News Releases & Advisories

July 2, 2026: Six Unlicensed Contractors Charged With Illegally Operating in Palisades Fire Disaster Zone

PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is continuing its wildfire recovery enforcement with charges against six unlicensed contractors accused of illegally operating in the Palisades Fire disaster zone following a joint operation with the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation and California’s Contractors State License Board (CSLB). In December 2025, the Office announced charges against five unlicensed contractors who were allegedly illegally operating in the Eaton Fire disaster zone following a previous joint operation with CSLB in Altadena.

July 1, 2026: Man Sentenced to 24 Years to Life for Murder of 17-Year-Old Honors Student and Attempted Murder

LOS ANGELES —David Anthony Zapata was sentenced to 24 years to life in state prison for the murder of 17-year-old honors student Xavier Chavarin and the attempted murder of Daniel Villalobos.

June 30, 2026: Woman Charged With Brutally Assaulting 60-Year-Old Street Vendor in Downtown Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES — A 19-year-old woman has been charged for violently attacking a 60-year-old street vendor over a dispute concerning a hot dog purchase in downtown Los Angeles earlier this month.

June 29, 2026: Speeding Driver Charged With Murders of LAPD Sgt. Shiou Deng and Stranded Motorist Jesus Garcia on 405 Freeway

LOS ANGELES — The speeding driver who struck on-duty Los Angeles Police Department Sgt. Shiou Lih Deng and stranded motorist Jesús Arturo Garcia on the 405 Freeway last year has been charged with murder in the deaths of both men. Sgt. Deng was 53 years old and had served the LAPD for over 26 years.

June 24, 2026: District Attorney Hochman Discusses Charges in Explosives Cases, Vows Aggressive Enforcement Ahead of July 4

LOS ANGELES — As Independence Day approaches, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman is reminding residents of the devastating consequences of illegal fireworks and explosives, including the Office’s commitment to prosecute those who transport, sell and use these lethal devices.

June 18, 2026: Comedian Carlos Mencia Charged with Tax Evasion and Failing to Report $8.7 Million in Income

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman today announced felony state tax evasion charges against comedian Carlos Mencia for failing to report $8.7 million in personal and corporate income taxes between tax years 2019-2024. This is the first case filed by the Office’s newly established Business Tax Fraud Unit.

June 18, 2026: LADA-Sponsored Anti-Labor Trafficking Bill Heads to Governor’s Desk After Unanimous Legislative Approval

SACRAMENTO, Calif.— Legislation sponsored by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and co-sponsored by the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office has passed the California State Senate by a unanimous 38-0 vote and now heads to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk for consideration.

June 18, 2026: Man Charged with Attempted Murder of Police Officers, Assault During Car Chase in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES — A 35-year-old man is facing multiple attempted murder and assault charges after he shot at Los Angeles police officers during a car chase, catching civilians in the crossfire.

June 18, 2026: Raisin Company Heir Charged With Antisemitic Hate Crime Against Rabbi Praying in Pacific Palisades

LOS ANGELES — The heir to one of California’s largest raisin companies was charged with a felony hate crime for allegedly threatening to kill a rabbi at his home in Pacific Palisades as he led a Sabbath evening prayer service.

June 15, 2026: Former Businessman Charged With 2009 Murder of Lawyer Jeffrey Tidus in Rancho Palos Verdes

LOS ANGELES – A man believed to be the mastermind behind the execution-style slayings of attorney Jeffrey Tidus outside of his Rolling Hills Estates home in 2009 and an ex-employee who had filed a class action lawsuit for unpaid overtime in 2011 has been charged with their murders. He also is a suspect in a third murder committed in Las Vegas.

Pages