Latest news with #D.A.'sOffice
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Accused ‘serial cat killer' charged in violent crime spree
A Santa Ana man who authorities said lured cats with food in order to violently beat them to death has been charged with animal cruelty and stealing a family's pet. Alejandro Oliveros Acosta, 46, was charged by the Orange County District Attorney's Office this week on two counts of felony animal cruelty, one felony count of theft of a companion animal, and one misdemeanor count of possession of a controlled substance. He's accused of killing or injuring several cats in the Santa Ana area since November 2024, including an expensive Bengal Lynx cat that was taken from its home in Westminster. The Santa Ana Police Department has documented seven instances of cats being injured or killed in the area West Wilshire Avenue and South Clara Street, including those that suffered broke backs or bloody faces,. In March, a surveillance video was released that showed a man luring the Bengal Lynx from its home using a can of food. The cat, Clubber, was eventually returned to the home after the video was made public, but the suspect's identity remained unknown. Weeks later, a Santa Ana man said he saw his neighbor, Oliveros Acosta, pick up a cat over his head and slam it to the ground. The man's wife confirmed that the cat had been killed, and they called Santa Ana Animal Control to report the incident. Two days later, Animal Control was called for a report of a sick cat that had been dropped from the bed of a white Toyota Tacoma pickup — the same type of vehicle seen in the Westminster incident. The video showed the suspect, later identified as Acosta, stomping on the cat with his foot. Oliveros Acosta was arrested by officers from Santa Ana and the Westminster police department on April 24 and was released after posting a $40,000 bail. His release sparked widespread public outcry, leading to an 'unruly' vigil by concerned residents that was held outside the suspect's home. The Orange County District Attorney's Office said he was released before the police departments completed their investigations and presented the case for consideration. Prosecutors have since asked for his bail to be increased to $100,000 due to the 'danger Oliveros Acosta poses to public safety.' The D.A.'s Office did not state if their request had been granted by the judge assigned to the case. The case remains under investigation by the two local police departments, and the D.A.'s Office says it is continuing to evaluate the evidence to determine if additional charges are warranted. If convicted as charged, he could face a maximum of four years and four months for the animal cruelty-related charges, with an additional year of jail time for the misdemeanor drug charge, which was added after he was found with methamphetamine on his person at the time of the arrest. Oliveros Acosta is due in court in Santa Ana on Wednesday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
25 animal cruelty cases filed in recent weeks, L.A. County DA says
The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced it is pursuing 25 new animal cruelty cases, including 18 felonies filed over the last six weeks. The cases, according to D.A. Nathan Hochman, highlight his office's attempts to bring to justice those accused of violently abusing animals. On Tuesday, Hochman held a press conference alongside local law enforcement leaders and members of the D.A.'s Office investigatory team to announce the charges in the various cases. 'If you harm an animal in our community, we are watching you — and we will find you,' Hochman said in a release issued Tuesday afternoon. 'Animal cruelty is a serious crime. It's also a red flag for possible future violence and we treat it exactly as it should be treated — with zero tolerance and aggressive prosecution.' Among those charged with felony animal cruelty are: Esteban Garcia, 28, who is accused of dropping a dog on her head, kicking her, and then throwing her into a stack of tires 'where she was left to die.' The dog, a 5-year-old bulldog named Adriana, survived and is receiving care by the Animal Assistance League of Orange County. It was later revealed the dog had illegal drugs in her system. Joseph Melnyk, 51, is accused of throwing his girlfriend's 4-year-old terrier mix off of a balcony at her Hollywood apartment during a domestic dispute. The dog, Charlie, died from its injuries and, and a medical examination determined the dog suffered previous abuse. This crime, Hochman's office said, is an example of animal cruelty coming as an extension of domestic violence. Marc Ibanez, 27, is accused of dragging a dog behind a business in Santa Fe Springs and stabbing it with a sharp object. The dog, a 9-year-old German shepherd named Leo, suffered lacerations to its forehead and chest. A 13-inch piece of glass with dog hair embedded in it was found near the scene. Micheala Urquidi, 22, is accused of strangling a 2-year-old American Bully that he was pet-sitting at a home in San Fernando. The dog, Chula, was found dead inside the home by its owners. Blaise Prymmer, 23, is accused of trying to hang his family's dog at their La Verne home. Unsuccessful, he then beat the dog, an older corgi/chihuahua mix named Hope, with a crowbar until she died. He told authorities that the dog's barking was preventing him from sleeping. Emmanuel Perdomo, 43, was charged with felony counts of animal cruelty and arson, for allegedly setting fire to an animal cage with a cat inside, then disposing the the animal's body, kicking it and photographing it. Miguel Abadmunoz, 44, is accused of using a butane torch to set a 10-year-old Siamese cat on fire in the Pico-Union neighborhood. The cat was later euthanized due to the severity of its injuries. Arturo Morales, 55, is accused of running a cockfighting ring out of his backyard. Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies discovered a bag of dead roosters, including one with a blade attached to its leg, along with multiple cages labeled with names and weights, but no food or water. Nearby, a refrigerator containing 'hematopoietic stimulant' was found, officials said. Fighting chickens are often injected with stimulants to enhance their aggression, according to the Animal Legal and Historical Center. Donald Jeffes, 40, was charged with felony animal cruelty on April 21, after surveillance cameras inside a downtown L.A. apartment building captured him allegedly carrying his dog, Rusty, by the collar and whipping him several times with a metal chain. Alexander Cueva, 28, faces charges for felony animal cruelty after video appeared to show him dragging his young German Shepherd mix by the neck, slamming her to the pavement and the kicking her in the face as she lay motionless. He's then seen riding away on his skateboard and dragging the dog out of frame. These felony cases were all investigated by local law enforcement agencies, and potential sentences range from three years in county jail to as many as 13 years in state prison. 'Our Department is working closely with Los Angeles County Animal Control, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, and community partners to ensure all cases of animal cruelty are fully investigated and prosecuted,' Sheriff Robert Luna added. LAPD Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton said investigators pursue animal cruelty cases with 'integrity and intensity.' 'Despite the loss of our Animal Cruelty Task Force in early 2021, we take animal cruelty investigations seriously, and we investigate these cases in a manner that lead to the successful arrests and prosecutions of the alleged suspects,' Hamilton said. Those who witness serious instances of animal abuse are urged to call 911 and file a report. Otherwise, reports can be made by contacting your local animal services agency or law enforcement agency's non-emergency line. Additional information about the various types of animal cruelty, and how to recognize and report them, can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Yahoo
Grimes County behavioral hospital escapee gets 35 years in prison
GRIMES COUNTY, Texas (FOX 44) – A man who pled guilty to Assault Family Violence by Impeding Breath has been sentenced to 35 years in prison. The Grimes County District Attorney's Office says 36-year-old Scott Evan Shepple pled guilty to the third-degree felony on Friday. The Grimes County Sheriff's Office originally responded to an assault family violence call in Iola on August 22, 2024. The victim told the responding deputy that her boyfriend, identified as Shepple, had beaten her and choked her out before fleeing the scene. The victim was able to provide the deputy with a security video clip which captured the assault. The D.A.'s Office says its chief investigator, along with the constable, found Shepple in Iola. The investigator interviewed Shepple regarding the abuse allegations and obtained a confession from Shepple to both beating and choking his girlfriend. He was taken into custody after resisting arrest following the interview. Shepple was indicted by a Grimes County Grand Jury on December 16, 2024. Prosecutors alleged he used his hands as a deadly weapon during the choking assault. PREVIOUS STORY: 'Violent' Grimes County behavioral hospital escapee caught The D.A.'s Office says Shepple escaped from the Cypress Creek Behavioral Hospital on March 31, 2025. After a 19-hour manhunt, he was brought back to custody. Harris County declined to pursue an escape charge. Shepple pled guilty to Assault Family Violence by Impeding Breath before 12th District Judge David Moorman. He also pled true to the deadly weapon finding. He was sentenced to 35 years in prison in a plea agreement made by the assistant district attorney. Shepple faced an enhanced punishment range due to past felony convictions. He will be required to serve half of his sentence before he is eligible for parole. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Yahoo
Grimes County burglar sentenced to 75 years in prison
GRIMES COUNTY, Texas (FOX 44) – A burglar in Grimes County with many more convictions has been sentenced to 75 years in prison. The Grimes County District Attorney's Office says a jury found 44-year-old William Eric Tisdale guilty of Burglary of a Habitation on Wednesday. A Sheriff's deputy originally responded to a burglary in progress on County Road 175 in Iola on July 4, 2024. When the deputy arrived on scene, it was discovered Tisdale had entered an occupied home and committed theft. The D.A.'s Office says the victims, who were still in bed, heard sounds coming from inside their home. When they checked their Ring camera, they witnessed Tisdale on camera walking away with stolen packages. The victims confronted Tisdale after calling law enforcement and nearby family members for help. The victims were able to keep Tisdale on scene until law enforcement arrived. The D.A.'s Office says a jury trial began in the 12th District Court on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, which was presided over by Judge David Moorman. The assistant district attorney put on testimony from the Sheriff's deputy, both victims who were home at the time of the burglary and video evidence for the jury to consider. Man accused of killing AT&T lineman to remain in mental facility After the jury found Tisdale guilty of Burglary of a Habitation on Wednesday, the assistant district attorney put on evidence of Tisdale's extensive criminal history dating back to 1997. Jurors learned Tisdale was a registered sex offender who had previous convictions for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child, Burglary of a Habitation, Assault, Deadly Conduct, various drug charges and Burglary of a Vehicle. The D.A.'s Office says jurors also heard from the female victim of the offense on trial. She detailed to the jury how being victimized initially effected her and how it continues to impact her life. The jury sentenced Tisdale to 75 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The available range of punishment was five to 99 years in prison. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Yahoo
Menendez Brothers Resentencing Hearing Ends, Geragos Demands Risk Assessment Report
The Menendez Brothers resentencing hearing has ended for the day ... and will not be continued on Friday, as originally scheduled. The next hearing is scheduled for May 9, and will address the admissibility of a risk assessment report ... and the brothers' defense attorney Mark Geragos is expected to file for L.A. County District Attorney Nathan Hochman to be personally recused from the case. Hochman grew up in Beverly Hills and went to the same high school as the Menendez Bros. In a news conference after today's hearing, Geragos repeatedly accused the D.A.'s Office -- and specifically Hochman -- of retraumatizing the Menendez family. One family member was reportedly hospitalized after crime scene photos were shown in court on April 11. Bryan Freedman, who represents members of the Menendez family, said he wants to ensure their Marsy's Law rights are respected. Tamara Menendez, a cousin, spoke at Thursday's post-hearing news conference, and said she felt belittled by Hochman in a one-on-one meeting ... prompting Geragos to call it an abusive attack on her and claim Hochman is "serially" traumatizing the family. No testimony will be heard in the May 9 hearing, though the family is invited to attend. Whether the hearing is open to the public is still being determined. Geragos still hasn't seen the risk assessment report, and is waiting to receive it. Hochman himself filed a last-minute motion Wednesday night in L.A. County Superior Court to prevent today's much-anticipated hearing from going forward, arguing the court needs time to review the California parole board's risk assessment report for Erik and Lyle Menendez. The judge rejected that motion and today's hearing went forward. As you know, Governor Gavin Newsom ordered the state's parole board back in February to conduct a risk assessment of the brothers before any clemency decision could be made. Newsom plans to use the report as part of a June 13 hearing, in which Erik and Lyle will each appear before the board for their individual reviews. After the hearing, Newsom will then make his decision on whether to grant clemency to the brothers. Erik and Lyle were convicted of shooting their parents to death with shotguns in their Beverly Hills home in 1989 and were ultimately sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. Despite their sentence, the brothers have been actively working the legal system in the hopes of getting released from prison, especially over the past two years. They've filed for resentencing, requested clemency and pushed for a new trial based on newly unearthed evidence.
