INDEPENDENT glendaleindependent.com
Rep. Schiff Solicits Nominations for Annual Woman of the Year Award
MONDAY, JANUARY 26- FEBRUARY 1, 2015
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VOLUME 3, NO. 4
WayStation Animals Still Need your help
Every March, in recognition of Women’s History Month, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) honors outstanding women from his district. The 28th Congressional District includes the cities and communities of Atwater Village, Burbank, East Hollywood, Echo Park, Elysian Valley, Glendale, Griffith Park, Hollywood, Hollywood Hills, Kagel Canyon, La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Los Feliz, Montrose, PasaLos Angeles’ Wildlife tion founder-director, MarMike WayStation’s Wayke Up tine Colette, calls this ”the web cam- start of a new chapter” in Matthiessen crowdfunding paign is well underway but the history of the nationalso desperately in need of ally regarded, non-profit, Elected more help.. The WaySta- sanctuary dedicated to the President El Monte School of 2016 Volunteer Pleads in Tournament of Roses® Child Molestation Case The Pasadena Tournament of Roses® Board of Directors confirmed Mike Matthiessen as president for the 2015-2016 Tournament year in a ceremony tonight. Matthiessen will provide leadership for the 127th Rose Parade and the 102nd Rose Bowl Game.
A 20-year-old man pleaded guilty today to molesting six children from an El Monte school, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced. Johnny Beserra, 21,of El Monte pleaded guilty to six charges: two counts of continuous sexual abuse, and one count each of forcible oral copulation when the victim is under 14 years old, lewd act upon a child, child molesting and possession of child pornography in case KA106015. Beserra is scheduled to be sentenced March 2 at the Los Angeles County Superior Court in Pomona, Department H. Under the terms of the negotiated plea, the defen-
dant is expected to be sentenced to 30 years to life in state prison. Additionally, Beserra will have to register as a sex offender for life. Deputy District Attorney Michael Matoba, who prosecuted the case, said Beserra was a school volunteer at El Monte Christian Academy in the city of El Monte. The reported crimes occurred between August 2010 and May 2014 and included six victims between the ages of 7 and 17 when the crimes took place, the prosecutor said. Also, some of the incidents transpired at the school, the prosecutor added. The case was investigated by the El Monte Police Department.
- Photo byTerry Miller
rescue and rehab of wild and exotic wildlife situated in the Angeles National Forest. The WayStation is currently home to 450 animals, cared for by Colette,
her staff, and her volunteers. The crowdfunding web campaign will be run via IndieGoGo, between December 14th, 2014 and February 10th, 2015.
Former Irwindale Cop Gets 2 Years Prison for Sexual Molestation of Teen A former Irwindale Police Department officer was sentenced today to two years, eight months in state prison and ordered to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life after he earlier admitted that he sexually molested a 14-year-old girl, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced. Daniel Camerano, 28, was remanded into custody to begin his sentence. Deputy District Attorney Renee Chang with the Justice System Integrity Division prosecuted the case. Camerano, who was an advisor to the department’s Explorer Program, began a sexual relation-
Armenian Criminal Enterprise Dealt Serious Blow
Cooperative Law Enforcement Effort Was Key
In May 2008, a massive shootout between Armenian Power and another California gang on the streets of North Hollywood ended with the deaths of two rival gang members. And while local law enforcement and the FBI already had Armenian Power on their radar, this deadly firefight on the streets of a major American city raised the group’s profile—and resulted in efforts by the FBI and its partners to go after Armenian Power and its leadership through federal racketeering statutes. The investigation revealed that this street gang was actually an international organized criminal enterprise whose illegal ac-
tivities ranged from bank fraud and identity theft to violent extortion and kidnappings. It also revealed that this enterprise victimized its own Armenian community in California. By 2011, we had enough
evidence to charge 90 Armenian Power leaders, members, and associates in two separate indictments. Of those 90 charged, 87 have been convicted, including one of the enterprise’s primary leaders—