William Pree (2015 arrest photo by Antioch PD) and Josephine Daniels (Source: Facebook) were arrested with drugs, guns and ammunition by the Humboldt County Drug Task Force on Dec. 21, 2024.
William Pree, Lucy Daniels apprehended following traffic stop during cross state trip
Alleged prison gang leader, Pree was convicted for 2015 murder of man in Antioch which was overturned on appeal
By Humboldt County Drug Task Force
On Saturday, December 21st, 2024, Agents with the Humboldt County Drug Task Force (HCDTF) and Deputies with the Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET) served a search warrant on William Lavon Pree (43 years old from Antioch). During the month of December, HCDTF received information that Pree was traveling to the Bay Area and purchasing large quantities of narcotics for the purpose of sales, and that he was in possession of firearms. Pree is a convicted felon for numerous violent offenses involving firearms including attempted homicide.
HCDTF Agents observed Pree travel from Humboldt County, to Los Angeles, and then the Bay Area. Upon Pree’s return to Humboldt County, Agents conducted a traffic stop on his vehicle on Hwy 101 at Hookton Road in Loleta. The vehicle had four occupants, Josephine Lucy Daniels (Age 48 from Antioch), Willaim Pree, and two juveniles (ages 5 and 17). All occupants were detained without incident.
Agents searched Pree’s vehicle and located over 450 Xanax bars, a half-pound of cocaine, a loaded 10MM Glock handgun, a loaded 9mm ghost pistol (privately manufactured with no serial number) equipped with a “Glock Switch” enabling the firearm to shoot fully automatic, more ammunition, high-capacity magazines, and a digital scale.
Both juveniles were transported to a safe location by law enforcement and Humboldt Child Welfare Services will receive the criminal report. Pree and Daniels were placed under arrest and transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility where they were both booked on the following charges:
11351 HS – Possession of narcotics for the purpose of sales
11352(A) HS – Trafficking narcotics
11352(B) HS – Trafficking narcotics through noncontiguous counties
11370.1 HS – Possession of a loaded firearm/narcotics
32625(A) PC – Possession of a machine gun
30605(A) PC – Possession of an assault weapon
25400(A)(1) PC – Illegally possessing a firearm inside of a vehicle
24610 PC – Possession on a non-detectable firearm
29800(a)(1) PC – Felon in possession of a handgun (Pree only)
30305(a)(1) PC – Felon in possession of ammunition (Pree only)
273A(A) PC – Felony child endangerment
According to localcrimenews.com, Press is Black and was also arrested by Antioch Police in September 2015 for being an accessory after the fact.
As previously reported, Pree was arrested in September 2015 for murder of 23-year-old Antioch resident, Kartiae Ely, who was shot in the driveway of an apartment building in the 1800 block of Cavallo Road and subsequently died from his injuries.
According to a Dec. 2023 Mercury News report, Pree is “An alleged prison gang leader accused of ordering the murder of a man over his gang’s attempts to take over an Antioch ‘money block’ has been released from jail after a judge lowered his bail to $200,000 in a pending murder case, court records show. William…Pree and his co-defendant, 45-year-old Edward Robinson, were convicted of murder in 2017, only to have the case be overthrown by an appeals court” in 2023.
According to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department, he is being held in the Humboldt County Correctional Facility in Eureka. Also, according to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Dept, Daniels is of American Indian/Alaska Native descent and as of Sunday, Dec. 22 had bonded out of custody.
Anyone with information related to this investigation or other narcotics related crimes is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Drug Task Force at 707-267-9976.
For $2 billion in maintenance, preservation and operation of Bay Area’s seven state-owned bridges.
Contra Costa’s representatives voted in favor of 50-cent annual increases beginning Jan. 1, 2026.
By Allen D. Payton
After extending the period for public input, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, the Bay Area Toll Authority (BATA) Board of Directors voted 15-0-1 to approve toll increases and other toll policy changes for the Bay Area’s seven state-owned bridges beginning Jan. 1, 2026. Tolls will increase to as much as $11.50 by 2030.
According to BATA spokesman John Goodwin, the vote passed “by all 16 members present save one abstention from a brand-new commissioner, Alameda Mayor Marilyn Ezzy-Ashcraft, who represents the cities of Alameda County.”
The board consists of 21 members, with 18 voting members, he shared. Pleasant Hill Mayor Sue Noack, who represents the cities of Contra Costa, and Contra Costa District 5 Supervisor Federal Glover, who represents the County, both voted in favor of the toll increases.
A phased toll increase starting in 2026 is proposed to fund the Toll Bridge Capital Improvement Plan, which includes almost $2 billion of investment which will be used exclusively for the maintenance, preservation and operation of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and the Antioch, Benicia-Martinez, Richmond-San Rafael, Carquinez, Dumbarton and San Mateo-Hayward bridges.
The Bay Area’s seven state-owned toll bridges are structurally sound and in good repair. State law requires BATA — working in partnership with Caltrans — to keep them that way.
The toll increases are separate from the $3 increase approved by Bay Area voters in 2018 through Regional Measure 3 to finance a comprehensive suite of highway and transit improvements around the region. The first of the three $1 Regional Measure 3 increases went into effect in 2019, followed by another in 2022. The last of the RM 3 toll hikes will go into effect Jan. 1, 2025, bringing the toll for regular two-axle cars and trucks to $8.
Summary of the 2026 Toll Increase
Toll rates include the last voter-approved Regional Measure 3 (RM 3) toll increase that goes into effect January 1, 2025.
To encourage electronic toll payment with FasTrak® tags, tolls and help recoup the increased costs of collecting tolls via pre-registered license plate accounts or invoices, on Jan. 1, 2027 will also rise by 25 cents for customers who pay with a pre-registered license plate account and on January 1, 2027, will rise by $1 for tolls paid by invoice.
Two-Axle Vehicle Toll increase schedule 2026-30. Source: BATA
Toll Increase: Two-Axle Vehicle Toll
The toll rate update includes an increase of 50 cents a year from 2026 through 2030 for two-axle vehicles. This phased-in approach is similar to the Golden Gate Bridge’s recent multi-year update to its toll schedule.
*HOV rate is 50% of two-axle FasTrak rate.
Three-Axle or More Vehicle Toll increase schedule 2026-30. Source: BATA
Toll Increase: Three-Axle or More Vehicle Toll
Tolls for multi-axle vehicles also will rise by 50 cents per axle per year from 2026 through 2030.
Multi-axle differential pricing:
Invoices: +$1.00 per transaction starting January 1, 2027
License plate account: + $0.25 per transaction starting January 1, 2027
A Precedent for Tiered Pricing
The Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District has used a tiered pricing schedule at the Golden Gate Bridge since 2014.
Golden Gate Bridge tolls by July 2028 will range from $11.25 for FasTrak to $11.50 for license plate accounts to $12.25 for invoice customers.
Summary of the Changes to High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Policies
BATA is also making changes to HOV policies. To provide regional consistency and to support the future deployment of open-road tolling at the state-owned bridges, the changes will establish a uniform three-person occupancy requirement for the discounted toll during weekday commute periods at all seven bridges. It will also allow vehicles with two occupants to use the carpool lanes on the approaches to all bridges except the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. These two-occupant vehicles will not receive the discounted toll but will be able to use the carpool lanes to save time traveling through the toll plazas.
BATA’s existing toll schedule allows vehicles with three or more occupants (HOV 3+) a discounted toll (half-price), with a two-person (HOV 2+) occupancy requirement for the discounted tolls at the Dumbarton and San Mateo-Hayward bridges. To provide regional consistency and to support the future deployment of open-road tolling at the state-owned bridges, the new policy will establish a uniform three-person occupancy requirement for the discounted toll during weekday commute periods at all seven bridges. The discounted toll rate is available weekdays from 5 to 10 a.m. and from 3 to 7 p.m.
The policy changes will also allow vehicles with two occupants to use the carpool lanes on the approaches to the Antioch, Benicia-Martinez, Carquinez, Dumbarton, Richmond-San Rafael and San Mateo-Hayward bridges. These two-occupant vehicles will not receive the discounted toll but will be able to use the carpool lanes to save time traveling through the toll plazas. There will be no change at the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, where volumes of vehicles with three or more occupants are much higher than those at other bridges. Use of the carpool lanes on approaches to the Bay Bridge will still require a minimum of three occupants.
In addition to establishing region-wide consistency for the carpool toll discount, the policy changes are designed to:
Improve safety on the toll bridge approaches by minimizing “weaving” between lanes.
Optimize lane configurations as now-obsolete toll booths are removed as part of the bridges’ transition to open-road tolling.
Increase person-throughput by prioritizing access for buses and carpools.
Ray Reeves accepted a plea deal for the death of Gianathon Michael Vincent. Reeves photo source: Facebook. Photos of Gianathon courtesy of Veronica Finley, published with permission of the family.
Ray Shaqil Reeves who “was crying a few times” during trial agrees to plea deal for 8 years, 4 months in state prison, could be out in three-and-a-half
Aunt shares details from trial, incident, says Gianathon Vincent’s surviving cousins now in high school
GoFundMe page for the family continues raising funds
By Allen D. Payton
According to the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office, on Thursday, December 19, 2024, in the case of People v. Ray Shaqil Reeves, a court hearing was held to determine the appropriate term of imprisonment. The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office recommended the maximum sentence of 9 years and 8 months in state prison, while the defense advocated for a 2-year sentence.
After weighing the relevant legal factors, Judge Charles Burch sentenced Reeves to 8 years and 4 months in state prison for killing a 12-year-old boy, Gianathon Vincent, in Antioch.
Deputy District Attorney Aron DeFerrari, who prosecuted the case said: “This is a profoundly sad incident. The impact of Mr. Reeves’ devastating actions cannot be described in words alone.”
On September 16, 2022, Reeves was driving recklessly at twice the speed limit on Sycamore Drive when he struck the boy and two other children, who were walking home from school. The collision severely injured the other two children.
As previously reported at approximately 3:20 PM, the Antioch Police Department Dispatch began to receive numerous reports of a major injury collision in which three juvenile pedestrians, one girl and two boys, were struck by a vehicle. Witnesses stated that a red Chevrolet Impala struck a tan Mercury Mystique in the area of Sycamore Drive and Manzanita Way, forcing the Impala in the direction of the juveniles walking on the southwest corner of Sycamore Drive and Manzanita way.
At approximately 3:23 PM, Antioch Officers arrived at the scene of the collision and located two of the juveniles who were in critical condition. Officers immediately began life-saving measures when the third juvenile was located several feet away. With the assistance of Medical Emergency Services, all three juveniles were given medical attention at the scene and ultimately life-flighted to local area hospitals to receive additional medical care.
Additionally, the driver of the Mystique was transported to a local area hospital as a precaution. In contrast, the driver of the Impala was also life-flighted to a local hospital for serious injuries sustained during the collision.
According to witness statements, the Mercury Mystique was traveling westbound on Sycamore Drive and was waiting for traffic to clear before turning left (southbound) onto Manzanita Way. Simultaneously, the Chevrolet Impala exited Sycamore Square onto westbound Sycamore Drive at a high rate of speed. As the Impala approached the Mercury, the Impala attempted to pass the Mercury on the left just as the Mercury began to make the left-hand turn. Regrettably, the result was the Impala colliding into the Mercury, propelling the Impala in the direction of the juveniles reportedly walking home from school.
According to localcrimenews.com, the 31-year-old Reeves was charged for vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and reckless driving with injury. However, as previously reported by the Antioch Police on Oct. 11, 2024, the day he was arrested, Reeves was charged with six felonies with three enhancements and he was held on $390,000 bail at that time. According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department, he was born on Sept. 21, 1993, is six-foot, two-inches tall, 255 pounds and as of Dec. 23, 2024, is being held in the West County Detention Facility.
Following the incident, the children’s aunt, Veronica Finley, shared the condition of her three young relatives. “Cheyanne who is at U.C Davis is improving,” she said. “Mason and Gianathon are at Oakland Children’s. Mason is also improving, Gianathon has not improved, and we are praying but it’s not looking good.”
Asked for their ages, Finley responded, “They are 12 years old. They are a blended family.”
She also shared that Gianathon’s “spine was partially severed” and was placed “on life support.”
He later succumbed to his injuries.
Courtesy of Veronica Finley.
Following the sentencing, she said, “The trial started on Monday, and we did all of our victim impact statements, including the children. It was horrible, hard hitting but touching. It was pretty powerful.”
“The defense tried to say the driver had PTSD. But he took a plea deal and was sentenced to 8 years, 4 months in prison. Even though that was less than the minimum, the family didn’t want to put the kids through a trial. They would have had to get up and
“Reeves got up and spoke, too. He was crying a few times. I’m sure he feels bad,” Finley stated. “He was also given two strikes, time served in jail, and he cannot appeal this. If he gets out on good behavior he may end up only doing three-and-a-half more years, the DA said.”
Asked if he was drunk, she said, “No. They said he was distraught as he had just gotten a disturbing phone call right before. His mom said he and his girlfriend had just broken up.”
“They live over by Lake Alhambra, so he had to drive all the way over as school was letting out,” Finley continued. “There was video from the little shopping center on Sycamore that they showed during the trial. You could hear the screeching out of view, as he slammed on his brakes because he almost hit a mother and her child walking across the street.”
“Then he zoomed to 62 miles per hour westbound on Sycamore when he hit the kids. They weren’t even in the crosswalk, they were still on the sidewalk,” she stated. “Gianothan was under the Impala the whole time. Mason was trapped between the Impala and the bushes. Cheyanne was thrown 50 feet into the side of someone’s home. They couldn’t find her
“Jami was wondering why the kids weren’t home, yet so she called Mason’s phone. When he answered he said, ‘Mommy, help me, I’m dying,’” Finley shared. “She drove to the scene and it was just chaotic. People were everywhere. It was three in the afternoon and kids were walking home from school. At first, she couldn’t find Cheyanne and Jami asked, ‘where is my daughter?’ to people on the scene.”
“It was the strangest thing. I felt that something had happened, and I called Jami and asked if the kids were OK and she said, they were getting ready to go the hospital because the kids were hit by a car,” the aunt shared. “Mason was taken by ambulance and Gianothan was airlifted to Oakland Children’s Hospital. Cheyanne was flown to U.C. Davis Medical Center as she had been unconscious for a bit. She had a brain bleed and a broken pelvis. When she woke up in the hospital Cheyanne didn’t remember what happened. She was in a wheelchair for a while.”
Gianathon’s grandmother, his dad’s mom and I stayed at a home near the hospital the whole time. It’s like a Ronald McDonald House. Or we’d stay in the room with him,” Finley continued. “The hospital was great to us. They brought us hot food and care packages.”
“We took Gianathon off life support two weeks later on Oct. 1st,” she stated. “That was the hardest decision. We donated some of his organs.”
(Left) Gianathon’s cousins Mason Hanlin and Cheyanne Comfort who survived the collision at their 8th grade graduation in 2023. Courtesy of Veronica Finley, published with family’s permission. Jami and Johnny Comfort and children. Source: GoFundMe
Asked about her niece and nephew Finley said, “Mason and Cheyanne are doing OK. They’re in high school, now. This is their first year and he played quarterback for the JV football team. They had to do some skin grafts for his face, and he has to undergo leg surgeries. Also, Cheyanne is playing volleyball for Antioch High.”
A GoFundMe page was set up for the family by Eden Comfort, Johnny’s aunt, to help with expenses. A total of $42,000 has been raised to date toward the goal of $70,000.
On that page she wrote, “Johnny Comfort and Jami Hanlin are parents of five beautiful children together. Johnny is a Manager at an apartment complex and Handyman, and Jami is a Special Education Teacher. The family lives in Antioch. The family is devastated, and they need your help with prayers and love right now. A disastrous event like this will cause enormous expenses for the family. Please find it in your heart to donate to the family to help in their time of need.”
Comfort and Hanlin were Gianathon’s uncle and aunt who had guardianship of him and have since married, Finley shared.
“The family appreciates all the help people provided that day and continued prayers from the community,” she added.
By Contra Costa Health, Housing and Homeless Services
What is the Point in Time Count?
The Point-in-Time (PIT) Count provides a comprehensive snapshot of individuals experiencing homelessness—both sheltered and unsheltered—on a single night in late January. Mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), this annual count requires Continuums of Care to account for sheltered individuals who are in emergency shelters, transitional housing, and safe havens, as well as unsheltered individuals who live in places not meant for human habitation like cars, parks, sidewalks, and abandoned buildings.
As a result, the Continuum of Care (CoC) must submit PIT Count data to HUD. This data is collected across the country to estimate homelessness and provide information about the demographics of people experiencing homelessness.
This information is used to decide how much funding communities get to help with homelessness.
Source: CCC CoC
Data collected from the Point-in-Time Count helps identify
The causes of homelessness
Create better policies, programs and funding allocations
Track progress in reducing homelessness
What Am I Being Asked To Do?
Be part of a one-day, county-wide project to count unsheltered people in Contra Costa
Work in a pair [with someone you know or we can pair you with someone]
Either drive (if you have a car) or capture data on an iPhone-based app with someone else while they drive
Multi-agency effort also recovers 4 abandoned vehicles, 3 firearms
By Antioch Police Department
On Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, our police department had the honor of hosting the Vehicle Theft Suppression Enforcement Team (VSET) operation, bringing together 12 agencies to focus on tackling vehicle theft in our county. The teamwork and dedication were incredible, and the results speak for themselves:
• Abandoned Recoveries: 4
• Felony Arrests: 7
• Misdemeanor Arrests: 8
• Warrant Arrests: 3
• Firearms Recovered: 3
• Enforcement Stops: 173
This was one of the most successful details of the year, and we’re grateful for everyone who participated. Together, we’re making a difference in keeping our community safe!
Today, Sunday, December 22, 2024, we had the privilege of doing something truly special that warmed our hearts.
Last week, Officer Lundin responded to a burglary in progress. The suspects escaped, taking with them all the Christmas gifts. The victim, who had recently lost her job, was devastated and unable to replace the presents for her family and young daughter.
Officer Lundin couldn’t stand by without helping. She rallied her patrol team, and with the incredible generosity of our community, we were able to replace the stolen gifts and bring some holiday magic to the family.
When our dayshift crew arrived with the gifts, the victim greeted us with the biggest smile and even baked cookies for everyone. The joy and gratitude we witnessed made this moment unforgettable.
(Side note: Did you know Officer Lundin has a huge heart for animals too? She’s often called on by our dispatchers when Antioch Animal Services is not available for loose or injured pets—and rumor has it, they might have even convinced her to adopt a dog!)
Officer Lundin, thank you for your kindness, dedication, and determination to make things right. You’ve truly embodied the holiday spirit!
SACRAMENTO – As families prepare to celebrate the holidays, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) reminds everyone to prioritize safety on the road. To keep travelers safe throughout the busy holiday season, the CHP is initiating the first of two statewide Maximum Enforcement Periods (MEP) this month to reduce traffic incidents by targeting unsafe driving behaviors and assisting motorists.
The CHP’s Christmas MEP begins at 6:01 p.m. on Tuesday, December 24, and continues until 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, December 25. During this period, the CHP will increase patrols throughout the state to deter dangerous driving behaviors, including impaired driving, speeding, distracted driving and seat belt violations. The CHP also encourages the public to report unsafe drivers by calling 9-1-1.
“This time of year is about celebrating with family and friends, but it’s also a time when traffic incidents increase due to poor driving decisions,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “Each of us has a role in making California’s roads safer. Let’s work together to keep this holiday season free of tragedy.”
Last year, during the 78-hour Christmas MEP, 20 people lost their lives in crashes within CHP jurisdiction. In addition, CHP officers made over 900 arrests for driving under the influence.
Let’s make safety our top priority on the road! Buckle up, drive responsibly, and if you’re celebrating, always plan for a sober ride. Your thoughtful choices can help prevent crashes and keep California’s roads safe for everyone. Celebrate wisely and drive with care!
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.
The Antioch City Council members listen to the assistant city manager during their special meeting on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. Video screenshot.
Discusses, provides direction on new city manager’s goals; provides direction to city attorney on 4 lawsuits about the previous council majority’s shutdown of the natural gas pipeline through the city, 58 claims
By Allen D. Payton
During a special Closed Session meeting on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, the Antioch Council met with City Manager Bessie Scott and Assistant City Attorney Kevin Kundinger to discuss a list of 28 of 36 current and 58 possible lawsuits against the City. It’s the second special meeting called by Mayor Ron Bernal in which the council and staff reviewed and discussed them. The first special, Closed Session, held on Dec. 11th, took over three hours to discuss eight other lawsuits. Some are about alleged violations of police use of force, while five are about the previous council majority’s vote to not renew the franchise agreement for the natural gas pipeline running through the city. (See related articles here and here) The lawsuit by the Antioch Police Officers Association (APOA) is to obtain phone records of former Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe according to the APOA’s attorney, Mike Rains.
After the meeting, Mayor Pro Tem and District 2 Councilman Louie Rocha said, “We’re getting educated on the lawsuits to understand what each are about. We’ve reviewed about half of them, so far.”
The first item on the Closed Session agenda was listed as “Public Employee Performance Evaluation: City Manager” but it was actually the opportunity for the new council to offer direction to Scott and provide her the goals that they want her to work on over the next four months. They will be the basis for her six-month evaluation in compliance with Scott’s contract.
The meeting began at 6:00 p.m., the council adjourned to Closed Session at 6:10 p.m. and almost four hours later, they returned to open session at 9:52 p.m. Although it’s not a requirement for special meeting agendas, Bernal included a Public Comments section prior to the council adjourning to Closed Session during which only two residents spoke. The first was former Councilman Ralph Hernandez who complained that there was “no packet at all…at the library”. (This news organization also did not receive an email about the meeting as usually occurs, and this reporter learned about the meeting the following day).
Hernandez also said “there’s a lot of litigation. I see a part of the problem that the City has. You’re supposed to have an administrative…inquiry and on many of those you have not had that.” He encouraged the council ensure that’s done so they’ll know what the complaints are against City employees.
The other speaker was Melissa Case asking that the council be fair and work collaboratively with the city manager in setting “realistic and attainable” goals for her. “I’m concerned she has a lack of staff, no assistant and there’s a lot to do in Antioch.”
“I think it’s crucial we set her up for success,” she continued. “Because her success is Antioch’s success.”
Case later said she meant an assistant city manager as Scott does have an executive assistant.
Assistant City Attorney Kevin Kundinger speaks to council members prior to the Closed Sessionas City Manager Bessie Scott listens during the beginning of the special meeting on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. Video screenshot
Slight Procedural Controversy
The only controversial matter occurred prior to adjourning to Closed Session when District 3 Councilman Don Freitas interrupted Kundinger, as he began to read the list of lawsuits, asking why he was doing so. The assistant city attorney responded, “It is considered, that is the position to make sure the record is clear.”
Freitas then said, “It’s a public record. It’s a public document. To me, this is just a waste of time.”
Kundinger responded, “If the council would like to make a motion to abbreviate the reading of that, I believe that would be amenable.”
“I think under Robert’s Rules the mayor has that power,” Freitas stated.
“To make a motion?” Bernal asked.
“No. To say it’s a public document and that’s it,” the newly-elected councilman and former mayor responded. “You don’t need a motion.”
Bernal than said, “I would like the assistant city attorney to go ahead and continue reading down the list, please. Please abbreviate it.”
But before the mayor finished speaking and after letting out a sigh, Freitas said, “Then I would like,” as he struck his forefinger on the dais, “Point of order I would like the city attorney also to look at Robert’s Rules and advise us on that matter, in writing.”
“Very well,” Bernal responded and to Kundinger he said, “If you could please proceed” which he did and finished reading the list of lawsuits taking another two minutes.
During Thursday’s meeting, the council also discussed the goals for the new city manager, which was required to be done during her first 30 days on the job which Scott began on Oct. 7th. As previously reported, Freitas pointed that out during his remarks following the oath of office ceremony at the Dec. 10th council meeting.
Municipal Pooling Authority of Northern California (MPA) is the City’s insurance provider. According to the organization’s website, MPA is a Joint Powers Authority provides and administers lines of coverage for liability, workers’ compensation and property for 13 member cities in Contra Costa County, including Antioch. If a council votes to settle a case or a plaintiff wins in court, the City must pay a deductible. That has usually been $25,000 per case.
Under Item 2, the 28 of the 36 current lawsuits listed on the meeting agenda included the following:
Agenda Item
2-1) Trent Allen, et al. v. City of Antioch, et al., United States District Court Northern District of California, (Case No. 3:23-cv-01895-TSH). The lawsuit was filed in 2023 by attorneys for Allen, Shagoofa Khan and four other plaintiffs, names six Antioch cops, three police chiefs and the City and seeks monetary damages, department practice and policy changes, court monitoring and labels officers’ actions a “conspiracy”. Allen is one of four suspects convicted in May 2024 for murder and attempted murder during a drive-by shooting in Antioch on March 9, 2021. (See related articles here, here and here)
2-2) Claudjanae Young v. City of Antioch, et al., United States District Court Northern District of California, (Case No.3:23-cv-02691-SI). Filed May 31, 2023, the lawsuit lists former Officer Devon Wenger, current Officer Erik Nilsen and the City. According to an NBC Bay Area new report, Young claims during an October 2019 incident she was “not only falsely arrested, but Wenger broke her arm in the process.” He “claims Young matched the description of a group of individuals accused of shoplifting at a nearby Spirit Halloween Store…Wenger’s partner on the scene, Officer Erik Nilsen, who is also being sued in the lawsuit, told Young she was being detained and not free to walk away. When Young tried to run inside the home, Wenger grabbed Young to arrest her. He claims she resisted, and confirmed her arm did break during the incident.”
2-3) Joel Tolbert III v. Antioch Police Department, et al., United States District Court Northern District of California, (Case No.3:22-cv-02026-JSC).
2-4) Antioch Police Officers Association v. City of Antioch, Superior Court of the State of California, Contra Costa County, (Case No. N23-1629).
2-5) King David Levon Donahue v. Antich Police Department, et al., United States District Court, Northern District, Case No. C23-05564 AGT.
2-6) Ramello Randle v. Antioch Police Department, et al., United States District Court, Northern District, Case No. 3:23-cv-05800-JSC.
2-7) Lamar Young v. Sgt. Stenger, et al., United States District Court Northern District of California, (Case No. 21-cv-08131-DMR).
2-8) Ashika Kanji v. City of Antioch, Superior Court of the State of California, Contra Costa County, (Case No. C24-00795).
2-9) Mary Reed v. City of Antioch, et al., Superior Court of the State of California, Contra Costa County, (Case No. C24-01367).
2-10) Jordan Davis v. County of Contra Costa, et al., United States District Court Northern District of California, (Case No.4:21-cv-04651).
2-11) O.Y. a Decedent, et al., v. Contra Costa County, et al., United States District Court Northern District of California, (Case No. 3:24-cv-05154-PHK).
2-12) Nicholas Shipilov v. City of Antioch, Kwame Reed, Ana Cortez, et. al, Contra Costa County, Case No. N24-1095.
2-13) Christopher Martinez v. City of Antioch, Antioch Police Department, et al., Contra Costa County Superior Court, Case No. C24-03123.
2-14) Javier Elias Aguilar v. City of Antioch, et al., Superior Court of the State of California, Contra Costa County, (Case No.C23-00410).
2-15) Jessie Wilson and Dajon Smith v. City of Antioch, et al., United States District Court Northern District of California, (Case No. 4:24-cv-02758-JSW).
2-16) Reagan DeGuzman v. City of Antioch, et al., Superior Court of the State of California, Contra Costa County, (Case No.C23-00666).
2-17) Nicholas Roark v. City of Antioch, et al., Superior Court of the State of California, Contra Costa County, (Case No.C23-00410).
2-18) Jason Allard; Jamie Tellez v. City of Antioch; Superior Court of the State of California, Contra Costa County, (Case No. MSC21-00171).
2-19) Nicholas Warner v. County of Contra Costa, City of Antioch, Superior Court of the State of California, Contra Costa County, (Case No. C23-02689).
2-20) Susan Shintaku v. City of Antioch, Superior Court of the State of California, Contra Costa County, Case No. C24-00356.
2-21) Nirivana Allen v. City of Antioch, Superior Court of the State of California, Contra Costa County, (Case No.C22-02401).
2-22) Pat Stack, et al., v. City of Antioch, et al., Superior Court of the State of California, Contra Costa County, (Case No. C24-01065).
2-23) Jayson Robinson v. Antioch Unified School District, Antioch Water Park, City of Antioch, Contra Costa Superior Court, (Case No.C20-02420).
2-24) Annette Bullock, et al. v. City of Antioch, Contra Costa County Superior Court Case No.C19-01331
2-25) California Resources Production Corporation v. City of Antioch, Before the Public Utilities Commission of the State of California, A.23-07-008.
2-26) California Resources Production Corporation v. City of Antioch, Antioch City Council, Court of Appeal, State of California, First Appellate District, Division Four, A168517, A168558.
2-27) Delta Gas Gathering, Inc., et al. v. City of Antioch, et al., Contra Costa County, Superior Court Case No. MSN21-2355.
2-28) Enerfin Resources Northwest Limited Partnership v. City of Antioch, et al., Contra Costa County Superior, Court Case No. MSN21-2356.
In addition, the agenda included a Conference with Legal Counsel of Anticipated Litigation for the discussion of 58 claims against the City, later referred to as Item 3.
Reports from Closed Session
After returning from Closed Session with District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker absent, Assistant City Attorney Kundinger reported out saying under Item 1, “direction was given to the city manager” and “for Items 2-25 through 2-28 direction was given to the city attorney. For all other items underneath Item 2 there was no reportable action and for…Item 3 direction was given to the city attorney’s office.”
Eight Additional Lawsuits Discussed During Dec. 11th Special Meeting Agenda
Previously, on the Dec. 11th special Closed Session meeting agenda, eight other lawsuits were included:
Jayson Robinson v. Antioch Unified School District, Antioch Water Park, City of Antioch, Contra Costa Superior Court, (Case No.C20-02420).
Kathryn Wade v. City of Antioch, et al., United States District Court Northern District of California, (Case No. 4:23-cv-01130-DMR).
Juan Laspada, et al., v. City of Antioch, et al., United States District Court Northern District of California, (Case No.4:23-cv-01955-KAW).
Terry Robinson v. City of Antioch, Matthew Nutt, United States District Court, Northern District of California, Case 4:24-cv-03974-KAW.
Javier Elias Aguilar v. City of Antioch, et al., Superior Court of the State of California, Contra Costa County, (Case No.C23-00410).
Jarrod Garner v. City of Antioch, et al., Superior Court of the State of California, Contra Costa County, (Case No. C23-01669).
Breanna Butson v. City of Antioch, et al., Superior Court of the State of California, Contra Costa County, (Case No. C22-00161).
Edward Burkhalter v. City of Antioch, et al., Superior Court of the State of California, Contra Costa County, (Case No. C22-02663).
California Resources Production Corporation v. City of Antioch, Superior Court of the State of California, Contra Costa County, (Case No. N23-0843).
According to the annotated agenda for that meeting which began at 8:16 p.m. and adjourned to Closed Session at 8:21 p.m., District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson left at 9:45 p.m. during the Closed Session and Torres-Walker left at 10:38 p.m. after it was finished, but before the council returned to open session at 10:41 p.m. City Attorney Thomas L. Smith announced there was no reportable action.
Before deciding to settle any of the cases against the police department, the council and staff have the opportunity to review body cam video footage of the related incidents.
