Also charged by DA for armed robbery, conspiracy

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

Members of the Tre-4 street gang are being prosecuted by the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office on murder, armed robbery, and conspiracy charges. Jalin Washington of San Francisco, Don Juan Defore Watson, Jr. of Antioch, and Amir Anderson-Roof (city unknown) all face charges for a series of crimes that include the killing of 20-year-old Basel Jilani of Lafayette on March 23, 2022. (See related articles here and here)

In that incident, the victim Jilani was chased by Washington and Watson after they spotted him driving a high-end Mercedes on the freeway in Concord. Jilani tried to elude his pursuers but crashed his vehicle on Taylor Boulevard near the border between Pleasant Hill and Lafayette. He was shot, killed, and robbed of his Rolex watch.

Washington, Watson, and Anderson-Roof are also at the center of several crimes in Bay Area in 2022 that include automobile thefts and armed robbery.

The People of the State of California v. Jalin Washington, Case Number: 01-22-01088

The People of the State of California v. Don Juan Defore Watson, Jr., Case Number: 01-22-01086

The People of the State of California v. Amir Anderson-Roof, Case Number: 01-22-01087

Older suspect arrested in 2021 and last month on multiple gun, drug charges

By Jimmy Lee, PIO, Office of the Contra Costa Sheriff

On Wednesday, July 20, 2022, at about 10:45 AM, Contra Costa County Deputy Sheriffs served arrest warrants at a home on the 4800 block of Vinewood Way in Antioch. They arrested, without incident, 19-year-old Don-Juan Defore Watson of Antioch/San Francisco and 20-year-old Jalin Washington of San Francisco.

The two are suspects in the March 23, 2022, killing of 20-year-old Basel Jilani in the unincorporated area of Taylor Road and Gloria Terrace. (See related article)

Homicide detectives from the Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division have worked continuously on the case identifying the two, who are also suspects in robberies in the Bay Area.

Watson was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility (MDF) on the following charges: murder, two counts of robbery, and conspiracy. He is being held without bail.

Washington was booked into MDF on the following charges: murder, two counts of robbery, conspiracy, burglary, felon in possession of a firearm, and allowing someone to discharge a firearm from his vehicle. He is being held without bail.

According to localcrimenews.com, he was previously arrested in March 2021 by San Francisco County Sheriff’s Department for being armed with a firearm during a felony, resisting / obstructing / delaying a Peace Officer, conspiracy to commit a crime, burglary, possession of burglar’s tools, receiving or concealing stolen property, carrying a loaded firearm on person or In a vehicle while in a public place, and carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle.

Washington was arrested again last month by the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department for possession of a narcotic controlled substance, possession of 28.5 grams or less of marijuana,
discharging a firearm in a negligent manner, possession of a controlled substance while armed with a loaded firearm, concealed firearm – unregistered gun with ammunition, and
carrying a loaded concealed weapon.

The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600 or through Sheriff’s Office dispatch at (925) 646-2441. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

Deadline to participate as panelist is July 31

Have you heard of the Neighborhood Restorative Partnership program that the Contra Costa DA’s Office has?

The Neighborhood Restorative Partnership is a community-based pre-filing program initiated by the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office in partnership with local Police Departments.  This program has been designed to redirect low level misdemeanor offenses from entering the criminal justice system by working as a community to come up with solutions that address the harm caused by these offenses and by focusing on restoring all who have been impacted.

The goal of the Neighborhood Restorative Partnership is to address low-level misdemeanors or infractions, such as vandalism, assault/battery, alcohol control violations, and other quality of life crimes by partnering with our local law enforcement agencies and with community volunteers.

Residents of Contra Costa County, who wish to volunteer in this program, will be trained to serve as panelists and develop community-based solutions to redress the harm caused by these low-level offenses.  Pursuant to Penal Code §14150 – 14156, the District Attorney’s Office empowers panelists with the authority and responsibility to adjudicate certain infraction/misdemeanor offenses, and it empowers facilitators with the authority to facilitate the restorative justice process.

We’re opening an East County version of the program next month, and we’re looking for Community Safety Panelists to participate in the program,” said Ted Asregadoo, CCDA’s Office PIO. “The application deadline is on July 31st.”

If you are interested in becoming a panelist in the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office Neighborhood Restorative Partnership program, please complete the application below and submit it to:

Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

Attn: Janet Era, Neighborhood Restorative Partnership

900 Ward Street, 2nd Floor, Martinez, CA 94553

DA-NRP@contracostada.org

Click on this link to download the Application.

Click on this link to download the NRP Flyer.

 

 

 

Police seek shooter(s)

By Lieutenant John Fortner, Investigations Bureau, Antioch Police Department

On Thursday, July 21, 2022, at approximately 12:59 AM, Antioch police officers responded to the report of gunshots fired in the 300 block of Lawton Street. It was also reported that two people were struck.

Numerous officers responded to the scene. When officers arrived, they located two male victims in the driveway of a residence suffering from gunshot wounds. One male victim fell onto the driveway, and the second was a short distance away. Evidence at the scene indicated the incident occurred outdoors in a drive-by style shooting. Officers immediately began administering first aid and called for emergency fire department and AMR paramedics.

Unfortunately, one victim, a 34-year-old male, succumbed to his injuries at the scene, and he was pronounced deceased. The second victim, a 45-year-old male, was transported to a local area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and is currently in stable condition. The suspect vehicle fled the scene and has not been contacted.

Antioch Police Department’s Investigations Bureau, consisting of Crime Scene Investigators and detectives with the Violent Crimes and Special Operations Units, responded to the scene and took over the investigation. Currently, detectives are interviewing witnesses and working to identify any suspects or persons-of-interest. The investigation is still active, and evidence is being collected and evaluated.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925)778-2441, or Detective Whitaker at 925-779-6890. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

Part of street gang

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

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office filed three felony counts with enhancements against an Antioch man in connection with armed robberies in Walnut Creek and Danville. He was previously listed as a resident of San Jose. (See related article)

18-year-old Leon Cathay Fountain was arraigned in Martinez on July 7th. Fountain entered a plea of not guilty to one felony count with an enhancement for armed robbery on June 24, 2022, in Walnut Creek. Fountain also pleaded not guilty to two felony counts with three enhancements – which includes one gang enhancement – for armed robbery on July 1st at a Trader Joe’s parking lot in Danville. In both incidents, Fountain and a minor used an illegal AR-style assault firearm and other guns to steal Rolex watches. The robbery in Danville was carried out at the direction of the Klap street gang, who also told Fountain where to sell the watch. Authorities say the estimated value of the luxury timepieces is between 30-thousand and 40-thousand-dollars.

In both robberies, the perpetrators followed their victims in vehicles. When the victim reached a location and exited their vehicle, Fountain and one of the minors would surround them at gunpoint and demand they hand over their watches. In the Danville robbery, a Black Acura was used that witnesses said had a distinctive marking.

After detectives with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office got a description of the suspects and their vehicle from witnesses, they were apprehended by police at a residence in Antioch approximately two hours after the robbery at Trader Joe’s.

Fountain is currently in the Martinez Detention Facility. The minors are in Juvenile Hall and have been charged with Second-Degree Armed Robbery.

The People of the State of California v. Leon Cathay Fountain, Case Number: 01-22-00977

By Darryl Saffold, PIO, Antioch Police Department

On Thursday, July 14, 2022, at 9:49 am Officer Carpenter contacted a suspicious vehicle in the 7-Eleven parking lot on Sunset Lane and contacted Clayton Johnson, age 28, in the car. Officer Carpenter learned that Johnson was on felony searchable probation and saw drug paraphernalia in plain view in the vehicle. During a search of his person, Officer Carpenter located 20 grams of fentanyl on Johnson’s person. Johnson was arrested for 11351 HS, possession of a controlled substance and was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility. As of Tuesday, July 19 Carpenter is out of custody on general release.

On Friday, July 15 at 1:48 pm Officer Mulholland made a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by 48-year-old Don Miller. During the traffic stop, Officer Carpenter saw Miller was sitting on a pistol. Miller was removed from the vehicle and detained. Officers examined the pistol and found it was a loaded P-80. Additionally, Officer Mulholland located a crossbow, methamphetamine, Fentanyl and packaging for sales. Miller was found to be a prohibited person and was arrested for the above listed charges. Miller was ultimately booked into Martinez Detention Facility.

He was arrested for numerous felony offenses including HS 11351, possession of a controlled substance; HS 11378, possession of meth; PC 25400, carrying a concealed weapon; PC 29800, felon in possession of a firearm; PC 30305(a)(1), felon unlawful possession of ammunition; PC 21310, illegal possession of a concealed dirk or dagger; HS 11375(b)(1), possession for sale or sale of Xanax; and HS 11370.1, possession of a controlled substance while armed.

Joint effort with U.S. Marshals Service, DEA, FBI and Homeland Security, part of National Public Safety Partnership

Mayor, interim police chief hold press conference to make announcement

By Darryl Saffold, Public Information Officer, Antioch Police Department

Beginning Monday, July 11, 2022, the Antioch Police Department hosted the U.S. Marshals Service-Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force for a week-long warrant sweep to help reduce the rise in violence in the City of Antioch and surrounding areas.

Through additional partnerships with Alcohol Tobacco & Firearms (ATF), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Contra Costa County Probation, the task force was able to make twenty-three felony arrests, seize four firearms, and confiscate illegal narcotics from Monday through Thursday, July 11-14, 2022, in Antioch, Concord, Oakland, San Francisco, Tracy and Stockton.

This “Violent Crime Reduction Operation” was an effort that identified wanted persons who had active felony warrants for violent crimes, such as homicide, assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault, robbery, and sexual assault.

The Antioch Police Department was selected in October 2021 to participate in the National Public Safety Partnership (PSP), which is an initiative by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) that increases collaboration with local law enforcement, the District Attorney’s Office, and community partners to enhance public safety.  (See related article)

The DOJ-law enforcement community, U.S. Marshals Service, ATF, DEA, DHS, and FBI assisted by taking on the challenge alongside the Antioch Police Department to stem the rise in violent crime.

Mayor Lamar Thorpe called a press conference for Monday morning, July 18 to announce the arrests with Interim Police Chief Steve Ford.

Following are notable arrests from the operation:

Antioch, California – Other Male Adult (OMA) Suspect – On Monday, July 11, 2022, a OMA was arrested on his outstanding felony warrant for Robbery and Assault with a Firearm. The OMA was wanted for an armed robbery of a convenience store where he fired one round.

Stockton, California – Black Male Adult (BMA) Suspect- On Monday, July 11, 2022, a BMA was arrested on his outstanding felony warrant for Assault with a Firearm. The BMA shot multiple rounds at his girlfriend striking an occupied dwelling.

Antioch, California – Jeremiah COWART – On Monday, July 11, 2022, COWART was arrested on his outstanding felony warrant for a home invasion while armed with a firearm. COWART committed this crime with three other suspects. All suspects are now in-custody. During the home invasion the suspects held an elderly couple at gunpoint as they ransacked the home.

Antioch, California – Black Female Adult (BFA) Suspect – On Tuesday, July 12, 2022, a BFA was arrested on an outstanding probation violation warrant out of Las Vegas. A Marshal’s team got information she was evading police contact hiding at a residence in Antioch. The BFA has a long criminal history for Attempted Homicide, Robbery, Burglary, and Assault.

Antioch, California – Daniel O’Neal – On Tuesday, July 12, 2022, O’Neal was arrested on his outstanding felony warrant for Parole Violation w/ underlying charges of Assault with a Firearm.

Antioch, California – Black Male Adult (BMA) Suspect – On Tuesday, July 12, 2022, a BMA was arrested on his outstanding felony warrant for Attempted Homicide and Kidnapping. Also, White Male Adult accomplice was identified as taking part in the assault and also taken into custody.

Tracy, California –Black Male Juvenile (BMJ) Suspect – On Tuesday, July 12, 2022, a BMJ was arrested on his outstanding felony warrants for a shooting Homicide and Robbery.

Concord, California- White Female Adult (WFA) Suspect – On Tuesday, July 12, 2022, a WFA was arrested on multiple felony warrants for various crimes throughout the East Bay Area.

Antioch, California –Black Male Adult (BMA) Suspect – On Wednesday, July 13, 2022, a BMA was arrested on his outstanding felony warrant for Aggravated Assault with Firearm. A Firearm was recovered at location.

Antioch, California – Black Female Adult (BFA) Suspect– On Wednesday, July 13, 2022, a BFA was arrested on her outstanding felony warrant for Aggravated Assault with Firearm. The BMA and BFA are siblings who were both sought by Antioch PD for a shooting that occurred outside a Hospital Emergency Room.

Antioch, California – Black Male Adult (BMA) Suspect– On Wednesday, July 13, 2022, a BMA was arrested for an on-view firearms violation involving the investigation above.

Stockton, California – Black Male Juvenile (BMJ) Suspect – On Wednesday July 13, 2022, a BMJ was arrested on his outstanding felony warrant for multiple shootings including a shooting Homicide.

Oakland, California – Black Male Adult (BMA) Suspect – On Wednesday, July 13, 2022, a BMA was approached by TF members at a warrant location. As the BMA was contacted by law enforcement, he was observed retrieving a concealed handgun from his waistband and discarding it. Law enforcement officers detained him and safely retrieved the firearm.

San Francisco, CA – Black Female Adult (BFA) Suspect -On Thursday, July 14, 2022, a BFA was arrested at San Francisco Airport (SFO) while attempting to travel International. The BFA was wanted for a Homicide out of Oakland PD. The BFA has ties to Antioch.

Oakland, CA – Black Male Adult (BMA) Suspect – On Thursday, July 14, 2022, a BMA was arrested in Oakland for a warrant for Assault with a deadly weapon and a Parole Violation. Two firearms were located with the suspect (a sawed-off shotgun and a rifle).

Special thanks to all of the supporting agencies as well as our community members.

Anonymous tips or information about this – or any other incident – can be sent via text to 274637 (CRIMES) with the keyword ANTIOCH.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Won’t be prosecuted because the cases are “compromised to the point they can’t be salvaged” – Ted Asregadoo, CCDA PIO

By Allen D. Payton

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office has dismissed 40 cases from prosecution as part of the investigation into crimes of moral turpitude by Antioch and Pittsburg Police Officers announced in March. As previously reported, several officers were placed on paid administrative leave due to the accusations against them. (See related articles here, here and here)

Asked for details about the 40 cases, CCDA Public Information Officer Ted Asregadoo said he could not provide it as “it’s still an active investigation of the Pittsburg and Antioch officers.”

“Out of a group of the cases, there are 40 cases that can go forward in the investigative process. Approximately 40 of those cases were dismissed,” he continued.

Asked how cases were from which agency Asregadoo responded, “I can’t talk about that.”

“The DA’s office is involved in ongoing evaluations of the cases to determine if the cases are compromised due to the criminal wrongdoing and misconduct,” he stated. “Those 40 have been compromised to the point they can’t be salvaged so they were dismissed.”

“The Antioch and Pittsburg Police Departments are cooperating with us and are assisting,” Asregadoo shared. “It’s a complex endeavor and is wide ranging. The scope of it is not a single incident.”

Chief Assistant District Attorney Simon O’Connell offered the following statement about the matter:

“There are multiple officers who are subjects of an ongoing criminal investigation involving a range of offenses which constitute crimes of moral turpitude. The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office is actively engaged in evaluating these cases to determine whether the charged case is compromised or whether the case can proceed. Community safety remains paramount, and the District Attorney’s Office remains steadfast in preserving as many cases as possible.”

An estimated three or five Antioch Police Officers are under investigation for the allegations against them.

Antioch Police still won’t say how many Antioch officers are under investigation, APD Public Information Officer Darryl Safford said. But he did confirm they are still on paid administrative leave. Asked if the DA’s office shared how many of the 40 cases were from Antioch Saffold said, “they have not informed us.”

In addition, an effort to reach new Pittsburg Police Chief Steve Albanese for details from his department was unsuccessful prior to publication time. Please check back later for any updates to this report.