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February 06, 2025 | Office of the District Attorney

Student Loan Forgiveness Scam

Be aware that there are currently emails, calls, or text messages circulating that purport to be offering assistance with forgiveness of your student loan.  The email indicates that it is time sensitive for you to respond to be eligible for loan forgiveness. I personally received one and my loans were paid off many years ago.  In light of the recent controversies around student loan forgiveness, this gives scammers prime opportunity to pray on this uncertainty and reach consumers seeking such programs.


February 06, 2025 | Office of the District Attorney

Costco Scams

A recent scam purporting to come from Costco offers consumers a free ice cream maker for completing a survey.  This is a phising scam attempting to obtain your financial information or gain access to your computer. 


January 06, 2025 | Office of the District Attorney

Fake Text Messages from FasTrak

Text messages are being received which appear to be from FasTrak advising that you have failed to pay a toll and to pay right away in order to avoid excessive late fees or potential legal action.  These text messages are a scam.  Do not click on the links or respond to the messages.


May 02, 2025 | Office of the District Attorney

Petaluma Man Sentenced to Prison for Domestic Violence

Daniel Thomas Beadle, 43 years old, of Petaluma, was sentenced by the Honorable Troye Shaffer to state prison after a jury found him guilty of domestic violence charges on March 26, 2025. Earlier today Judge Shaffer handed down the maximum allowable punishment for these offenses of four years and eight months in state prison.


April 30, 2025 | Office of the District Attorney

Raley’s Pays $400,000 to Settle California Unfair Competition Lawsuit for Sale of Expired Over the Counter Medications

District Attorney Carla Rodriguez announced today that the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office, in collaboration with the District Attorney offices of Yolo County, Sacramento County, Shasta County and San Joaquin County, has reached a settlement with Raley’s supermarkets regarding the sale and offer for sale of expired over the counter (OTC) drugs. The judgment was entered by the Honorable Timothy Fall, in Yolo County Superior Court, on April 21, 2025.


April 10, 2025 | Office of the District Attorney

Santa Rosa Man Sent to Prison for Maximum Sentence for Murder, Driving Under Influence of Alcohol, and Hit and Run Causing Death After Fatal Fountaingrove Collision

Charles Allen Bernhardy, 39 years old of Santa Rosa, was sentenced earlier today by the Honorable Judge Laura Passaglia after a jury returned a guilty verdict on March 13, 2025, for the following charges: murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury within 10 years of another DUI offense, hit and run causing death or serious injury, hit and run driving resulting in property damage, and driving under the influence of any drug causing injury within 10 years of another DUI. The jury found true multiple factors in aggravation as well as enhancements. On April 10, 2025, the defendant was sentenced to the maximum possible sentence under the law for these charges, 19 years-to-life in state prison.