April 1, 2021 – IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS’ RIGHTS WEEK
April 18, 2021 marks the 40th anniversary of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week which is dedicated to promoting awareness of the rights and services available to victims and witnesses of crime. This year’s theme focuses on support, trust, and community engagement. Victim Witness Advocates, as part of the Trinity County District Attorney’s Office, act as a link between the D.A.’s Office and victims and witnesses. This linkage includes informing victims or witnesses of their rights, and ensuring that those rights are being upheld throughout the criminal justice process. These services are required under the California Constitution, Article 1, Section 28, referred to as Marsy’s Law. The beginning stages of reporting a crime to law enforcement and then testifying in court can be an unfamiliar process. Some Victim Witness services include explaining the criminal justice system and attending court proceedings with the victim or witness. These services also include a secure waiting area away from the courtroom in order to avoid uncomfortable contacts with other participants in that court process. Also included is ongoing communication between trained victims’ advocates and victims, with the intent of helping to instill trust and confidence in the criminal justice system.
The provision of these services has been slowed down by the recent pandemic. However, the Trinity County Victim Witness Assistance Program has been able to provide its services in cases where those services have been requested.
The Trinity County Victim Witness Assistance Program is looking forward to establishing a social media presence providing information to victims of crimes. Additionally, we are preparing our response protocols and resources should a mass victim event occur in Trinity County. Look for us on Facebook!
For more information on the Victim Witness Assistance Program visit:
https://www.trinitycounty.org/Victim-Witness-Assistance-Program
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July 15, 2020 - IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JOINT PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY TRINITY COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE, TRINITY COUNTY PROBATION AND TRINITY COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY
On Friday, July 10, 2020, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation announced plans to release 8,000 inmates on an early release program, in response to the COVID-19 virus. This is in addition to the 10,000 inmates that have already been released. The outline of the new early release program would make some of those inmates eligible for release as early as the end of July 2020.
Inmates eligible for early release would fall into two categories:
1) Have less than 180 days left on their sentence, and
-The current conviction cannot be for an act of domestic violence or a violent crime as defined by law; no current or prior sentences that require them to register as a sex offender under Penal Code section 290 and not have a current offense considered to be violent.
Or
2.) have 365 days or less on their sentence, and be serving time at one of the following institutions:
-San Quentin State Prison (SQ), Central California Women's Facility (CCWF), California Health Care Facility (CHCF), California Institution for Men (CIM), California Institution for Women (CIW), California Medical Facility (CMF), Folsom State Prison (FOL) and Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility (RJD), and
-The current conviction cannot be for an act of domestic violence or a violent crime as defined by law; no current or prior sentences that require them to register as a sex offender under Penal Code section 290 and not have a current offense considered to be violent.
The decision by the California Department of Corrections will create a burden on all of our agencies to ensure your safety.
However, Sheriff Tim Saxon, Chief Probation Officer Tim Rogers and District Attorney Donna Daly assure you that our offices will do everything within our authority to keep you safe, including: opposing the release of inmates who should not be released early, whether they fit the criteria outlined above; supervision of those who are released early; notification of victims; and, working closely with parole agencies regarding the location of defendants who have been released, in order to prevent further criminal activity.
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March 20, 2020 - IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CORONA VIRUS RELATED FRAUD
Currently, Trinity County has no confirmed cases of community-spread COVID-19 coronavirus. California has also declared a state of emergency due to the spread of COVID-19 in various communities in the state. The Governor has advised that the statewide protections against price gouging will stay in effect at least until September 4, 2020.
Trinity County District Attorney Donna Daly alerts all Trinity County businesses and consumers that price gouging is illegal during a declared emergency, pursuant to Penal Code section 396.
Price gouging occurs when a merchant takes unfair advantage of consumers by greatly increasing prices for essential consumer goods and services during a state or local emergency.The statute applies to the following major necessities: lodging (including permanent or temporary rental housing, hotels, motels, and mobile homes); food and drink (including food and drink for animals); emergency supplies such as water, flashlights, radios, batteries, candles, blankets, soaps, diapers, temporary shelters, tape, toiletries, plywood, nails, and hammers; and medical supplies such as prescription and nonprescription medications, bandages, gauze, isopropyl alcohol, and antibacterial products. It also applies to other goods and services including: home heating oil; building materials, including lumber, construction tools, and windows; transportation; freight; storage services; gasoline and other motor fuels; and repair and reconstruction services.
Violations of the price gouging statute are subject to criminal prosecution that can result in a one-year imprisonment in county jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000. Violations are also subject to civil enforcement actions including civil penalties of up to $2,500 per violation, injunctive relief, and restitution.
The Trinity County District Attorney's Office will be vigilant about enforcing this statute to protect consumers during this time. Anyone who has been the victim of price gouging, or who has information regarding potential price gouging, should file a complaint with the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office, or mail it to the District Attorney's Office, or call the District Attorney's Office Investigator, Matt Mandolfo at (530) 623-1304.
Listed below are additional fraudulent practices that are currently circulating around the country which attempt to take advantage of the fear and uncertainty surrounding the Coronavirus. There are additional resources available to avoid being the victim of a fraud.
Cures and Treatments – The FDA says there are no approved vaccines, drugs or other products currently available to treat or prevent Coronavirus. Yet several companies have advertised they have treatments or cures for this particular virus. The FDA and FTC recently issued warning letters to seven companies that were advertising and selling such products. https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/03/ftc-fda-warnings-sent-sellers-scam-coronavirus-treatments
Phishing Emails Appearing to be from the CDC or WHO – Be wary of emails claiming to be from the CDC, the WHO, or other similar public health agencies. They certainly will not ask you for your personal information, such as your Social Security number, bank account numbers, or logins and passwords. The best place to find up-to-date information from these organizations is on their websites: CDC - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html, WHO - https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019.
Fake Charities –People often want to help out by donating to a charity, during times of crisis. Unfortunately, crises also bring out fake charity schemes. The FTC has advice on how to research your chosen charity to make sure it is a legitimate organization. https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/how-donate-wisely-and-avoid-charity-scams
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December 27, 2019- IMMEDIATE RELEASE
In 2004, Mark Stanley Patton, DOB 08/23/1968, was convicted of multiple violations of Penal Code Section 261, Rape and Penal Code Section 288, Lewd Acts on a Child and sentenced to a term of 20 years in State Prison.
When notified that Mark Patton was going to be released, both the Trinity County District Attorney, Donna M. Daly and Trinity County Sheriff Tim Saxon, advised the Parole Board of their objections to his release to Trinity County.
In response to the objections, Patton was released in December 2019 to Contra Costa County, on parole. It has been confirmed on 12/27/2019 by Patton’s Parole Officer that he is currently under supervision and living in Contra Costa County. Patton cannot return to Trinity County or surrounding counties. Also, Patton must remain compliant with his ankle monitor restrictions. If there are any changes or updates, District Attorney Donna Daly will be notified.
Currently the Megan’s Law website only has Patton’s “Last Reported Address” listed. We are diligently working with the Department of Justice to update Patton’s profile on their website.
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July 26, 2019- IMMEDIATE RELEASE
On June 12, 2019, Sean Karjala was convicted in a court trial, of Attempted Murder of a Police Officer, in violation of Penal Code Section 217.1(b), Resisting a Peace Officer by Force or Violence, in violation of Penal Code Section 69 and Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Peace Officer, in violation of Penal Code Section 245 (c).
The crimes occurred on April 27, 2013, when California Highway Patrol Officer Chad Barnes in a marked CHP patrol unit, attempted to stop Defendant for speeding on SR-299E. The Defendant attempted to evade Officer Barnes and eventually pulled over in front of the Indian Creek Lodge. Officer Barnes detected odors of marijuana and alcohol coming from the vehicle and asked the Defendant to exit the vehicle in order to perform an evaluation for sobriety. The Defendant exited his vehicle with a black colored hatchet in his hand. The Defendant ran around the rear of his vehicle and raised the hatchet over his head and ran toward Officer Barnes, who was standing at the right front bumper of the Defendant’s vehicle. Officer Barnes backed away from the Defendant, yelled at the Defendant “STOP”, however the Defendant continued toward Officer Barnes, in a full run with the hatchet raised. Officer Barnes then fired his weapon a single time. Defendant continued to run toward Officer Barnes with the hatchet raised, so Officer Barnes fired his weapon again, which struck Defendant, who dropped the hatchet and fell to the ground. Officer Barnes then ran to his patrol vehicle, to broadcast a call for help to dispatch. Defendant got up and charged at Officer Barnes again. Officer Barnes ordered Defendant to stay on the ground, but Defendant screamed “no” and continued towards Officer Barnes. Officer Barnes elected to kick Defendant in the torso, which knocked him onto his back.
On July 26, 2019, Sean Karjala was sentenced to a term of 30 years to life, plus a 6-year determinate term for the crime of Attempted Murder of a Peace Officer, with use of a deadly weapon. Defendant Karjala had previously been convicted of a serious felony and his sentenced was increased because of that conviction.
California Highway Patrol Officer Chad Barnes, the victim, spoke at the hearing regarding the impact the crime had made on his life.
In determining the length of the sentence to be served, Judge Bradley Boeckman addressed several issues, including: the protection of the public, deterring others from attacking police officers by demonstrating its consequences, the impact the crime had made on Officer Barnes, the violence of the crime and the defendant’s past criminal history.
The case was prosecuted by Trinity County District Attorney Donna Daly.
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June 17, 2019 - IMMEDIATE RELEASE
On June 17, 2019, in Department 1 of the Trinity County Superior Court, visiting Judge Bradley Boeckman sentenced Andrew Howard Hall, a Trinity County resident, to 18 years 6 months in State Prison.
Mr. Hall was sentenced on the above date as a result of a guilty verdict delivered by a Trinity County jury on May 17, 2019. The jury verdict convicted Mr. Hall of four Felony counts, more specifically, attempted voluntary manslaugher with two special allegations, assault with a deadly weapon with two special allegations, being a felon in possessin of a firearm, and of being a felon in possession of ammunition.
The charges which resulted in Mr. Hall's conviction had previously been tried in Trinty County Court in 2016. Mr. Hall had been found guilty at that time but an appellate court had overturned the jury's verdict because a single jury instruction had not been provided to the jury. The actual events which resulted in Mr. Hall's convction occurred on July 28, 2014.
The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Atty. David Brady.
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June 14, 2019 - IMMEDIATE RELEASE
On June 12, 2019, a Trinity County jury convicted Bill Bates of the charge of Lewd and Lascivious conduct on a child under the age of 14, in violation of Penal Code Section 288(a). The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney James Gandy and is set for sentencing by Judge Michael Harper on July 16, 2019.
On June 12, 2019, Sean Karjala was convicted in a court trial, of Attempted Murder of a Police Officer, in violation of Penal Code Section 217.1(b), Resisting a Peace Officer by Force or Violence, in violation of Penal Code Section 69 and Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Peace Officer, in violation of Penal Code Section 245 (c). The case was prosecuted by District Attorney Donna Daly and is set for sentencing by Judge Bradley Boeckman on July 26, 2019.
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February 5, 2019 - Suspects Sentenced for Poaching Crimes in Trinity County
In October 2017, Wildlife Officers with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife assisted by allied agencies served a search warrant in the Three Forks area of Trinity County for violations of streambed and habitat destruction. During the search Wildlife Officers discovered several poaching violations involving deer and bear. They also found an area of the property that was illegally baited to attract wildlife and included motion sensing spotlights to illuminate the bait piles at dark. In California, big game species are highly regulated and the use of bait and artificial light to hunt at night is illegal.
While on scene, three brothers, Joseph Bradley Leadingham (Ridgefield, WA), David Jon Leadingham (Seaside, CA), and William Robert Leadingham (Sun City, AZ), were interviewed and ultimately confessed to poaching several deer and bear over the bait at night using lights. Investigating Wildlife officers filed a case with the Trinity County DA’s Office and collectively, all three subjects were charged with 29 misdemeanor violations of the Fish and Game Code related to big game hunting violations.
On November 14, 2018 the three brothers, William Leadingham, Joseph Leadingham and David Leadingham each pled guilty to three counts of the Fish and Game Code and one count of the California Code of Regulations. The violations included Spotlighting an animal, unlawfully taking a deer, feeding big game animals, and unlawfully possessing a deer. As part of the plea agreement all firearms were forfeited and their hunting privileges were revoked for 3 years. Additionally, they were assessed fines and fees totaling nearly $3,000 and placed on 3 years’ probation where they will each be required to do 100 hours of community service. The primary investigator of the case was California Fish and Wildlife Officer Jason Smith and the case was prosecuted by Trinity County Deputy District Attorney Colleen Murray.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife would like to remind the public that anyone who believes they are witness to unlawful poaching or pollution activity is encouraged to call CalTIP, CDFW’s confidential secret witness program, at (888) 334- 2258 or send a text with the tip411 app. Both methods allow the public to provide wildlife officers with factual information to assist with investigations. Callers may remain anonymous, if desired, and a reward can result from successful capture and prosecution.
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October 25, 2018 - Collen Sentenced to 22-years in State Prison
On October 23, 2018, Gregory Collen was sentenced to the maximum sentence of twenty-two years in state prison. Mr. Collen was convicted of two forcible sexual assaults against a child who was under the age of 14, a felony violation of Penal Code 288(b)(1)- forcible lewd and lascivious conduct against a child victim, and a felony violation of Penal Code 289(a)(1)(b)- forcible sexual penetration.
The sexual assaults occurred over a period of many years until the child revealed the information to a trusted adult. An investigation was conducted by the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office, which led to Mr. Collen’s immediate arrest.
According to Deputy District Attorney Megan Marshall, “We are so thankful to obtain closure in this case on behalf of the BRAVE young victim who fearlessly spoke up against this repeat violent predator. This was a team effort where multiple agencies came together to fight for justice. We are very grateful to Detective Josh Ford, Nicole Bradford, Angela Benson, Megan Sholty, Amy Alward, Sarah Neff, and the entire District Attorney team who helped insure this defendant was prosecuted. “
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October 23, 2018 - Grates Sentenced to Three Years of Formal Probation
On September 12, 2018, a jury found defendant Anthony Grates guilty of a violation of Penal Code Section 273.5, corporal injury to a cohabitant, a felony. On October 23, 2018 Judge Michael Harper sentenced defendant Anthony Grates serve 3 years of formal probation, 270 days in jail, participate in a 52 week batterer’s treatment program, perform 24 hours of community service, pay fines and fees to the court, and pay restitution to the victim.
On October 21, 2017, following an argument, Grates grabbed his girlfriend, the victim, by her arms and forced her against the wall of their home. He then threw her on the bed got on top of her and pinned her there with his knees on her upper arms and his forearm across her chest. The victim was gasping for breath. Grates eventually let the victim up and told her to leave. This violent attack left the victim with significant bruising on her left arm, with additional bruising to her right arm and chest.
This case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Jessica Hurley.
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May 11, 2015 - SCAM WARNING................
People are calling elderly Trinity County residents and having them Western Union money for fictitious arrests and injuries of the victim's relative. The thieves tell the elderly person that there is a GAG order and they can't tell other relatives what happened.
PLEASE WARN YOUR RELATIVES AND DON'T DO THIS!!
Please warn your relatives that ANYONE that calls them and wants their credit card, social security number or any personal information over the phone, DON'T GIVE IT TO THEM!!!
The FBI website has additional information about this specific scam. Please go to the websites listed below for information about this scam and others. By all means this is not a list of all the scams used by criminals.
http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/IRS-Warns-of-Pervasive-Telephone-Scam
http://www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/fraud
http://lifehacker.com/how-to-identify-and-avoid-the-most-common-telephone-sca-1692068970
https://oig.hhs.gov/compliance/alerts/alert12212010.asp