Michael James Pratt, who had been on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives List, has been arrested by Spanish authorities for charges related to sex trafficking and child pornography.
read moreDoctor and Office Manager Indicted In Scheme To Defraud Medicare, Manufacture and Distribute Fentanyl
Pain management physician Dr. David J. Smith and his office manager Julia Ann Oertle have been indicted in a federal grand-jury indictment, accused of perpetuating a scheme to commit healthcare fraud and to manufacture and distribute adulterated fentanyl.
read moreGaslamp Quarter Holiday Bucket List
The Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego is all set to celebrate the holiday season with their exciting list of events and activities. From a north pole escape speakeasy to a Holiday Bowl Bash, winter wonderland tea, ugly sweater parties and more, the holiday bucket list promises to be a festive affair for one and all.
read morePhase 2 of Imperial Beach Pier Enhancements Commences
The Port of San Diego and the City of Imperial Beach, along with community members, have launched Phase 2 of the Imperial Beach Pier Enhancements project. This is part of their joint efforts to beautify and improve the pier and enhance visitors’ fishing, surfing and viewing experience. Completed in 2021, Phase 1 of the project comprised new paintwork, murals, and 30 stainless-steel fishing rod holders.
read moreMan Indicted For Stealing Chief Federal Judge’s Identity and Forging Court Documents
Edmond Abordo was arrested by the FBI for forging the signature of U.S. Chief District Judge Derrick K. Watson in order to trick a woman into paying him thousands of dollars for bogus legal services. Abordo, who claimed to be a legal expert, convinced the victim to file a federal lawsuit challenging foreclosure of her home. After convincing the victim that the federal judge assigned to the lawsuit had awarded her possession of her home, he asked for additional payments. The forged court order was a two-page document dated June 26, 2019 and titled “Order Granting Plaintiff’s Motion For Adverse Possession Pursuant HRS § 657-31.5 Adverse Possession and 43 U.S. Code § 1068 Lands Held in Adverse Possession.” Abordo assured the victim that the forged court order was a genuine court document and that the judge’s signature on the forged order was genuine, but it was all a lie.
read moreArizona Woman Sentenced For Participating In Nationwide Grandparent Scam
Lyda Harris, a 75-year-old woman from Laveen, Arizona, was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in prison for her participation in a nationwide grandparent scam that defrauded more than 70 elderly victims of more than $2 million. Harris had to forfeit $6,243 in proceeds and pay $1,208,291.93 in restitution to the victims. At least 10 of the victims resided in San Diego County, where they lost over $300,000 to the fraud. Six of the eight defendants charged in the case have been sentenced, whereas two are still fugitives.
read moreSan Diego Bay Parade of Lights to take place on December 11 and 18
The San Diego Bay Parade of Lights returns to the city’s waterfront to brighten up the nights of December 11 and 18. The 52nd edition of the Parade, which features 80 vessels dressed up in lights and decorations, will be held under the theme 'FantaSEA.'
read moreCity of San Diego to Step Up Sidewalk Vending Ordinance Enforcement
Starting today, San Diego officials will begin citing sidewalk vendors who violate the City's Sidewalk Vending Ordinance in the Gaslamp Quarter. The ordinance permits sidewalk vending in certain areas, while specifically banning it in others, including the Gaslamp Quarter. Officials have worked to educate vendors about the law and have installed over 400 signs in the area, warning about illegal vending.
read moreDowntown San Diego launches new app to connect community with maintenance and safety services
The Downtown San Diego Partnership Clean & Safe program has launched a new app that connects community-generated service requests for non-emergency maintenance and safety concerns to Clean & Safe ambassadors to address them. The app features records of requests, GPS location pinpointing, and data reporting to allocate resources where needed most. The announcement came alongside major milestones benefiting Downtown's urban neighborhoods.
read moreFormer Sheriff’s Captain’s Accomplice Sentenced To Prison For Corruption Offenses
Waiel "Will" Anton, who was an accomplice of the former Sheriff's Captain, M. Marco Garmo, was sentenced to 12 months and a day in federal prison for corruption offenses including obstruction of justice. Anton admitted to collecting bribe from unlicensed marijuana dispensaries in exchange for law enforcement information about impending searches and for obstructing justice with the same dispensary operator. The larger case against Garmo and all his co-defendants shows that the public is entitled to honest services by government officials. The investigation and prosecution of Captain Garmo is considered to have prevented the possibility of one of the most corrupt government officers leading the San Diego Sheriff's Department.
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