MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2015 - JANUARY 18, 2015
riversideindependent.com
New District Attorney Ready for Tests and Trials by Vickie Vértiz A graduate of Stanford University Law School, newly elected District Attorney Mike Hestrin is not afraid of a challenge. Hestrin, who is a native of Palm Springs, has spent his 17-year career as a homicide case prosecutor, according to The Press-Enterprise, “where he won several death penalty verdicts in high-profile cases.” When Proposition 47 passed last fall and changed some felonies into misdemeanors which can be applied to past convictions, Hestrin became concerned. He thinks it could lessen the incentive for defendants to accept alternative sentencing such as drug rehabilitation, he told the paper. “The criminal justice system has lost its teeth [...],” Hestrin said. He also told The PressEnterprise that Prop. 47 could eliminate successful drug rehabilitation programs and a special court for veterans. He admitted, however, that it is too soon to draw conclusions about Prop 47. He added that his fears are “…
District Attorney Mike Hestrin
just my speculation.” He also believes that convicted people “facing shorter sentences may be less inclined to enroll in a yearlong treatment program instead,” the paper said. “I think there are some
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legislative fixes […],” he told the paper. For example, the concept of “progressive punishment” could be enacted where “repeat drug offenders or burPlease see page 4
Alleged Child Molester Arrested Deputies assigned to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, Special Enforcement Bureau’s, Fugitive Warrant Enforcement Team (FWET), which is part of the Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Taskforce, initiated an investigation to locate and apprehend Eddrans Ortega-Hernandez. Hernandez was wanted on a $3,000,000 warrant reference four counts of lewd acts with a child under 14. The alleged
crimes occurred in Moreno Valley over a four year period from 2004 to 2008 and involved two separate victims. He also had a no-bail warrant out of Orange County for drug possession. After an extensive investigation, FWET gathered intelligence that revealed Hernandez was hiding in the city of Santa Ana. On 01/05/2015, FWET conducted surveillance in Santa Ana and observed Hernan-
dez leaving a residence in the 1100 block of Arapaho Street. Hernandez was subsequently contacted and arrested without incident at a nearby business. During the arrest, Hernandez was found to be in possession of methamphetamine. Santa Ana P.D. took custody of Hernandez and booked him into the Orange County Jail for the outstanding warrants as Please see page 3
VOLUME 2, NO. 2
Two Suspects Arrested in Stabbing Victim’s Death On Tuesday, December 23, 2014, at about 1929 hours, Riverside Police officers responded to the 1100 block of Orange Street reference a missing person report. The victim’s family called police because several days had passed and attempts to contact the victim were unsuccessful. The officers were able to make entry into the residence were they located a deceased 44 year old woman. Evidence at the scene indicated the victim died as a result of foul play. Detectives from the Robbery – Homicide Unit along with Evidence Technicians from the Forensic Unit responded to investigate. Detectives are being assisted by the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office and the Sheriff – Coroner. The victim’s identity is pending a Coroner’s investigation. The Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner has identified the body found in an apartment in the 1100 block of Orange Street on Tuesday. The victim, Marlo “China” Williams, 44, lived at the apartment. The victim died from numerous stab wounds. On Tuesday, December 30, 2014, Detectives from the Robbery / Homicide Unit and the METRO Team (SWAT) continued to follow-up on the investigation. Two suspects were identified and located in Riverside by the METRO Team. Both suspects are minors. Based on the investigation and the interviews, both minors were booked into Juvenile Hall on the charges of 187 PC, Murder and 212.5 PC/ Home Invasion Robbery with special circumstances. Anyone with information is asked to please call Detective Jim Simons at 951-3537138 or Detective Adrian Tillett at (951) 353-7105.
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Plastic Bag Manufacturers Buy Time as Bag Ban is on Hold By Courtney Alexander On September 30 of this year, California Governor Jerry Brown signed into law Senate Bill 270, banning grocery and convenience stores from selling single-use plastic bags, but allowing the sale of more environmentally inoffensive, reusable bags made by certified third party manufacturers. These bags, which have to meet standards for labeling, durability, material makeup, and heavy metal content, can be sold for no less than $0.10 each. Even though about six out of every ten California voters supports the bill, according to a USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times poll, there are still those who oppose its passing. This opposition naturally comes most strongly from plastic bag manufacturers who claim the new law is just a way for grocers and union bosses to stuff their pockets. They also raise the is-
sue that the enactment of the new law will cost plastic workers their jobs. “SB 270 was never a bill about the environment. It was a back room deal between the grocers and union bosses to scam California consumers out of billions of dollars in bag fees without providing any public benefit. We are pleased to have reached this important milestone in the effort to repeal a terrible piece of job-killing legislation,” said the head of the American Progressive Bag Alliance, Lee Califf in a statement. Soon after the announcement was made that Governor Brown had signed the bill, the American Progressive Bag Alliance fervently began collecting signatures in an effort to overturn the state’s decision – so far, over they accumulated 800,000. In order for their referendum to be on the November 2016 bal-
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lot, the Alliance had a 90 day window to gather 504,760 signatures by January 1, 2015. That number has been far surpassed. And it’s not just California bag makers who are against the bill. Only $50,000 of the $1.2 million put into the campaign is from plastic bag manufacturers in California. Most of the funding comes from companies headquartered outside of California. As California has become the first state to sign a statewide ban, manufacturers are also fearful that other states will follow suit. The bag ban, planned to go into effect on July 1, 2015 is now on hold until November 2016 when voters will, again, cast their votes for or against the bag ban. If a referendum has gathered the necessary number of signatures in the allotted amount of time, the law that referendum seeks to invalidate cannot be enacted until voters have their say again. Even if the referendum fails, this newfound time before the law goes into effect gives plastic bag manufacturers the opportunity to sell an estimated $145 million worth of bags
according to calculations made by the pro-ban group, Californians Against Waste. “We’re not doing this so we can sell bags for another 16 months,” said Mark Daniels, chairman of the American Plastic Bag Alliance. “When consumers understand that this is a cash grab by the grocers, they oppose this horrible legislation.”, he said, citing internal Alliance polling, showing that voters opinions shift after they are told that grocers will make millions from paper bag sales. Regardless of the outcome of this legislative slugfest, the call for bans on single use plastic bags will continue. Environmentalists are continuing to push for bans at the local level, adding to the over 100 California municipalities with bans on plastic bag sales. According to Molly Peterson, a correspondent with Southern California Public Radio, pro-ban environmental groups will continue to strive to add to the “130 municipalities, counties, and local entities that have enacted some sort of a ban.” The battle over plastic bag sales will seemingly be over no time soon.
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Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the appointment of Camille Wagner as legislative affairs secretary in the Office of the Governor, replacing Gareth Elliott, who has served in that role since 2011. Elliott will pursue opportunities in the private sector, and last week was appointed to the University of California Board of Regents by the Governor. “Gareth has provided wise counsel and invaluable advice for the past four years, and he will continue to ably serve Californians in his new role on the Board of Regents,” said Governor Brown. “Camille is a trusted advisor and will step into this new
role without missing a beat.” Wagner, 32, of Sacramento, has been appointed legislative affairs secretary in the Office of the Governor, where she has served as chief deputy legislative affairs secretary since 2013 and was deputy legislative affairs secretary from 2011 to 2013. Wagner was legislative director for California Assemblymember Steven Bradford from 2009 to 2011, a legislative aide for California State Senator Christine Kehoe from 2005 to 2009 and a Senate fellow for the California Senate Fellows Program from 2004 to 2005. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $140,004. Wagner is a Democrat.
JANUARY 12, 2015 - JANUARY 18, 2015 | 3
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Gov. Brown Swears in New Justices Following his inauguration, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. swore in Justices Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar and Leondra R. Kruger to the California Supreme Court today in Sacramento. “What I’m looking for is insight and growing wisdom over time so we can create a measure of harmony in what is a very conflicted society,” said Governor Brown at today’s ceremony. “And I think we are going to do very well in helping build the respect for the law, for the courts, for their independence, so that all of us – whatever our particular ideological or philosophical proclivities – at the end of the day are very thankful that we have honest, intelligent and fair-minded people making sense out of the complexities.” Governor Brown nominated Justice Cuéllar in July and Justice Kruger in November to the California Supreme Court. Justice Cuéllar was confirmed in August and Justice Kruger
Following his inauguration, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. swore in Justices Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar and Leondra R. Kruger to the California Supreme Court today in Sacramento. -Courtesy of the Governor's office
last month by the Commission on Judicial Appointments, composed of Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, Attorney
General Kamala D. Harris and senior presiding justice of the state Court of Appeal Joan Dempsey Klein.
Child Molester Continued from page 1
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well as possession of methamphetamine. Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to call Master Investigator Edward Vargas at the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station by calling (951) 486-6700.
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Long Beach Office 3780 Kilroy Airport Way Suite 360 Long Beach, CA 90806 Ph. (562) 472-0071 Fx. (562) 689-0071 Los Angeles Office 5701 South Eastern Avenue Suite 100 Los Angeles, CA 90040 Ph. (323) 727-1144 Fx. (323) 727-9198 www.heger-industrial.com Lic. #00814086
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New District Attorney Ready Continued from page 1
glars could still face longer incarceration.” Another challenge facing Hestrin is AB 109, which said that inmates convicted of nonviolent or nonsexual crimes could serve their sentences in county jails instead of state prisons that are extremely overcrowded. The Enterprise also said that Hestrin wants to revisit gang injunctions, which he called an “important tool” in crime reduction. An injunction places prohibits known members of gangs from gathering, wearing gang colors, or carrying weapons in certain regions. Injunctions have also been known to racially profile men of color and make some communities feel over-policed and under the literal gun, however. Hesitant to reveal concrete actions, Hestrin said any move toward using additional gang injunctions will include “community outreach and consultation with criminal justice partners.” “People need to understand what we [are] doing, why we [are] doing it and how it affects their lives,” Hestrin told the paper, “[…] Our office has to be much more involved and know who the players […] and
who the leaders are in a community.” Other than prosecuting offenders, Hestrin told the paper that his office also focuses on crime suppression and crime prevention. During his term, Hestrin will reorganize staff into “prosecution teams to more efficiently use resources; encourage staff to get involved and volunteer off the job in prevention or rehabilitation programs; and work collaboratively with other law enforcement and justice system partners, such as with regional gang task forces.” He will also encourage the attorneys in his office to volunteer with programs like WomenWonderWriters, a mentorship program for at-risk youth and Real Men Read, a program for ages 10 to 12 that involves reading and tutoring at-risk youth. The Enterprise stated that the office also participates in “youth accountability” teams and diversion programs. “I also believe part of the equation (and mission of the office) is prevention and rehabilitation,” Hestrin added. Hestrin will be sworn in on the front steps of the Riverside County Historic Courthouse. He received over 55 percent of the vote.
Federal and State Basic Payroll Tax Seminar It is to the advantage of business owners to know their obligations and understand the State and Federal payroll reporting requirements. To help, the Inland Empire Small Business Development Center will offer a seminar on Federal and State employment tax laws on Wed., Feb. 18. The Federal and State Basic Payroll Tax Seminar will be held from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the High Desert Small Business Development Center, 15490 Civic Drive, Ste. 102 in Victorville. There is no charge to attend this seminar. Pre-registration prior to the seminar is strongly recommended, as seating is limited. For additional information, please contact
our office at (951) 781-2345; online registration is available at www.iesmallbusiness.com. Business owners and start-up entities alike are welcome to attend this presentation. The Inland Empire Small Business Development Center is hosted by the California State University, San Bernardino, University Enterprises Corporation. The Center is partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the California State University, Fullerton, Tri-County Lead SBDC. All of the SBDC programs and services are offered on a non-discriminatory basis. Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made.
Periodontal Exams Recommended After Age 50
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It is recommended by the American Cancer Society that after 50 years of age everyone should have a colonoscopy. The same should be true for a periodontal exam. Diagnosing and treating an early issue has far greater benefits than an advanced diagnosis. A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 47.2 percent or 64.7 million American adults have periodontal disease ranging from mild to severe. In adults 65 and older,
prevalence rates increase to 70.1 percent. Early colorectal cancer is asymptomatic, as is periodontal disease. Screening examinations are critical to early treatment of both diseases. In deciding who should do your colonoscopy examination, do you go to a family physician or a gastroenterologist? It is equally important in deciding who does your periodontal examination. Do you choose a restorative dentist or a board certified periodontist? Be certain, periodontal disease is a bacterial inflammatory infection that has well-documented effects on our overall health (cardiovascular/heart disease, osteoporosis, respiratory disease, and can be associated with kidney, pancreatic and blood cancers). Be proactive. Schedule a periodontal examination today.