Latest news with #CynthiaZimmer
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
3 thieves get prison time under Prop 36 law change
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Three men who have repeatedly stolen from stores in Kern County were recently sentenced to prison in separate cases, each convicted of felonies under changes to the law brought by Prop 36, prosecutors said. 'Thanks to the law Kern County voters supported, repeat offenders are facing real consequences,' District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer said in a release. 'They're being held in prison, where they'll serve significant time for their crimes.' Prop 36, which took effect in December, allows prosecutors to bring felony charges against suspects accused of petty theft who have at least two prior theft-related convictions. Previously, prosecutors were often limited to filing misdemeanor charges for the offense, with convictions resulting in at most a year in jail, according to the release. Prosecutors described crimes that resulted in convictions against three repeat offenders who have since been sentenced: On Jan. 2, Juventino Espinoza, who has 10 prior convictions for shoplifting and petty theft, stole items totaling $281.30 from the Target on Mall View Road. He entered an open plea — when a defendant admits to all charges in the hope the judge will give them less time than what they'd face if convicted at trial. Because of a prior strike conviction for assault with a deadly weapon, Espinoza, 45, was given a lengthier sentence on May 15 of two years and eight months in prison. He also was ordered to pay restitution. In December, Kristopher Devonte Howard, 38, stole a drink from the Go Mini Mart on Wilson Road, pushing and threatening to kill a store employee who approached him. He has six prior theft convictions. Howard pleaded no contest to petty theft with two or more priors and admitted to a prior strike conviction. He was sentenced May 8 to four years in prison. On Feb. 22, 2025, Adrian Ivan Samarripas was arrested in southwest Bakersfield after stealing a three-pack of beer from the Walgreens on White Lane. He pleaded no contest in March to petty theft with two or more priors, admitted to a prior strike and was immediately sentenced to two years and eight months in prison. Samarripas has four prior theft convictions. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Yahoo
Kern County ranks 1st in California for Prop 36 case filings, voter support: report
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A new report found Kern County ranked first in the state for the rate of cases filed under Proposition 36 as well as voter approval of the new law, according to the Public Policy Institute of California. According to the report, Kern County prosecutors file 24 cases per 100,000 residents, making Kern the county with the highest rate of felony filings using Proposition 36. The county with the next highest rate is Orange County with 18 cases filed per 100,000 residents. Sixty-eight percent of the felony cases filed under Proposition 36 in Kern County were for drug-related offenses, the report said. Kern County also had the highest percentage of voter support for the new law at 77%. PetSmart thief found guilty in first prop 36 trial conviction in Kern County The report says voter approval of Proposition 36 within each county doesn't necessarily correlate with the number of case filings. For instance, Fresno had the third highest share of voter approval for Proposition 36 at 75%, but only files about two cases per 100,000 residents. Kern County was highest both in the percentage of voter support and filing rate, according to the data. According to a survey by California's Judicial Council of the courts conducted in the second half of February and covering most counties, prosecutors have filed about 1,500 theft and 1,900 drug cases, the report said. Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer said in a press release the District Attorney's office was able to prosecute repeat offenders more effectively due to Proposition 36. Prop 36 now in effect, stiffens penalties for 'smash and grab' crimes and drug offenses 'We were out there speaking with residents one-on-one, and their message was clear: they want their communities back,' Zimmer said. 'We will not let them down. This study reflects the results of our collective effort and the community's trust in our office.' Proposition 36, also known as the Homelessness, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act, is a state law that went into effect in December. The law aims to increase penalties for certain crimes by reclassifying them as a felony rather than a misdemeanor. It also added fentanyl to the list of controlled substances that would warrant stricter punishments. Under Proposition 36, California residents can be charged with a felony if they have two or more prior convictions related to retail theft or drug possession. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Yahoo
DA secures Kern's first Prop. 36 conviction
Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer announced Friday her office has secured its first jury-trial felony convictions under Proposition 36, the new state law that increases penalties for people found guilty of crimes that otherwise would have been misdemeanors. Dennis Ghianuly, 36, was convicted Thursday of possession of a hard drug with two or more priors and petty theft with two or more priors. Both crimes became felonies after state voters passed Proposition 36 in November. The DA's Office said in a news release Ghianuly walked out of the Oswell Street PetSmart store without paying for the 44-pound bag of dog food he was carrying. Bakersfield Police Department officers who arrested him found multiple knives and more than 3 grams of fentanyl in his pocket. The release said Ghianuly asked repeatedly about receiving a "cite-and-release." Instead, he was taken to Kern County Jail, but not before allegedly faking a drug overdose on the way there, requiring a diversion to a hospital. Ghianuly had previously been convicted of a felony "strike" offense for attempted robbery in 2020 and other drug and theft crimes. If not for Proposition 36, his conviction of the more recent charges would have resulted in a sentence of no more than a year. But because of his criminal history, he faces up to seven years and four months in prison at his sentencing June 27 by Kern County Superior Court Judge Kenneth C. Twisselman II.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Yahoo
Victims' Rights March postponed due to Victims' Memorial construction delay
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The Kern County District Attorney's Office said the decision to postpone the Victims' Rights March was not made lightly and it's because of construction delays for the new Victims of Violent Crime Memorial. 'This memorial will serve as a tribute to victims,' said Cynthia Zimmer said in a Facebook post. 'A place where their families and the community can come together, reflect, mourn and find comfort.' Zimmer posted the delay announcement to social media on Monday, April 7. The annual march takes place during National Crime Victims' Rights Week, from April 6 – 12. 'The Victims' Right March means not only a lot to me, but to other parents of murdered, and missing loved ones. It always has a great big turnout,' said Jane Parrent. Parrent is one of the mothers of The Bakersfield Three. Her daughter, Baylee, went missing April 25, 2018. Parrent says there should be two marches. 'Moms and dads like us, of murder victims, of really bad crimes, and stuff…you don't have many people who want to sit around, and talk about that,' said Parrent. 'So, it's just giving each other hugs, and how each other feels. It's just very important to build that relationship with the community.' Bakersfield man stole money, underwear from female roommate: DA The DA's Office released a statement to 17 News that read in part: 'While we were eager to have it completed by April of this year, construction delays we had limited control of have caused a setback. After careful deliberation, we made the difficult decision to postpone the annual Victims' Rights March until the memorial is completed.' The DA's Office says staffing shortages, and a limited budget also play factors in the postponement. The DA's Office states, 'The Victims' Rights March is funded through our Victim Witness Grant, which has a limited budget that supports only one event annually.' Construction for the new Victims of Crime Memorial is slated to begin mid-summer with construction estimated to be completed by Fall, in September or October. The Victims of Violent Crime Memorial will be located in the public courtyard area between 1115 & 1215 Truxtun Avenue. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Yahoo
Kern County DA's Office postpones Victims' Rights March
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The Kern County District Attorney's Office postponed the Victims' Rights March, which would have originally taken place this week. District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer announced the postponement on the DA's Office's Facebook page on April 7. The video came as the first installment of a five-part series by the DA's Office to celebrate National Victims' Rights Week, according to the caption on the video. According to Zimmer, the Victims' Rights March was traditionally held during the National Crime Victims' Rights Week, which is this week from April 6 to April 12. RELATED: A mix of many emotions, families join 10th Annual Victims' Rights March However, the event is being pushed back until the memorial can be completed. The Victims of Violent Crime Memorial will honor the lives lost to homicide in Kern County, according to Zimmer. 'We believe that before we march, this memorial must be complete as it stands as a powerful testament to those lives and is a place of peace and healing for all who had been affected,' Zimmer said in the Facebook video. Zimmer did not specify when the march will be held, saying it will happen 'later this year.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
