News Releases & Advisories

February 10, 2025: DA Hochman Announces Felony Charges Against Man Accused of Throwing Object Onto 101 Freeway During Protest

LOS ANGELES — District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced today that Martin Richard Torres has been charged in the felony crime of throwing an object onto the 101 Freeway with an intent to cause great bodily injury during an immigration protest.

February 10, 2025: California Lawmakers Announce Legislation to Strengthen Penalties for Looting, Impersonation of Emergency Personnel During Wildfires and Other Emergencies

LOS ANGELES, CA — Today, Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D - Encino), Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D - Thousand Oaks), and Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco (D - Downey) announced the introduction of Assembly Bill (AB) 469, bipartisan legislation that provides law enforcement with better tools to crack down on looting and impersonation of emergency personnel during wildfires and other emergencies. AB 469 responds to recent criminal activity in mandatory evacuation areas and communities devastated by the Palisades and Eaton fires. Among other important changes, AB 469 would allow prosecutors to seek stronger penalties for looting and impersonation, close existing loopholes that can hinder prosecution, and better protect communities during the recovery and rebuilding process.

February 6, 2025: DA Hochman Announces Charges in Public Benefits EBT Fraud Scheme in Lancaster

LANCASTER, CA – Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman today announced that a 27-year-old man has been charged with stealing thousands of dollars in California public assistance benefits using fraudulent Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards at an ATM in Lancaster. The discovery was made as District Attorney Investigators from LADA’s Bureau of Investigation were conducting an EBT Anti-Skimming Operation on February 1.

February 6, 2025: Felony Arson Charges Filed Against Suspect in Chatsworth Reservoir Fire

SAN FERNANDO, CA — District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced today that a 41-year-old man has been charged with felony arson in connection with a Feb. 3 brush fire near the Chatsworth Reservoir. This brings the total number of individuals charged in recent fire-related cases to 27.

February 5, 2025: Man Charged with Murder in Stabbing of Community Organizer Amanda Torres in Downtown Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES — District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced today that James Joshua Lopez, 24, has been charged with murder in connection with the Jan. 26 stabbing death of Amanda Torres, 28, in downtown Los Angeles.

February 5, 2025: Hollywood Producer Convicted of First-Degree Murder in Fentanyl Drugging of Two Women in Beverly Hills in 2021

LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman today announced that David Pearce was convicted by a jury on February 4 of two counts of first-degree murderin the fentanyl overdose deaths of Christy Giles and Hilda Marcela Cabrales-Arzola in Beverly Hills in November 2021. Pearce was also convicted of rape and other sexual assaults against seven different women between 2007 and 2021.

February 4, 2025: DA Hochman Announces Charges in Statewide Human Trafficking Operation ‘Reclaim and Rebuild’

LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman joined the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Los Angeles Police Department today to announce more than 500 arrests made statewide during a weeklong human trafficking operation comprised of more than 100 law enforcement agencies. In addition, a District Attorney’s Investigator from LADA’s Bureau of Investigation took part in the operation as a member of LASD’s Los Angeles Regional Human Trafficking Task Force.

January 31, 2025: DA Hochman Announces Father, Fiancée Charged in Death of Four-Year-Old Child in Antelope Valley

ANTELOPE VALLEY, CA – Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced today that Lacie Fetters, 25, has been charged with murdering her fiancé Andrew Havrella’s 4-year-old son in the Antelope Valley on December 3, 2024.

January 31, 2025: DA Hochman Attends Fundraiser for LA County DA Foundation Raising Over $50,000 for LADA Families, First Responders Affected by LA Wildfires

ARCADIA, CA – On January 11, District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman attended a fundraising event for the LA County DA Foundation that raised over $50,000 to benefit 17 LADA families who lost their homes or sustained significant financial hardship during the tragic Los Angeles wildfires. Proceeds were also raised to benefit first responders who have tirelessly worked to protect the community during this time.

January 29, 2025: Man Charged with Forcible Rape, Sodomy of 15-Year-Old Victim in the Leimert Park/Crenshaw Neighborhood of Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced today that Derrick Dwayne Thompson, 57, is charged with forcibly raping a 15-year-old girl on November 30, 2024, in the Crenshaw/Leimert Park neighborhood of the City of Los Angeles.

Pages