Press Release Index
Santa Rosa Man Sentenced To Local Prison For More Than Nine Years For Stealing More Than $350,000 From Customers Of His Classic Car Restoration Business
Sonoma County District Attorney Carla Rodriguez announced today that defendant Suede Lee Barganski, 57, of Santa Rosa was sentenced to nine years and eight months in prison for stealing from customers of his now closed classic car repair and restoration business RadRods of Norcal, Inc. Barganski pled to six felony charges and admitted an out-on-bail enhancement. He also admitted an aggravating factor that his victims were particularly vulnerable, as many of them were elderly, some of whom are now deceased. Read full story
David Morales Sentenced to 37 Years, 4 Months for Voluntary Manslaughter and Attempted Murder
Just after midnight on March 25, 2023, defendant David Morales fired 10 bullets at a group of young men at a large party hosted off Hall Road in Santa Rosa, killing 20-year-old Raul Ramirez-Reyes and seriously wounding 20-year-old Brian Garcia. Morales was arrested later that same day and charged with murder and attempted murder, as well as firearm enhancements. On July 22, 2024, Morales pled no contest to voluntary manslaughter with a firearm enhancement for the killing of Raul Ramirez-Reyes, and attempted murder with firearm and great bodily injury enhancements for Brian Garcia. On September 3, 2024, the Honorable Judge Robert LaForge sentenced Morales to a term of 37 years and 4 months in state prison. Read full story
David Averill Sentenced to Life In Prison For Kidnapping Victim At Gunpoint For Extortion
On the morning of May 16, 2023, defendants David Averill and Thomas Griego accosted a 61-year-old woman and her 74-year-old husband at their home located within the city limits of Sonoma. Mr. Averill and Mr. Griego went to the residence to force the victims to give them the combination to their safe so they could steal their money. Both defendants were charged with kidnap to commit extortion, residential burglary, conspiracy, and assault with a firearm, as well as firearm enhancements for several of the charges. In April 2024, a jury trial was held and both defendants were found guilty of all charges. On August 27, 2024, the Honorable Judge Robert LaForge sentenced David Averill to the maximum potential term of 34 years-to-life in prison. Read full story
Former Child Parent Institute Employee Sentenced to Prison for Child Molestation
Defendant Victor David Magallon, 44 years old of Santa Rosa, was sentenced Monday August 19th by the Honorable Judge Troye Shaffer to serve 28 years in State Prison for the repeated molestation of two children. Magallon’s sentencing follows his convictions in December 2023 at the conclusion of a jury trial at which he was found guilty of two counts of continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14. Read full story
Rohnert Park Man Sentenced to Life Without The Possibility Of Parole For Torture, Kidnap For Financial Gain, And Sexual Abuse Of A Child
Jose Centeno, 57, of Rohnert Park, was sentenced today by the Honorable Troye Shaffer to six consecutive sentences of life in prison without the possibility of parole, three consecutive life sentences, and an additional 39 years in the California Department of Corrections. Today’s sentence was imposed after a jury found Centeno guilty in July of three counts of kidnapping for financial gain, three counts of torture, and nine counts involving the sexual abuse of a child. Read full story
Sonoma CountyDistrict Attorney Announces Results Of Second Annual Compliance ReportFrom PG&E Independent Monitor
Sonoma County District Attorney Carla Rodriguez announced today that the Independent Monitor held its second annual meeting yesterday, and released its Second Annual Compliance Report, related to its oversight of the Pacific Gas & Electric Company (“PG&E”). The Independent Monitor, Filsinger Energy Partners, was appointed in April 2022 to monitor PG&E’s compliance with various safety measures imposed upon the company by a Stipulated Judgment between the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office and PG&E and ordered by Sonoma County Superior Court Judge Patrick Broderick on April 8, 2022, related to the 2019 Kincade Fire. Read full story
Home Depot Pays $750,000 To Settle California Gift Card Law Violations
District Attorney Carla Rodriguez announced today that her office, in conjunction with the District Attorneys of the Counties of Los Angeles, Contra Costa and Ventura, settled a civil enforcement action against Home Depot U.S.A., Inc (“Home Depot”) for violations of California’s Gift Card Law. The Stipulated Judgment entered on July 2, 2024, by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge David S. Cunningham III, provides that the company will pay $750,000 in civil penalties, fees, and restitution. Read full story
Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office Hosts Successful Wage Theft & Labor Justice Symposium
The Sonoma County District Attorney's Office proudly announces the success of its inaugural Wage Theft & Labor Justice Symposium, held on June 21, 2024. The well-attended event brought together prominent community leaders, wage theft and labor exploitation experts, and stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds in the fight against wage theft, resulting in a day of thoughtful and nuanced discussion directed toward safeguarding the rights of workers across our community. Read full story
Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office to Host Wage Theft & Labor Justice Symposium
Sonoma County District Attorney Carla Rodriguez is hosting a Wage Theft & Labor Justice Symposium in Santa Rosa this Friday, June 21, 2024, from 8:30am until 4:30pm. In-person registration is closed, but those interested can register and attend virtually by emailing ecld@sonoma-county.org. Registration is free, and all are welcome. Read full story
Serial Rapist Sentenced to Life In State Prison
Defendant Ricky Marion Bostic, 55 years old of Sonoma County, was sentenced earlier today by the Honorable Laura Passaglia to serve 15 years to life in state prison after having previously plead “no contest” to charges of felony assault with intent to rape, and rape of an intoxicated person. Read full story
Translate