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172
SUN CONSTRUCTION
C ali forn ia’s Olde st Ne w spaper
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Volume 172 • Issue 73 | $1.00
mtdemocrat.com
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
Dogfighting ringleader gets 15 months in prison Isaac Streeter Staff writer
California. Chief of El Dorado County Animal Services Henry Brzezinski provided a statement following the sentencing Monday. “It was a sad day when El Dorado County Animal Services assisted the USDA agents in the search of Villasenor’s property in our county. The conditions these fighting dogs were kept in
El Dorado County resident Carlos Villasenor was sentenced to 15 months in prison and ordered to pay $8,200 in fines Monday for operating a dog breeding and fighting ring at his Placerville home, according to a news release from the Department of Justice, Eastern District of
were deplorable,” recalls Brzezinski. “I can’t begin to imagine how many dogs endured torture and pain, suffered and died at the hands of Villasenor in the fighting pit. He conducted this ‘underground business’ breeding and selling dogs for profit for many years. “I was in the courtroom today and I appreciate that the U.S. Attorney’s office
and the judge took this matter seriously and that Villasenor will serve time based on the sentencing guidelines,” Brzezinski continues. “One concerning note was that Villasenor did not own up to the monies made in this illegal animal fighting venture, which was prosecuted under the Federal Animal Welfare Act, nor did I feel like he was truly
remorseful for this abhorrent behavior.” Court documents show Villasenor first came under investigation in 2020 when the sound of dogs fighting with spectators cheering was heard from his property and was subsequently reported to authorities. Villasenor’s home was n See Villasenor, page A3
Divide woman found dead Isaac Streeter Staff writer Georgetown resident Sarah Liddicoat (née Greene) was found deceased June 20. Her death was confirmed by Sgt. Alexander Sorey of the El Dorado County Sheriff ’s Office, who stated that her body was found in close proximity to her last known location. She was 40 years old.
Sarah Liddicoat Liddicoat was reportedly last seen alive at her cabin off Breedlove Road in n See liddicoat, page A7
Mountain Democrat photo by Odin Rasco
Kevin Van Streefkerk, second from right, is pictured in El Dorado County Superior Court with his attorney Dain Weiner Friday.
Mountain Democrat file photo by Eric Jaramishian
The Cameron Park Community Services District has found the funds to keep Cal Fire on contract — for now.
Fire Station 88 gets a reprieve Noel Stack Managing editor
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Cameron Park will keep both its fire stations open. After several public
meetings and months of negotiations, the Cameron Park Community Services District Board of Directors unanimously approved a two-year fire service agreement with Cal Fire that will keep Stations 88 and 89 fully staffed at an amount not to exceed $10,601,450. The agreement includes adding an additional firefighter position in 2023-34 followed by another in 2024-25. To offset some of that cost, a battalion chief position will be eliminated in 2024-25. CPCSD acting General Manager Jill Ritzman noted the contract comes with a termination/amendment n See Station 88, page A7
Van Streefkerk pleads not guilty in baby death case Odin Rasco Staff writer A Cameron Park man accused of physical abuse that resulted in the death of an infant pleaded not guilty to all charges in El Dorado County Superior Court Department 2 Friday. Kevin Van Streefkerk, 37, was arrested June 20 by El Dorado County Sheriff ’s Office deputies
following a report of child abuse made by an unidentified employee at a local hospital. The report was made June 17; the infant was admitted into the hospital with numerous injuries and ultimately died, according to EDSO Sgt. Alexander Sorey. Van Streefkerk was booked into the Placerville n See Baby death, page A2
Pickleball coming to Placerville Odin Rasco Staff writer Lions Park in Placerville will soon be the home of four brandnew pickleball courts following a decision by the Placerville City Council June 13. The council approved a plan to negotiate and execute an agreement with AllSport America for design and construction of four pickleball courts, as well as resurfacing of the two tennis courts already present at Lions Park. n See pickleball, page A3
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Mountain Democrat photo by Odin Rasco
In addition to four new concrete pickleball courts, the project approved by Placerville City Council will see Lions Park tennis courts resurfaced.
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