◼ The plea deal offer, has yet to be accepted by Judge Reinholtsen and sentencing is scheduled for this afternoon. If it is accepted, it looks like it would result in 8 counts being reduced to three counts. - John Chiv/Words Worth
After the case being dismissed the first time, mistrial the second time, a plea deal was reached right before the third trial started for David Anderson, a suspect who was originally charged with kidnapping, rape by force, forcible oral copulation of minor victim over age of 14, sexual battery, unlawful sexual intercourse, threats to commit crime resulting in death, false imprisonment and human trafficking.
Anderson has been represented for all three trials by private defense attorney Benjamin McLaughlin, who was appointed by the court as Anderson's attorney. The case was prosecuted each time by DDA Luke Brownfield....
◼ Sentence in human trafficking case: 9 years, 4 months - Will Houston/Times-Standard
Brownfield said in an interview with the Times-Standard that the plea deal was reached during a third trial in the case. During the first trial, other alleged "pimping and pandering" victims of Anderson's from two other California counties also testified, but Brownfield said the case was dismissed. When the district attorney's office refiled, the trial went on for about six to eight weeks before a mistrial was declared based on a statement made by a witness. Brownfield said it was about three weeks into the third trial when "we reached a negotiated deal to the human trafficking charge."
...Before the sentencing, McLaughlin asked Reinholtsen to consider waving or reducing the fines associated with the case — which included a $500,000 fine for the human trafficking charge — due to his client not having "the resources to pay any significant fines or fees."
Showing posts with label kidnapping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kidnapping. Show all posts
Monday, November 10, 2014
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Case dismissed. Another spectacular failure of the Gallegos DAs Office
◼ Former DeputyDA Ben McLaughlin (now defense attorney) scores a win against former co-worker - John Chiv/Words Worth
...kidnapping, rape by force, forcible copulation of a minor victim, sexual battery, unlawful sexual intercourse, threats to commit crime resulting in death and false imprisonment... (VERY SERIOUS STUFF!) The defense had filed a motion that there was failure to provide adequate discovery. (SUCH A BASIC THING!)
Prosecutor Luke Brownfield. Defense: Ben McLaughlin Judge: Feeney
- - developing - -
__________________
This may be a 'win' for Ben Mclaughlin, whose partner is the on-again-off-again Assistant District Attorney (who, of course, must recuse herself from any action on this and any other case involving Ben and the firm he now works for) - but it is NOT a win for the people of this community.
Innocent til proven guilty - but a case like that falls through the cracks? That is a terrible thing.
...kidnapping, rape by force, forcible copulation of a minor victim, sexual battery, unlawful sexual intercourse, threats to commit crime resulting in death and false imprisonment... (VERY SERIOUS STUFF!) The defense had filed a motion that there was failure to provide adequate discovery. (SUCH A BASIC THING!)
Prosecutor Luke Brownfield. Defense: Ben McLaughlin Judge: Feeney
- - developing - -
This may be a 'win' for Ben Mclaughlin, whose partner is the on-again-off-again Assistant District Attorney (who, of course, must recuse herself from any action on this and any other case involving Ben and the firm he now works for) - but it is NOT a win for the people of this community.
Innocent til proven guilty - but a case like that falls through the cracks? That is a terrible thing.
Monday, December 02, 2013
Kidnapping, attempted murder in SoHum
◼ Kidnapping, attempted murder in SoHum - Times-Standard
The following is a press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office:
On Friday at approximately 3 a.m. the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office received a call regarding a kidnapping and possible murder. Deputies spoke with a 24-year-old man and a 29-year-old man, both from Indiana, who were reported to be in the Laytonville area. The men reported on Thursday they were visiting with a 25-year-old male friend in the Ranch Sequoia area of Humboldt County. At approximately 10:30 p.m., on Thursday, the two men from Indiana were on the balcony of the residence when they heard vehicles drive up to the residence. They heard male voices yelling what appeared to be commands to someone, and then banging on the side of the home. The two men then heard multiple gunshots. The two men went downstairs to find out what was happening, and saw eight males with rifles dressed in camouflaged clothing covering their entire bodies. Each of the male suspects was carrying a high powered rifle. The males then tied the two men to a tree with rope. The two men saw their 25-year-old male friend, the homeowner, had been shot and was bleeding. The suspects dressed in camouflaged told the two men tied to the tree not to say anything or they would kill them. The suspects then ordered the 25-year-old male gunshot victim into a truck at gunpoint and left with him to an unknown location.
The two Indiana men were eventually able to untie themselves and fled the residence and the area. They were uninjured.
At approximately 3:30 a.m., the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office received a call from Jerold Phelps Hospital in Garberville. A 25-year old-male showed up at the hospital with multiple gunshot wounds. Deputies responded and met with the gunshot victim, who turned out to be the 25-year-old homeowner from Rancho Sequoia the two Indiana men had reported being shot.
The gunshot victim is expected to live. Humboldt County Sheriff's Detectives responded to the hospital and met with the victim who is expected to live. At this time the motive for the crime is unknown, and there are no suspect or vehicle descriptions.
Humboldt County Sheriff's Detectives obtained a Humboldt County Superior Court Search Warrant for the residence where the crime occurred which they served on 11-29-2013. Detectives located evidence at the scene consistent with the reported crime. The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information for the Sheriff's Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriff's Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriff's Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.
◼ Kidnapping, Gunshot Victim, and More - Kym Kemp/Lost Coast Outpost
Sources in Southern Humboldt say the story below and this story from earlier today are connected. ◼ Possible Homicide:Body Recovered out Jewett Ranch Road - Kym Kemp/Lost Coast Outpost
Humboldt Co. Sheriff’s Press Release:
On 11-30-2013, at approximately 5:00 p.m., the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a citizen who wanted to report a possible human gravesite. The citizen told deputies where to search for the possible grave. On 12-01-2013, approximately 7:00 a. m. Humboldt County Sheriff’s Detectives went to the location described by the citizen which was off Jewett Ranch Road, the Harris area of Humboldt County. Detectives located a possible gravesite which they dug up and located human remains. The Humboldt County Coroner’s Office was summoned to the scene. The identity of the deceased is unknown at this time, along with the cause of death, age and sex. Detectives are treating the deceased as a homicide at this time.
Further information will be released as appropriate, the investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.
The following is a press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office:
On Friday at approximately 3 a.m. the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office received a call regarding a kidnapping and possible murder. Deputies spoke with a 24-year-old man and a 29-year-old man, both from Indiana, who were reported to be in the Laytonville area. The men reported on Thursday they were visiting with a 25-year-old male friend in the Ranch Sequoia area of Humboldt County. At approximately 10:30 p.m., on Thursday, the two men from Indiana were on the balcony of the residence when they heard vehicles drive up to the residence. They heard male voices yelling what appeared to be commands to someone, and then banging on the side of the home. The two men then heard multiple gunshots. The two men went downstairs to find out what was happening, and saw eight males with rifles dressed in camouflaged clothing covering their entire bodies. Each of the male suspects was carrying a high powered rifle. The males then tied the two men to a tree with rope. The two men saw their 25-year-old male friend, the homeowner, had been shot and was bleeding. The suspects dressed in camouflaged told the two men tied to the tree not to say anything or they would kill them. The suspects then ordered the 25-year-old male gunshot victim into a truck at gunpoint and left with him to an unknown location.
The two Indiana men were eventually able to untie themselves and fled the residence and the area. They were uninjured.
At approximately 3:30 a.m., the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office received a call from Jerold Phelps Hospital in Garberville. A 25-year old-male showed up at the hospital with multiple gunshot wounds. Deputies responded and met with the gunshot victim, who turned out to be the 25-year-old homeowner from Rancho Sequoia the two Indiana men had reported being shot.
The gunshot victim is expected to live. Humboldt County Sheriff's Detectives responded to the hospital and met with the victim who is expected to live. At this time the motive for the crime is unknown, and there are no suspect or vehicle descriptions.
Humboldt County Sheriff's Detectives obtained a Humboldt County Superior Court Search Warrant for the residence where the crime occurred which they served on 11-29-2013. Detectives located evidence at the scene consistent with the reported crime. The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information for the Sheriff's Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriff's Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriff's Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.
◼ Kidnapping, Gunshot Victim, and More - Kym Kemp/Lost Coast Outpost
Sources in Southern Humboldt say the story below and this story from earlier today are connected. ◼ Possible Homicide:Body Recovered out Jewett Ranch Road - Kym Kemp/Lost Coast Outpost
Humboldt Co. Sheriff’s Press Release:
On 11-30-2013, at approximately 5:00 p.m., the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a citizen who wanted to report a possible human gravesite. The citizen told deputies where to search for the possible grave. On 12-01-2013, approximately 7:00 a. m. Humboldt County Sheriff’s Detectives went to the location described by the citizen which was off Jewett Ranch Road, the Harris area of Humboldt County. Detectives located a possible gravesite which they dug up and located human remains. The Humboldt County Coroner’s Office was summoned to the scene. The identity of the deceased is unknown at this time, along with the cause of death, age and sex. Detectives are treating the deceased as a homicide at this time.
Further information will be released as appropriate, the investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.
Friday, July 26, 2013
Odds are, they've done this before, and this girl is lucky to be alive
I'd be searching that property for gravesites.
◼ Lake County men face marijuana drug operation, sexual abuse charges - Julie Johnson/Press Democrat 7/26/2013
Federal prosecutors have taken over the case against two Lake County men accused of running a large marijuana farm on a rural tract of land and sexually abusing a 15-year-old runaway.
◼ 'Extremely disturbing'; two men suspected of enslaving runaway teen face federal pot chargesThadeus Greenson/The Times-Standard 7/26/2013
Two Lake County men suspected of raping a 15-year-old runaway, locking her in a 2-foot high metal box for days and forcing her to trim marijuana for weeks remained in the Humboldt County jail Thursday after a judge denied their release on drug charges.
Ryan Balletto, 30, of Lakeport and Patrick Steven Pearmain, 24, of Clearlake, appeared in the federal courthouse in Eureka on Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nandor Vadas, who denied their release, saying he viewed both men as flight risks and dangers to the community. The two men were remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Vadas said during Wednesday's detention hearing that he finds the case “extremely disturbing,” echoing the sentiments of Assistant United States Attorney Matthew McCarthy.
”This is far and away the most disturbing case I've seen in my career as a prosecutor,” McCarthy told the court.
McCarthy told the court that Balletto, a former U.S. Marine, met the 15-year-old runaway in Los Angeles and drove her nearly 500 miles to a 680-acre piece of land he owns in Ogulin Canyon near Clearlake, keeping her there for weeks against her will to help manicure marijuana buds harvested from a 1,300-plant grow.
McCarthy said both Balletto and Pearmain had sex with the girl while she was kept at the property, and that equipment “consistent with sexual bondage and sadomasochism” was found there. McCarthy said authorities searching the property also found a metal box -- measuring 4 feet long, 2 feet wide and 2 feet high -- with air holes drilled in it, and that the girl later told police the two men locked her inside the box on two occasions for a total of about three days.
McCarthy said the two men referred to their marijuana operation as “their mission,” and told the girl they were locking her in the box to “teach her” and protect their “mission.”
According to a federal criminal complaint filed against the two men, the box -- located outside the trailer in which Balletto resided on the property -- had a hose attached to it, allowing the men to wash human waste off the girl and out of the box without opening it. The girl told authorities, according to the complaint, that Balletto called her a “trooper” for not screaming while she was locked in the box....
◼ Teen allegedly kept in toolbox as part of marijuana operation - News10/KXTV (image source) 7/26/2013
◼ Lake County: Three arrests, marijuana, cash and military-grade weapons seized - Daily News 7/26/2013
...Authorities allegedly found five children in the North Lakeport home they scoured.
Members of the LCSO SWAT team, narcotics task force and major crimes unit served a search warrant on Balletto's nearly 700-acre property in the area of Junction Plaza in Clearlake Oaks Wednesday, according to a department statement released Friday. Deputies also executed a search warrant at Balletto's North Lakeport home.
LCSO officials said they found 1,491 marijuana plants, more than $4,000 in cash and "the largest and most sophisticated bulk of weapons seized in recent (department) history" between the two searches.
In total, investigators reportedly discovered 22 firearms, including high-powered military-grade sniper and assault rifles, automatic assault rifles and pistols. They also recovered military-grade body armor and scopes, high-capacity magazines and ammunition, according to the LCSO statement.
The five children removed from the residence were taken into the custody of Lake County Child Protective Services, the LCSO stated....
◼ Marijuana cultivation investigation leads to human trafficking case - Lake County News
The men also are alleged at one point to have kept the girl in a large box as a punishment, according to District Attorney Don Anderson.
Pearmain’s attorney, Tom Quinn, declined comment at this stage in the case, and Balletto’s attorney, Mitch Hauptman, did not respond to messages seeking comment.
Deputy District Attorney Ed Borg, who is handling the sex crimes case against the men, said they are facing charges of human trafficking, statutory rape, oral copulation on a person under age 16, sodomy, false imprisonment, annoying or molesting a child. Balletto also is charged with lewd and lascivious acts on a child under age 14 or 15.
They could each face nearly 16 years in prison if convicted of all the charges, Borg said.
While the California Attorney General's Office has put increased focus on fighting human trafficking, which the agency said is the world's fastest growing enterprise, human trafficking cases are rare in Lake County, Borg said.
“It’s the first time I’ve ever charged it,” he said....
The girl has since gone into protective custody outside of Lake County, Borg said.
The situation involving the girl also involves a third suspect.
Eric George Edgar, 45, was arrested on May 16 in connection with the case, Borg said.
Edgar is charged with statutory rape for having allegedly raped the teenage girl when they were alone together on the property. He's also facing charges for making criminal threats and attempting to dissuade a witness, Borg said.
The girl was being kept in a small group of trailers on the property, while Edgar was staying in a trailer more than an hour’s hike across a canyon. Edgar is alleged to have happened upon the girl and raped her, Borg said.
◼ L.A. girl kept in metal box on pot farm for sex, authorities say - LA Times 7/26/2013
◼ Lake County men transferred from (Humboldt County) jail; former Marine is one of two men accused of enslaving runaway teen - Thadeus Greenson/The Times-Standard 7/27/2013
◼ Criminal complaint: Ryan Balletto...Note: This document contains content that some readers might find disturbing. - LA Times 7/26/2013
__________________
Lots of unanswered questions. Picking up runaways in LA, transporting them hundreds of miles to a remote location, a 'box' that indicates they solved a problem they must have had before, telling her she was a trooper for not screaming... how many screamed before her?
Just be glad this is before Federal authorities, and not Humboldt County's DA.
(U.S. Magistrate Judge Nandor Vadas and Deputy District Attorney Ed Borg were formerly with the Humboldt County DA's Office. Just some of the talent 'lost, fired, or driven away' by Paul Gallegos.)
◼ Lake County men face marijuana drug operation, sexual abuse charges - Julie Johnson/Press Democrat 7/26/2013
Federal prosecutors have taken over the case against two Lake County men accused of running a large marijuana farm on a rural tract of land and sexually abusing a 15-year-old runaway.
◼ 'Extremely disturbing'; two men suspected of enslaving runaway teen face federal pot chargesThadeus Greenson/The Times-Standard 7/26/2013
Two Lake County men suspected of raping a 15-year-old runaway, locking her in a 2-foot high metal box for days and forcing her to trim marijuana for weeks remained in the Humboldt County jail Thursday after a judge denied their release on drug charges.
Ryan Balletto, 30, of Lakeport and Patrick Steven Pearmain, 24, of Clearlake, appeared in the federal courthouse in Eureka on Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nandor Vadas, who denied their release, saying he viewed both men as flight risks and dangers to the community. The two men were remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Vadas said during Wednesday's detention hearing that he finds the case “extremely disturbing,” echoing the sentiments of Assistant United States Attorney Matthew McCarthy.
”This is far and away the most disturbing case I've seen in my career as a prosecutor,” McCarthy told the court.
McCarthy told the court that Balletto, a former U.S. Marine, met the 15-year-old runaway in Los Angeles and drove her nearly 500 miles to a 680-acre piece of land he owns in Ogulin Canyon near Clearlake, keeping her there for weeks against her will to help manicure marijuana buds harvested from a 1,300-plant grow.
McCarthy said both Balletto and Pearmain had sex with the girl while she was kept at the property, and that equipment “consistent with sexual bondage and sadomasochism” was found there. McCarthy said authorities searching the property also found a metal box -- measuring 4 feet long, 2 feet wide and 2 feet high -- with air holes drilled in it, and that the girl later told police the two men locked her inside the box on two occasions for a total of about three days.
McCarthy said the two men referred to their marijuana operation as “their mission,” and told the girl they were locking her in the box to “teach her” and protect their “mission.”
According to a federal criminal complaint filed against the two men, the box -- located outside the trailer in which Balletto resided on the property -- had a hose attached to it, allowing the men to wash human waste off the girl and out of the box without opening it. The girl told authorities, according to the complaint, that Balletto called her a “trooper” for not screaming while she was locked in the box....
◼ Teen allegedly kept in toolbox as part of marijuana operation - News10/KXTV (image source) 7/26/2013
◼ Lake County: Three arrests, marijuana, cash and military-grade weapons seized - Daily News 7/26/2013
...Authorities allegedly found five children in the North Lakeport home they scoured.
Members of the LCSO SWAT team, narcotics task force and major crimes unit served a search warrant on Balletto's nearly 700-acre property in the area of Junction Plaza in Clearlake Oaks Wednesday, according to a department statement released Friday. Deputies also executed a search warrant at Balletto's North Lakeport home.
LCSO officials said they found 1,491 marijuana plants, more than $4,000 in cash and "the largest and most sophisticated bulk of weapons seized in recent (department) history" between the two searches.
In total, investigators reportedly discovered 22 firearms, including high-powered military-grade sniper and assault rifles, automatic assault rifles and pistols. They also recovered military-grade body armor and scopes, high-capacity magazines and ammunition, according to the LCSO statement.
The five children removed from the residence were taken into the custody of Lake County Child Protective Services, the LCSO stated....
◼ Marijuana cultivation investigation leads to human trafficking case - Lake County News
The men also are alleged at one point to have kept the girl in a large box as a punishment, according to District Attorney Don Anderson.
Pearmain’s attorney, Tom Quinn, declined comment at this stage in the case, and Balletto’s attorney, Mitch Hauptman, did not respond to messages seeking comment.
Deputy District Attorney Ed Borg, who is handling the sex crimes case against the men, said they are facing charges of human trafficking, statutory rape, oral copulation on a person under age 16, sodomy, false imprisonment, annoying or molesting a child. Balletto also is charged with lewd and lascivious acts on a child under age 14 or 15.
They could each face nearly 16 years in prison if convicted of all the charges, Borg said.
While the California Attorney General's Office has put increased focus on fighting human trafficking, which the agency said is the world's fastest growing enterprise, human trafficking cases are rare in Lake County, Borg said.
“It’s the first time I’ve ever charged it,” he said....
The girl has since gone into protective custody outside of Lake County, Borg said.
The situation involving the girl also involves a third suspect.
Eric George Edgar, 45, was arrested on May 16 in connection with the case, Borg said.
Edgar is charged with statutory rape for having allegedly raped the teenage girl when they were alone together on the property. He's also facing charges for making criminal threats and attempting to dissuade a witness, Borg said.
The girl was being kept in a small group of trailers on the property, while Edgar was staying in a trailer more than an hour’s hike across a canyon. Edgar is alleged to have happened upon the girl and raped her, Borg said.
◼ L.A. girl kept in metal box on pot farm for sex, authorities say - LA Times 7/26/2013
◼ Lake County men transferred from (Humboldt County) jail; former Marine is one of two men accused of enslaving runaway teen - Thadeus Greenson/The Times-Standard 7/27/2013
◼ Criminal complaint: Ryan Balletto...Note: This document contains content that some readers might find disturbing. - LA Times 7/26/2013
__________________
Lots of unanswered questions. Picking up runaways in LA, transporting them hundreds of miles to a remote location, a 'box' that indicates they solved a problem they must have had before, telling her she was a trooper for not screaming... how many screamed before her?
Just be glad this is before Federal authorities, and not Humboldt County's DA.
(U.S. Magistrate Judge Nandor Vadas and Deputy District Attorney Ed Borg were formerly with the Humboldt County DA's Office. Just some of the talent 'lost, fired, or driven away' by Paul Gallegos.)
Friday, February 20, 2009
Prelim for L.A. kidnapper
A Eureka police detective (Ron Harpham) testified Thursday about events that reportedly led to the January stabbing of 24-year-old man at the preliminary hearing of David Bushman, who is accused of kidnapping and assaulting an acquaintance, causing his vehicle to crash into a Eureka burger stand.
Detective Ron Harpham testified at the hearing about the course of events that reportedly led to the stabbing of Joshua Golden, a one-time Eureka resident now living in Los Angeles, and the subsequent arrest of 36-year-old Bushman and Fatima Muhammad....
...Harpham's testimony did not conclude Thursday and Bushman's hearing is expected to resume today. According to Deputy District Attorney Randy Mailman, the evidence that will be presented at Muhammad's preliminary hearing, also scheduled today, will be the same presented during Bushman's.
Muhammad remains held at the Humboldt County Juvenile Hall on $100,000 bail, while Bushman was returned after his hearing to the Humboldt County jail on $50,000 bail. ☛ TS Preliminary begins for alleged L.A. kidnapper 2/20/09
☛ TS L.A. man and teen arrested for allegedly kidnapping driver 1/31/09
Detective Ron Harpham testified at the hearing about the course of events that reportedly led to the stabbing of Joshua Golden, a one-time Eureka resident now living in Los Angeles, and the subsequent arrest of 36-year-old Bushman and Fatima Muhammad....
...Harpham's testimony did not conclude Thursday and Bushman's hearing is expected to resume today. According to Deputy District Attorney Randy Mailman, the evidence that will be presented at Muhammad's preliminary hearing, also scheduled today, will be the same presented during Bushman's.
Muhammad remains held at the Humboldt County Juvenile Hall on $100,000 bail, while Bushman was returned after his hearing to the Humboldt County jail on $50,000 bail. ☛ TS Preliminary begins for alleged L.A. kidnapper 2/20/09
☛ TS L.A. man and teen arrested for allegedly kidnapping driver 1/31/09
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