Archive for the ‘District Attorney’ Category

Former Contra Costa Deputy Sheriff negotiates plea agreement on gun charge, filing false police report, preparing false documents

Wednesday, February 21st, 2024

Matthew Buckley was charged with 6 felonies for actions while serving search warrant in Antioch; former Officer of the Year will serve 3 years & 8 months in prison

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

Martinez, California – Today, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office reached a negotiated plea against 42-year-old Matthew Allen Buckley, of Pinole, for offenses that occurred when he was a deputy with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office.

Buckley was charged in February 2023 with six felonies and one misdemeanor related to offenses that occurred in 2020 and 2022. In a negotiated disposition, Buckley pled no contest to three felonies, including possession of an illegal assault weapon, filing a false police report, and preparing false documentary evidence [PC30605, PC118.1, and PC134]. Buckley will receive a three years and eight months prison sentence, which he can serve on mandatory supervised release if he successfully completes a six-month drug rehab program.

The case began in September 2020 when Buckley, assigned to the Contra Costa County Anti-Violence Support Effort (C.A.S.E), participated in a task force executing a search warrant in Antioch. During the operation, Deputy Buckley seized two illegal AR-15s, phones, laptops, heroin, and drug paraphernalia.

After seizing the AR 15s, Deputy Buckley authored a police report where he falsely claimed to have booked the firearms into evidence. Instead of booking the illegal weapons, Buckley separated the upper sections from the lower sections of the firearm. He returned possession of the upper sections of the firearms to the original owner, but never returned the lower sections of the firearms.

As part of this investigation the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department discovered that Deputy Buckley created false documents and signed for a judge without his consent on multiple search warrant returns for unrelated cases.

In August 2022 as the investigation was concluding, Deputies with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office searched Buckley’s residence and found the lower sections of the AR-15s as well as a small amount of methamphetamine.

According to his Linkedin profile, Buckley worked for the Sheriff’s Office for 15 years, including his final three years and 10 months as a detective. Previously, he had worked as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Field Training Officer and then a Station Supervisor for ProTransport-1 ambulance service in Pleasant Hill. He started his work life as a Network Security Engineer for Bank of American in Concord.

In 2019, he was named the department’s Officer of the Year.

Pursuant to California Government Code, Matthew Buckley will be legally ineligible to serve as a police officer. Moreover, convicted of felony offenses, Buckley is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.

Contra Costa DA releases two Antioch Police officers’ body cam footage of Oct. 2023 shooting of homicide suspect

Monday, February 5th, 2024
Screenshot of Antioch Police Officer Shawn Marques’ body cam of chase and shooting of Daniel Mackin shooting on Oct. 1, 2023. Source: Contra Costa DA’s Office

“He’s reaching. He’s reaching. Drop the gun.” – Officer Thomas Borg’s statements and command to Daniel Mackin

Suspect’s next court appearance tomorrow morning, Feb. 6

By Allen D. Payton

Following two Public Records Act (PRA) requests of the Antioch Police Department which were denied, and a PRA request of the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office, the latter released body cam video footage of Antioch Police Officers Thomas Borg and Shawn Marques to the Herald, last week, showing the Oct. 1, 2023, shooting of Daniel Jackson Mackin, as he ran from them and two other officers in the 200 block of W. 3rd Street. That followed the release of the videos for a report by the East Bay Times the previous week. Officers claim Mackin, who was wanted for homicide, pointed a gun at them.

The other two officers who also shot at Mackin were previously identified as Kyle Armstrong and Dustin Dibble. Armstrong was given his oath of office just four days prior.

Lt. Rick Martin of the Investigations Bureau initially reported, “Inside the vehicle officers located a male subject who was in possession of a firearm. Officers gave commands to the subject who refused to comply with orders given. The subject attempted to flee in the vehicle but was unsuccessful. The subject abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot with the firearm in hand.”

Antioch Police had previously released screenshots of the body cam footage showing Mackin with a gun in his hand. His family claimed Mackin did not fire his gun and was shot in the back nine times. But that has not been confirmed by APD.

Screenshot of Antioch Police Officer Thomas Borg’s body cam of chase and shooting of Daniel Mackin shooting on Oct. 1, 2023. Source: Contra Costa DA’s Office

Details of Body Cam Video Footage

In the video from Borg’s body cam, he can be heard saying “Stop the car” as Macking was revving the engine to the van he was driving. After Mackin exited the van, at the 5:56 mark Marques could be heard yelling, “He’s reaching. He’s reaching” before the chase ensued. He can then be heard yelling at Mackin, “Drop the gun”.

In the video from Marques’ body cam, he can be heard yelling at Mackin, “Get your hands up” followed by the sound of multiple gunshots. Another officer could be heard saying, “Get on the f—ing ground”. Marques could also be heard shouting commands at his K-9, who participated in the chase, including, “Off, off” multiple times following the shooting. (See Borg video and Marques video. WARNING: Videos contain violence and profanity that may not be suitable for children and some viewers)

Mackin Wanted for Homicide

As previously reported, Mackin had a warrant for his arrest for homicide which occurred earlier last year. APD reported on Oct. 20 that an Antioch Community Service Officer located two vehicles parked in a carport in the 200 block of West 3rd Street. Both vehicles were suspected of being involved in a recent burglary within the City of Antioch. One of the vehicles was determined to be stolen. Officers Dibble and Officer Marques arrived a short time later to assist the CSO. Officer Marques peered into the van and noticed a male subject (Mackin) asleep inside with a gun close by his hands. The officers backed away and requested additional units to the scene.

As officers arrived, Mackin awoke and began moving within the vehicle. Officers gave commands and Mackin did not comply. Mackin started the vehicle and proceeded to drive towards the officers and exit the carport. The vehicle became disabled and was high centered on a grassy berm. With Mackin still in the driver’s seat, Officers on scene tried to de-escalate the situation by giving loud and clear commands. Ultimately, Mackin opened the side passenger doors to the van and fled on foot with the gun in his hand.

All four officers followed south on the A Street extension from West 3rd Street. While running, Mackin turned toward the officers, pointing the handgun in their direction. Fearing their safety and the safety of the public, the officers fired their duty weapons, striking Mackin several times. Officers immediately began rendering first aid and Mackin was transported to a local hospital to be treated for his injuries and is expected to survive. No officers or other members of the community were injured during this incident. Officers involved were temporarily placed on routine, paid Administrative Leave.

A screenshot of Officer Marques’ bodycam video footage shows Mackin on the ground and placed in handcuffs on W. 2nd Street. Source: Contra Costa DA’s Office

Once Mackin was positively identified, records check revealed Mackin was on Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS) for a felony conviction. Mackin also had a Ramey warrant for his arrest for his involvement in a homicide. Mackin was later booked into Martinez Detention Facility on the following charges:

  • Ramey Warrant – 187 PC homicide / 211 PC robbery
  • 245 (c) PC – Assault with a deadly weapon on a Peace Officer
  • 29800 PC – Felon in possession of a firearm
  • 496 (d) PC – Receiving a stolen vehicle
  • 148 (a)(1) PC – Resisting arrest

On Oct. 23, Blair Mackin posted a video of the shooting on the Antioch Herald Facebook page below the post of the article about it. It shows Mackin running away and the sound of gunfire then officers firing their weapons. But part of the exchange is obscured by trees and the last half Mackin isn’t in view.

Then civil rights attorney Melissa Nord posted the video on her Twitter/X feed, that same day, as did Henry Lee of KTVU.  Nold wrote with her post, “It sure looks like Daniel Mackin is just running away when Antioch PD shot him in the back 7x. In this bystander video I don’t see him turn around or point a gun at officers like the press release claims, I see him trying to outrun a K9. Facts matters. Transparency matters.”

When reached for comment, Nord said, while she’s not representing Mackin, she might if a civil rights lawsuit is filed.

APD responded to the video writing, “This video footage was not provided to the Antioch Police Department and is from an unknown source. Due to the angle and perspective at which the video was recorded, it does not depict everything that occurred. A cell phone video recorded by a civilian of a police incident may present a limited perspective, failing to capture all angles and the entirety of the incident, potentially leading to a lack of context and incomplete information. This can hinder a comprehensive understanding of the situation and may contribute to misinterpretation or incomplete narratives.”

Lt. Michael Mellone and others within APD were asked to confirm the family’s claim that Mackin did not fire his weapon, who shot first and how many shots were fired. They did not respond.

APD also shared still video screenshots from the officers’ body cam footage showing a gun in Mackin’s hand.

Public Records Act Requests, APD Denies, CCDA’s Office Partially Fulfills

A California Public Records Act request for the body cam video footage of all officers involved was first submitted to the Antioch Police Department on Oct. 21, 2023. A second request for the footage was submitted to APD on December 5, 2023.

They responded, “This letter provides a further response to your 12/5/23 California Public Records Act (‘CPRA’) request received by the City of Antioch (‘City’) seeking records of body-cam footage for police-involved shooting on October 1, 2023, involving Daniel Mackin. (releasable under SB 1421 and AB 748 – Penal Code Sections 832.7 and 832.8).

This correspondence stands as the 60-day required notice, pursuant to Penal Code Section 832.7, for the City of Antioch Police Department report number 23-7441. The investigation for 23-7441 is not releasable at this time as the release of such could reasonably be expected to interfere with the investigation. I or another City representative will provide you with additional correspondence regarding this investigation on or before 2/1/24.”

A third, non-PRA request was made of Acting Chief Joe Vigil, Mellone and Sgt. Price Kendall on Jan. 22, 2024, also asking, “why was the officer covering his camera with his hand?  Are the officers instructed to not do that, so the video isn’t blocked?”

A PRA request was also submitted to the Contra Costa DA’s office that same day.

Vigil later responded, “I believe the release did not come from us” but did not answer the other questions.

On Wednesday, Jan. 31, Deputy District Attorney Sophea Nop provided the two videos previously released to the Times.

On Feb. 1, 2024, APD Records Supervisor Amanda Nelson responded:

“This letter provides a further response to your 12/5/23 California Public Records Act (“CPRA”) request received by the City of Antioch (“City”) seeking records of body-cam footage for police-involved shooting on October 1, 2023 involving Daniel Mackin. (releasable under SB 1421 and AB 748 – Penal Code Sections 832.7 and 832.8).

The investigation for 23-7441 is not releasable at this time as the release of such could reasonably be expected to interfere with the investigation. I or another City representative will provide you with additional correspondence regarding this investigation on or before 3/1/24.”

The videos from body cam footage of Officers Armstrong and Dibble have not yet been released.

Mackin’s Next Court Appearance Feb. 6

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, the six-foot, 240-lb. Mackin’s next court appearance is scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. in Contra Costa Superior Court Department 08.

Antioch man convicted of firearm possession, stealing vehicle, reckless driving

Thursday, February 1st, 2024

Arrested July 2, 2023, following police chase from Concord to Hercules and back to Bay Point

Has history of arrests dating to 2014

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

A jury in Contra Costa County convicted an Antioch man on offenses related to a high-speed chase in a stolen vehicle and illegal firearm possession.

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office filed a complaint in Superior Court charging 33-year-old Artis Chavez Crenshaw, Jr. (born 2/28/90), on July 6, 2023. The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Philip Farmer, and on January 18th, a jury in Pittsburg found Crenshaw guilty on four out of five counts. (See charges)

The offenses with which Crenshaw was charged with started on July 1st, when a victim’s vehicle was stolen in Antioch. On July 2nd, peace officers spotted Crenshaw driving the stolen vehicle in

Concord and attempted to pull him over. A high-speed chase ensued between police and Crenshaw that began on Port Chicago Highway near Highway 4. The pursuit continued onto westbound Highway 4 as Crenshaw accelerated to 115 mph while weaving through traffic. Even after the CHP laid down a spike strip at Sycamore Avenue near Hercules to disable the vehicle,

Crenshaw continued to evade officers by driving with a flattened tire onto eastbound Highway 4. He was eventually involved in a crash at the San Marco Boulevard exit in Bay Point and was taken into custody after the collision. The entire pursuit totaled 23 miles and lasted 16 minutes.

During his arrest, officers found an AR style pistol in the stolen vehicle. (See video)

Artis Chavez Crenshaw, Jr.’s sentencing hearing will be on March 1st at 8:30 am in front of Judge John Cope at the Arnason Justice Center in Pittsburg. Crenshaw faces a maximum of four years and four months in state prison.

According to localcrimenews.com, Crenshaw has a history of arrests dating to 2014 by Antioch PD, Napa County Sheriff’s Department, Petaluma PD, Concord PD and the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department for crimes including shoplifting, addict and convicted felon in possession of a firearm and other gun and ammunition charges, burglary, grand theft, assault with a deadly weapon likely to cause great bodily harm on a peace officer or fireman, receiving or concealing stolen property, possession of personal identity with intent to defraud, robbery and carrying a switch blade.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department, the 6-foot, five-inch, 205 lb. Crenshaw is being held in the Martinez Detention Facility on no bail and his next court appearance is scheduled for March 1, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. in Superior Court in Pittsburg.

Case No. 04-23-01211 | The People of the State of California v. Artis Chavez Crenshaw, Jr.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

CA Attorney General issues Race-Blind Charging Guidelines for prosecutors

Thursday, January 4th, 2024

Two-step process redacts identifying information as required by new state law

OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta released Race-Blind Charging Guidelines that address the specific statutory requirements listed in Assembly Bill 2778 (D-McCarty) and Penal Code Section 741, as well as provide prosecutors practical guidance as to how to implement the requirements. The guidelines outline a new two-step process for evaluating charging, including how to redact identifying information, how to document charging decisions, when a crime is excluded from this process, and the requirements to collect and make available for research anonymous data. The guidelines are intended to help reduce the potential for unconscious bias to influence the initial charging decision in legal cases, in accordance with the spirit, law, and goals of PC 741.

“Unconscious bias has no place in the criminal justice system and should not play a role in charging,” Bonta said. “Unfortunately, we know the criminal justice system is not infallible and charging decisions are vulnerable to unconscious bias. This is a reality we cannot ignore and must work to correct. These guidelines will help prosecutors perform their duties in accordance with California law and most importantly, help promote a more fair and equitable charging process for all individuals.”

Studies have shown that unconscious bias may infect decisions within the criminal justice system, despite the best intentions of the parties involved. The guidelines will assist all California prosecution agencies in implementing this new process by January 1, 2025. It includes nine critical components to reduce unconscious bias:

  1. Redaction of Cases Received from Law Enforcement Agencies and Suspects Criminal History Documentation: Prosecution agencies are required to review initial charging decisions based on information, including police reports and suspect criminal history documentation, from which all direct means of identifying the race of suspect(s), victim(s), and witness(es) race is removed.
  2. Race-Blind Initial Charging: Prosecution agencies are required to follow a two-step process for charging cases: a “race-blind initial charging evaluation” based on redacted reports and then an “ordinary charging evaluation” based on the unredacted reports and all available evidence. The initial charge evaluation is intended to perform a gate-keeping and recording function prior to the actual charging process. It contemplates an initial evaluation on whether to file any charges, without specifying what charges might be filed. The more thorough second review will be used to determine individual charges or decide charges with certainty. 
  3. Redaction Process for Initial Charging Evaluation: Each prosecution agency must create a redaction process for the materials used in the initial charging evaluation. It must be performed by personnel not association with evaluating or charging the case and may either be done manually or through automation as long as the process ensures correct redaction.
  4. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools for Redaction: If an AI system is used, it must be validated before implementation that appropriate safeguards are in place to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information.
  5. Second Review for Charging: After completion of the race-blind initial charging evaluations, the case shall proceed to a second, complete review for charging. This would include a review of unredacted reports and all available evidence, which may include additional materials, such as video footage, photographs, and complete witness statements, that reveals race but must be reviewed to assess whether the requisite elements have been met to warrant the filing of criminal charges. This is the “ordinary charging evaluation” and must be performed by the same prosecutors who performed the initial charging review.
  6. Documentation of Charging Decision: Prosecution agencies are required to follow a two-step process for charging cases: a “race-blind initial charging evaluation” based on redacted reports and then an “ordinary charging evaluation” based on the unredacted reports and all available evidence. The initial charge evaluation is intended to perform a gate-keeping and recording function prior to the actual charging process. It contemplates an initial evaluation on whether to file any charges, without specifying what charges might be filled. The more thorough second review will be used to determine individual charges or decide charges with certainty. 
  7. Inability to Conduct Race-Blind Initial Charging Evaluation: If a prosecution agency was unable to put a case through a race-blind initial charging evaluation, the reason for that inability must be documented and retained by the agency.
  8. Collection of Data and Availability for Research Purposes: Each county in which a prosecution agency resides must, on a usual basis, collect the data resulting from the race-blind initial charging evaluation process, except as such information is protected by privilege including, but not limited to, that found in Penal Code section 1054.6. Each county must ensure that the data is collected, stored, and transmitted in a way appropriate to protect sensitive information.
  9. Exception to the Race-Blind Process: The prosecution agency may exclude the crimes listed at the Penal Code section 741, subdivision (c) from the race-blind charging process. Each prosecution agency may further remove or exclude certain classes of crimes or factual circumstances from a race-blind initial charging evaluation and shall keep a list of the exclusion and their reason for review.

Attorney General Bonta, is committed to fighting for racial justice. In May of 2021 he established the Racial Justice Bureau which, among other things, supports the California Department of Justice’s broader mandate to advance the civil rights of all Californians by assisting with new and ongoing efforts to combat hate and bias. This year, the Attorney General has also engaged with local leaders through roundtables through hate crime roundtables in BakersfieldFresnoAnaheim and Irvine.  

More broadly, the Attorney General is deeply committed to responding to the needs of historically marginalized and underrepresented communities and, last year, also launched the Office of Community Awareness, Response, and Engagement to work directly with community organizations and members of the public as part of the effort to advance justice for all Californians.

A copy of the Guidelines can be found here.

Oakland man faces life without parole in 2018 Antioch double murder

Wednesday, November 15th, 2023

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

A jury in Martinez returned guilty verdicts on November 9th for a double murder that took place in Antioch in 2018. (See related articles here and here)

Dontay Javon Williams, a 40-year-old resident of Oakland, has been found guilty of the murders of Milan Ardoin, 28, and her mother, Valinda Scott, 55. At the time, Milan Ardoin was in a relationship with Williams but had communicated her intention to end the relationship over email exchanges. In the early morning hours of July 5, 2018, Williams traveled from Oakland to Antioch, where he fatally shot both Ardoin and Scott outside their residence before fleeing on foot.

While Antioch Police officers were investigating the shooting and canvassing the neighborhood to speak with witnesses, Williams’ wallet — a key piece of evidence – was found on a sidewalk near where the murders occurred.

Williams was convicted of two counts of murder and enhancements for intentionally discharging a handgun, lying in wait, and multiple murders. Moreover, Williams was convicted of possession of a firearm with a prior violent conviction for robbery in Oakland in 2005.

Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Tompkins, who prosecuted the case, said, “For the loved ones who lost two family members in one tragic morning, and who waited years for their day in court, this verdict is a chance to move forward in their long healing process.”

When Williams is sentenced, he faces life without the possibility of parole.

According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department, his next court appearance is scheduled for January 19, 2024.

Case No. 05001922558 | The People of the State of California vs. Williams, Dontay Javon

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report

Antioch, Richmond men convicted of robbery in series of organized SF retail thefts

Sunday, October 29th, 2023

By San Francisco District Attorney’s Office

On Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced that Delandro Belvine-Brown (22) of Antioch, and Sean Raquel Jevonce Simon, Jr. (24) of Richmond, were each sentenced to three years imprisonment after pleading guilty in San Francisco Superior Court to committing robbery in violation of Penal Code Section 211, in relation to a series of retail thefts occurring in San Francisco.

“Retail theft continues to have a major impact on San Francisco’s business community and the city’s economic livelihood. These crimes demand accountability and we need to send the message to others involved in this criminal enterprise that, with the support of our local law enforcement partners, our office will continue to pursue and prosecute those involved,” said District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. “With San Francisco Police Department receiving $15.3 million dollars and our office receiving $2 million from the Organized Retail Theft Prevention Grant Program, law enforcement agencies in San Francisco will continue to identify, investigate, and prosecute all levels of this criminal enterprise.”

In this case, the People alleged that Mr. Belvine-Brown and Mr. Simon were a part of an organized group which committed a series of snatch-and-grab thefts and robberies from Sunglass Hut, LensCrafters, and Veo Optics stores in San Francisco from November 1, 2021, through July 1, 2022. By employing a consistent brazen theft strategy, Mr. Belvine-Brown, Mr. Simon, and others entered the store as a group, rapidly grabbed numerous expensive sunglasses from display shelves, and quickly exited the store and got in an awaiting car. Investigators from SFPD and Brentwood Police Department conducted a joint investigation as there were similar thefts that occurred in Contra Costa County. Investigators from both agencies examined evidence from multiple sources, including store surveillance videos, social media posts, and mobile phone records to identify the Defendants and their criminal activities.

The case against Mr. Belvine-Brown and Mr. Simon was successfully prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Conrad Del Rosario with support and assistance from District Attorney Inspector Lessa Vivian and Paralegal Chloe Mosqueda. This case was investigated by the San Francisco Police Department’s Burglary Unit and the Brentwood Police Department’s Investigation Division.

“Individuals who openly commit egregious and brazen retail crimes impact not only the store’s viability to stay open for their community, but also have long lasting effects on store employees and customers who are subjected to this blatant disregard for the law,” said Assistant District Attorney del Rosario. “These cases should serve as notice to those would-be thieves that law enforcement will aggressively investigate and prosecute their criminal activity in San Francisco.”

Belvine-Brown and Simon are currently in custody and will be transported to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s custody to begin serving their state prison sentences.

Court Number: Belvine-Brown, 22011459, Simon, 23003591

Antioch nanny charged with possession, distribution of child porn

Tuesday, September 26th, 2023
Michelle Hidalgo in a post on her Facebook page on October 26, 2022.

Result of effort by countywide task force; held on $700,000 bail

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa County Office of the District Attorney

A 28-year-old resident of Antioch was charged today in a seven-count felony complaint by the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office for the production and distribution of child pornography.

Michelle Nicole Hidalgo was arrested on Friday, September 22, 2023, by the Contra Costa County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Officers served Hidalgo with a search warrant at her home and seized equipment used in the production and distribution of pornographic images of minors. The search of Hidalgo’s home and her arrest came after task force members were notified by a social media company on September 21st that child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) of a small child were being shared on their platform.

At the time of her arrest in Antioch, Hidalgo was working part-time as a nanny for the victim’s family.

Hidalgo remains in the custody of the Contra Costa County Sheriff and her bail has been set at $700,000. She will make her first court appearance on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, in Martinez.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, Hidalgo is 5’3”, 250 lbs. and Hispanic and born on born on December 23, 1994 and is being held in the Martinez Detention Facility on $800,000 bail. Her Facebook profile shows she lives in Antioch and is from Pacifica, CA where she studied at Terra Nova High School.

The case is being prosecuted by the Sexual Assault Unit of the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office. It was investigated by the Contra Costa County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, in which detectives and investigators from the Walnut Creek, Concord, Pleasant Hill, Brentwood, Pittsburg, San Ramon, Danville, Oakley, and Moraga Police Departments, the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, United States Secret Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and Inspectors from the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office participate on the task force.

Anyone with relevant information is asked to contact Senior Inspector Darryl Holcombe, dholcombe@contracostada.org.

Case information: | The People of the State of California v. Hidalgo, Michelle Nicole

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Antioch man pleads guilty to leading organized theft of lottery scratchers

Monday, August 21st, 2023

Has history of arrests by multiple agencies; group committed more than 100 thefts in 7 counties

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office and officials with the California State Lottery announced Friday, August 18, 2023, that Ryan Anderson plead guilty to nine felony charges as the ringleader of a sophisticated organized retail theft ring.

The 32-year-old Antioch resident (born 1/18/91) was the mastermind behind a group responsible for committing more than 100 organized retail crime thefts from stores authorized to sell California Lottery Scratchers and redeem winning Scratcher tickets for prize money. Anderson, and other associated with him, targeted convenience and grocery stores throughout the counties of Contra Costa, Alameda, Marin, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Solano, and Stanislaus.

“Organized retail crime is serious a crime that will not be tolerated in our communities,” said District Attorney Diana Becton. “We will continue to work with our retailers and all of our state and local justice partners to hold these offenders accountable with arrest, prosecution, conviction, incarceration, and full restitution.”

By early 2022, the California State Lottery investigators — working with multiple law enforcement agencies and Contra Costa DA’s Major Financial Crimes division — identified Anderson as the ringleader of a group responsible for 71 separate thefts of lottery tickets valued at a total of $95,565.00 and an additional $59,105.00 in prize money stolen from 65 retail locations across 7 Northern California counties between March 27th, 2022, and October 25, 2022. The retail crime spree stopped when Contra Costa prosecutors were able to keep Anderson in custody.

Under state laws, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office was able to prosecute Anderson for all his crimes, even though they occurred in multiple counties. This is because state laws allow a single county to prosecute offenses if a crime — or the effects of a crime — crosses county lines.

During a court hearing in Martinez today, the California State Lottery made a victim impact statement noting that “tens of thousands of dollars” Anderson and others stole victimized not only the California State Lottery, but also its retail partners, many of which are “small, independently owned businesses that rely on the sale of Lottery games to thrive.” Moreover, lottery players were victims who lost out on the opportunity to win, and “public school students who have been robbed of additional funds to support important programs and enriching learning environments.”

The terms of the plea mean that Anderson will spend three years in state prison, admit probation violations, and pay full restitution to the California State Lottery. In court, Anderson presented a letter of apology to the victims of the crimes he committed saying, in part, that he wants to make an “honest living” so he will be able to “pay back any money [that] is owed.”

The lengthy investigation into these incidents was favorable due to the partnerships between the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office, the Contra Costa Probation Department, the Security/Law Enforcement Division of the California State Lottery, and the collaborative efforts of dozens of local law enforcement agencies.

According to localcrimenews.com, Anderson, a 5’11”, 170 lb. Black male, has a history of arrests dating back to 2015 by multiple agencies including Antioch PD, Concord PD, Walnut Creek PD, Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office and Sacramento Sheriff’s Office for a variety of crimes such as assault with a deadly weapon or assault with force likely to produce great bodily harm, vandalism, vehicle theft, attempted robbery, petty theft, DUI and while license suspended, and burglary.

Case No. 04-22-01154 | The People of the State of California v. Anderson, Ryan

Case No. 04-203281-1| The People of the State of California v. Anderson, Ryan

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.