Crime Beat

East County News Service

Update Feb. 4, 2025 -- Supervisor Joel Anderson has launched a petition to oppose Snavely's placement in Julian. You can sign his petition here.

February 1, 2025 (Julian, CA) – San Diego County Superior Court has ordered the conditional release of Gary Snavely, a sexually violent predator (SVP) at 3452 Wynola Road in Julian.  The public can submit comments from Feb. 3 through Feb. 16; hearing set for March 7.

Snavely was convicted of molesting two girls ages 8 and 9 in Orange County back in 1987. In 1996 he was convicted of failing to register as a sex offender in San Diego County and went back to prison.  After his release, he was placed in Jacumba in 2008 but after he abused his psychotropic medication and lied to his supervising staff he went back to Coalinga state hospital, though he was not accused of committing new crimes. Violations included failing to remain appropriately clothed at all times on his property while in public view, and failing to report any and all instances of sexual thoughts and fantasies involving sexual deviance to treatment staff.

Supervisor Bill Horn has called Snavely “the worst of the worst” adding, “No child or family should be forced to live in fear with Snavely as their neighbor,” back when Snavely was proposed for release in Borrego Springs, before the state withdrew that application and instead placed Snavely in Jacumba Hot Springs.

How to submit comments via email, phone, or at hearing

The SAFE Task Force will be accepting public comments about the proposed placement to be included in the formal response to the court and the Department of State Hospitals.  Comments will be accepted between the dates of February 3, 2025 and February 16, 2025.

You can e-mail your comments regarding placement to: sdsafe@sdsheriff.org.  You can also call (858) 583-7238.  You can mail your comments to:

SVP/Release/SAFE Task Force
9425 Chesapeake Drive
San Diego, CA 92123

Oral comments may be accepted subject to court ruling during a hearing on:

March 7, 2025
9:00 a.m.
Honorable Jeffrey F. Fraser
San Diego Superior Court
Department 2002
1100 Union Street
San Diego, CA 92101

More information

For more information about the legal designation, treatment and release from confined facilities of sexually violent predators, visit the San Diego County District Attorney's website. You can also visit the Department of State Hospital's website.

To learn more about the SAFE Task Force, click here.

View ECM’s previous articles about Snavely here.

East County News Service

January 31, 2025 – Annette Smith, 58, of El Cajon has been arrested on suspicion of mailing a narcotic-laced greeting card into a San Diego County Jail.

In December 2024, deputies assigned to the Sheriff's Mail Processing Center intercepted a greeting card intended for Alicia Abungan, 52, who is in custody at the Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility in Santee. While inspecting the card, deputies noticed it had the appearance of being soaked in narcotics.

The Sheriff's Detention Investigations Unit began a criminal investigation, which identified Smith as responsible for mailing the greeting card containing narcotics.

On January 29, Sheriff's DIU Detectives along with deputies from the Lakeside Sheriff's Substation's Crime Suppression Team and Santee Sheriff's Station's Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving Team served a search warrant at Smith's home in El Cajon.

“During the search, detectives found evidence related to the mail case and 35.67 grams of methamphetamine,”says Sergeant Aaron Brown.

Smith was arrested on numerous charges, including sending a controlled substance into jail. This is a felony charge with a penalty of up to six years in custody.

By Miriam Raftery

January 31, 2025 (San Diego) -- A two-count indictment was unsealed in federal court today charging San Diego Sheriff’s Deputy Jeremiah Manuyag Flores with violating the civil rights of a man in pretrial custody at the San Diego Central Courthouse. Flores is accused of using excessive force that caused a spinal cord injury, then writing a false report to cover up his illegal actions.

He is charged with depriving the individual – identified in the indictment as 57-year-old J.P. – of his right to due process of law under the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution and of falsifying a record in a federal investigation. If convicted on both counts, he could face up to 30 years in prison and be fined up to $500,000, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.

Flores was assigned to the San Diego Central Courthouse on August 29, 2024, and was escorting J.P. to a holding cell after a court hearing. J.P.’s legs were chained and his hands were cross-chained to his waist. 

The indictment alleges that Flores Flores forcefully shoved J.P. into the cell from behind with both hands, causing J.P. to smash into the bench and walls and collapse to the ground.  Flores failed to immediately report the incident to his supervisor or prepare an official report, both of which are violations of the San Diego Sheriff’s Office’s Use of Force Policy.

According to the indictment, another deputy found J.P. over two hours later lying in the same position in his holding cell with a head wound and a pool of blood on the floor.  As a result of Flores’ actions,

J.P. suffered a spinal injury for which he underwent surgery and remained hospitalized for months.

The indictment said that more than an hour after J.P. was discovered in his holding cell, Flores falsely claimed in an incident report that “no force was used” in placing J.P. into the cell.

“The vast majority of law enforcement personnel are dedicated public servants committed to following the rule of law and protecting our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath.  “But when a choice is made to cross the line and violate someone’s civil rights, this office will stand on behalf of the victim, and all those who wear the badge with honor, to uphold the public’s trust.”

Sheriff Kelly Martinez issued this statement: "The actions described in this case are unacceptable. Immediately upon hearing of the incident, an investigation was initiated, and Deputy Flores was placed on administrative assignment. The investigation led us to believe criminal actions occurred, and we presented the case to state and federal authorities. Deputy Flores has been with the Sheriff's Office since November of 2021 and has been a Deputy Sheriff since February of 2023.”

She adds, ”As the Sheriff, I will continue working to ensure a culture does not exist where deputies believe this behavior is tolerated.  I hold our value of compassion as core to who we are, and there is no excuse for any deputy to use excessive force.  Particularly in the case of someone who is vulnerable due to the circumstances of being in custody. Any Sheriff's employee who violates the law or policy will be held accountable."

“Law enforcement officers work tirelessly every day to protect the public, always striving to be professional, honest, and ethical,” said San Diego FBI Special Agent in Charge Stacey Moy. “The alleged action of the defendant not only violates the oath he swore as a law enforcement officer to protect and serve, but also erodes citizen confidence and trust in our profession.”

Flores made his initial appearance in federal court today before U.S. Magistrate Judge David D. Leshner. He entered pleas of not guilty to both charges and was released on a $25,000 personal appearance bond with special conditions that he surrender his passport and his personally owned firearms. The next scheduled court appearance is a motion hearing and trial setting before U.S. District Judge Linda Lopez on March 10, 2025, at 2 p.m.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Askins.

To read the news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, click here.

By Brooke Binkowski, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  Herman Smith, San Diego County Sheriff’s Dept.

January 27, 2025 (Jacumba Hot Springs) - A man classified as a sexually violent predator — or SVP — will be conditionally released to a home in Jacumba Hot Springs, likely displacing another SVP who was placed in that same home two months ago.

East County News Service

File photo by Miriam Raftery

December 10, 2024 (Valley Center) — A bomb threat from an anonymous caller yesterday morning prompted a safety sweep at Harrah’s Resort Southern California on the Rincon tribe’s reservation in Valley Center. Resort staff found a backpack in an unauthorized area.

After clearing that portion of the facility,  a joint incident command was established with the Valley Center Sheriff's Substation, Rincon Fire Department, Rincon Gaming Commission, Rincon Tribe, Harrah's Security personnel, Sheriff's Bomb/Arson Unit and Sheriff's Explosives Detection K-9s.

“The backpack was eventually checked but did not contain anything suspicious,” says Sergeant Brendan Cook with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Valley Center substation.

Sheriff's Explosive Detection K-9s checked the rest of the resort to ensure the safety of guests. The resort was not evacuated. No additional suspicious items were locatedand no injuries were reported during the incident.

If you have any information related to this incident, call the San Diego County Sheriff's Office non-emergency line at (858) 868-3200.

Update January 10, 2025 -- A third suspect has been arrested and charged with aiding and abetting in the murder of Darron Willie Singleton, Jr.  On Thursday January 9, 2025, 45-year-old Valena Marie Gonzales of San Diego was apprehended by the San Diego Regional Fugitive Task Force near Valley Road and Rio Drive in San Diego. She has been booked into custody at Las Colinas Detention Facility.

East County News Service

January 8, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – The Sheriff’s office today announced the arrest of two men suspected in the murder of 23-year-old Darron Willie Singleton, Jr.  

On Sept. 18 around 10:55 p.m., deputies responded to reports of gunfire and found Singleton suffering gunshot wounds to the torse in the 2200 block of Dain Street in Lemon Grove. Despite lifesaving efforts by San Miguel Fire Department personnel and Sheriff’s deputies, Singleton died at the scene.

“Months of intensive investigation led to the arrests of two individuals believed to be involved in this heinous crime,” says Lieutenant Michael Krugh.

Yesterday, Richard Charles Lee, 47, of San Diego, was apprehended in San Diego. Additionally, 44-year-old Reality Grayson of Temecula was arrested Temecula. Both suspects have been booked into custody at the San Diego Central Jail on charges related to the murder of Darron Willie Singleton Jr.

The San Diego Sheriff's Office extends its gratitude for the collaborative efforts of the San Diego Police Department, the Riverside Sheriff's Department, and the San Diego Regional Fugitive Task Force for their support in executing the arrests.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Homicide Unit at (858) 285-6330/after hours at (858) 868-3200.  You can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.

East County News Service

Photos courtesy of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol

January 25, 2025 (Jacumba Hot Springs, CA) – Two hikers in the Jacumba Wilderness were robbed and attacked, with one man shot by “suspected Mexican cartel terrorists,” according to a press release issued by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.

According to the CPB, agents from the El Centro sector were dispatched following a 911 call reporting that a man had been shot and needed assistance. The agents found  a group of hikers about 1,000 feet north of the international border in the Jacumba Wilderness, which is near the San Diego County and Imperial County line. The hikers reportedly stated that two of the hikers, an American and a Canadian, were ordered by armed men to approach.

When the hikers refused, “the assailants fired a volley of shots toward the hikers, striking one victim in the leg. The assailants advanced on the downed hiker and his Canadian companion, robbing them of their cell phones and backpacks,” the release states.

At 12:08 p.m. Mountain Disrupt Unit, Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC), and Border Patrol Search Trauma, and Rescue (BORSTAR) agents infiltrated to the area, locating the injured victim and stabilizing him.

Agents created a protective perimeter and extracted the victim via CBP Air and Marine Operations San Diego, according to the CPB. 

According to Scott Lord business director with Mercy Air, "The victim was transferred to Mercy Air Ambulance and flown to Sharp Medical Center in  San Diego for treatment."  He indicated that this is the first incidence of a hiker shooting along the border locally that he is aware of, adding that he has friends who have hiked the Pacific Coast Trail from Mexico to Canada and never heard of anything like this.

BORTAC and BORSTAR agents maintained a secure perimeter and tracked the assailants back to the border where they returned to Mexico.

It is unclear why the CPB believes the attackers were cartel members, though cartels have long been involved in smuggling operations along the U.S.-Mexico border.

While unprovoked attacks on hikers locally are rare (ECM has never received any previous similar eport  since our founding in 2008), cartel criminal activities have spilled over the border. including illicit drug activities and more. On January 21, San Diego Police announced arrest of dozens of individual suspected of criminal activities affiliated with Mexican Mafia, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. The suspects are largely street gang members who “took orders from cartel bosses operating in state prison and preyed on business owners by forcing mafia-style taxes,” District Attorney Summer Stephan said Tuesday at a news conference.

The hiker’s shooting comes days after President Donald Trump declared a border emergency  designating Mexican drug cartels and other Latin American criminal groups as terrorist organizations. Trump's order states that these groups "threaten the safety of the American people, the security of the United States, and the stability of the international order in the Western Hemisphere." He has threatened to send U.S. special forces commando into Mexico to go after cartels.

El Centro Sector Chief Gregory Bovino states, “The wounded hiker is an ‘I told you so moment’ highlighting the importance of adequate infrastructure the Border Patrol has been championing for years now.” He predicts, “Suspected cartel terrorists, however, are fixing to learn this type of conduct will be an end game type of activity here in the Premier Sector. All threats, anywhere, or at any time throughout this sector will be addressed vigorously.”

Jacumba Hikers issued a statement on Facebook indicating that while this incident did not involve their hiking group,"Due to this incident, we have decided to cancel the upcoming hike and avoid hiking near the border at this time."

Correction: An earlier version of this article stated that the patient was transported on Reach Air Ambulance, based on a Border Patrol press release. However Mercy Air has contacted us to clarify that their company provided the transport.

East County News Service

Image: Creative Commons via Bing

January 23, 2025 (San Diego) - A woman, along with an incarcerated person, have been arrested on suspicion of mailing drug-laced letters to a San Diego County jail, says Sergeant Aaron Brooks with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Detention Investigations Unit.

Deputies assigned to the Sheriff's Mail Processing Center intercepted fictitious legal mail intended for Aaron Beek, 45, who is in custody at the George Bailey Detention Facility in Otay Mesa. Upon closer inspection, deputies located materials they believed to be soaked with narcotics. 

The Sheriff's Detention Investigations Unit (DIU) began a criminal investigation, which identified Jacqueline Richardson, 44, as responsible for mailing the packages containing the drugs to Beek at the George Bailey Detention Facility.

On January 16, DIU Detectives served a search warrant at Richardson's home in San Diego. During the search, detectives found evidence related to the mail case and additional narcotics such as powdered fentanyl, M30 fentanyl pills and methamphetamine.

Richardson was arrested on numerous charges, including sending a controlled substance into jail and possession of a controlled substance. She was booked into the Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility in Santee. 

Beek, who remains in Sheriff's custody, was rearrested on criminal charges related to sending a controlled substance into jail.

Sending a controlled substance into a jail is a felony with a penalty of up to six years in custody.

East County News Service

January 10, 2025 (San Diego County) – In December, a judge ordered a transient release to a temporary location in San Diego County for Alvin Quarles, a sexually violent predator (SVP). Now Supervisor Joel Anderson has written a letter to Superior Court Judge Marian Gaston urging her to block the release. Anderson has also launched a petition and is seeking signatures from constituents opposed to Quarles’ release.

Quarles has been dubbed the “bolder than most” rapist for a series of sexual assaults in the 1980s committed at knife point, sometimes with the victim’s husband or boyfriend forced to watch

An audit last year found that four percent of SVPs in the state’s conditional release program reoffended,  while 19% of SVPs not in the program reoffended.

“In light of the numerous heinous offenses committed by SVPs, transient releases that would prevent an effective oversight process to track and monitor SVPs should be rejected by the courts,” says Anderson, who has also objected to the high number of SVPs released into East County compared to urban and coastal areas in the county.

Several prior attempts to place Quarles into housing supervised by Liberty Healthcare failed, leading to the transient release plan.  Quarles served time in state prison and later, a state hospital, before being deemed suited for release under the conditional release program.

By Miriam Raftery

January 21, 2025 (Washington D.C.) – Hours after being sworn into office in the Capitol Rotunda, President Donald Trump issued a sweeping executive order protecting all of the nearly 1,600 people accused or convicted of crimes stemming from the Capitol attack four years earlier.  On January 6, 2021, the violent mob assaulted and injured 140 police officers, forcing terrified lawmakers to flee or hide while the mob tried to halt the peaceful transfer of power.

Trump’s order issued a blanket pardon for nearly all of the insurrectionists, erasing their felony records and freeing all who were serving prison sentences, even those convicted of attacking police officers or armed with weapons including firearms, stun guns, flagpoles, fire extinguishers, bike racks, batons, a metal whip, office furniture, pepper spray, bear spray, a tomahawk ax, a hatchet, a hockey stick, knuckle gloves, a baseball bat, a massive “Trump” billboard, “Trump” flags, a pitchfork, pieces of lumber, crutches and even an explosive device.

 In addition, he commuted sentences for 14 members of the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys, who were convicted of seditious conspiracy, including the groups’ leaders,  Stewart Rhodes and Enrique Tarrio, who were serving 18- and 22- year sentences for their roles in organizing the attacks. Both men are now free.

Trump also directed his Attorney General to drop all remaining charges against individuals accused of crimes related to the January 6 Capitol attack, but whose cases had not yet gone to trial.

Trump mischaracterized those imprisoned as “hostages,” when in fact all were provided with due process and were convicted by juries of their peers of serious crimes, including violent assaults documented on TV and security videos.

Former FBI Director Christopher Wray has called Proud Boys and Oath Keepers “violent extremists”  who committed “domestic terrorism” in his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Some Capitol attackers threatened to kill members of Congress and Vice President Mike Pence,  even erecting a gallows outside. They also sought to stop certification of electoral college votes, after Trump convinced his followers that the election had been stolen from him. Yet 62 judges, some appointed by Trump, all found no evidence of fraudulent election results.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Cailf.), who was House leader during the attack, called Trump’s actions “shameful”  and “a betrayal of police officers who put their lives on the line to stop an attempt to subvert the peaceful transfer of power,” NBC News reports.

Trump’s executive order states that it “ends a grave national injustice that has been perpetrated upon the American people over the last four years and begins a process of national healing.

But ABC news reports that some Department of Justice officials have voiced alarm over the prospect of violent convicted offenders going free—potentially able to retaliate with violence against prosecutors, judges or witnesses.