2024 Annual Report, San Diego County District Attorney
Summary
The San Diego County District Attorney's 2024 annual report describes an office of 1,000 employees serving more than 3.3 million people and prosecuting all felony crimes in the county. Among its high-profile prosecutions, Chula Vista City Councilmember Andrea Cardenas and Jesus Cardenas were convicted of two felony counts of grand theft for Paycheck Protection Program loan fraud and unemployment benefits fraud. The report says the siblings applied for a $176,227 paycheck protection loan for their political consulting firm, but the employees they claimed worked for a marijuana dispensary and the money paid personal expenses; each also claimed over $25,000 in unemployment benefits. Other figures include 172 stolen vehicles worth $3.3 million recovered and more than $14.6 million in statewide civil judgments from consumer protection cases.
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2024 Annual Report
San Diego County District Attorney
Index
1 District Attorney’s Message
2 Overview of the District Attorney’s Office
4 New Programs and Initiatives
8 High Profile Prosecutions
16 Supporting Victims and Restoring Lives
21 Facts and Figures
27 Staff and Budget
28 Specialized Units and Divisions
2
Message from Summer Stephan
San Diego County District Attorney
As District Attorney for San Diego County, I am proud to lead
and work alongside a dedicated team of 1,000 employees, who
serve more than 3.3 million people with integrity and passion.
Our team is dedicated to fighting for justice on behalf of crime victims and
is responsible for prosecuting all felony crimes that occur in the county; and
all misdemeanor crimes that occur outside the San Diego city limits. We work with all nine police
departments in the county and the Sheriff’s Office to make sure those who harm others and
terrorize neighborhoods are held accountable under the law.
It's our honor to represent all 18 cities and the many unincorporated communities that make up
San Diego County. We are fiercely committed to the right of every child, adult and senior to live
with safety and dignity. We know from having daily experiences of looking into the eyes of victims
whose lives have been ripped apart by crime, that nothing thrives without safety. It is an essential
human right that must be safeguarded. This relentless commitment to every person in our region
in partnership with law enforcement and the communities we serve, continues to keep us one of
the safest urban counties in our nation. This past year, we obtained justice for victims of domestic
violence, human trafficking, hate crimes, organized retail theft, fentanyl poisoning, environmental
and consumer fraud, elder fraud, sexual predators and many more. We also fought for justice for
families who lost loved ones to senseless violence and murder.
• We brought organized criminals, cartels and gangs to justice reducing fentanyl deaths
for teens and adults.
• We served thousands of vulnerable victims and their children in our North County Family
Justice Center, removing them from a path to homelessness and despair.
• We are working to implement Proposition 36 to stop rampant theft and deter drug dealers
in our community.
• We successfully prosecuted murderers and rapists including cold cases that we never
forgot about.
• We diverted hundreds of children away from the school to prison pipeline through our
Juvenile Diversion Initiative by addressing the root causes of the youth’s criminal conduct
and assuring balanced accountability.
• We grew and supported a first-of-its-kind Elder Justice Task Force that is working around
the clock to protect seniors from fraud that destroys their hard-earned retirement.
• We kept our schools safe by meticulously implementing our unique school threats protocol
with all 42 school districts that is laser focused on preventing school shootings.
In this 2024 annual report you will read about the many initiatives upon which our team embarked
on behalf of victims of crime and about community-based programs that embrace public health,
public safety and crime prevention. I want to thank my team for dedicating their lives to the pursuit
of justice for the most vulnerable, despite the impact the trauma has on them of bearing witness to
horrific forms of abuse committed on our victims. Because of this, we are doing more to address the
wellbeing of our team so that they can continue to serve with excellence.
2024 San Diego County District Attorney Annual Report 1
OVERVIEW OF THE
District Attorney’s
Office
The San Diego County District Attorney’s
Office is responsible for prosecuting
felony crimes committed in the county. It
also prosecutes misdemeanor offenses
that occur outside the City of San Diego.
Each year, the more than 350 prosecutors
in the DA’s Office file about 40,000
criminal cases on behalf of the county’s
nearly 3.3 million residents.
2
2024 FELONY PROSECUTIONS BY TYPE OF CRIME
● Assault (including Stalking) 2,632
● Drug-Related Offenses 1,320
● Theft/Embezzlement 963
● Weapons Offenses 868
● Burglary 800
● Vandalism/Malicious Mischief 791
● Vehicle Theft 687
● Robbery 647
● Forgery/Fraud 611
● Driving Under the Influence 593
● Traffic-Related (incl. Vehicular
Manslaughter) 497
● Sex Offenses (including Rape) 389
● Other 362
● Homicide (including Attempts) 193
● Arson 135
0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000
What Does the District Attorney Do?
The Mission of the District Attorney’s Office is to
pursue equal and fair justice for all and to build safe
neighborhoods in partnership with the communities we
serve, by ethically prosecuting those who commit crime,
protecting victims and preventing future harm.
More than 1,000 DA employees work across
22 divisions, branch offices, and One Safe Place: The
North County Family Justice Center, each carrying out
Watch our video to learn
specialized work on behalf of the people of San Diego more about what the
County. One great way to understand what the District District Attorney’s Office
Attorney’s Office does is by watching this video.
2024 San Diego County District Attorney Annual Report 3
New Programs
And Initiatives
Each year, the District Attorney’s Office
implements new initiatives and looks for
ways we can advance our mission. Here
are some of the new programs rolled out
in 2024 that support safe and healthy
neighborhoods.
4
East County Drug Court SCOPE Pilot Program
This Drug Court program in our East County branch, is a co-occurring track for justice-involved
individuals who are suffering from substance use disorder and a severe mental health illness, who
normally would not qualify for Drug Court or Behavioral Health Court. This population is prone to
being overlooked and are often involved with the criminal justice system because their needs go
unaddressed. In July 2024, in collaboration with our East County Drug Court partners, the District
Attorney’s office led the development of this program to focus on the intersection of mental health,
substance abuse, and homelessness. The pilot program leverages existing resources and treatment
providers to fill a void in our justice system, which lacked the structured court supervision and
evidence-based individualized treatment and supervision that has been successful in our Collaborative
Courts. The SCOPE pilot program has a population of 10 individuals and has formed a partnership
with the Regional Center, which empowers individuals with developmental disabilities.
International Partnership in Support of Victims
In 2024, the District Attorney’s Office formed a historic partnership between the Attorney General
of the Mexican State of Baja California, the State of Baja California Justice Center for Women and
the DA’s One Safe Place: The North County Family Justice Center. The partnership allows victims
of domestic violence and other crimes on either side of the U.S.-Mexican border to access vital
services in either place to ensure they can get to a safe and healing place no matter where they live
or work. Through the partnership, victims are no longer forced to cross the border, sometimes waiting
hours, to get to services. Instead, the union ensures culturally sensitive referrals to victims where
they are most comfortable. This agreement makes One Safe Place the first of nearly 200 Family
Justice Centers worldwide to have an international partnership.
2024 San Diego County District Attorney Annual Report 5
MTS Wildcatting Public Awareness Campaign
The District Attorney’s Office joined the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System, elected officials,
law enforcement and government agencies to launch an educational campaign to combat wildcatting
at MTS transit centers at the San Ysidro Land Port of Entry and Otay Mesa Land Port of Entry.
Wildcatters are unregulated and
unpermitted ride-sharing services
who can be aggressive with their
tactics to secure rides. Oftentimes,
wildcatters harass taxicab drivers,
vandalize public property and do
not undergo safety screenings.
Accepting rides from un-permitted
drivers who operate illegally and are
not vetted can put people at risk of
becoming the victim of crimes like
recruitment for human trafficking,
fraud and overcharging.
Without proper oversight, unregulated transportation
services may not carry enough insurance to protect
passengers in case of an accident. Wildcatters do not
undergo criminal background checks, do not receive safety
training, and do not perform vehicle safety inspections.
This lack of oversight can result in unsafe rides, price
gouging and limited protection for riders in the case of an
accident. The campaign included increased signage around
transit centers, including billboards and digital messages.
6
Prop 36 Becomes Law
In 2024, voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 36, which addresses three key public safety
issues plaguing our communities:
• Repeat retail theft affecting small and large businesses and impacting
the safety of their employees and their customers.
• Fentanyl and methamphetamine dealers who are poisoning individuals
across the county and fueling crime.
• Untreated drug addiction and related behavioral health issues causing overdose deaths
that disproportionately impact a substantial portion of persons who are homeless.
The new law provides stricter consequences for repeat theft offenders, thieves who commit smash
and grab retail crimes, and organized theft rings. The new law also requires convicted dealers of
fentanyl and hard drugs to receive a warning that the next time they sell illegal drugs and someone
dies, they will be held responsible for a victim’s death. The law provides additional consequences
for illegal drug dealers who cause great bodily injury or death. Importantly, the new law incentivizes
lifesaving treatment for defendants suffering from addiction by mandating treatment as an alternative
to incarceration, addressing the root cause of many crimes.
San Diego County School-Based Interventions
for Substance Use & Overdose Prevention
The DA’s Office announced the release of a new report outlining
recommendations for drug prevention education and anti-overdose
efforts in schools. Nearly two dozen schools across San Diego County
are already adopting and implementing recommendations from the
working group that produced the report, which includes five drug
abuse prevention and three drug overdose prevention programs.
School-based Interventions for Substance Use and Overdose
Prevention lays a foundation for programs in a school setting that
can deter or delay the onset of substance use, slow or stop the
progression of use and development of substance use disorders and
minimize the adverse impact of substance use on students, their
families and community, and the economy.
In October 2024, the San Diego District Attorney’s Office, in partnership with the San Diego County
Office of Education, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the San Diego Imperial Valley High Intensity
Drug Trafficking Area Program, and the California National Guard Counterdrug Task Force, released
the report. A working group, made up of representatives from each of the identified agencies, consulted
with experts in prevention science and curriculum analysis with the goal of identifying curricula
proven to prevent or delay the onset of substance use and that are most likely to result in fewer
unintentional drug deaths. A copy of the report can be found here: suopt.org/educational-toolkits
2024 San Diego County District Attorney Annual Report 7
Lens of Justice
THROUGH SIGNIFICANT CASES
By the time a criminal case resolves,
so many employees of the District
Attorney’s Office have a hand in
achieving justice. Prosecutors,
investigators, paralegals, victim
advocates, support staff, an IT team
and even court dogs. Some of the
distinguished cases are included here.
8
PEOPLE V. CHRISTOPHER SCHMITTEL
Drunk and High Teen Driver Kills Two Friends
After consuming alcohol, marijuana, Xanax, and what he believed to be psychedelic mushrooms,
19-year-old Christopher Schmittel drove 100 to 130 mph throughout Riverside, Orange, and
San Diego counties. He lost control of his vehicle and crashed onto Torrey Pines State Beach, killing
two 19-year-old passengers and injuring two others. He was convicted of two counts of murder
and sentenced to 30 years-to-life in prison.
PEOPLE V. BRIAN LIGHTFOOT AND JEREMY WHITE
Defendants Prosecuted for Antifa Riot
Eleven defendants affiliated with Antifa traveled from the Los Angeles
area to combine forces with Antifa affiliates in San Diego as part
of a conspiracy to riot and counter-protest a scheduled political
demonstration in Pacific Beach in January 2021. The defendants and
many other unknown co-conspirators arrived in Pacific Beach dressed
in black clothing, and armed with weapons and protective gear, before
participating in violent and unprovoked attacks on their opponents. Antifa
is known to use force, fear, and violence to further their own interests and to
suppress the interests of others. All 11 defendants pleaded guilty or were found guilty
by a jury of conspiracy to riot and all defendants were sentenced to custody as a result
of their participation.
PEOPLE V. ALI ABULABAN
Wife and New Love Interest Murdered
A jury convicted Ali Abulaban of murdering his wife Ana Abulaban and her new love interest Rayburn
Barron. Abulaban spied on his wife during their separation and when he heard she was with Barron
inside their apartment via audio from an iPad in the home, he drove to the complex with a gun, entered
the apartment, and immediately shot and killed them. Abulaban was found guilty of two counts of
first-degree murder, special circumstance allegations of multiple murders, and allegations for discharging
a firearm causing death. He was sentenced to two consecutive terms of life without the possibility
of parole, plus 50 years-to-life in prison for the firearm allegations.
PEOPLE V. DANIEL GARCIA
Dangerous Felon with Guns and Drugs
Police found Daniel Garcia in possession of more than 15 pounds of methamphetamine, one kilogram
of fentanyl, 4,000 fentanyl pills, several firearms and ammunition, and more than $200,000 in cash.
Garcia had a prior conviction for drug dealing and firearm possession and had a strike prior for
residential burglary. He pleaded guilty and will be sentenced to 13 years in prison.
2024 San Diego County District Attorney Annual Report 9
GRANTS PASS AMICUS BRIEFS
U.S. Supreme Court Weighs in on Camping Ban
In City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, the District Attorney’s Appellate Division authored amicus briefs
on behalf of the District Attorney to provide insight to the United States Supreme Court of the impact
their decision about public camping ordinances would have on San Diego. As we advised the U.S. Supreme
Court, we were particularly concerned that San Diego County ranks among the highest in the nation
to be at risk for wildfires and is also at the epicenter of the fentanyl crisis given our proximity to the
U.S.-Mexico border and being identified as the largest entry point of illicit fentanyl. Prohibiting public
camping ordinances would increase those dangers as it may prohibit certain methods of addressing
fire safety, substance abuse, and homelessness. The U.S. Supreme Court cited our amicus brief, and
ultimately its decision permitting those ordinances enables law enforcement to enforce critical
arson, fire-safety, and controlled substance laws. As a result, the District Attorney can continue to
use critical tools to combat the homelessness crisis such as the Community Justice Initiative, peer
support, smartphone applications for services, acute crisis response teams, crisis and de-escalation
training, and education.
10
PEOPLE V. PATRICK FERNCASE
Murderer Kills Victims by Stomping Them to Death
A jury convicted Patrick Ferncase of two counts of first-degree murder for killing Aureo Duque-Rayo,
68 and Derek Baker, 56. Duque-Rayo was working at a shopping center in Carlsbad, when in broad
daylight, the defendant charged at Duque-Rayo and knocked him to the ground. Ferncase then
stomped the victim’s his head more than 30 times while Duque-Rayo laid motionless on the
pavement and with numerous witnesses pleading for Ferncase to stop. Three months later while
Duque-Rayo was still in a coma and Ferncase was in a jail cell on attempted murder charges,
Ferncase stomped on the head of his cellmate Derek Baker. Both Duque-Rayo and Baker were
on life support and eventually died from their injuries. Ferncase was sentenced to life without the
possibility of parole.
PEOPLE V. AVONTE HARTSFIELD
Arsonist Collected Insurance Proceeds and Donations
Avonte Hartsfield operated a food truck business named “Rollin Roots”
and developed a presence on social media by participating in
community events and outreach. In October 2021, the truck
was destroyed in a deliberately set fire. Hartsfield filed
insurance claims resulting payouts totaling over $236,000.
Hartsfield also raised $100,000 on GoFundMe claiming to
be the victim of the arson because of his race and sexual
orientation. Surveillance cameras, however, captured
Hartsfield in disguise at the truck on the night of the fire.
Prior to the event, Hartsfield ran Internet searches related to
fire starting. Hartsfield was convicted at trial of arson, grand
theft, and insurance fraud. He was sentenced to five years and
four months in prison.
PEOPLE V. JAZZ BRADLEY
Rapist Attacks Multiple Victims
Jazz Bradley, a convicted rapist who was on parole for the 2014 forcible rape of a 14-year-old girl,
went on a sexual assault spree involving three separate female victims in February 2023. During
the course of one month, Bradley forcibly raped a 26-year-old woman, a 16-year-old girl, and
statutorily raped another 16-year-old girl. He was convicted by a jury and was sentenced to life
without the possibility of parole, plus 55 years-to-life, plus five years and eight months in prison.
2024 San Diego County District Attorney Annual Report 11
OPERATION SUNRISE
Undercover Officers Infiltrated Crime Rings
The San Diego Regional Auto Theft Task Force completed a
yearlong multi-agency undercover investigation, recovering
172 stolen vehicles worth $3.3 million. Through an undercover
storefront in East County, officers purchased stolen vehicles,
narcotics, firearms, and ammunition from suspects. In addition
to the recovered stolen vehicles, officers purchased 14 firearms
and 300 grams of narcotics. Fifty defendants were indicted and
convicted, each receiving sentences ranging from eight years in prison
to probation.
MAURICE LITTLEJOHN
Man Tries to Sexually Assault Neighbor
Maurice Littlejohn attempted to sexually assault his adult neighbor, then pulled a knife on police
when they responded and he resisted arrest. During the investigation, law enforcement learned
that Littlejohn had also molested his fiancée’s 15-year-old daughter. A jury convicted him of all
crimes. In a separate case, Littlejohn was convicted by a jury of attempted murder. For both cases,
he was sentenced to 34 years-to-life in prison.
PEOPLE V. JULIAN KURKO
East County Man Swings Bat at
Police Officer’s Head
El Cajon Police responded to a call of someone swinging a bat
around and threatening people at an East County Walmart. The
defendant, Julian Kurko, had stolen an aluminum baseball bat and
was threatening to kill a Walmart employee if they tried to stop him.
As Kurko left the store, he was confronted by an El Cajon Police officer.
The officer told Kurko to drop the bat. Kurko wound up the bat, advanced
on the officer, and swung as hard as he could at the officer’s head. The
officer was able to step into the arc of the swing and blocked it with his arm
ultimately taking the defendant to the ground. The defendant pleaded guilty
to attempted murder and was sentenced to 21 years in prison.
12
PEOPLE V. DARIUS WATTS
Driver High on Fentanyl Strikes and Kills Pedestrian
An East County defendant, who admitted to taking fentanyl before getting behind the wheel,
drove onto a sidewalk, crashed through a sign and a signal post and struck a pedestrian, killing her.
Darius Watts drove to the next block, dragging the signal post with him as witnesses yelled at him
to stop. Once he stopped and was located, he still had the traffic light on his car He pleaded guilty
to the charges and admitted fleeing the scene. He was sentenced to nine years in prison.
PEOPLE V. ANDREA CARDENAS AND JESUS CARDENAS
Chula Vista City Councilmember Steps Down After Fraud Investigation
Chula Vista City Councilmember Andrea Cardenas and her brother Jesus Cardenas, a former chief
of staff to San Diego City Councilmember Stephen Whitburn, were convicted of two felony counts
of grand theft for Paycheck Protection Program loan fraud and unemployment benefits fraud. The
siblings applied for a $176,227 paycheck protection loan meant to keep employees of their political
consulting firm on payroll during the pandemic. The employees they claimed, however, worked for
a marijuana dispensary and the loan funds were used to pay the Cardenas’ personal expenses. The
siblings also claimed over $25,000 each in unemployment benefits while their political consulting
firm was in full operation. They were both convicted and ordered to pay back the total amount they
fraudulently obtained.
2024 San Diego County District Attorney Annual Report 13
PEOPLE V. ESTEVAN CORONA
A Killer Could Not Hide from Evidence
In March 2020, defendant Estevan Corona failed to stop at a red light and struck 21-year-old
Brescia Ayon as she crossed the intersection on her way to work. Ayon was thrown 60 feet from the
impact and died at the scene. Corona immediately fled the scene and took extensive steps to cover
up his involvement in the crime. The investigation, which took more than a year, was thorough and
involved numerous cell phone search warrants. Ultimately, Corona could not hide from the phone
evidence and the paper trail tying him to the suspect vehicle. Four years after the crime was committed,
a jury found Corona guilty of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and hit and run with
death. He was sentenced to the maximum sentence of 11 years in state prison.
PEOPLE V. RICARDO GONGORA
Theft of a Car Resulted in Murder
Navy sailor Edward Foster was working his second job delivering Amazon packages in June 2023,
when the 18-year-old defendant, Ricardo Gongora, got into Foster’s car with a female passenger
and drove off. Foster jumped on the hood of his car, trying to stop the vehicle theft. But Gongora
continued driving for at least two miles, swerving to throw Foster from the car. Foster screamed
for help and called 911, telling dispatchers to track his car, stating that he “was going to be killed.”
The defendant crashed near the San Diego-Coronado Bridge, causing Foster to be thrown from the
hood, striking his head. Foster died at the scene. Gongora pleaded guilty to second-degree murder
and was sentenced to 15-years-to-life in prison.
14
Domestic Violence Stabbing Case Ends
with 50-Year Sentence
Last May, defendant Arturo Ulloa was sentenced to 50 years-to-life in prison for brutally attacking
his girlfriend, strangling her and stabbing her repeatedly. Ulloa stabbed the victim more than 20 times
using five different knives. Her children, ages 4 and 7, witnessed the attack and ran to a neighbor
for help. After stabbing his girlfriend, the defendant fled and attempted to carjack a separate victim.
During a jury trial, Ulloa was found guilty of premeditated attempted murder, aggravated mayhem,
attempted carjacking, and child endangerment.
Man Sentenced for Killing In-Laws
A man who was convicted by a jury of killing his father and
brother-in-law in Valley Center was sentenced in May
2024 to two terms of life without the possibility of parole
plus 50 years in state prison. A jury found Christian
Bobila guilty of two counts of first-degree murder,
including firearm enhancements for discharging a gun
causing death and the special circumstance of multiple
murders. The murders occurred over a long-simmering
family schism that developed after the defendant
married his wife without his father-in-law’s blessing.
After a long drive from the Bay Area to Valley Center, the
defendant – armed with a semi-automatic pistol – carried out
his plan to kill.
Cold Case Arrest and Prosecution
A man who committed a triple homicide that went cold for 24 years was sentenced in July 2024 to
three life terms in prison without the possibility of parole, plus 75 years-to-life. Sergio Contreras
shot and killed three people, including a 22-month-old baby, on Labor Day in 2000. He opened
fire into an apartment after one of the residents failed to pay for a small amount of illegal drugs.
Contreras shot 27-year-old Michael Plummer more than a dozen times. He also shot 18-year-old
Adah Pearson in the heart as she lay sleeping on the couch. Another shot went through the wall
and hit 22-month-old Julio Rangel, Jr. in the head as he lay asleep on a bed in the next room. All
three victims died from their wounds. Contreras fled and case went cold for several years.
Contreras was initially a suspect in the crime, but it wasn’t until 2007, after additional witnesses
came forward, that murder charges were filed. On March 22, 2023, Contreras was successfully
extradited from Mexico where he had been serving time for an unrelated robbery and murder.
2024 San Diego County District Attorney Annual Report 15
Supporting
Victims
and Restoring
Lives
One of the main roles and responsibilities
of the District Attorney’s Office is to support
victims of crime. We do that in several ways,
including assisting victims through the court
process, informing them of their rights in
the criminal justice system and advocating
for them through each step of a criminal
case and beyond.
In addition, our Victim Assistance Program
offers comprehensive services at no cost,
even if a suspect is not identified or if
criminal charges have not been filed.
16
The Victim Services Division
The Victim Services Division assists victims with their recovery from the effects of crime and provides
services, which include crisis intervention, referrals to community resources, court support, and
Victim Compensation Board assistance.
In 2024 the Victim The Joint Powers The Criminal
Assistance Program Claims Unit Restitution
Assisted 10,667 Determines eligibility to the Compact Unit:
crime victims Victim Compensation Board Ensures that defendants are
and pays eligible crime- ordered to pay back restitution
Provided 556 crisis related expenses. on cases where the Victim
interventions Compensation Board has
Made 10,152 referrals Processed 819 claims paid benefits.
to community resources from victims of violent crime
Facilitated the completion of
Provided 6,510 case Processed 2,342 bills 1,869 restitution orders
status updates from victims and service
Secured $1.3 million
Made 2,839 court
providers
in restitution from defendants
accompaniments payable to the Victim
Issued more than
Provided $28,211 $1.3 million Compensation Board
in emergency assistance for in payments to crime victims
immediate needs, such as from the California Victim
medical, housing, relocation, Compensation Board.
food, and personal items
Victim Advocates continue to provide outreach and education
by participating in numerous community events. They also
provide trainings and presentations to local police academies,
law enforcement agencies, and community agencies.
Ollie, the North County Facility Dog, provided support for
376 crime victims during interviews and court hearings.
The Division held its annual Holiday Drive for crime victims and their families. Through staff
coordination, eight families (12 adults and 28 children) were provided with household goods,
toys, clothing, and gift cards.
The Victim Services Division also maintains a Crisis Response Team whose members have
received specialized training and are available to respond to provide services and support to
victims and survivors after a mass violence incident occurs.
2024 San Diego County District Attorney Annual Report 17
One Safe Place:
The North County
Family Justice Center
One Safe Place gives trauma survivors in North County a
safe place to receive acute crisis care, advocacy, counseling,
legal services, childcare, connections to shelter and housing,
and social service benefits – all under one roof. There are
108 partner agencies working collaboratively to provide
hope, healing and justice for the community.
You
Matter
18
In 2024, One Safe Place:
Served2,342 individuals Conducted1,563 therapy sessions
Conducted intakes with 1,234 Helped 212 people search for
primary victims emergency shelter and other housing
Coordinated 3,237 return visits Welcomed 1,508 children including
for services with staff and partners 796 visits to our child waiting area
Held 4,993 case management sessions Responded to 5,919 phone calls
received on our main reception line
Distributed 4,747 pounds of food
Hosted community events for the elderly,
Provided 10,906 items of clothing, pets, staff wellness, teen dating abuse
hygiene, blankets and baby supplies prevention, fentanyl awareness, labor
Provided 1,559 legal services and trafficking, literacy, and more
attorney consultations including assistance
with restraining order applications
Significant ‘HOPE MOMENTS’ at One Safe Place included:
After suffering a domestic violence incident on New Year's Day and countless times prior, a
courageous mom came to One Safe Place for help with her infant daughter and her young
autistic son. They stepped in feeling hopeless and left feeling grateful for the wrap around
services and support. The One Safe Place Care team connected the woman to shelter support
for safe temporary housing and provided the family with clothing, baby items, formula and
toiletries. Another partner provided holiday gifts for the children after being told they had
not received anything from Santa.
An elderly gentleman who had recently been the victim of a brutal attack was assisted at
One Safe Place with compassionate care, connections to resources and help navigating his
case. One Safe Place partners also connected him to housing, therapy and gift cards to cover
his food expenses to help him get back on his feet.
A mother and her children who were escaping an abuser, received assistance having the
abuser removed from the rental lease and had their locks changed. The mother received a
forensic examination and the children received a forensic interview. The mother was also
assisted with filing a restraining order and was referred to our Traumatic Brain Injury clinic.
With our team support, she left filled with gratitude.
A young victim of human trafficking and domestic violence arrived at One Safe Place seeking
services. She spent a day on site working closely with our team, who assisted with safety
planning, clothing, food, toiletries and temporary safe shelter. She also received transportation
to the shelter to begin her healing journey.
2024 San Diego County District Attorney Annual Report 19
DA Care Center
The CARE Center is a satellite office of the District Attorney’s Office located in
National City that provides crime prevention and intervention services for the
community. In 2024, the center served more than 7,586 groups,
providers, individuals and families. Of these, 296 were
assessed for their needs, resulting in 402 referrals to
community-based organizations and direct connections
to food and clothing services held at the center.
In addition to needs assessments, the CARE Center
offers a free, clean, and safe meeting space for the
community. In 2024, we received more than 506 room
reservation requests. Through our event programming,
the CARE Center served over 6,000 people via initiatives
such as Homeless Pop-Up Resource Fairs, DocuReady
Fairs, Elder Fairs, employment support, and events for reentry
populations.
20
Facts and
Figures
Measuring outcomes of the work of the
District Attorney’s Office and providing
data to the public is an important part
of embracing transparency and building
trust with the community we serve.
2024 San Diego County District Attorney Annual Report 21
Elder Justice Taskforce
Elders lose
In 2024, San Diego seniors continued to fall victim to elder
$100 million financial scams perpetrated by transnational criminal
a year to scams! organizations, with victims losing a shocking $100 million
a year. The San Diego Elder Justice Task Force (EJTF),
which launched in 2021, brings together partners
including the San Diego County District Attorney’s
Office, the FBI, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Adult Protective
Services, The San Diego Law Enforcement Coordination
Center, along with local law enforcement agencies including
San Diego Police and Sheriff, Oceanside Police Department,
and others. The EJTF is focused on disrupting the financial networks
facilitating these scams for overseas networks by investigating and prosecuting the couriers and
money launderers operating here in the United States. In addition, the EJTF is working to recover
and return funds lost by elder victims wherever possible, keeping data on the amount of fraud
impacting the County of San Diego and educating the community about the greatest current
threats. San Diego’s Elder Justice Task Force is the only initiative of its kind in the nation.
Using Technology to Protect
Victims of Domestic Violence
The DA’s Family Protection Division
initiated a texting program in 2021 to
provide victims of domestic violence with
immediate updates on the status of their
cases. Since the program launched, 17,664
victims of crime were kept informed of
their case using text messages and in total,
60,065 texts have been sent. In 2024
alone, 6,261 victims of crime were kept
abreast of their case using text messages,
6,261 victims
and 18,720 texts were sent. The system received
sends automated text messages to a 18,720 texts
victim’s cell phone with case updates, links
to domestic violence resources and other
pertinent information, including the status of the case review, the name and contact number of the
assigned prosecutor and victim advocate, whether charges are being filed or not, and other case
status updates. The program started as a pilot in the North County branch and is now in effect in all
branches countywide for any case involving intimate partner violence and the program has a robust
approval rating from those contacted.
22
De-Escalation Training
The District Attorney’s Office continued its collaboration with police agencies in San Diego County
in 2024, providing curriculum for de-escalation training for peace officers. The DA’s Office is committed
to engaging in the development and implementation of effective, evidence-based crisis intervention
and de-escalation programming by providing access to tools in support of law enforcement officers,
dispatchers, first responders, and others who may encounter people in crisis. The goal is a reduced
need for the use of deadly force, improved officer safety, and reduced likelihood of injury to the person
in crisis and the public.
Training
by the
numbers 2,889
Officers
116
Non-sworn
law
enforcement
368
Community Members
In total,
3,382
individuals
completed
the DA-led 9
training Fire/EMS/Dispatchers
2024 San Diego County District Attorney Annual Report 23
Veterans Treatment Court
Veterans Treatment Court provides an opportunity for veterans to earn redemption through
a nationally recognized criminal diversion program that takes participants with criminal
convictions and places them on a separate, specialized track of treatment and rehabilitation rather
than incarceration. Most participants are in the program for 18 to 24 months. If all treatment,
supervision, and community service commitments are met, their case can be dismissed
and sealed. In 2024 there were 19 new participants and 17 individuals who successfully
graduated from the program, had their criminal cases dismissed and their rights restored.
19 new participants
17 graduates
24
Providing Safe Shelter
for Victims of Crime
Victims of domestic violence and other trauma no longer
have to spend hours or days trying to find safe shelter
thanks to the SoCal Safe Shelter Collaborative, which
locates available space within minutes. The program
leverages technology to more quickly connect survivors
with available space that matches the victim’s needs,
so that abuse victims can quickly move from dangerous
situations and begin receiving support services.
Current Active Partners: 51 organizations participating
51 total
participating
14 Sheltering
agencies with
300 beds
37
Referral only
organizations
822 Requests for shelter
56% 49%
of the requests survivors seeking
resulted in at safe shelter had
least one one or more
“possible” match children with
and opening for them, totaling
available shelter* 816 children
*Even when all shelters respond that there are no openings, the survivor has saved critical time calling shelters
that do not have an opening and/or match for their shelter needs. They can begin looking for other shelter
options or request an emergency hotel stay.
2024 San Diego County District Attorney Annual Report 25
Office of the District Attorney
1,026 PERMANENT STAFF
351 Prosecutors 128 Investigators 137 Paralegals
336 Support Staff 74 Administration
26
Our Budget
REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES
FISCAL YEAR 2024 TO 2025 Expenditures
Salaries/Benefits $232,533,000
Supplies/Services 45,777,000
To Other Agencies 2,212,000
Assets 531,000
Public Assistance Fraud Reimbursement (325,000)
Other Expenditures 55,000
Total Budgeted Expenditures $280,783,000
FISCAL YEAR 2024 TO 2025 Revenues
Proposition 172 $84,260,000
General Revenues 149,717,000
Federal Funds 4,431,000
State Funds 27,856,000
Other Funds 14,519,000
Total Budgeted Revenues $280,783,000
2024 San Diego County District Attorney Annual Report 27
Specialized Units
and Divisions
28
Appellate and Training Division
The Appellate and Training Division serves as the legal research arm of the District Attorney’s
Office, managing special projects, navigating complex legal issues, and conducting the analysis and
implementation of new laws. The division handles writs and appeals in the Superior Court, courts
of appeal, and California Supreme Court. The scope of litigation this division addresses ranges from
capital cases to misdemeanors. The division also handles public and interagency record requests,
as well as subpoenas for District Attorney’s Office employees or records. The Training Unit within
the Appellate Division provides quality legal training for office staff, while the Ethics Coordinator
advises and supports deputy district attorneys regarding their significant ethical responsibilities in
prosecuting cases.
In 2024, the Appellate and Training Division addressed novel issues in the evolving areas of law
affecting racial justice, mental health, bail, and compassionate release. We handled complex litigation
at every state court level including in the Superior Court, Appellate Court, and California Supreme
Court. We continued to engage in complex litigation in capital matters and other post-conviction
habeas issues. And we continue to assist the public and outside agencies with public records requests.
Addressed law affecting
racial justice, mental
health, bail, and
compassionate release
Branch Offices
Crime happens in all corners of the county, which is why the District Attorney’s Office is embedded
in every area of the community, including North County, South County, East County, a Juvenile Division
east of Linda Vista, the CARE Community Center in National City, One Safe Place: The North County
Family Justice Center in San Marcos, and its downtown office at the Hall of Justice. Deputy District
Attorneys, investigators, paralegals, victim advocates and a host of support staff carry out the
mission of the office in each location.
2024 San Diego County District Attorney Annual Report 29
Bureau of Investigation
The Bureau of Investigation is the law enforcement arm of the San Diego County District Attorney’s
Office. In 2024, the Bureau was comprised of 128 District Attorney Investigators and 39 professional
support staff, including Paralegals, Investigative Specialists, Trial Support Specialists, Crime &
Intelligence Analysts, and Process Servers. The Bureau has earned the reputation of having some
of the most experienced and highly trained investigators among its ranks, who have been recruited
from law enforcement agencies across California.
In 2024, the Bureau of Investigation:
completed more than
33,000 investigative tasks
conducted over 2,900
interviews
executed 445 search
warrants
completed 76 extraditions
arrested 62 defendants
drafted 271 arrest warrants
The Bureau provides a wide range of skilled investigative services to support the District Attorney’s
prosecutorial and crime prevention mission, including victim and witness protection in serious gang
and narcotics cases so witnesses can safely testify. The Bureau is also responsible for original
investigations across specialized domains such as public corruption, insurance fraud, economic
crimes, organized retail crime, series related robbery and burglary, parental child abduction, and
cold case homicide. The Bureau prepared more than 1,300 trial exhibits for court through its Trial
Support Services Unit, completed more than 2,600 fingerprint comparisons and recovered
16 children who were abducted by a parent.
30
Case Issuing and Extraditions Division
This division is the front line of all cases when they arrive in the
District Attorney’s Office. In 2024, our issuing staff processed
6,786 cases and 7,504 suspects. The division consists of three
units: Case Issuing, Extraditions, and the Priors Unit with a total
of 44 members, including Deputy District Attorneys, DDA Law
Enforcement Liaisons, Paralegals, and Professional Staff. In addition
to processing and reviewing all general felony case submissions, our
team coordinates the review and filing of all felony cases downtown
and oversees the eDiscovery process. Additionally, our division handles
Prop. 57, Certificates of Rehabilitation, Clemency Petitions, and CODIS hit
cases. Our Priors Unit is responsible for ordering and obtaining prior convictions and prison packets
necessary for proving allegations and priors in court and responding to requests for dispositions
and other information from outside agencies.
Collaborative Justice Division
The Collaborative Justice Division works to address the underlying causes of criminal behavior and
resolve them in partnership with community treatment providers, mentors, law enforcement agencies,
and the courts. This division consists of three teams: Collaborative Courts Team, Restitution Recovery
Team, and Lifer Hearing Unit. It oversees the administration of the Community Justice Initiative
program, responding to Prop. 47 and Prop. 64 petitions, and processing PC 290.5 petitions. Individuals
with prior felony convictions for selected property crimes and simple possession of narcotics can petition
the court for reduction to a misdemeanor under Prop. 47. Others with marijuana related prior convictions
can petition the court for reduction to a misdemeanor and in most cases of simple possession the
case can be dismissed. The District Attorney is responsible for screening all these petitions to make
a recommendation to the court on whether the case is eligible for reduction or dismissal.
Consumer Protection Unit
The District Attorney’s Office has a unit dedicated to stopping unfair,
fraudulent and deceptive business practices. The Consumer Protection Unit
is comprised of Deputy District Attorneys, Investigators and Paralegals
dedicated to protecting consumers and law-abiding businesses. This unit
is within the Economic Crimes and Consumer Protection Division. In 2024,
the Consumer Protection Unit filed several civil actions related to unfair or
deceptive business practices that netted more than $14.6 million in statewide
civil judgments. The cases involved illegal automatic renewals, improper
pricing policies and pricing inaccuracies. Companies that reached settlements
with the DA’s Office include Home Depot; Albertsons, Vons, and Safeway
grocery stores; Travelers Insurance and Lamps Plus. To report a consumer
complaint, call (619) 531-3507 or email consumer@sdcda.org.
2024 San Diego County District Attorney Annual Report 31
Conviction and Sentence Review Unit
The Conviction and Sentence Review Unit is committed to the highest standard of professional
integrity as it conducts meticulous reviews of post-conviction cases. This unit works collaboratively
with all our criminal justice partners to identify post-conviction cases where there may be a credible
claim of innocence and cases where new technologies would allow testing or retesting of remaining
evidence. In 2024, the unit received 12 cases for conviction review. The Conviction and Sentence
Review Unit also reviews previously sentenced cases to determine whether it would be in the interest
12 cases
resentenced
in 2024
of justice to petition the court to recall and resentence a sentenced individual. When determining
whether to support the resentencing of an individual, the unit carefully evaluates several factors,
such as victim input, community safety, the disciplinary record or record of rehabilitation of the
inmate, current sentencing law, and the prospects of successful reintegration of the sentenced
individual. In 2024, we supported 12 such re-sentencings. The public, attorneys, or convicted
persons can apply to have a conviction reviewed or a sentence recalled for resentencing via this
page on the DA’s public website.
Economic Crimes and Consumer Protection Division
Economic crimes often have dire consequences, from destroying family equity in a property to rendering
corporate stocks worthless to shareholders. These crimes may be committed by individuals against
institutions or other individuals. The Economic Crimes and Consumer Protection Division is responsible
for prosecuting a wide variety of wrongdoing, including elder financial abuse, computer intrusion,
complex identity theft, investment scams, embezzlements, real estate matters, counterfeit goods,
environmental crimes and the theft of public assistance funds.
32
Extraditions Unit
Criminals often flee San Diego after committing a crime here, attempting to hide in foreign countries
such as Mexico. The DA’s Extraditions Unit successfully brings fugitives from abroad or from other
states to face criminal prosecution in San Diego and seeks justice for crime victims. International
extradition is complex and varies from nation to nation with very specific legal requirements involving
multiple agencies. We work with local and federal law enforcement organizations as well as the
U.S. Department of Justice and foreign governments to extradite, deport or expel fugitives back to
San Diego, within the parameters of extradition treaties and foreign immigration
laws. In 2024, the extraditions team executed 66 domestic extraditions and
six international extraditions.
Family Protection Division
The Family Protection Division is a team of dedicated, experienced,
and specially trained Deputy District Attorneys, District Attorney
Investigators, Victim Advocates, and staff who prosecute crimes of
homicide, intimate partner violence, physical and sexual child abuse,
internet crimes against children, elder abuse, stalking, and cases
involving child sexual abuse material. The division is comprised of
46 Deputy District Attorneys, who handle all felony cases from issuance to
trial. They are stationed in El Cajon, South Bay, Vista, and the Hall of Justice. In 2024, they reviewed
8,782 cases. The division is dedicated to supporting victims through the criminal justice process
and ensuring all victims are treated with compassion and dignity and given access to the essential
services they need. The division works closely with numerous law enforcement agencies to investigate
and prevent violent crimes, while also working closely with community partners to provide life-saving
resources and public service awareness campaigns. Through the Family Protection Division, the
District Attorney’s Office is committed to holding defendants accountable and seeking justice for
the thousands of victims impacted by family violence each year in San Diego County.
Gangs Division
The District Attorney’s Office successfully prosecutes complex murder cases and
other serious crimes perpetrated by violent gang members who terrorize
neighborhoods. These cases are handled by one prosecutor from beginning
to end – also called vertical prosecution – in our Gangs Division. Cases in this
division are expertly navigated by our 26 prosecutors and 20 investigators
to bring justice to families left in the wake of violence. In 2024, the Gangs
Division conducted 23 murder jury trials, which is more than 40% of the
total murders tried in the DA’s office. The division also prosecuted other
cases including kidnapping for rape, assault with great bodily injury,
robbery, carjacking and possession of illegal firearms, such as ghost guns,
by gang members.
2024 San Diego County District Attorney Annual Report 33
Information Technology Division
The Information Technology Division strategically uses technology to
support the operation of the District Attorney’s Office. The employees
who make up this unit, design, develop, implement, and support all
information technology hardware, software, business applications,
and websites. They also provide support for prosecution in the
courtroom and community outreach efforts. In addition, ITD provides
direct support to the City Attorney’s Office in their use of the District
Attorney’s case management system for criminal prosecution.
Insurance Fraud and Workplace Justice Division
The average person doesn’t give insurance fraud or workplace justice a second thought. But the
fact is insurance fraud costs U.S. consumers an estimated $80 to $90 billion per year. In California,
it’s a $15 billion-a-year problem. It’s the second largest economic crime in America, exceeded
only by tax evasion. The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office combats this problem by
using experienced specialists to confront the insurance fraud epidemic. Within this division is
the Workplace Justice Unit, which is comprised of a dedicated prosecutor, DA investigator and
paralegal. The Unit prosecutes unfair business practices, wage and hour violations, payroll tax
evasion, wage theft and labor trafficking cases.
Juvenile Division
The goal of the juvenile justice system is to
ensure that youth who touch our criminal system
receive the appropriate rehabilitative services
while safeguarding victims’ rights and public
safety. This division is comprised of dedicated
support staff, investigators, paralegals, victim
advocates and prosecutors. It handles cases
involving those under 18 in all of San Diego
County. Within this branch office, there are
several vertical units with attorneys who
specialize in child abuse and domestic violence,
human trafficking, gangs, and school threats.
Juvenile cases can present unique and
complicated issues that differ from adult court.
Juvenile cases are confidential and little information is publicly available because the system is
designed to provide rehabilitative services to youthful offenders outside the public eye. Juvenile
court does not focus on punishing the youth, instead, it focuses on rehabilitation and trauma
informed treatment in conjunction with public safety.
34
Law Enforcement Liaisons
Two experienced Deputy District Attorneys are on call 24/7 to answer questions, provide guidance,
and help draft and review search warrants for all law enforcement officers who operate within our
jurisdiction. Our liaisons also support 351 prosecutors in the office in the areas of case investigation
and trial preparation. Our liaisons work closely with the bench and continually deploy, upgrade, and
train users on the E-Warrant System.
557 lifer parole
hearings, of those
70 received parole
Lifer Hearing Unit
The DA’s Lifer Hearing Unit has two main goals: to ensure that dangerous prisoners with life
sentences are not released carelessly or improvidently, and to ensure that crime victims and
their families are given an opportunity to participate in the parole hearing process and have their
voices heard. The Lifer Hearing Unit is comprised of a team of seasoned prosecutors who serve
as gatekeepers at parole hearings for some of the most dangerous criminals in the state. In 2024,
there were 557 lifer parole hearings scheduled. Seventy inmates received parole grants from
the California Board of Parole Hearings and 507 hearings resulted in denials, postponements, or
stipulations to a denial of parole.
Major Narcotics Division
The primary objectives of the Major Narcotics Division are to investigate and prosecute large-scale
narcotics traffickers, dealers who furnish controlled substances leading to overdose and death, and
cases involving drug endangered children, drug-related violence, clandestine drug labs, and illegal
dispensaries. In addition, our deputies receive specialized training in the handling of confidential
information and cooperating individuals. This division works closely with state and federal law
enforcement agencies and partner with various organizations and community stakeholders to
combat the proliferation of illegal and dangerous drugs and reduce the harm caused by their use.
2024 San Diego County District Attorney Annual Report 35
Members of the Major Narcotics Division are active in educating the public on the dangers of illegal
drug use and the resources available for those seeking help with a substance use disorder. The
division strives to protect the public through fair and ethical prosecution, education, and collaboration.
In 2024, no children in San Diego County died due to a drug overdose, compared to 2021 when
San Diego County saw 12 children die due to fentanyl. This decrease is attributable to a variety of
factors, including widespread distribution of the life-saving overdose reversal medication, naloxone,
swift and effective life-saving actions by emergency first responders, supply disruptions resulting
from local, state, and federal law enforcement investigations, the aggressive and fair prosecution of
persons selling harmful controlled substances in the community, along with online and in-person
fentanyl education campaigns for the public.
In 2024
no children died
due to a drug
overdose
Priors Unit
The Priors unit is responsible for ordering and obtaining prior convictions and prison packets
necessary for proving allegations and priors in court. The unit also responds to requests for
dispositions and other information from outside agencies. In 2024 the unit received and
fulfilled 1,680 requests for local priors, 385 requests for out-of-county requests and
73 requests for prison packets.
Restitution Recovery Team
The Restitution Recovery Team was created in 2018 with the mission to improve restitution
practices countywide. Its main goals are to improve the way restitution information is obtained,
to provide attorneys and staff with resources and training to efficiently obtain restitution orders
36
in court, and to maximize restitution recovery by correcting deficient court orders and providing
crucial victim information to collection agencies. In 2024, through collaboration with two major
collection agencies, the Restitution Recovery Team assisted in the disbursement of restitution funds
to previously unknown crime victims by obtaining and providing missing court documents. As a
result, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation was able to disburse more than
$119 million to victims and the Office of Revenue and Recovery was able to disburse $37,428.
Sex Crimes and Human Trafficking Division
Some of the most sensitive criminal cases are handled in the
District Attorney’s Sex Crimes and Human Trafficking Division.
A team of prosecutors, investigators, victim advocates,
paralegals and professional staff come together in this unit to
protect victims and prosecute those who sexually assault and
sell human beings for profit. This team also promotes awareness
in schools and in the community so young people have the tools
they need to recognize the red flags of human trafficking.
Special Operations Division
The Special Operations Division investigates cases involving misuse of public funds, political corruption,
hate crimes, threats and other crimes impacting the integrity of the justice system, such as criminal
misconduct of government officials, including peace officers and other public employees. The division
also reviews officer-involved shootings and in-custody deaths.
Superior Court Division
The Superior Court Division is responsible for prosecuting some of the most challenging cases in
the District Attorney’s Office, including assaults, burglaries, robberies, fatal DUIs, and murders. It is
one of the busiest divisions in the office and handles all felonies not assigned to a branch or vertical
prosecution. This division is responsible for many of the
felony cases tried by the District Attorney’s Office, including
about 30% of the DA’s homicide cases. In addition, the
Superior Court Division handles pre- and post-conviction
mental health cases for defendants alleged to be incompetent
to stand trial and those found to be a danger to the
community because of mental illness.
The unique combination of senior trial attorneys and junior
deputies in this division helps junior deputies develop the
skills and knowledge necessary to become highly skilled
felony trial attorneys.
2024 San Diego County District Attorney Annual Report 37
HALL OF JUSTICE
330 W. Broadway
San Diego, CA 92101
619-531-4040
SanDiegoDA.com
38
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