COP KILLER SENTENCED TO LIFE
 An 18-year-old gang member was sentenced to life in prison for his part in a deadly sniper attack on an Oceanside
Police Officer. Penifoti Taeotui, 18, was convicted of first-degree murder with special circumstances. Officer Dan Bessant was gunned down on December 20, 2006 during a routine traffic stop. Taeotui and a fellow gang member fired at
Officer Bessant from more than 100 yards away. The bullets pierced the officer's heart, killing him. "A message needs to be sent to gang members – you aim a gun and fire at police officers and you kill a police officer," said Deputy
District Attorney Tom Manning, "the full strength of the law is going to come down on you."
CRIME ALERT: MANHUNT FOR SEXUAL PREDATOR
The San Diego County District Attorney's Office is asking for the public's help apprehending a sexual predator whose crimes are so heinous it earned him a spot on the U.S. Marshals 15 Most Wanted Fugitive's List. Frederick
McClean, 57, is wanted on multiple counts of sexual assault on a child. McLean's abusive acts against young victims span 20 years. An arrest warrant has been issued for McLean, who is 170 pounds, 5' 11" tall. Investigators believe McLean
may have assumed a new identity and could be using an alias. If you have any information, please contact the U.S. Marshals' 24-hour hotline at 1-800-336-0102.
DA BILLBOARDS TACKLE INSURANCE FRAUD
 Sixteen billboards have sprung up across San Diego County aimed at curbing worker's
compensation fraud. The outreach is part of a new campaign sponsored by the
San Diego County District Attorney's Office along with the California Worker's Compensation Fraud Assessment Commission and the
California Department of Insurance. Worker's compensation fraud can be committed by both employees and employers. The billboards are scattered strategically throughout the County. The public may contact the
Insurance Fraud Division of the DA's Office with questions and can report suspected fraud at 800-315-7572.
JOIN DA DUMANIS ON FACEBOOK
 District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis
now has a Facebook Page where news and office updates are posted. The popular social networking site is being used by more and more elected officials in an effort to stay in touch with the public. You can join the DA on Facebook in just a
few clicks by going to
this page!
REAL ESTATE SCAM ARTISTS ARRESTED
 The DA's Office charged three additional defendants in connection with a local real estate scam that
falsely promised foreclosure protection through a land grant. Jessica Refuerzo, 55, Edgardo Orcino, 57, and Julita Whittingham, 47, are accused of defrauding homeowners out of more than $100,000. "The victims in this case were desperate to
save their homes from foreclosure," said DA Bonnie Dumanis. "They were preyed upon by these con artists, who promised help but instead stole their money." The defendants are charged with grand theft. Tips on protecting yourself from real
estate and foreclosure fraud can be found on the
DA's website.
LAW ENFORCEMENT SALUTES LOCAL HEROES
 Six San Diegans were honored as local heroes at the 18th Annual Law Enforcement Salute to Local Heroes
sponsored by the
San Diego Rotary Club. This annual event recognizes citizens who perform courageous acts to help victims of crime and/or law enforcement. Deon Millan and Dejion Rivers (pictured) are sailors stationed on board U.S.S. Ronald Reagan who
stopped a hatchet-wielding man attacking his girlfriend and her family. The awards were presented by San Diego Police Chief William Lansdowne, Chief Deputy District Attorney Dan Lamborn (on behalf of DA
Bonnie Dumanis), and Sheriff Bill Kolender.
DA CRIMINAL CASE FILES
ENGLISH SIMMONS, 24, was sentenced to eight years in state prison after she pleaded guilty to felony child abuse and admitted she allowed her husband to abuse her daughter. The 3-year old daughter died after being punched in the
stomach.
PETER ALLEN BATTAGLIA, 54, was sentenced to 18 years in prison after pleading guilty to molesting two teenage girls in the 1990s.
EDUARDO DUARTE, 38, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for pushing his ex-girlfriend from a second-floor balcony during an argument. Duarte was charged with second-degree murder and child endangerment after throwing his ex-girlfriend over
the railing as their 12-year-old daughter watched.
SALVADOR ZAMUDIO, 31, was sentenced to more than 39 years-to-life in prison for sexually assaulting a cleaning woman in an early morning attack at a Solana Beach business complex.
JAVIER ALBERTO CASTANEDA, 22, was sentenced to 24 years in state prison after he was convicted of attempted voluntary manslaughter and assault with a firearm causing great bodily injury. Castaneda shot two people at a gas station five days
after getting out of jail on a robbery and burglary conviction.
OMAR EMANUEL MALDONADO, 26, was sentenced to 50 years-to-life in prison plus an additional seven years after being convicted of first-degree murder. Maldonado fatally shot a teenage girl at a party in 2000. |
