In response to the letter from the Contra Costa Public Defender Ellen McDonnell to DA Diana Becton on Friday, requesting all cases brought by the Antioch Police Department be dismissed and all inmates be released, due to the racist text scandal, a meeting was held Monday afternoon to discuss the matter. (See related articles here, here and here)
DA’s Office PIO Ted Asregadoo sent the following statement “about the meeting that happened at 1 pm today at the DA’s Office”:
“Today, District Attorney Diana Becton, Public Defender Ellen McDonnell, Betty Barker from the Alternate Defender Office, and the Director of the Contra Costa Conflict Program, Oksana Tsykova met to discuss the creation of a process to address cases affected by the disclosure of cruel, racially insulting, and hostile text messages written or received by members of the Antioch Police Department.
The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office is working to identify cases that are potentially compromised by the text messages. Once we’ve identified those cases – and any overlapping conflicts — we will initiate a detailed review process for potential dismissal, resentencing, or the preservation of convictions.
The DA’s Office is working to ensure that public safety and serving the interest of justice are priorities in this process.”
The scandal involves as many as 45 Antioch cops, focusing on 14 and one in particular, with many of them on paid leave during the police department’s own investigation.
McDonnell was asked if she had any comments about the meeting but did not respond prior to publication time.
Please check back later for any updates to this report.
Possible violation of officers’ rights, could undermine investigation; officers’ attorney considering “massive” lawsuit against DA’s Office
By Allen D. Payton
In the initial redacted version of the report on the racist and other offensive texts by Antioch Police Officers by the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office revealed those officers’ cell phone numbers and the names of the Antioch and Pittsburg Police Officers under investigation by the FBI since March 2022, plus the list of their alleged “crimes of moral turpitude” that are supposed to be under court protective order. That version was leaked and posted by someone on social media Thursday morning, April 13, 2023. The result has been a firestorm because it violated the court order and possibly the police officers’ rights and could undermine the investigation. It could also result in a “massive class action lawsuit” against the DA’s Office according to the attorney for the Antioch Police Officers Association (APOA). (See related article)
The DA’s office incorrectly redacted the document before releasing it. Because the leaked redacted version of the report allows for copying of the information beneath the black blocks revealing the sensitive information. NOTE: The PDF of that version was not shared by the Herald. Only the PDF of the further redacted version by the DA’s Office.
It was this newspaper that revealed the mistake to the CCDA’s Public Information Officer Ted Asregadoo on Thursday, who said it was an Adobe software issue. He said the information was under court protective order, thanked this reporter and said the office would be changing how they create PDF’s which they did for the final redacted copy the office issued that afternoon.
Officers Receiving Angry Calls
When asked about the matter, Mike Rains, the APOA’s attorney said, “We’re aware of it. Some of the officers have been getting angry calls.”
Asked if the DA’s Office violated the officers’ rights and if it could undermine the FBI’s and DA’s investigation of those officers, Rains said, “I think it does. I believe it will result in a massive class action lawsuit. The DA’s Office screwed up.”
He also shared that the officers were obtaining new cell phone numbers.
“It was Deputy DA Simon O’Connell who did the redacting,” Rains stated. “I called Becton and told her they screwed up.”
Questions were sent to DA Becton, O’Connell and Asregadoo, Thursday night asking if it was O’Connell who redacted the initial version of the report and if so, will there be some form of discipline of him for doing so. They were also asked if the revelation of the phone numbers of the 14 officers on the list of those accused of sending the offensive texts and more importantly, the officers names, phone numbers and information from the investigation by the DA’s office and the FBI, undermine that investigation and does it violate those officers’ rights.
Asregadoo responded Friday morning, copying Becton and O’Connell, “The joint CCCDAO and FBI investigation is ongoing, so we really don’t have anything to comment on at this time.”
Becton later responded simply, “Ok, thanks for the update.”
Revealed Information About FBI Investigation
The information now in the public domain, some of which was previously reported by the East Bay Times, includes the names of the Antioch and Pittsburg Officers under investigation by the FBI and DA’s Office, plus the alleged crimes they committed. They were described as “crimes of moral turpitude” which is defined as “conduct that shocks the public conscience, or which does not fall within the moral standards held by the community” for buying and selling controlled substances believed to be steroids among themselves. (See related articles here and here)
Pages from the initial redacted PDF version of the 21-page report by the Contra Costa DA’s Office on the racist texts by Antioch Police Officers with the officers’ phone numbers and sections about the FBI investigation that were supposed to be unreadable.
The portion of the report that was supposed to be redacted and out of public view reads as follows:
“The FBI is currently investigating the police officers for violations of the following federal offenses; Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(A), distribution, and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance; Section 843(b) illegal use of the mail in furtherance of narcotic trafficking; Title 18, USC, 1503 Obstruction of Justice; Section 846, attempt and conspiracy to commit the foregoing offenses; Section 241, Conspiracy for two or more persons to agree to injure, threaten, or intimidate a person in the United States in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege; and Section 242, a crime for a person acting under color of any law to willfully deprive a person of a right or privilege protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States. The CCCDAO is investigating these officers for assault under the color of authority, bribery, embezzlement, possession of controlled substances (steroids) for sale, knowing or offering any false or forged instruments, possession, and sales of assault weapons, and attempt and conspiracy to commit the foregoing offenses. The CCCDAO is also reviewing whether any of the above listed individuals have violated Penal Code (PC) section 745, the Racial Justice Act, which prohibits the use of race, ethnicity, or national origin by a law enforcement officer in pursuit of a conviction or sentence.
On 03/22/2022, the Honorable Presiding Judge Rebecca C. Hardie, Judge of the Superior Court of California, Contra Costa County, signed a search warrant under seal authored by CCCDAO Senior Inspector Larry J. Wallace for the seizure and search of the following cellular telephones: Pittsburg Police Officer Willie Glasper, (redacted phone number); Pittsburg Police Officer Brauli Rodriguez Jalapa, (redacted phone number); Pittsburg Police Officer Ernesto Juan Mejia-Orozco, (redacted phone number); Pittsburg Police Officer James Robert Anderson, (redacted phone number); Antioch Police Officer Ben C. Padilla, (redacted phone number); Antioch Police Officer Eric Rombough, (redacted phone number); Antioch Police Officer Devon Wenger, (redacted phone number); and Antioch Police Officer Andrea Rodriguez, (redacted phone number). The search warrants and affidavits were signed under seal and filed with the Martinez Superior Court.
On 03/22/22, the Honorable Laurel Beeler, United States Magistrate, Northern District of California, signed a federal search warrant under seal authored by FBI Special Agent (SA) Thuy Zoback for the seizure of the following cellular telephones: Pittsburg Police Officer Armando Montalvo; Pittsburg Police Officer Patrick Berhan; Antioch Police Officer Timothy Manly Williams; Antioch Police Officer Morteza Amiri, Antioch Police Officer Nicholas Shipilov; Antioch Police Officer Eric Rombough; Antioch Police Officer Daniel Harris; and Antioch Police Officer Calvin Prieto. The purpose of the search warrants were to seize electronic communications; such as, but not limited to the following: records and communications indicating the possession, use, purchase, sale, distribution, transfer, theft, and/or concealment of controlled substances, including books, receipts, notes, ledgers, pay and owe sheets, correspondence, records noting price, quantity, date and times when controlled substances were purchased, possessed, transferred, distributed, sold or concealed.
On 03/23/2022, sworn law enforcement members of the CCCDAO and the FBI retrieved the above listed cellular telephones from the above listed sworn law enforcement members of the Pittsburg and Antioch Police Departments. Law enforcement members from the CCCDAO and the FBI downloaded/extracted electronic cellular data communications from the above listed cellular telephones. A thorough review of the electronic cellular data communications took place for the past year.”
APOA Attorney Exploring Legal Options, Damages to Officers
“I am exploring legal options including a possible lawsuit related to our grave concerns about the way in which this report was ordered released by the court to begin with, when I was supposed to be given the opportunity on behalf of the officers to seek a protective order,” Rains stated on Monday. “Plus, the release by the DA’s Office when they told me, the judge told me to tell Chief Assistant DA Simon O’Connell to not release the report until I had the opportunity to be heard. We tried to set up dates with the defense attorneys on Monday, after the morning appearance I made. Then I received an email from O’Connell on Tuesday that the judge ordered the report released. I feel betrayed by both the judge and by the DA’s Office.”
“I’m exploring the damages done to the officers due to the actions by the DA’s Office,” he added.
Says it’s “known as…the most corrupt police department in Contra Costa County”; wants officers in jail
It has taken me more than two days of reading through the vile, malicious texts written by 20% of the Antioch Police Officers. Citizens are appalled by Officers who were sworn to protect and serve the residents of Antioch.
These Police Officers are under investigation on paid administrative leave, this is unacceptable. Residents are paying for moderate salaries to the Police Officers with funds from Measure C and W. These officers should be proud they have risen above the corruption of the Oakland Riders.
Antioch PD has a known reputation in the Bay Area as the most corrupt police department in Contra Costa County. The NAACP has reported numerous complaints about the policing practices of the Antioch Police Department. While trying to retrieve information from the department, there was always the blue wall of stonewalling done, even with the Chief of Police Tammany Brooks.
We have a district attorney who has heard the pleas of residents of police brutality by this Police Department. Many thanks to the DA and FBI unit for coming to the aid of these victims.
No apologies from the Police Department, City Manager, Chief of Police or the City Council of Antioch will ever return the lives of a child or loved one to their families or return the life loss of an innocently incarcerated resident.
Citizen expectations are transparency in the investigative process. We are asking for indictments, convictions, and prison time suitable for the crime committed to those who were injured or injuries resulting in death.
Our request would be no possibility of “Pass Go and collect generous pensions”. We are no longer accepting light sentences; we want police officers who commit such heinous crimes to go directly to jail. These officers should never have the opportunity of returning to any aspect of law enforcement again.
East County NAACP is requesting Federal Oversight of the Antioch Police Department immediately.
This year, National Volunteer Week is April 16-22, and the American Red Cross of the Bay Area is recognizing the work of the selfless individuals who generously give their valuable time to support people in need.
Across the country, more than 275,000 Red Cross volunteers serve their communities by responding to thousands of disasters of all sizes; supporting the collection of blood to help patients receive the critical care they need; supporting members of the military and their families; helping communities prepare for emergencies around the globe and much more.
Last year, Red Cross Bay Area Chapter volunteers provided food, shelter, comfort and hope to 968 local families who faced emergency situations. They trained 29,912 people in lifesaving skills and provided 1,740 services to military members, veterans and their families.
“National Volunteer Week is a time to honor these community heroes for their constant service and support,” said Jonathan Bernier, Regional Volunteer Services Officer. “They are the true heart of the Red Cross.”
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Volunteers are more critical than ever as the climate crisis worsens and the need for shelter, hot meals, health services, and emotional support grows. The Red Cross launches nearly twice as many relief operations for major disasters today compared with a decade ago, and with the 2023 hurricane and wildfire seasons on the horizon, we have a critical need to fill vital volunteer positions.
Disaster Action Team Member: As a Disaster Action Team volunteer, you can be a source of refuge and support when it’s needed most. From home fires to storms, unexpected emergencies happen every day, but you can help as a Red Cross volunteer.
Shelter Services: Support the day-to-day activities within an emergency shelter by helping with reception, registration, feeding, dormitory, information or other areas within a shelter. Free online training will be provided.
Disaster Health Services:These valuable volunteers use their professional skills as licensed healthcare providers to deliver hands-on care to people in shelters. There is also a need for Mental Health Services volunteers.
Visit redcross.org/volunteertoday to get started today. Training is free but the hope you provide as a Red Cross volunteer to people in need is priceless. Join us at a virtual volunteer information session on Tuesday, April 18 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. PT, to learn more about our most-needed volunteer positions and talk with a Red Cross representative. Register today.
PLEASE GIVE BLOOD The Red Cross invites the public to sign up to become a volunteer blood or platelet donor. To schedule an appointment to donate blood or platelets, people can download the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
With local offices in San Francisco, San Mateo, Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, the American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; collects lifesaving blood and platelets; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/bayarea or call us at (415) 427-8000. You may also find us on Facebook and Twitter.
Semana Nacional del Voluntario: Estos héroes comunitarios son el verdadero corazón de la Cruz Roja Americana
Por favor, ayude: conviértase en voluntario de la Cruz Roja hoy
Es la Semana Nacional del Voluntariado y la Cruz Roja Americana del Área de la Bahía está reconociendo el trabajo de las personas que generosamente dan su valioso tiempo para apoyar a las personas necesitadas.
En todo el país, más de 275.000 voluntarios de la Cruz Roja sirven a sus comunidades respondiendo a miles de desastres de todos los tamaños; colaboran con la recolección de sangre para ayudar a los pacientes a recibir la atención crítica que necesitan; apoyan a los miembros de las fuerzas armadas y sus familias; ayudan a las comunidades a prepararse para emergencias en todo el mundo y mucho más.
El año pasado, los voluntarios de la Cruz Roja del Área de la Bahía proporcionaron alimentos, refugio, consuelo y esperanza a 968 familias locales que enfrentaban situaciones de emergencia. Capacitaron a 29,912 personas en habilidades para salvar vidas y proporcionaron 1,749 servicios a miembros militares, veteranos y sus familias.
“La Semana Nacional del Voluntariado es un tiempo para honrar a estos héroes comunitarios por su constante servicio y apoyo”, dijo Jonathan Bernier, Oficial Regional de Servicios de Voluntarios. “Ellos son el verdadero corazón de la Cruz Roja”.
NECESIDAD DE VOLUNTARIOS Los voluntarios son más críticos que nunca a medida que la crisis climática empeora y crece la necesidad de refugio, comidas calientes, servicios de salud y apoyo emocional. La Cruz Roja lanza ahora casi el doble de operaciones de socorro para desastres mayores que hace una década, y con la temporada 2023 de huracanes e incendios forestales en el horizonte, tenemos una necesidad crítica de llenar puestos vitales de voluntarios.
Miembro del Equipo de Acción contra Desastres: Como voluntario del Equipo de Acción contra Desastres (en inglés), puede ser una fuente de refugio y apoyo cuando más se necesita. Desde incendios domésticos hasta tormentas, las emergencias inesperadas ocurren todos los días, pero usted puede ayudar como voluntario de la Cruz Roja.
Servicios de refugio: Apoye las actividades diarias dentro de un refugio de emergencia ayudando con la recepción, registro, alimentación, dormitorio, información u otras áreas dentro de un refugio. Se proporcionará capacitación gratuita en línea.
Servicios de salud por desastre: Estos valiosos voluntarios (en inglés) utilizan sus habilidades profesionales como proveedores de atención médica con licencia para brindar atención práctica a las personas en refugios. También hay una necesidad de voluntarios de Servicios de Salud Mental.
Visite redcross.org/volunteertoday (en inglés) para comenzar hoy. La capacitación es gratuita, pero la esperanza que brinda como voluntario de la Cruz Roja a las personas necesitadas no tiene precio. Únase a nosotros en una sesión informativa virtual de voluntarios el martes 18 de abril de 12.00 a 1:30 p.m. PT, para obtener más información sobre nuestros puestos de voluntariado más necesarios y hablar con un representante de la Cruz Roja. Regístrese hoy.
POR FAVOR DONE SANGRE La Cruz Roja invita al público a inscribirse para convertirse en donante voluntario de sangre o plaquetas. Para programar una cita para donar sangre o plaquetas, las personas pueden descargar la aplicación gratuita de donantes de sangre de la Cruz Roja, visitar redcrossblood.org o llamar al 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Won’t say who sent the report or to whom; issues further redacted second report
By Allen D. Payton
After a second, 14-page investigative report on Antioch Police Officers’ racist texts was leaked and posted on social media on Saturday, April 15, questions were sent to DA’s Office PIO Ted Asregadoo that day asking to whom the report was sent, why it was prepared separately from the 21-page report, why it wasn’t sent to the media and was it intended to be shared with the media. He was also asked how the East Bay Times obtained it earlier in the week, was it leaked by someone in the DA’s Office and if so, who. Finally, Asregadoo was asked if there is an investigation in the DA’s Office to determine who leaked the 21-page report and this other, 14-page report.
Asregadoo responded Monday morning, “Our inspectors have investigated the matter and determined someone outside of our organization disclosed the reports to the public and press.”
He was then asked again, to whom were the redacted reports sent from the DA’s Office and who sent them.
Asregadoo also sent out the following press release about the matter, and provided a further redacted copy:
“The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office has made a second investigative report available to the public. Like the previous report, this one also details texts and images sent and received by certain members of the Antioch Police Department in March 2021.
On April 7, 2023, the court ordered the DA’s Office to disclose redacted investigative reports to defense attorneys representing clients in a felony criminal case. The judge issuing the order reminded defense counsel about the sensitive nature of the content of the reports and urged caution in its distribution beyond the parties involved in the criminal case. The District Attorney’s Office agreed with the court advisory — as the documents contained explicit words and images that are hurtful, offensive, and inflammatory.
Media interest in accessing the second report increased over the weekend when a copy of it was leaked to the press and public by an individual or group outside of the DA’s Office.
Like the 21-page report that the DA’s Office made available on April 13, 2023, a redacted copy of a 14-page investigative report is available to view. The DA’s Office added further redactions to balance public interest with the sensitive nature of what is contained in the report.
To view or download the redacted report, click here.”
George Walter Pack, aged 94, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at his homme in Long Beach, California.
George was born on August 12, 1928, in Los Angeles, California, the son of Fred Pack and Elsie Pack (Lake). He had one sister, Beverly Wamsher, and two brothers, Jim Brennan and Patrick Brennan. His parents and all of his siblings preceded him in death.
On June 6, 1948, George married the love of his life, Edith Garcia, and they resided in various California cities until finally settling in Antioch, California, 31 years ago. They were married for 69 years when Edith passed away on April 8, 2017. They had seven children, Donald (Lillian), Robert, Janet Killian (Jim), Diana Ramirez (David), Vera McIntire (Ray), George Jr. and Donna Jordan (Mark). He also had 16 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren and 4 great, great grandchildren.
George worked at several different professions over the years, He was a tile setter, truck driver, modular furniture business owner and a roofer. He loved playing pool at the Antioch Senior Center, and he was the President of the San Francisco Golden Gate Archers in the 1980’s. He was an excellent archer, and he supported many of his club members in their quest to make the Olympic team.
Most of all, he was a loving husband, father, grandfather, friend, and a kind-hearted person. He will be loved and missed by his family always.
His funeral services will be held on Friday, April 21, 2023, at 11:00 am, at Oak View Memorial Park Cemetery at 2500 E. 18th Street, Antioch, California 94509. The reception will immediately follow the funeral at his granddaughter’s house, Bobbi Green, at 2111 Portside Court, Discovery Bay, California 94514.
David Dewey Whitfield-Pearson was shot and killed in April 2017. Antioch Police released a sketch of the suspect. Photo courtesy of the Whitfield-Pearson family.
As previously reported, on Sunday, April 2, 2017, at approximately 8:00 PM, a black male was shot on K Street near West 8th Street in Antioch. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he later succumbed to his wounds. During the investigation, detectives were able to have a sketch completed of a suspect involved in this homicide. The male pictured was described as possibly being a white male adult, in his mid-20s to early 30s, with short hair.
The victim, David Dewey Whitfield-Pearson born on June 30, 1994 and died on April 3, 2017 at the age of 22. He was a 2011 graduate of Pittsburg High School, worked for the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds and lived in Antioch at the time of his death.
According to his parents, David’s murder is an Antioch Police Department cold case and there have been no further police updates nor information regarding the drive by shooting and his subsequent death. They’re asking for help from police and the public in finding the suspect.
Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Gonzalez with the Antioch Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit at (925) 779-6923. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.
In Memoriam: A Celebration of Life of David Dewey Whitfield-Pearson
David Dewey Whitfield Pearson was born in San Diego, California on June 30, 1993 to David Whitefield Pearson and Martha A. Armenta. David gave his life to God to while attending church with his grandmother, Hazel at the Bayview Baptist Church. Later in David’s youthful life during middle school, David decided to join a positive church family that supports the commitment to ensuring that Biblical principles are the foundation of every aspect of their program through a Christian based curriculum. David grew up to be a free thinker and a very dedicated believer in God and the good in all.
David was a gift from God, as David brought comfort to our family just by his smile. David’s two grandmothers’ love of David knew no bounds, as did his Uncle and Aunty. As the majority of the family would agree, David was a very special treasure to be with as they traveled together throughout the USA, Mexico and Europe during David’s adolescent.
David was very persuasive and, not to mention, handsome. A tall caramel King with defined features David attended secondary school and college in Pittsburg California. Growing up David was very involved in the San Francisco community citywide, from setting up fairs to helping at local, state and national events. David has touched many lives, not only have we lost a brother, but our community has lost an important member. His memories live on through the love we show each other and our community.
To cherish his memory David leaves behind his two daughters, Rachel and Nevaeh; his mother and father Martha and David Whitfield Pearson; two sisters and one brother.
The family of David Dewey Whitfield-Pearson wishes to express their sincere gratitude and thanks for the many acts of kindness shown to them during their time of bereavement and five years later after his murder remains unsolved within a City of concerns community practices or the lack thereof- Antioch CA. May God bless and keep each and every one of you.
Interment: City of Benicia Cemetery.
An effort to obtain an update on the cold case investigation from the Antioch Police Department was unsuccessful prior publication time.
