By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

Sheriff-Coroner David O. Livingston announces that a Coroner’s Jury has reached a finding in the March 7, 2019 death of 65-year-old Leartis Johnson of Antioch at the Martinez Detention Facility. The finding of the jury is that the death is natural causes. (See related article)

The Coroner’s Jury reached the 12-0 verdict after hearing the testimony of witnesses called by the hearing officer, Matthew Guichard.

Johnson was originally booked into the MDF on May 16, 2018 by the BART police. His original charges included attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and robbery.

A Coroner’s Inquest, which Sheriff-Coroner Livingston convenes in all fatal incidents involving police officers, is a public hearing, during which a jury rules on the manner of a person’s death. Jury members can choose from the following four options when making their finding: accident, suicide, natural causes or at the hands of another person, other than by accident.

The carjacked vehicle crashed into a tree as it exited Hwy 24 in Pleasant Hill. Photos by Pleasant Hill PD.

K-9 helps apprehend driver

By Sergeant Rick Smith, Antioch Police Community Police Bureau

On Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019 at 12:40 PM, the Antioch Police Department responded to the area of Williamson Ranch Park, located at 5000 Lone Tree Way, on the report of a carjacking. The 31-year-old victim reported he was just assaulted by four subjects in the park parking lot as he was exiting his vehicle. The subjects then stole his vehicle and fled the area. The victim suffered minor injuries and declined any medical treatment.

The vehicle was quickly entered into the Stolen Vehicle System as a carjacked vehicle and information about this incident was shared with surrounding law enforcement agencies. A short time later, officers from the Pittsburg Police Department spotted the vehicle travelling westbound on Highway 4. The vehicle exited on Bailey Road and entered a nearby parking lot. Pittsburg Police Department officers attempted to contact the occupants of the vehicle and the driver of the vehicle fled from the lot. A pursuit was initiated and entered back onto westbound Highway 4. Due to the seriousness of the crime, the pursuit was continued and assistance from other law enforcement agencies was requested.

The suspects ran from the crash into the Courtyard Shopping Center.

Officers from the California Highway Patrol and deputies from the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Pittsburg Police Department in the pursuit as the vehicle entered southbound 242 and then southbound 680. The driver exited southbound 680 at the Monument Boulevard/Gregory Lane offramp in Pleasant Hill. The driver failed to negotiate the exit and lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree. All four responsibles fled on foot from the vehicle.

Thanks to the immediate assistance and quick coordination between officers from the Pittsburg Police Department, Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, Pleasant Hill Police Department and the California Highway Patrol, all occupants were quickly located and taken into custody without incident. Three of the responsibles attempted to hide in nearby businesses in the adjacent Courtyard Shopping Center. The driver of the vehicle was captured with the assistance of a Contra Costa County Sheriff Office K-9 as he fled along the rear of the shopping center and refused to stop after being given several commands. He suffered only minor injuries from the apprehension. None of the responsibles were injured during the collision. No citizens or officers were injured during this incident. The responsibles were all found to be 15 to 16 years of age.

All four responsibles were identified by the victim, who was brought to the scene. His vehicle suffered major damage as a result of the collision.

Antioch Police Department officers responded and took custody of all four responsibles. All were medically cleared as standard practice due to being involved in the vehicle collision. They were all later booked into the Contra Costa County Juvenile Detention Facility in Martinez on multiple Felony charges.

Stolen mail suspects in back of patrol cars and the female suspect with officer at the station. Photos by APD.

Antioch Police towed the suspects’ car from the scene.

By Antioch Police

An alert citizen saw suspicious people on his court Wednesday night, Nov. 20, 2019 in the Bear Ridge area. They didn’t hesitate to call us, and upon officers’ arrival, they located a male and female in the area with stolen mail. Further investigation revealed the female lied to officers about her name, and the male suspect was on probation for theft related charges, as well.

Both of them were arrested and later sent to the county jail on numerous charges.

Yet another example of the teamwork that it takes to have situations like these, end in a positive way!

By Brentwood Police

What might have seemed like a good idea at the time, landed four people behind bars yesterday, after they attempted to steal thousands of dollars in fragrances from Ulta. Imoni Cobbs (19-year-old Antioch resident), Jasmine Williams (24-year-old Stockton resident) and a female juvenile (16-year-old San Leandro resident), entered Ulta, opened up large bags and began placing fragrances in the bags. Ulta staff contacted the females as one fled the store. The two remaining females, Cobbs and the female juvenile, skirted Ulta staff, exiting the store and ditched the bags of fragrances.

While attempting to flee the shopping center on foot, they were apprehended by officers. Williams, who had initially fled the store, was located with the get-away driver, Quenneil Burns (25-year-old Oakland resident) in a nearby neighborhood, when alert residents noticed the duo acting suspicious and contacted dispatch. Officers established a perimeter and conducted a search of the neighborhood, locating Burns and Williams hiding in a backyard. All were arrested without incident.

Over $9,000 in fragrances was recovered. Burns, Cobbs and Williams were transported to county jail and the juvenile was transported to Juvenile Hall, all booked on numerous charges including grand theft, organized retail theft and conspiracy to commit a crime.

New Antioch Police Officers Ryan Carpenter (left), Geoffrey Morris and Saul Aguilar (right) with Chief Tammany Brooks. Photos by APD

Two more to be sworn in Dec. 9 bringing force to 111 fulfilling city council’s commitment in 2013’s Measure C

By Antioch Police

On Monday, Nov. 18, 2019 we welcomed Officer Ryan Carpenter! Ryan was born in Oakland and was raised in Oakley. When Ryan was growing up, he was very active, played many sports, and always enjoyed the outdoors. He also enjoyed camping and dirt biking. While growing up, Ryan would travel to Pennsylvania in the summertime to visit family.

Ryan has wanted to work in public service and help people since he was a kid.

Ryan graduated from Freedom High school in 2015. After graduating, Ryan attended Los Medanos College and obtained his Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certificate. Ryan was hired by American Medical Response (AMR) and began working as an EMT since. Ryan interacted with many different Police agencies while working as an EMT and became interested in a career in law enforcement. Ryan felt he could better serve his community as a Police Officer. Ryan knew that Antioch PD was the agency for him.

In his free time, Ryan enjoys spending time with family, friends, and his girlfriend. He also enjoys riding dirt bikes and doing anything outdoors.

Fun Fact: Ryan’s nickname in the academy was Caterpillar because he had a mustache during his Academy orientation. The nickname stuck with him throughout the entire Academy.

Last Tuesday, we welcomed two lateral officers to the Antioch Police Department. Saul Aguilar came to us from Walnut Creek Police Department and Geoffrey Morris from the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office.

Saul Aguilar was born in Mexico and raised in Oakland, California. After graduating high school, Saul was hired by the El Cerrito Police Department as a Police Cadet. Saul attended Diablo Valley College while employed as a cadet. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from California State University East Bay. Saul then attended the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Academy and was hired by El Cerrito PD as a Reserve Officer. Saul was a Reserve Officer for six months, before being hired as a full time Police Officer with El Cerrito PD. Saul spent a total of three years with El Cerrito PD before transferring to the Walnut Creek Police Department. He worked for Walnut Creek for four years before coming to work for the City of Antioch.

In his free time, Saul enjoys running and spending time with his daughter.

Fun Fact: While in the academy, Saul forgot his classroom uniform. He thought it would be a great idea to wear his 5’4″ academy classmate’s classroom uniform to avoid not getting in trouble. Instead, Saul was forced to keep the uniform on for the remainder of the day.

Geoffrey Morris was born and raised in Havertown, Pennsylvania. After graduating high school, Geoff attended Northeastern University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. After graduating from Northeastern, Geoff moved to California and was an assistant coach with the Menlo-Atherton High School Football Team.

Geoff was hired by the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office as a Correctional Officer, and then promoted to Deputy Sheriff. Geoff attended the Police Academy located at the College of San Mateo. Geoff worked for the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office for six years before accepting a job with the City of Antioch, where he aspires to challenge himself and grow professionally.

In his free time, Geoff enjoys spending time with family and friends, lifting weights and barbequing.
Fun Fact: Geoff and his wife both forgot about their second anniversary, even though the date is on a wall they walk past daily.

According to Police Chief Tammany Brooks, that brings the total sworn officers on the force to 109 “and we’ll be swearing in two more on December 9 to bring us to 111.” That will fulfill the commitment by the Antioch Mayor and Council in 2013 of adding 22 more officers if the voters passed Measure C, the city’s half-cent sales tax measure, which they did later that year during the November election.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Five suspects arrested, not charged and set to be released are Jason Iles, Shamron Mitchell, Devin Williamson, Lebraun Wallace and Jaquez Deshawn Sweeney. Photos by CoCoSheriff.

Suspects are or will be released; Sheriff stands by his department’s investigation.

By Allen Payton

In a news release, this evening, Scott Alonso, the Public Information Officer for Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton, wrote, “Today the District Attorney’s Office met with members of the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff to review the Orinda Halloween shooting incident. No criminal charges are being filed at this time against any individual. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about the case should call the Sheriff’s Homicide Unit at 925-313-2600.” (See related article)

When reached for comment, Alonso said, “We made the decision about 5:00 p.m. tonight.”

Asked if all five suspects who were arrested would be released, he responded, “That’s my understanding, yes. If they have no holds are on their records, then they will be released, tonight. If there are no charges filed against them. Four are in custody of the Contra Costa Sheriff. One is in custody of the Marin County Sheriff.”

Asked why D.A. Becton chose not to charge any of the suspects, Alonso said, “We have a really high filing standard and we need more information. We are collaboratively working with the Sheriff’s Office to see what else is out there.”

“It’s very complex. We want more witnesses to come forward. There were a lot of people at that party,” he added.

When reached for comment and asked about the suspects, Jimmy Lee, the Director of Public Affairs for the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff responded, “They have either been released or are in the process.”

“We stand by our investigation and the arrests were made pursuant to a judge’s order,” he continued. “Although the district attorney may want more investigation done, the persons arrested and responsible for these crimes will ultimately be held to account. The entire investigation is ongoing, as is common in these types of complex cases.”

Five suspects arrested are Jason Iles, Shamron Mitchell, Devin Williamson, Lebraun Wallace and Jaquez Deshawn Sweeney. Photos by CoCoSheriff.

Shootings were result of rival gangs

By Daniel Borsuk

More arrests are expected to be made in connection with the Orinda Airbnb case where five people were shot and killed on Halloween night, Contra Costa County Sheriff David O. Livingston said at a press conference Friday afternoon.

Unable to provide further details, the sheriff said that five suspects had been arrested on Friday in connection with the Orinda shootings on Friday that had ties with two Bay Area gangs – the Page Street Gang of San Francisco and the Marin City Jungle Gang of Marin City.

Sheriff Livingston said he expects any additional persons arrested in the Orinda Airbnb case will likely have gang affiliations. He would not elaborate.

The five suspects under arrest are identified as:

• Shamron Mitchell, 30, of Antioch. Mitchell was arrested on the charges of murder and conspiracy. He is being held without bail.
• Lebraun Wallace, 28, of San Mateo. Wallace was arrested on the charges of murder and conspiracy. He is being held without bail.
• Jaquez Deshawn Sweeney, 20, of Marin City. Sweeney was arrested on the charges of murder and conspiracy. He is being held without bail.
• Jason Iles, 20, of Marin City. Iles was arrested on the charges of murder and conspiracy. He is being held without bail.
• Devin Williamson, 21, of Vallejo. Williamson was arrested on the the charges of being an accessory. He is being held in lieu of $500,000 bail.

“Extraordinary cooperation among multiple law enforcement agencies led to these arrests and a small measure of justice for the true victims,” said Sheriff Livingston.

“We have video showing a number of people at the party had carried firearms and secreted their firearms in their pants once the shooting spree in the house had subsided,” the sheriff said.

Four firearms were recovered by law enforcement authorities at the crime scene, Sheriff Livingston said.

“We believe people at the party had intent to do harm at this party,” the sheriff said in reference to potential connections with other gangs in the Bay Area. “Additionally, evidence shows two of the deceased persons inside the house were themselves armed, which may have played a role in this tragedy,”

Those victims, who had possessed weapons, were Ramon Hill Jr., 24, of San Francisco/Oakland and Javin County, 29, of Sausalito/Richmond.

Other murder victims were Tiyon Farley, 22, of Antioch; Omar Taylor, 24, of Pittsburg; and Oshiana Tompkins, 19, of Vallejo/Hercules, according to the sheriff’s office. Five additional victims suffered gunshot wounds. One person jumped 30 feet over a balcony to escape the gunfire, said deputies.

“The blame rests specifically on the people who brought guns into the party, pulled the trigger and murdered someone. That’s who should have the blame in this case,” said the sheriff.

The sheriff said neither the Orinda police, the homeowner, nor Airbnb deserve blame in this case.

In the aftermath of the crime, Orinda Mayor Inga Miller said the city council is expected to consider tougher home rental ordinance proposals that would apply to Airb&b at Tuesday’s council meeting. “I want to thank the Contra Costa County Sheriffs Office and other local law enforcement agencies for the resources they have deployed into resolving this heinous crime,” said Miller

The Antioch Police Department, San Mateo Police Department, Vallejo Police Department, Marin County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Marshalls Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Federal Bureau of Investigation assisted in the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff in this case.

Persons with any information is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600. For any tips, please email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

Investigation began with tips from concerned citizens

OAKLAND – Sonny Mitchell was sentenced today to 135 months in prison for possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and United States Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Thomas C. Edwards.  The Honorable Jon S. Tigar, U.S. District Judge, handed down the sentence earlier today.

Mitchell, 45, of Antioch, pleaded guilty to the charge on August 16, 2019.  According to his plea agreement, Mitchell admitted to possessing and distributing to others, images of children as young as seven years old engaged in sexually explicit conduct.  Mitchell used a social media platform to communicate with others and then distribute the images, which included videos and GIFs (Graphics Interchange Format).  In one video, an adult male voice is heard giving directions to two minors who were engaged in sexually explicit conduct.  Mitchell also agreed he was subject to a minimum sentence of ten years imprisonment because of his conviction in 1999 for unlawful sex with a minor.

A federal grand jury indicted Mitchell on May 9, 2019, charging him with two counts of distribution of child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252(a)(2) and (b)(1), and one count of possession of child pornography in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252(a)(4)(B) and (b)(2). Mitchell pleaded guilty to the possession count and the distribution counts were dismissed at sentencing.

This investigation began when a member of the public called local police to report Mitchell’s transmission of child pornography using a social media platform.  In addition, during the course of the investigation, Mitchell was identified as the user of a social media account that had been reported by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) as being used to transmit child pornography.  NCMEC had received a cyber-tip indicating that an individual was using a social media platform to send child pornography to other users.  Law enforcement eventually identified Mitchell as the user of the account transmitting the images.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Tigar sentenced Mitchell to seven years of supervised release.  The defendant will begin serving the prison term immediately.  In addition, Judge Tigar scheduled a hearing for January 24, 2020, to determine issues regarding restitution.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan U. Lee is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Jessica Rodriguez and Kathleen Turner.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Secret Service, the Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office, and the Antioch Police Department.