Inside LADA

September 26, 2023: District Attorney Gascón Announces Exoneration of Man Wrongfully Convicted of Robbery, Kidnapping, and Sexual Assault

 

District Attorney Gascón Announces Exoneration of Man Wrongfully Convicted of Robbery, Kidnapping, and Sexual Assault

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón today announced the exoneration and release from prison of Gerardo Cabanillas, who was wrongfully convicted of robbery, kidnapping, and sexual assault, among other crimes, in April 1996.

“Today, we acknowledge a grave injustice that has resulted in the unjust more than 28-year incarceration of Mr. Cabanillas.” District Attorney Gascón said. “Upon thorough reexamination of the evidence and a comprehensive review of the case by my office’s Conviction Integrity Unit, it has become abundantly clear that a serious error was made. I extend my deepest apologies to Mr. Cabanillas for the miscarriage of justice and the failure of our criminal legal system.

It is imperative that we reflect upon this case as a stark reminder that our criminal legal system is not infallible. We must collectively commit to doing better, to continuously improving our procedures, and to ensuring that every person who enters our legal system is afforded a fair and just process.

I’d like to thank the Conviction Integrity Unit’s prosecutors and investigators who worked to re-evaluate the evidence in Mr. Cabanillas’ case and conducted an exhaustive investigation to get to the truth. Today, we recognize the justice he deserves.”

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September 20, 2023: District Attorrney Gascón Announces Man Charged with Murder of Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer in Palmdale

 

District Attorrney Gascón Announces Man Charged with Murder of Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer in Palmdale

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced today that Kevin Eduardo Cataneo Salazar has been charged with the murder of Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer in the city of Palmdale.

“My heart is broken during this incredibly difficult time for the family of Deputy Clinkunbroomer and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.” District Attorney Gascón said. “This senseless act of violence is an affront to the values of justice and peace that we hold dear in our community. Our law enforcement partners worked tirelessly to investigate and find the alleged individual responsible for murdering Deputy Clinkunbroomer. I want to assure you that my office’s Crimes Against Peace Officer’s Division is committed to bringing to justice the person responsible for this heinous crime. In the face of this tragedy, let us come together as a community supporting one another and standing against acts of violence against those who work night and day to protect us. Together, we will find solace, strength, and ultimately, justice for our fallen deputy.”

“We are devastated by the brutal murder of Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer and share in the grief with his family, partners, and community as we try to grapple with this tragedy,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna. “This ambush attack was absolutely unacceptable and an attack on law enforcement as a whole. Deputy Clinkunbroomer was in uniform, stopped at a red light in his patrol vehicle like thousands of other law enforcement officers and deputies do every day when he tragically lost his life while serving his community. Deputy Clinkunbroomer embodied a legacy of service that was instilled in him through several generations. Our detectives and personnel worked relentlessly for thirty-six hours to locate and arrest the suspect responsible for Ryan’s murder and we support the charges that were filed today. We expect the maximum punishment available under the law for the murder of Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer.” 

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September 6, 2023: District Attorney Gascón Announces Creation of New Labor Justice Unit, Historic Charges Filed in Wage Theft Case in South Los Angeles

 

Labor Justice Unit NC

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced the creation of the office’s first Labor Justice Unit (LJU) today at a news conference. The District Attorney was also joined by State Labor Commissioner Lilia García-Brower to announce the filing of charges by the newly formed LJU in a seven-count felony complaint against owners of two garment industry businesses in South Los Angeles.

“I am pleased to announce the formation of my office’s newly established Labor Justice Unit. The Unit will bolster our existing fight to end wage theft and labor exploitation by providing a dedicated team of seasoned prosecutors and investigators whose focus will be the enforcement of these laws,” District Attorney Gascón said. “Los Angeles remains the wage theft capitol of the country. This historic unit will enable the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office to take greater action against financial crimes affecting hardworking Angelenos and their families.”

“Employers in this case knowingly and intentionally denied workers their hard-earned wages, paying workers as low as $6.00 an hour,” said State Labor Commissioner Lilia García-Brower. “These bad actor employers abused workers, defrauded the system and should not be in business. California needs more criminal prosecutions of wage theft to protect workers and honest employers from unfair competition. My office will continue to work closely with the LADA office to hold perpetrators accountable,” added García-Brower.

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August 29, 2023: District Attorney Gascón Announces David Bloom Charged with Defrauding Nine Victims Out of Nearly $250,000 in Los Angeles County

 

District Attorney Gascón Announces David Bloom Charged with Defrauding Nine Victims Out of Nearly $250,000 in Los Angeles County

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced today that David Bloom, once known as the “Wall Street Whiz Kid,” has been charged with stealing close to a quarter of a million dollars in an investment scam.

“David Bloom managed to convince hard-working people to turn over their earnings as part of a fraudulent investment scheme,” District Attorney Gascón said. “Anyone who believes they fell victim in this case or other financial scams are encouraged to report it to my office or their local law enforcement agency. Those who prey upon people for their own selfish gain will be held accountable for their actions.”

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August 21, 2023: DA Gascón Announces Two Men Charged in Connection to Multiple Robberies, Assaults in the San Gabriel Valley, Including Hacienda Heights

 

DA Gascón Announces Two Men Charged in Connection to Multiple Robberies, Assaults in the San Gabriel Valley, Including Hacienda Heights

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced today that Russell Hardy, Jr. and Cameron DeShawn Perry have been charged with robbing and assaulting multiple people, some who are elderly, in the cities of Industry, Hacienda Heights and Rowland Heights. One of the incidents in Hacienda Heights included a viral video of an elderly woman being attacked.

“No one in our community should have to leave their home in fear that they will be robbed and assaulted while running errands,” District Attorney Gascón said. “These robberies and assaults that have targeted our community, including elderly residents who are among some of the most vulnerable members, not only jeopardizes the safety and security of our neighborhoods, but also exploits those who deserve our utmost respect and protection.

My office is working to ensure those responsible for these reprehensible acts are swiftly brought to justice. Our commitment to safeguarding our community, especially those who are most at risk, remains unwavering. My office’s Bureau of Victim Services remains ready to assist these victims who require our services during this time.”

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August 8, 2023: Daystar Peterson aka Tory Lanez Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Shooting Megan Pete aka Megan Thee Stallion

Daystar Peterson Sentencing News Conference

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced today that Daystar Peterson, the rap artist known as Tory Lanez, was sentenced to 10 years in state prison after he was convicted by a jury of the 2020 attack and shooting of musical artist Megan Pete also known as Megan Thee Stallion in the Hollywood Hills.

“Over the past three years, Mr. Peterson has engaged in a pattern of conduct that was intended to intimidate Ms. Pete and silence her truths from being heard,” District Attorney Gascón said. “Women, especially Black women, are afraid to report crimes like assault because they are too often not believed. I commend Megan Pete for her incredible bravery and vulnerability as she underwent months of probing investigation and court appearances where she had to relive her trauma, and the public scrutiny that followed. This case highlighted the numerous ways that our society must do better for women. Thank you to Deputy District Attorneys Kathy Ta and Alex Bott, and Victim Services Representative Cecilia Zamora, who spent countless hours working to ensure justice was served for Ms. Pete. We also would like to thank the Los Angeles Police Department for their thorough investigation.”

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August 8, 2023: Seven Men Indicted in Series of Fatal Shootings in Inglewood, Compton, and Los Angeles

 Seven Men Indicted in Fatal Shootings News Conference

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced today that seven men have been indicted on charges related to a violent fatal shooting spree in Inglewood, Compton and Los Angeles between December 2021 and January 2022 that killed seven people and injured others.

"Today we mark a significant development in our ongoing efforts to combat gun violence," District Attorney Gascón said. "Yesterday, my office obtained a 37-count indictment against seven individuals in connection with four separate incidents that resulted in the loss of seven lives, injuring many others, and traumatizing our Inglewood, Compton, and Los Angeles communities. Our prosecutors in the Community Violence Reduction Division will continue to work to ensure accountability on the part of the actors engaged in this year-long violent crime spree. We thank our law enforcement partners for their dedication and collaborative efforts in this complex investigation, collectively ensure the safety and well-being of our communities."

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July 24, 2023: District Attorney Gascón Announces Charges Against Supervising Deputy Probation Officer in Use-of-Force Incident with Minor

District Attorney Gascón Announces Charges Against Supervising Deputy Probation Officer in Use-of-Force Incident with Minor

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced during a news conference today that Los Angeles County Probation Department Supervising Deputy Probation Officer Oscar Cross has been charged with the assault of a minor at the probation department’s Camp Kilpatrick facility in Malibu.

“I am deeply troubled by the recent reports of overdoses, assaults, and weapon possession within our juvenile halls,” District Attorney George Gascón said. “The conditions of confinement for these young people in L.A. County are truly alarming. We must ensure their safety within these institutions. Our role is to rehabilitate them, not subject them to further harm. Just as we hold minors accountable for their crimes within these halls, we will hold those entrusted with their care equally accountable.”

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