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VOL. 9, 11,
NO. 252
Testimony nearly done in trial of ex-deputy accused of abduction, harassment
Panda Express to pay over $1M to end litigation locally, elsewhere
By City News Service
By City News Service
T
he final witness was expected to be called Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning in the trial of an ex-Riverside County sheriff's deputy accused of abusing his authority and committing felonies while off-duty, including kidnapping and possessing child pornography. Testimony in Alexander Ravy Vanny's trial started two weeks ago, and the defense was expected to rest no later than Wednesday morning, culminating in closing arguments at the Larson Justice Center in Indio. Vanny, 34, of Hemet, was arrested last year and charged with kidnapping, stalking, possession of child porn, unauthorized use of protected electronic data, maliciously destroying a wireless device, witness intimidation, illicit eavesdropping, using a concealed camera to invade privacy, illegal use of a tracking device, interference with a traffic control device and possession of a firearm in violation of a protective order, with a sentence-enhancing allegation of perpetrating a felony while on bail. He's being held without bail at the Smith Correctional Facility. In his opening statement last month, Deputy District Attorney Jess Walsh recounted the alleged offenses involving the two principal victims, a former sheriff's Explorer scout identified only as "Leslie," and the defendant's one-time live-in girlfriend, a mother of two identified as "Madeline."
Alexander Ravy Vanny. | Photo courtesy of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department
In the latter case, Vanny became obsessive, the prosecutor alleged, unable to cope with their breakup in the summer of 2024. After she went on a date, the then-lawman secretly followed her and the man, whose identity wasn't disclosed, waiting until they were inside her Menifee residence, then allegedly setting up an audio device outside her bedroom window to record the sounds of her and the other party engaging in intercourse, prosecutors said. After waiting a few moments, Vanny allegedly forced his way into the apartment and challenged the man to a fight. Court papers alleged that when Madeline attempted to use her mobile phone to call 911, the defendant physically took it and damaged it. Walsh alleged Vanny
carried around an unlicensed infrared device in his Ford Explorer that enabled him to trigger changes to traffic lights, while tailing his ex-girlfriend or her beaus. The prosecutor said Vanny installed hidden cameras throughout Madeline's apartment, operated wirelessly, enabling him to record the victim's roommate, identified only as "Michelle," going in and out of the shower nude. Among the most serious allegations was Vanny's following Madeline to Chappies Bar in Hemet and demanding that she "leave and come home with him," the prosecution said. When the woman rejected him, Vanny "forcibly threw her into his truck," according to court documents. See Ex-deputy Page 31
"The defendant then drove her, without her consent, to his home ... some 17 miles and 30 minutes (away)," the prosecution stated. She was ultimately able to get away from him unharmed, filing a restraining order. In defiance of that order, Vanny continued to carry around his personal firearm, Walsh alleged. He further alleged that the deputy stuck "tracking devices" onto her car so he could monitor her travels at all times. The defendant became sexually involved with 18-year-old Leslie, who looked upon him as a mentor, regularly exchanging texts with him, according to the prosecution. Vanny procured video images of two teenagers engaging in sexual activity during a visit to an Orange County theme park and kept the matter, which was part of an investigation, on his personal mobile phone, Walsh alleged, intending to show it to Leslie. Vanny's attorney Quinton Swanson told jurors that most of his client's troubles stemmed from a difficult relationship with Madeline. "People live together without being married," he said. "Sometimes they cheat on each other. Life is complicated." Swanson underscored that Leslie was not an underage female, and though the relationship between her and Vanny might have
A
lawsuit spearheaded by the Riverside County District Attorney's Office against Panda Express Restaurant Group Inc. over the alleged mishandling of sensitive substances was settled for $1.056 million, which the corporation will pay to Riverside and other counties, along with implementation of a program to correct past deficiencies, it was announced Tuesday. The settlement agreement, which includes civil penalties and an injunction, was reached after roughly three months of litigation, all of which took place in
Riverside. The stipulated judgment was agreed to by the defendant and plaintiffs on Nov. 20. Along with Riverside County, district attorney's offices from 37 other counties were involved. The principal investigators behind the civil action originated from Riverside, Marin, San Joaquin and Solano counties. The suit stemmed from "the unlawful handling of hazardous materials, specifically carbon dioxide ... at (Panda Express') 500-plus California restaurant locations, including over 30 in
See Panda Express Page 31
San Bernardino County calls for homeless count volunteers By Staff
S
an Bernardino County needs volunteers to help with the annual count of unsheltered individuals next month to gather data that determines the local share of federal funding to address homelessness, officials said Wednesday. The 2026 Point-inTime Count set for Jan. 22 is a collaboration between the county Office of Homeless Services and the San Bernardino County Homeless Partnership. The effort provides a snapshot
of the local homeless population, which officials said helps them track progress toward reducing homelessness and ensuring resources are directed to the areas most in need. According to last year’s PITC, 3,821 individuals were experiencing sheltered and unsheltered homelessness countywide. Officials said the data played a significant role in guiding outreach initiatives and funding priorities and pointed to recent projects to address homelessness.
See Homeless count Page 32