News Releases & Advisories

January 12, 2026: CEO Charged With Embezzling Over $5M From The Painted Turtle Camp for Children With Serious Medical Conditions

LAKE HUGHES, Calif. — The former CEO of The Painted Turtle, a nonprofit specialty camp for children with chronic and life-threatening medical conditions, has been charged with embezzling $5.2 million from the organization during his tenure from 2018-2025.

January 9, 2026: Los Angeles Babysitter and Child Snowboard Instructor Charged With Child Sex Crimes; Additional Victims Sought

TORRANCE, Calif. — A 28-year-old man who advertised himself as a babysitter and children’s snowboard instructor in online marketplaces throughout Los Angeles County has been charged with sexually abusing a child under 14 who was in his care between April 2021 and February 2022. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office believes there may be additional victims.

January 8, 2026: Mother Charged With Murder in Death of 17-Month-Old Girl in Santa Monica

LOS ANGELES — A mother has been charged with murder and felony child assault resulting in death following the killing of her 17-month-old daughter in Santa Monica.

January 8, 2026: Piano Teacher Who Fled to Australia Awaiting Jury Verdict Extradited from Australia to Face Sentencing Following Jury Conviction for Committing Lewd Acts Upon a Child

LOS ANGELES – A 69-year-old West Hollywood piano teacher convicted by a jury last year of committing numerous lewd acts with a former teenage student has been extradited today from Australia to the United States after he fled to Australia while awaiting his jury verdict. John Michael Kaleel was taken into custody by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department upon arriving at the Los Angeles International Airport on Thursday.

January 8, 2026: District Attorney Hochman Announces Innovative Approach to Address Sex Exploiters/Buyers and Pimps During National Human Trafficking Prevention Month

en Español

LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman today outlined the Office’s continued efforts and innovative approach to combat human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation, combining tougher felony charging decisions against sexual exploiters/buyers, commonly referred to as ‘johns’ and sex traffickers/pimps as well as providing services from community-based organizations to directly support sex worker victims and survivors.​

January 2, 2026: Verizon Wireless to Pay $7.7 Million to Settle Environmental Violations Following Statewide Investigation

LOS ANGELES – Verizon Wireless will pay $7.7 million to settle a civil enforcement action alleging widespread violations of California environmental laws governing hazardous materials storage, reporting and permitting at cell tower sites throughout the state.