law enforcement officers who allegedly violate the law are also innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt! But once they plead guilty or are found guilty by a jury, their punishment should be harsher as they have sworn an oath to protect and serve!

Poway DUI Checkpoint announced for this Friday

Published on: August 13, 2010 | by Leslie Legal Group

San Diego’s County Sheriff’s Department have announced that the Poway Deputies will be conducting a sobreity checkpoint, DUI checkpoint, this Friday the 13th. The checkpoint will be held in the 16700 black of Espola Road and contain about 15 deputies trained specifically for DUI checkpoints. The checkpoint will last from 7p.m. Friday night to 2:30a.m. early Saturday morning. The purpose of this checkpoint, announced by authorities was to remove intoxicated drivers as well as to educate the public by increasing the awareness of the consequences of driving while drunk.

If you take this route to go home from work, Id advise taking another route as seeing most of these checkpoint cause delay in traffic. Also remember it is always a smart decision to have a designated driver and if you cant find a designated driver to call a taxi, a parking ticket is much cheaper and easier than a DUI.

For more tips regarding DUI’s visit here: https://www.theleslielegalgroup.com/lawyer-attorney-1447099.html

Vista Man Suspected of Arson Arrested

Published on: July 29, 2010 | by Leslie Legal Group

Nicholas Figueroa, an 18 year old Vista resident, was arrested in Vista for Arson charges. He was arrested in the 500 block of East Vista Way by San Diego Sheriff patrol deputies. According to the Sheriff’s Department, the arson Mr. Figueroa committed occurred on Saturday at the South Santa Fe Car Wash on 980 S. Santa Fe. At first, there wasn’t any suspect information until investigators had gathered video surveillance from local surrounding businesses, enabling them to link Mr. Figueroa to the arson. Over the course of the investigation authorities had found evidence linking Mr. Figueroa to other Vista fires starting from the beginning of this year. Authorities had recognized him immediately after viewing the footage and remembered him from being suspects of previous fires in the area.

Mr. Figueroa was taken to the Vista jail on suspicion of five accounts of arson, and two counts of commercial burglary. Bail was set at 250,000 dollars due to the seriousness of his crimes committed.

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