Latest news with #RonFreitas
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
21 arrested, including 3 murder suspects in major Stockton gang, drug bust
( — A months-long gang investigation into Stockton crimes has reached a turning point in Stockton. Stockton Police announced the arrest of 21 people, including three of whom are now facing murder charges in connection with a series of violent crimes across the city. Dubbed 'Operation White Noise,' the multi-agency effort targets a known street gang that authorities believe is responsible for homicides, drug trafficking, illegal gun sales, and even human trafficking. The suspects arrested range from 15 to 67 years old. Man in his 40s sentenced to life in prison on multiple felony counts 'This operation reached a significant milestone, resulting in several strategic arrests and the execution of several search warrants,' said Stockton Police Chief Stanley McFadden. According to investigators, the arrests are tied to multiple homicides committed between March and May of this year. 'Three homicide suspects that have been connected to five cold-blooded murders in Stockton, including two tragic cases involving 17-year-old victims,' McFadden said. During the latest phase of the operation, law enforcement recovered 22 firearms and seized large quantities of drugs, including fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin. Kia recalls over 82,000 K5 vehicles after a faulty software update On Friday, McFadden stood alongside San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas to send a clear message. 'Their reign of terror ends today,' Freitas said. 'Not with silence, but with swift and certain justice.' Authorities said they are determined to continue dismantling violent networks in Stockton. 'If you're engaged in violence, illegal firearms, human trafficking, drugs, we will find you and hold you accountable. It's only a matter of time,' McFadden said. Police also confirmed they recently met with the Department of Justice and are considering programs to help reduce violence in the city. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man sentenced to 26 years for rape and child abuse in San Joaquin County
( — The San Joaquin District Attorney's Office released a statement sentencing a man to 26 years for rape and continuous sexual abuse of a child. DA Ron Freitas announced Bertin Melo Villanueva, 34, was sentenced to 26 years in state prison in the courtroom of The Honorable Richard Guiliani, after pleading guilty to multiple felony charges. Both offenses are strikes under the California Three Strikes Law, according to SJDA. Villanueva also admitted to personally inflicting great bodily injury on the victim and agreed to waive all custody credits set back to his arrest on April 12, 2024. 'This is the kind of predator we will never stop fighting to remove from our communities,' said District Attorney Ron Freitas. 'The brutality and trauma this child endured are unspeakable. This sentence ensures that this defendant will never have the opportunity to hurt another innocent child again.' Suisun City Police investigate fatal train-pedestrian crash According to authorities, during the sentencing, there was a statement from the victim's family that was read aloud in court calling the defendant a 'monster' and a 'coward' and expressing relief that 'he will never do this to somebody else… as justice is being served today.' The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Elaine Casillas, who is with the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office, and investigated by Detective Allison Barsetti of the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Yahoo
SJ County taking new approach to cold cases
Apr. 15—STOCKTON — County officials are taking a new approach to solving some 600 cold cases. The San Joaquin County board of supervisors unanimously approved creating a Countywide Cold Case Task Force, spearheaded by District Attorney Ron Freitas and Sheriff Pat Withrow at its meeting last Tuesday. Supervisors also approved a $500,000 increase in the District Attorney's Family Justice Center budget to support the new initiative, with funding allocated from the Proposition 69 DNA Identification Fund. The funds will assist with DNA testing, forensic analysis and the implementation of new investigative technologies, staff said. "This task force is about hope and justice for families who've waited far too long," Board chair Paul Canepa said. "The DA and Sheriff are working together to include the right people and the right tools to finally get answers, and we are proud to support their efforts. These families deserve to know what happened to their loved ones, and we're doing everything we can to make that happen." The task force will not only be working to solve homicides, but also sexual assaults and missing person with suspicious circumstances, and will meet regularly to share investigative strategies, coordinate digital case tracking, prioritize cases, ensure consistent communication with victims' families. and use private forensic laboratories to provide DNA testing. Staff said the investment in advanced testing and cross-agency collaboration was a key recommendation of the 2024 San Joaquin County Grand Jury report that called for enhanced efforts to reduce the backlog of unsolved cases. "The San Joaquin County Cold Case Task Force represents our unwavering commitment to justice," Withrow said. "Every unsolved case is a promise we made to a victim and their loved ones — a promise that we will never stop seeking the truth. No matter how much time has passed, we owe it to our community to bring answers, closure, and accountability." The Cold Case Task Force is the result of a partnership between the San Joaquin County District Attorney and Sheriff's offices, local police departments, and the California Department of Justice created in October. "We're not just opening old files, we're reigniting a commitment to truth," Freitas said. "The Cold Case Task Force brings together expertise, technology and determination to deliver answers and accountability. For every family still waiting, this is our pledge: we won't stop until justice is served."
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Yahoo
San Joaquin County DA taking aim at theft, drug offenders
Mar. 5—In nearly two months, San Joaquin County law enforcement officials have pursued more than 50 drug and theft cases under a new tough-on-crime state law. Since Proposition 36 went into effect in January, San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas said his office has pursued 33 felony theft cases and 22 felony drug cases. Freitas said the proposition, known as The Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act, reverses years of leniency and has empowered his office to hold repeat offenders accountable. "For too long, San Joaquin County has suffered under policies that emboldened criminals and left law-abiding citizens defenseless," he said. "With Proposition 36, we're taking back our streets, crime will once again be illegal in San Joaquin, and we are delivering justice to victims. I'm proud to lead this charge — because safety isn't negotiable, and criminals don't get a free pass anymore." The 33 theft cases include packaged retail thefts that were once classified as misdemeanors, while the 22 drug felony cases target repeat offenders. Erin Haight, spokeswoman for the District Attorney's Office, said charges have been filed in 23 of the 33 theft cases, of which two stem from incidents in Lodi. In addition, charges have been filed in 21 of the 22 drug cases, eight of which stem from incidents in Lodi, she said. Details on the cases were not available. The proposition, which passed with 68% of the vote in November, increases penalties for certain drug and theft related offenses. It also designates a "treatment-mandated felony" for those who have received two prior drug offenses. Prop 36 also repealed 2014's Proposition 47, which reclassified crimes such as shoplifting, grand theft, forgery and drug use from felonies to misdemeanors. The measure was introduced to tackle prison overcrowding and reduce the number of individuals serving sentences for non-violent offenses. Last August, former San Joaquin County Supervisor Tom Patti said crimes such as theft and shoplifting had increased dramatically across the state over the last 10 years. "Proposition 47 achieved notable success in making California's criminal justice system more equitable, but has also led to unintended consequences over the past decade including repeat and often organized retail theft, inner-city store closings, and difficulty convincing people to seek drug and mental health treatment," Patti said during a special board meeting. "Rampant retail theft is harming businesses and residents in California because those who commit these crimes know they'll get away with it, even if they are caught." According to the Legislative Analyst's Office, Prop 36 increases punishment for some theft and drug crimes. As an example, theft of items worth less than $950 was a misdemeanor under Prop 47. Now, a person will be charged with a felony if they have two or more past convictions for certain theft crimes such as shoplifting, burglary, or carjacking. They will serve as much three years in county jail or state prison. Felony sentences for theft or damage of property will now be increased by as much as three years if three or more people committed the crime together. In addition, sentences for selling certain drugs, such as fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, or methamphetamine, could be increased based on the amount sold. Under Prop 47, these sentences were served in county jail or state prison depending on the person's criminal history. Prop 36 generally requires these sentences be served in prison. It also allows people who possess illegal drugs to be charged with a "treatment-mandated felony," instead of a misdemeanor, in some cases. This would apply to people who possess certain drugs such as fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, or methamphetamine and have two or more past convictions for some drug crimes such as possessing or selling drugs. These people would generally get mental health or drug treatment, and would have charges dismissed if they complete a treatment program. Those who do not finish treatment could serve as much as three years in state prison. Information about which of the county's cases ordered someone to treatment was not available. In addition, the new law requires courts to warn people that they could be charged with murder if they sell or provide illegal drugs that kill someone. "To the deputies, officers, and investigators across San Joaquin County — thank you," Freitas said. "Your dedication to upholding the law and protecting our communities is the backbone of this success. Together, we're building a safer future."
