TranslatePress Release Index
PetSmart Resolves Allegations of Price Overcharges and False Advertising
Sonoma County District Attorney Carla Rodriguez announced today that PETSMART LLC entered a Stipulated Judgment and will pay $1,460,000 to settle a civil law enforcement complaint that alleged that PetSmart engaged in false advertising and unfair competition. The action was filed in Santa Cruz County Superior Court by Rodriguez’s Environmental and Consumer Law Division along with the District Attorneys of Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, Marin, San Diego, Santa Cruz, and Ventura. The civil complaint filed by prosecutors alleged that PetSmart unlawfully charged customers prices higher than PetSmart’s lowest advertised price for items. Read full story
Influencer Sentenced to Jail for Knowingly Making a False Report of Attempted Kidnap
Kathleen Sorensen, 30 years old, formerly of Sonoma, whose Instagram video went viral in December 2020 after she falsely claimed a Petaluma couple tried to kidnap her children at a local Michaels store, was sentenced to jail today on a single count of knowingly making a false report of a crime. Read full story
Convicted Murderer to be Released on Parole
District Attorney Carla Rodriguez announced today that 60-year-old Fidencio Chavez, who in January of 2023 was found to be suitable for release on parole by the California Board of Prison Terms, will soon be released from state prison after Governor Gavin Newsom has elected not to intervene in the inmate’s release. In 1992, Chavez was convicted of First-Degree Murder for the stabbing death of victim Frank Tassara. Read full story
Santa Rosa man sentenced to serve 16 years in state prison for DUI and causing injury to multiple victims
Defendant Augie Lamar Delariva, 32 years old of Santa Rosa, was sentenced earlier today by the Honorable Robert LaForge to serve 16 years in state prison after pleading “no contest” in April of this year to felony charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and causing injury. Read full story
District Attorney’s Office Participates in Unlicensed Contractor Sting
The Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office, in coordination with the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB), conducted an undercover sting operation targeting unlicensed contractors in Sonoma County on June 13 and 14, 2023. The alleged unlicensed contractors were invited to submit bids for various construction projects at a designated property. Read full story
Santa Rosa man sentenced to life in prison for 2021 murder and attempted murder
Defendant Clifford Edward Adams, 56 years old of Santa Rosa, was sentenced today by the Honorable Troye Shaffer to 14 years plus 100 years to life in prison. Today’s sentencing follows a jury trial in December 2022 at which Adams was found guilty of murder, attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and reckless driving causing injury. Read full story
Santa Rosa Man Convicted of Murder Sentenced to Maximum Sentence
Defendant Lloban Martinez-Soto was sentenced earlier today to serve 3 years, plus 40 years-to-life in state prison, the maximum sentence allowed under the law, after being convicted by a Sonoma County jury in March of this year following a month-long trial to charges of second-degree murder and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The defendant also suffered a sentencing enhancement for committing the murder with a firearm. Read full story
District Attorney Announces $85,500 Settlement with Taco Bell Over Gift Card Violations
District Attorney Carla Rodriguez announced today that Taco Bell Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary, GCTB LLC, entered a Stipulated Judgment which orders them to pay $85,500 for violations of California’s Gift Card Regulations. The money includes civil penalties, restitution, and costs to resolve allegations of violating California Civil Code section 1749.5, relating to the redemption of gift cards with a value of less than $10. Read full story
Victims Speak Out as Santa Rosa Child Molester Sentenced to Life in Prison
Defendant Thomas Anthony Yanes, 62 years old of Santa Rosa, was sentenced today by the Honorable Mark Urioste to serve 30 years to life in prison. Yanes had previously entered a guilty plea to four offenses including aggravated sexual assault of a child, sexual penetration of a child 10 years of age or younger, and two separate offenses involving lewd acts committed upon a child under the age of 14. Yanes committed his offenses against four separate children. Read full story
Concord Man Convicted for 2019 Petaluma Outlets Murder
Defendant David Kyle Lubkin, 29 years old of Concord, CA, was convicted today by jury of First Degree Murder and Discharging a Firearm at a Motor Vehicle causing death. These convictions stem from the September 28, 2019 killing of 19 year-old Ezequiel Garcia at the Petaluma Outlets. Read full story