San Luis Obispo Police are searching for two suspects who have been using fraudulent credit cards recently.

According to SLOPD, they received reports in February from four local businesses that claim two people had used fraudulent credit cards and identifications to rent items with the intention of not returning them. One suspect identified himself with a California driver’s license as John Powell.

The suspect rented a $500 Honda generator from the Rental Depot, 202 Tank Farm Road, using a pre-paid credit card. The Rental Depot states the generator was never returned, and when they ran the credit card, it proved to be fraudulent. The suspect is described as a heavy-set White or Hispanic male in his mid-to-late- 30s with black hair, who was wearing hospital scrubs during the theft.

The suspects caught on surveillance video

Another incident involved a suspect who also used the name John Powell. He a woman walked into Wally’s Bicycles, 306 Higuera St., and rented a $2,500 bicycle for $75 using a pre-paid credit card. This suspect also wore hospital scrubs and stated he worked at Sierra Vista Hospital.

When the bicycle was not returned, the store attempted to charge the credit card and the charge was rejected. Wally’s Bicycle store provided the police department with their video footage of the suspects and vehicle.

According to the video, the suspects arrived at the store driving a newer gray or silver Dodge minivan with what appears to have Cole Chrysler Dodge paper plates on the vehicle.

Police say the second suspect’s description was similar to the first incident’s suspect. However, police say there was a third suspect who is described as a thin White or Hispanic female, between 30-40 years old with long brown hair pulled back. The couple was also with a brown dog, possibly a Labrador.

Read More:

CalCoastNews: SLO rental shops ripped off

KCOY: SLO police looking for couple

The Paso Robles Police are searching for a man who allegedly tried to rob a local pizzeria.

According to PRPD, police received a report on Sunday, February 22 of an attempted armed robbery which had just occurred at the Domino’s Pizza restaurant, located on the 2100 block of Spring Street. The call came in around 12:54 a.m. as they were preparing to close after Saturday night.

When officers arrived on the scene, they were told a lone male suspect had entered the business armed with a rifle. Witnesses say the suspect confronted two of the employees and demanded money. The employees said they complied with the suspect’s demands.But the suspect left the business before taking any of the money.

PRPD officers searched the area using a canine unit but were unable to find the suspect. Police do not know if the suspect fled the area on foot or by vehicle. They also do not know if there were other suspects involved.

According to PRPD investigators, the crime was not captured on the business’ security surveillance cameras. Police say the suspect is described as an Hispanic male adult, approximately 5’08” to 5’10” in height, around 220 pounds, with dark-colored hair and eyes.

Witnesses say the suspect was last seen wearing a black-hooded sweatshirt and black pants. Police are encouraging anyone with information to contact them immediately.

Read More:

KSBY: Attempted robbery at Domino’s

SACRAMENTO—Police have arrested a Sacramento man in connection with a deadly shooting that occurred in Citrus Heights on Friday, March 6, after responding to a report of gunshots.

According to the Citrus Heights Police Department, the suspect, Luther Devon Frazier, 34, was arrested March 7 for the fatal shooting of Shaun Blechinger, 22.

Luther Frazier, left, was arrested in the shooting death of Shaun Blechinger.

The shooting occurred at approximately 10:37 a.m. on Friday on the 6500 block of Greenback Lane in Citrus Heights in a neighborhood of fourplexes. Some of the homes fronted Greenback Lane and others on Bremen Drive, west of Van Maren Lane.

Police said that Blechinger and Frazier knew each other, and concluded that a fight spilled outside of the homes in the area. At some point, the victim was shot and killed. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Frazier has been booked into Sacramento County Jail on suspicion of murder. He was also charged with robbery and conspiracy, though details of those charges were not released. Along with those charges, Frazier was booked for inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or co-habitant, which is likely related to an arrest made on May 5, 2014, for domestic violence. He was arrested again in August on an outstanding warrant on those domestic violence charges.

The victim, Shaun Blechinger, according to arrest records, had been charged with evading an officer with wonton disregard for safety on September 16, 2013. Details of that incident were not available.

Anyone having additional information or who may have witnessed this incident is encouraged to contact the Citrus Heights Police Department at 916-727-5500.

UKIAH – It was 11 pm last Thursday night, March 5, when a 45-year-old man was sitting on the curb of the sidewalk on Ford Road, just outside the Raley’s shopping center, near State Street and the Redwood Empire Fairgrounds.

The victim was sitting just outside this Ford Street shopping center when attacked.

The man, apparently minding his own business and likely passing through town, was suddenly attacked by a local transient. The attacker, later identified as 43-year-old Patrick Shane Taylor, punched him in the head several times, and grabbed the man’s backpack. Surprised and disoriented, the man ran when Taylor chased him, and was left without his pack and other belongings.

The attack was reported to the Sheriff’s department, but, according to a Sheriff’s press release, the attacker could not be found that night in a thorough search of the area.

The victim, however, was not satisfied, and continued his own search the next day. He found Taylor about a mile from the incident, in an industrial area on Brush Street near Mazzoni. He confronted Taylor about his stolen goods, and the two men began to fight.

The victim and Taylor had a second encounter the next day in this industrial area.

It was at about 2:18 on Friday afternoon when a County Animal Control officer saw them fighting, and summoned law enforcement. Both Ukiah Police and Sheriff’s deputies responded, pulling the two men apart.

They must have recognized Taylor right away as a “frequent customer”. Two months prioer, on January 3, he was arrested on State Street near “The Pub” by Ukiah police for yelling obscenities and kicking over trash cans. He had been arrested in November for being under the influence of a controlled substance. Two years ago, on February 28 of 2013 as reported by the Ukiah Daily Journal, he was arrested after running up behind a mother with a 3-year-old in a stroller and 7-year-old walking with her, and pushing them, knocking the boy to the ground, scraping his knee. Taylor reportedly then dropped to the ground himself, behaving strangely while saying he was exercising. He was arrested for battery and child endangerment.

Records going back over the past ten years show frequent arrests, mostly for being under the influence of a controlled substance and parole violations. Additionally, in July of 2011 he was charged with battery, and twice in 2012 he was arrested for second degree burglary.

When detained by the police and deputies in this incident, Taylor was arrested for “strong arm” robbery, and the victim’s backpack and belongings were returned. Taylor was booked into the Mendocino County Jail and held in lieu of $150,000 bail.

43-year-old Johnell Lee Carter was last seen several blocks away from Valley Medical Center, were he had overpowered a Sheriff’s Deputy in order to escape. Carter was arrested last year on five charges of child molestation, and has been in jail since his arrest. He escaped from the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose, where he had been taken for treatment, when he overpowered a sheriff’s deputy, and physically injuring a second deputy during his escape.

Carter is described as an African-American male, 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighing 220 pounds with a shaved head and the word “Alice” tattooed on his neck. He was wearing a jail-issued green shirt and pants, Sheriff’s Sgt. James Jensen said. It has since been learned that the tattoo actually says “Amy”. The name “Johnell Jr.” is also tattooed on his upper left arm.

The Santa Clara County sheriff’s deputy who was injured was transporting Carter to a medical appointment. Carter struggled with the deputy, eventually causing a shoulder injury. Air support and Canine units were deployed to try and track the suspect. However, he was able to flee the area without detection, and remained at large near the Campbell, San Jose border.

The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department is now heading up a multi-agency task force in order to locate and capture Carter. He had remained in custody since March 10, 2014, in the Santa Clara County Main Jail where he was booked on suspicion of child molestation after his arrest by the Campbell Police Department.

A 911 call to these San Jose apartments was most likely not due to Carter. 

According to Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Sgt. James Jensen, “He should be considered dangerous. He’s not armed to our knowledge. If the public does see him, please call 911 immediately.”
San Jose Police were called to the Sierra Crest Villas apartments in San Jose, just around the corner from the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, after someone called 9-1-1 to report of a possible burglary. However, San Jose Police do not believe that Carter was at the apartment complex.

Sheriff’s Deputies are hoping to bring Carter back to jail peacefully. Cater was expected to go to trial in less than a month. It is expected that deputies will be able to successfully capture Carter and end the weekend long manhunt.

Anyone with information about the case or Carter’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 408-808-4500 or an anonymous tip line at 408-808-4431.

MODESTO – An argument between a skateboarder and a driver escalated to a fight Sunday, and resulted in the death of one young man and the other arrested for murder.

On Sunday afternoon, March 8, around 2:30 pm, Modesto resident Trevor Bolton was out skateboarding. He was with a 5-year-old boy, who KCRA News reported was his girlfriend’s son, and an adult friend. While in the area of the Sutter Gould Medical Center, at 600 Coffee Road, he exchanged words with the driver of a car. KCRA also reported that a witness said the man in the car had been arguing with a woman inside, and the car was swerving. Bolton reportedly asked the driver to be careful, concerned about pedestrians, and especially the child he was looking after.

The Sutter Gould Medical Center parking lot, where the stabbing occurred.

According to the Modesto Police, the driver of the car, 23-year-old David Cutler of Modesto, pulled into the Medical Center parking lot and confronted Bolton. The confrontation turned physical, and Cutler pulled out a knife and stabbed Bolton several times.

On-site security officers were quickly on scene, and detained Cutler while rushing Bolton to the medical center, and calling police. Bolton was transported to a nearby hospital for emergency surgery, but several hours later he died from the injuries.

Cutler, initially arrested for attempted murder, was booked into Stanislaus County Jail on charges of murder.

Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward. Tipsters may also text information to Crime Stoppers at 274637 – type “TIP704” along with the message.

Read More: KCRA News

ELK GROVE—Police have arrested the man wanted in the shooting death of an Elk Grove woman late last year. Moses Valdez, 38, was apprehended and arrested last week in Mexico, according to U.S. Marshal Service.

Marissa Pineda De Almanza from Legacy.com

Marissa Pineda De Almanza, 37, a mother of two and member of the U.S. Air Force Reserve, was found dead from one gunshot wound in her apartment—the Terracina at Laguna Creek Apartments in Elk Grove— in the 9200 block of Franklin Boulevard, just before 5:00 p.m. Nov. 5, 2014. It was her estranged husband who found the woman’s body.

A warrant was issued for Valdez, who was described as an acquaintance of the victim. Investigators learned that Valdez had fled to Mexico to avoid arrest. Deputy U.S. Marshals in California and Arizona discovered the whereabouts of Valdez and arrested him March 4. He was deported to the U.S. at an Arizona entry point where he was turned over to marshals.

Valdez—also known as “Crazy Moe” and “Demon”—– was booked into Yuma County Jail pending extradition to California and will be tried in the homicide of de Almanza.

Valdez has quite the criminal history. In 1995, he pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter and, in 2009 he pleaded no contest to recklessly fleeing from a police officer. A validated gang member, he was on post-release community supervision in accordance with Assembly Bill 109. Elk Grove police also confirmed that Valdez was released last August under California’s prison realignment.

Read More: CrimeVoice – Police Search for Violent Boyfriend in Killing of Girlfriend

MARTINEZ – CONTRA COSTA COUNTY – An Antioch man with a history of trouble with the law was arrested early this morning while driving through Martinez, the East Bay Area town just north of Concord.

Records show that Leonard Covarrubias was arrested in July of 2010 for stealing a car, evading police, driving while intoxicated, possessing stolen property (the car) and violating parole. He had been arrested earlier in 2010 for resisting or obstructing an officer. After serving time for that offense, he was released on AB109 post-release supervision, which was briefly revoked in May of 2013. Out again, in August of 2013 he was arrested once again for vehicle theft, possessing burglary tools, and ammunition, which as a prohibited felon he was not allowed to have.

Then on Friday, February 27 of this year, he was arrested by Antioch Police at the corner of Parsons Lane and East 18th Street, near the Lake Alhambra housing development. He was arrested at 3:30 in the afternoon, and charged with possession of a controlled substance and, once again, ammunition. He was also charged with violating his probation. After he then failed to appear in court, a felony warrant was issued for him.

Damaged police car after the collision with Covarrubias.

That did not keep him from raising suspicion, as a car driving through town at about 3 am will do. According to the Martinez Police in a press release, as he was spotted on the streets of Martinez at 2:51 this morning, a Martinez Police officer took notice, and observed him making an unspecified traffic violation. The officer tried to make a traffic stop, but Covarrubias failed to yield, leading the officer on a pursuit. He headed south, traveling through Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek, and finally to Lafayette, where a minor collision with one of the police cars stopped him.

As other officers had joined in the pursuit, K9 officer Poertner released police dog Logan, who made capturing Covarrubias easier. Once identified, the reasons for his attempt to get away became clear – not only did he have the outstanding warrant, but he had a small amount of a controlled substance, which appears to be methamphetamine, and a loaded .45 caliber handgun (not just ammo this time.)

After treatment for injuries he sustained in the capture, Cavarrubias was booked at the Contra Costa County Jail for possession of a controlled substance, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, evading a peace officer and resisting arrest, and his outstanding warrant.

INGLEWOOD, CA—He came across the country to get arrested for a great many felonies and misdemeanors, and the $64,000.00 plus question may be: Why?

Jonathan Blair Nelson, 40, was apprehended on Friday, March 6 at approximately 9:30 p.m. by Inglewood police officers. He was picked up at the intersection of Glenway Drive and Kew Street in Inglewood’s District 2—just blocks from the alleged “domicile” of convicted felon and ex-Senator Rod Wright.

The professional consultant, whom police records state is from Blufton, South Carolina, was charged with two felonies, five misdemeanors and one infraction.

The listed felonies were for carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle (25400(A)1PC) and carrying a loaded firearm in a public place (25850(A)PC). The misdemeanors were driving with a suspended license (14601.1AVC), having objects on a vehicle’s windshield (26708(A)(1)VC), possession of more than 28.5 grams of marijuana (11357(B)HS), possession of a large capacity magazine of firearms ammunition (32310PC) and the municipal code that declares outside obstruction prohibited regarding fire and/or emergency access (INMC 6-2.5). The infraction cited was for not having front or rear license plates on a vehicle (5200(A)VC).

Total bail was set at $76,395. Even for southern California standards, it’s a great amount; for South Carolina, it may be a few years worth of standard wages.

Three cohorts face charges that they lured a Santa Clara teen into a violent ambush, dragged him into the street, beat him with a gun, shot him in the thigh, and aimed the weapon at onlookers.

All three were arrested separately this week by Santa Clara Police, who also found the handgun in some bushes.

Facing premeditated attempted murder, kidnapping and other charges are 26-year-old Manuel Ayala of San Jose, 28-year-old Ralph Hamby of Milpitas, and 26-year-old Crystal Pajimola of Mountain House.

Pajimola is being held on on a no bail release along with Ayala and Hamby. Due to the seriousness of the charges, it is expected that if convicted, they could face life in prison for the cold and calculated way in which they had planned to hurt the young teen.

“This was an extremely violent attack that left one young person badly hurt and a neighborhood shaken,” said prosecutor Carolyn Malinsky. “Our thanks go out to the Santa Clara Police Department, who quickly identified these dangerous defendants and brought them into custody.”

According to the District Attorney’s Office, on Monday, March 2 just before midnight, Pajimola called a 15-year-old busboy that she worked with and asked to meet him. Records reveal that when he walked outside of his apartment, Hamby attacked the teen as Pajimola stood by. She watched as Hamby struck the victim on the head with a handgun, demanded money and dragged him into the street. The teen victim pleaded with Hamby not to hurt him. However it was then that Hamby fired three shots at the victim, striking him in his thigh bone, shattering it.

Witnesses from a nearby apartment watched as Hamby attacked the young victim. Noticing that others had gathered nearby, he pointed the still loaded gun and fired at two witnesses near the victim’s apartment. Hamby then fled the scene in a car with Pajimola. Witnesses were able to identify that Ayala drove away from the scene with Hamby. The victim survived the shooting, however he now has metal rod implanted in his leg.

Ralph Hamby has a long history of arrests, according to available records. On August 22 of last year he was arrested at a home in East San Jose, near the Blanca Alvarado Middle School, on charges of possession of controlled substances and paraphernalia along with a firearm, and for being a felon in possession of a firearm. On November 24 of 2013 he was arrested at 11 pm for hit and run with property damage, along with driving on a suspended license. And in October that year he was arrested for DUI, while in possession of a controlled substance and drugs packaged for sale.

Records going back even further show numerous arrests since 2005, including possession of marijuana and other drugs, driving an unregistered vehicle, driving with a suspended license, or under the influence. In August 2008 he was charged with assault, and in 2005 he was arrested for theft and petty theft.

If anyone has any further information regarding the current case, they are encouraged to contact Santa Clara Police Detective Sgt. Derek Rush at 408-615-4814.

TAFT — Three suspects accused of burglarizing a Taft home were arrested on Monday. Christina Perez, 26, 41-year old Victor Barraza and 47-year-old David Barraza III, were all booked for first degree burglary.

Perez is also being charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, Victor Barraza is also being charged for possession of stolen property.

The trio’s arrest came after Kern County Sheriff’s deputies were called back to a residence in the 100 block of Tyler Street in Ford City on March 9, at about 9 p.m., for a burglary in progress. Then home had already been burglarized earlier that same evening, with the thieves getting away with approximately $500 in tools and electronics.

When deputies arrived for the second time, they confronted the subjects who were exiting the home of a man who was being a evicted.

While searching the suspects’ vehicle, deputies said they located items that belonged to one of the residents of the house, as well as approximately 2.9 grams of suspected methamphetamine and a glass methamphetamine smoking pipe on Perez’s person.

Victor Barraza had been arrested just four days earlier, on March 5, for DUI, driving on a suspended license and with an unregistered vehicle, and failure to appear in court, according to Kern County arrest records. On November 24, 2013, he had been charged with DUI and cruelty to a child inflicting injury, along with an unregistered vehicle infraction.

Read more:

KBAK: 3 accused of burglary

HAWTHORNE, CA—What do you do when you’re wanted for kidnapping, vandalism and threatened violence? Why not get stopped for a DUI?

Sanjil Sarwesh Rattan, 29, was apprehended by Hawthorne police officers on Sunday, March 8 at approximately 8:35 a.m. along the 12300 block of Birch Avenue in Hawthorne. The self-proclaimed mechanic was charged with a plethora of felonies and misdemeanors: kidnapping (207(A)PC), inflicting corporal injury on a spouse/co-habitator/etc. (273.5(A)PC), threatening a crime with the intent to terrorize (422PC), willful cruelty to children (273A(B)PC), vandalism by way of defacing property (594(A)(1)PC), DUI: Alcohol/Drugs (23152(A)VC), DUI: Alcohol/0.08 percent (23152(B)VC) and damaging/removing/destroying a wireless device (591.5PC).

It is not presently clear if he was stopped for DUI, or if he was already being sought for the kidnapping when found intoxicated behind the wheel, but bail was set at $242,500. The injury and terrorist charges were the highest at $50,000 each, whereas the smallest bail amount was $7,500 for the destruction of a wireless device.

TAFT — A parolee, accused of using a stolen gas card to fill up gas tanks for his friends, was arrested in Oildale last Thursday. Bakersfield resident Daniel Long, 39, was booked into the Kern County Jail for felony misuse of an access card and for petty theft.

According to the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, Long’s arrest was the result of a two-month investigation into the theft of a gas card from a Taft area trucking business back in January 15. The owner of the business reported that over $3,800 in fuel had been stolen over several weeks in late 2014.

Long allegedly stole the card and used it to fill up friends’ vehicles with gas in exchange for cash.

After locating Long using his GPS ankle monitor, deputies arrested him in the front yard of a residence in the 300 block of Lincoln Street in Oildale on March 5.

Read more:

Taft Midway Driller: Bakersfield man charged with stealing fuel

SAN FRANCISCO – March 7^th - According to information released by the Ingleside Station, officers Trujillo, Wong, and Chang arrived at the 100 block of Morse Street at approximately 9:00 a.m. in response to a vehicle break-in call. Upon arrival, they found a man, who turned out to be the victim, restraining another man from fleeing the scene.

The victim, in this case a vigilant car owner, had come outside of his residence that morning to find the suspect sleeping in his car. The car owner told officers that upon waking, the suspect pleaded with him, “Sorry! I’m your friend! This is my car, dude!”  The suspect then tried to leave, which prompted the owner to restrain him until officers arrived.

Officers searched the suspect, identified as 42-year-old Santos Gonzalez of San Francisco, and found an array of burglary tools used to break into cars. Gonzalez was already on probation for auto theft charges from an arrest on November 19. He was arrested and charged with auto burglary and possession of burglary tools.

HAWTHORNE, CA—Some people collect stamps, some collect cars, but some seek out the unique.

Frank Mercado, 41, was apprehended on Friday, March 6 at approximately 4:41 p.m. Hawthorne police officers stopped the unemployed resident along the 12900 block of Prairie Avenue, and charged him with a great many violations regarding 10 warrants and one fresh charge, nearly all of which appear to be petty drinking in public violations, but all of which were from Hawthorne Police Department.

There were two warrants for contempt of court for disobeying a direct court order (166(A)(4)PC), two disorderly conduct:alcohol charges (647(F)PCALC), two vandalism charges regarding destruction of property above $5,000 in value (594(A)PC), and four Hawthorne municipal code violations for drinking in public (HAMC 8.38 020B).

The one non-warrant charge was a contempt of court for disobeying a court order (166(A)(4)PC). It is unknown which court order was disobeyed.

Total bail for the charges was set at $69,000 with amounts ranging from $20,000 down to $1,000.

BAKERSFIELD — Five people, including the owner of a Bakersfield medicinal marijuana co-op, were arrested on drug chargesTuesday.

Richard Duran, 31, owner of Bear Mountain Collective, 28-year-old Marc Delcampo, 26-year-old Efren Andrade and 22-year-old Antonio Berumen were all booked into the Kern County Jail for manufacturing, sales and cultivation of marijuana, along with conspiracy.

Michael Rodriguez, 33, was also booked for marijuana sales, possession of marijuana for sales and child endangerment.

According to the Bakersfield Police Department, the arrests were the result of an ongoing investigation involving the Bear Mountain Collective, located at 409 East Brundage Lane in Bakersfield, which was suspected of violating the laws to regulate the sales of marijuana for medicinal purposes.

On March 10, BPD narcotics officers served search warrants at both a residence in the 6100 block of Midas Street and the collective, where they said they discovered over 525 marijuana plants, nearly 17 pounds of processed marijuana, butane honey oil, cash, and evidence pointing to a BHO manufacturing lab.

Read more:

KBAK: 5 arrested in Bakersfield pot shop

SAN FRANCISCO – March 7^th  According to a Bayview Station press release, officers patrolling the area near Harbor and Northridge were alerted by a crowd of people, many of whom they recognized to be members of the “Big Block” gang.

Officers learned from one of the subjects that the group was prepping to film a music video. Officers left the scene, but positioned themselves in inconspicuously nearby, where they could maintain a vantage point on the video shoot.

During the video, one of the subjects produced a .40 caliber handgun and loaded a round into the chamber. Officers noted that no one in the group seemed bothered by the weapon. With back-up officers in tow, they returned to the scene and recovered the loaded handgun. A pat down search of another subject uncovered a bag with 12 to 15 rocks of crack cocaine.

Officers arrested 24-year-old Michael Higginbotham of San Francisco on drug charges, and 21-year-old Taj Williams of Vallejo on weapons charges.

Williams, while living in Richmond, had been arrested on November 14 of last year for burglary and a probation violation. On March 10 he had been picked up by officers of the Oakland Highway Patrol office for transportation and possession of a narcotic controlled substance and carrying a loaded and concealed weapon in his vehicle.

Earlier records show Williams was arrested for burglary in September 2011, possessing stolen property in July 2012, and robbery, conspiracy, and possession of stolen property in August of 2013, along with a parole violation.

YOLO COUNTY—The 23-year-old mother of the infant found dead in a remote slough near Knights Landing in late February will now face a murder charge rather than involuntary manslaughter. Yolo County prosecutors amended the complaint against Samantha Green on Wednesday, but did not comment on why the charges changed, citing a gag order on the case.

Prior to her March 4 hearing, investigators had considered a murder charge against Green in the death of 20-day-old Justice Rees. Yolo County Sheriff Ed Prieto also said she would likely face a murder charge after her February 28 arrest, but prosecutors initially charged her with involuntary manslaughter instead.

Jennifer Mouzis, a defense attorney who has been following the case, says it’s not unheard of for charges to change. “Complaints are amended all of the time. They are amended early on in the investigation and court process. It appears in at least this case, they may have developed additional facts that would change their opinion about the culpability of the mother.”

While prosecutors haven’t commented, Mouzis says additional witnesses or evidence may have led prosecutors to feel Green deserved the higher charge, and the autopsy may have yielded more information. “That takes anywhere from days to months. I’ve seen it take up to a year for an autopsy to come back with a final conclusion,” she said.

Green made a frantic call to 911 on February 24 from the backyard of a home in Knights Landing saying she could not find her baby. Searchers located the baby’s body the next day. Early autopsy results suggested Justice died from drowning or hypothermia.

Green will appear in court on March 13 at 8:30 am. in Yolo Superior Court.

Samantha Green and Frank Rees (Facebook)

Meanwhile, Justice’s father Frank Rees is free after posting bail on March 6 following his arrest the same day for possessing drugs, paraphernalia and ammunition as a former felon, in addition to violating parole. He had been held in lieu of $45,000 bail on the allegations.

Yolo County sheriff’s deputies served a search warrant at the Woodland home Rees and his children share with Rees’ parents. Deputies found methamphetamine, a smoking pipe and ammo. The arrest came just days after his March 4 court date in Woodland where he was arraigned on traffic-related violations unrelated to Justice’s death.

Read More:

CBS Sacramento: Samantha Green Will Face Murder Charge In Death Of Baby Justice

CrimeVoice: Mother arrested in death of her infant

CrimeVoice: Dead infant tested positive for meth at birth

LOS ANGELES – 32-year-old Troy Hodges has been arrested on 13 counts of disability fraud, according to the Fraud Division of the California Department of Insurance, and he is alleged to have forged documents that enabled him to falsely collect over $6,000 in disability claim benefits.

“Losses from health insurance fraud are larger than any other type of insurance fraud,” Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones said in a press release by the Department of Insurance. “These crimes are a multi-billion dollar drain on our economy and everyone pays for these losses through higher insurance premiums.”

According to the press release, Hodges altered and submitted several physician statement forms that allowed him to claim disability even though he hadn’t actually been to a doctor. What’s more, these forgeries were what allowed him to claim benefits for disabilities left unsubstantiated by a medical professional (Dept. of Insurance).

It was only during the processing of Hodges’ claim that his insurer was not able to verify the claim forms with the medical clinic, thereafter discovering that the forms were not authentic (Dept. of Insurance).

Hodges faces up to 16 years in state prison if convicted on all counts, with bail currently set at $200,000. The case is being handled by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office (Dept. of Insurance).