Felon admits killing senior in hit-and-run on Murrieta sidewalk
Desert Hot Springs to host launch party, unveiling for art installation
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Thursday, April 13-April 19, 2023
VOL. 7,
Riverside County DA calls for changes in state law for public safety
Inland Empire food bank to host gala fundraiser
By City News Service and Staff
By Joe Taglieri
NO. 116
joet@beaconmedianews.com
A (Lefto to Right) Sheriff Chad Bianco, Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward, Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin and
R
iverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin, Sheriff Chad Bianco, Police Chief Larry Gonzalez and Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward gathered Wednesday to call for changes in state law regarding public safety, mainly by undoing the effects of a decade-old legislative act that shifted many former state responsibilities onto counties. The officials specifically addressed ongoing impacts of Assembly Bill 109, the Public Safety Realignment Act of 2011; Proposition 47, which recategorized some nonviolent property crimes, where the value does not exceed $950, into misdemeanors; and Proposition 57, the Public Safety and Rehabilitation Act of 2016. Hestrin said current laws do not offer support. Hestrin highlighted the case of Timothy Bethell who is engaged in a “destructive crime spree across two counties” to explain why he and Ward have “had enough.” Bethell began his first crime spree in August 2021 when he burglarized, vandalized, and stole from seven Visalia businesses. After his arrest, he pleaded no contest to 14
felony charges of burglary and vandalism. He was sentenced to 4 years suspended state prison and 2 years’ probation in September 2021. Bethell was released to a recovery program but immediately absconded and failed to report to probation. Eight days later, Bethell committed and pleaded no contest to an additional felony burglary at a Visalia Walgreens where he stole $2,800 in cash and merchandise. According to a statement from the Tulare District Attorney’s Office, instead of sentencing Bethell to prison for the prior 4-year suspended prison sentence, the court sentenced him to one-year local state prison and one year of mandatory supervision. Bethell was released from custody in May 2022, and, by request, his mandatory supervision was transferred to his home county of Riverside. In the summer of 2022 while in Riverside County, Bethell committed even further vandalism and thefts and pleaded guilty to 6 more felonies against five businesses. In early December 2022, he was sentenced to 3 years local state prison but was released
three days later due to jail crowding. Bethell failed to report to probation and then returned to Tulare County where between mid-December 2022 through January 2023 he committed crimes against nine downtown Visalia businesses. The crimes encompassed the breaking of windows and doors and thefts of cash and electronics. Over $20,000 in theft, damages, lost revenue, and lost wages were reported. According to Hestrin, Bethell's case is not unique. Ward said Bethell’s case “epitomizes the dysfunction caused by a passage of soft on crime policies coming out of Sacramento.” According to local officials, it's time to question the justification for the law, given that former Gov. Jerry Brown's rationale for signing it in April 2011 -- to reduce prison overcrowding -- no longer appears valid. "Since then, the state prison population has decreased so much that in December, the California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation See Public safety Page 20
local food bank is partnering with the San Manuel tribe for a fundraising event scheduled for April 22. Feeding America Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, or FARSB, is hosting the Annual Million Meals Gala: Run for the Roses presented by San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. This year’s theme is the Kentucky Derby, and the gala will feature special award recognitions, live and silent auctions and a gourmet dinner, according to an announcement from FARSB. "FARSB’s goal for this event is to raise one million meals for the Inland Empire and to combat food insecurity," the organization's announcement said. "With your help, we can continue the fight until we have a hunger-free IE." More information on the event and sponsorship opportunities is available at feedingie.org/ gala or by contacting Angela Jugon, ajugon@feedingamericaie.org. Ticket sales concluded April 7. "This is an excellent opportunity for people to come out and learn about our organization, our mission, and how we are helping the Inland Empire community," FARSB Development Director Angela Jugon said in an email to HeySoCal.com. See Gala fundraiser Page 17
DHS man convicted of sexually abusing disabled relative By City News Service
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felon who sexually assaulted a developmentally disabled 18-year-old female relative and inappropriately touched her younger sister was convicted Tuesday of nearly a dozen felony charges. Following a roughly weeklong trial, a Banning jury found Carlos Alberto Lopez, 51, of Desert Hot Springs, guilty of four counts each of rape of an adult unable to consent and incest, two counts of lewd acts on a minor and one count of sodomy of an incompetent victim. Jurors acquitted Lopez of a charge of committing multiple lewd acts on child in a crime series. Jurors deliberated less than a day. Riverside County Superior Court Judge Francisco Navarro scheduled a sentencing hearing for June 1 at the Banning Justice Center. Lopez, who is being held without bail at the nearby Smith Correctional Facility, is expected to receive life in prison. According to a trial brief filed by the District Attorney's Office and an arrest warrant affidavit filed by Desert Hot Springs police, Lopez sexually assaulted his relative, identified only as Jane Doe, on various occasions between November 2016 and January 2017. The victim was "suffering from autism and receiving extended care relative to the condition from continuing education," court papers stated. "She lived with her mother, did not drive a car, have a bank account, work a job, or use public transportation," documents said. The sexual encounters were uncovered on Jan. 4, 2017, when Jane Doe's mother, identified in court documents only as "P.I.," returned to her Desert Hot Springs residence from the grocery store and heard unusual sounds emanating from her eldest daughter's bedroom, according to the prosecution's brief. See Abuse Page 20