Aug. 24 edition: Investigation demanded into federal shooting while office workers charged with assault of ICE officers
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Attorney for Ontario worker calls charge of assault against ICE officers political
Attorneys for the Ontario office workers charged with assault of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officers at their office say prosecutors do not have a case on Aug. 19.
Outside the Riverside District Court and immediately following their arraignment, Jose Ortega and Danilla Davila’s attorneys said that the anonymous ICE officers had no right to be in the Ontario Advanced Surgery Center, that the government will lose its case, and that the defendants would intervene again if needed.
“We got involved because you can’t be hitting and punching a person and say you’re law enforcement,” said Ortega.
Riverside water company staff testify for restraining order against potential shareholder
The staff of Riverside’s Gage Canal water company testified Aug. 22 that Jason Hunter caused them anxiety and fear during his attempts to join the company’s Board of Directors, and that they needed a workplace restraining order against Hunter.
Hunter is a frequent commenter at Riverside city council meetings, the chairperson of Riverside’s Neighbors Better Together, and a whistleblower in the corruption case of former Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and Riverside Public Utilities General Manager David Wright. He says that the workplace violence restraining order is a poor attempt to discourage him from joining the board and looking into the company’s business practices. Four staff members testified for the restraining order. By next Friday, two Gage Canal board members and two shareholders will have testified in opposition.
The company obtained the temporary workplace restraining order against Hunter on March 27. Riverside Superior Judge Daniel Ottolia will rule on whether to keep the restraining order after hearing the testimony of Hunter’s remaining witnesses on Aug. 29.
Attorneys demand investigation of shooting by federal agent
Four attorneys gathered on Aug. 22 outside the San Bernardino house of Francisco Longoria, demanding an investigation into the Aug. 16 shooting of Longoria and his two sons by masked men from the federal government.
“Justice looks like accountability, and if accountability is a masked individual that’s able to draw a gun, and apprehend somebody without a warrant, are any of us safe?” asked Jason Sanchez.
“We are here to call upon state, county and city officials to investigate this shooting,” Sanchez said.
Inland Empire Law Weekly left a message with San Bernardino District Attorney Spokesperson Jacqueline Rodriguez for comment, and has not heard back. The San Bernardino police office is closed Fridays. Inland Empire Law Weekly was due back in Riverside court following the presser, and was unable to reach out to the Department of Homeland Security for comment.
Criminal filings
The Riverside District Attorney’s Office announced the Aug. 21 arrest of it’s own employee: investigative technician Jauiquin Moore. Moore is charged on one count of felony sexual battery. Moore has been placed on administrative leave. The case has not yet appeared in the online case system.
“Holding all individuals accountable for violations of the law is essential to protecting our community and maintaining the public’s trust,” said Bureau Chief Investigator Natasha Crawford, according to the announcement.
San Bernardino man Guillermo Humberto Cascante has been charged for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a child under the age of 14. He faces six felony counts, and will be arraigned Monday in Department S7. Case no. FSB25003113.
Republicans sue to block Newsom’s gerrymandering, point to legislative gamesmanship
A group of California Republicans is suing the state to block the Democratic-controlled Legislature from considering the bills that would allow Gov. Gavin Newsom to facilitate a special election on gerrymandered congressional maps.
The legal action could slow down the process by which elections officials, already tight on time, get the maps onto Californians’ ballots for the Nov. 4 special election Newsom wants. But that depends on how quickly the California Supreme Court moves, and whether it suspends the process while considering the lawsuit.
California sues Trump over new conditions on funding for crime victims
Attorney General Rob Bonta on Monday filed California’s 39th lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging new immigration enforcement requirements it placed on federal funding for crime victims.
States were set to receive more than $1.2 billion in federal crime victim funding this year, with California expected to claim $165 million. But last month, the U.S. Justice Department’s Office of Victims for Crime announced that states must agree to support and assist the Department of Homeland Security with federal immigration enforcement in order to access those funds.
Federal filing roundup
- John Reynolds v. Steve Gordon (5:25-cv-02163): Civil Rights Act. California Central District Judge Hernan Vera presides.
- Reynolds, an automotive dealer compliance consultant, sues the California DMV on claims that DMV inspectors are illegally failing inspections of dealers throughout the Inland Empire.
- Jane Doe v. City of Riverside (5:25-cv-02181): federal question: other civil rights. Unassigned.
- Plaintiff claims that Riverside Police Officer Henry Ventura sexually assaulted her, while in his uniform, after calling her 30 times over five days. The complaint claims he got her contact information during a traffic stop.
News from elsewhere
Judge: County made ‘fatal’ error dismissing AMR | Chino Valley Champion
Report slams Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco on low violent crime clearance rate | Press-Enterprise
San Bernardino Councilwoman Alleges Police Chief Tried to Silence Her in CLETS Lawsuit | IE Community News
Child abuse probe is related to missing Cabazon boy’s case | Redlands Daily Facts
Big Bear woman charged with 93 counts of animal cruelty | Big Bear Grizzly
Hemet woman accused of $195,000 Ponzi scheme and threatening victims with deportation | Press-Enterprise
Adam Schiff forms legal defense fund | Politico
AG Rob Bonta speaks with attorney Chris Geidner | Law Dork
Filipino journalist faces 40 years if convicted in trial of possessing firearms | Washington Post
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