The Sheriff's Blogger

MAN DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL AND MARIJUANA TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR KILLING ONE PASSENGER AND INJURING ANOTHER IN FREEWAY CRASH

November 19, 2010

Orange County District Attorney's Office

SANTA ANA - A man driving under the influence of alcohol and marijuana will be arraigned Monday for killing one passenger and injuring another in a freeway car crash. Michael Patrick Keating, 24, Fullerton, is charged with one felony count each of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence while intoxicated, driving under the influence causing bodily injury, and driving with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or more and causing bodily injury with a sentencing enhancement allegation for causing bodily injury and death to more than one victim. If convicted on all counts, Keating faces a maximum sentence of 11 years in state prison. The People will be requesting the defendant be held on $100,000 bail at his arraignment Monday, Nov. 22, 2010, in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana. The time is to be determined.

On the night of Aug. 22, 2010, Keating is accused of drinking at Cantina Lounge in Fullerton with two female friends. Shortly after 11:00 p.m., Keating is accused of leaving the restaurant and driving with his two friends, 22-year-old Mai Hayakawa, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, and 21-year-old Alyssa Unruh, who sat in the back seat.

At approximately 11:18 p.m., Keating is accused of driving at an unsafe speed heading southbound on California State Route 57. The defendant is accused of losing control of his vehicle on the connector of westbound California State Route 91 and veering off the left side of the road, down an embankment. He is accused of colliding with a palm tree on the passenger side. Witnesses called 911.

Hayakawa died at the scene due to multiple traumatic injuries sustained in the crash. Unruh suffered head and neck pains and was transported to University of California Irvine Medical Center. The defendant was transported to the hospital to be treated for minor cuts and bruising.

After the crash, Keating is accused of displaying objective signs of intoxication including emitting a strong odor of alcohol, blood shot and watery eyes, and slurred speech. Approximately two hours after the crash, Keating is accused of having a blood alcohol level of .09 percent. The defendant is accused of also testing positive for marijuana.

Deputy District Attorney Jason Baez of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.

MAN FACES TRIAL FOR FORCIBLY RAPING PROSTITUTE AND ATTEMPTING TO RAPE ANOTHER AT KNIFE-POINT

Novemeber 19, 2010

Orange County District Attorney's Office

WESTMINSTER - A man faces trial Monday for forcibly raping one woman and attempting to rape another at knife point after picking them up as prostitutes and refusing to pay for sex.

Gilberto Cruz Silva, 30, Corona, is charged with one felony count each of forcible rape, assault with the intent to commit a sexual offense, and criminal threats. He faces sentencing enhancements and allegations for the personal use of a deadly weapon and causing great bodily injury. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 36 years to life in state prison. Opening statements are expected to begin Monday, Nov. 22, 2010, at 9:30 a.m. in Department W-9, West Justice Center, Westminster.

At approximately 2:00 a.m. on Sept. 20, 2009, Silva is accused of picking up prostitute Jane Doe #1 in his 1997 green Chevrolet Astro Van on Harbor Boulevard in Santa Ana. The defendant is accused of driving with the victim to a nearby mobile home park and parking in a secluded area. Silva is accused of pulling out a knife and telling Jane Doe #1 he wants to have sex but has no money. Silva is then accused of forcibly raping the victim at knife point. Jane Doe #1 was able to flee. The victim went to the hospital and the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) was contacted.

A few hours later, at approximately 4:00 a.m., Silva is accused of picking up prostitute Jane Doe #2 in his van in the same area where he picked-up Jane Doe #1. The defendant is accused of driving with the victim to the same mobile home park and parking in a secluded area. Silva is accused of pulling out a knife and demanding the victim to have sex with him, forcing Jane Doe #2 to produce her own knife in self-defense. Silva is accused of engaging in a knife fight and stabbing the victim. Silva is accused of grabbing Jane Doe#2, head butting her, and saying "I'm going to kill you." During the struggle the victim was able to escape.

Silva is accused of crashing into several parked cars while fleeing the scene. The defendant is accused of driving to his home in Corona and going to the hospital to treat his stab wounds sustained during the struggle with Jane Doe #2. Silva is accused of reporting to local police that he was attacked by a prostitute. The SAPD was contacted.

Deputy District Attorney Robert Mestman of the Sexual Assault Unit is prosecuting this case.

DRIVER UNDER INFLUENCE OF MARIJUANA AND PRESCRIPTION DRUGS SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS TO LIFE FOR KILLING ONE AND INJURING FOUR OTHERS IN CRASH

November 19, 2010

Orange County District Attorney's Office

SANTA ANA - A driver under the influence of marijuana and prescription drugs was sentenced today to 15 years to life in state prison for killing one woman and injuring four others by causing a 5-vehicle crash after speeding on the shoulder of the freeway. Isaac Robert Longo, 33, Placentia, pleaded guilty July 28, 2010, to one felony count of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated with prior convictions for driving under the influence (DUI) in 1998 and 2000. He admitted to the sentencing enhancements and allegations for causing great bodily injury and causing bodily injury to multiple victims.

At approximately 5:00 p.m. on Nov. 7, 2007, Longo entered the northbound California State Route 55 at Chapman Avenue at 80 to 90 mph in his Ford truck. He continued driving on the freeway as the California State Route 55 became California State Route 91. The defendant was driving under the influence of marijuana and prescription medications Clonazepam and Gabapentin.

Longo crossed all lanes of traffic into the carpool lane and weaved in and out of the carpool lane before swerving back across traffic to the far right shoulder at a high rate of speed. As freeway traffic slowed to a full stop, the defendant drove onto the right shoulder to pass traffic at 70 to 100 mph.

While speeding on the shoulder of the freeway, the defendant lost control of his truck, fishtailed, and crashed into a Honda sedan that was stopped in the far right lane. The force of the impact pushed the Honda into the vehicles ahead of it, causing a 5-vehicle crash. Several motorists called 911 to report the crash.

Longo's truck came to a stop in the far right lane. Responding officers observed objective signs of intoxication including red and watery eyes, slurred speech, and a lack of balance. Longo was transported to the hospital to be treated for minor lacerations and pain in his back, neck, head and shoulders. Approximately two hours after the crash, Longo tested positive for marijuana and prescription drugs.

As of result of the high-speed crash, Longo killed 82-year-old Cecelia Lopez, who was a passenger in the Honda. Lopez died at the scene due to blunt force trauma. Lopez's 63-year-old daughter, Katherine Griff, was driving the Honda and suffered a brain bleed, broken left leg, bruised and punctured lung, and cracked ribs.

Three other victims in two other cars were injured as a result of the crash caused by Longo. Kathleen Collens, 53, suffered head and face lacerations and her daughter, Kimberly Collens, 20, suffered pain to her back, head and neck. April Levin, 33, also suffered pain to her back, head, and neck.

Longo had prior knowledge that driving under the influence could result in killing oneself or others based on completion of alcohol awareness courses stemming from his prior DUI convictions.

Katherine Griff gave a victim impact statement at Longo's sentencing today, saying she was in the car with her 82-year-old mother when she died in the crash. Her mother's birthday was days away and she was sad they couldn't celebrate it. Cecelia Lopez's other daughter was also present in court and said that her mother was looking forward to turning 100 years old since everyone in her family live long lives.

Deputy District Attorney Jason Baez of the Homicide Unit prosecuted this case.

FORMER CARETAKER SENTENCED TO SEVEN YEARS IN PRISON FOR STEALING OVER $100,000 FROM DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED ADULTS

November 19, 2010

Orange County District Attorney's Office

 SANTA ANA - A former caretaker for developmentally disabled adults was sentenced today to seven years in state prison for stealing over $100,000 from her clients by writing checks from their accounts. Shandie Marie Lacsamana Rosete, 34, Placentia, pleaded guilty Aug. 4. 2010, to four felony counts of caretaker theft from a dependent adult and a sentencing enhancement for property loss over $100,000. In addition to her prison sentence, Rosete is expected to be ordered to pay over $102,000 in restitution at a restitution hearing on June 3, 2011.

Between January 2004 and December 2007, Rosete worked as a caretaker for Project Independence, an Orange County non-profit that provides employment and independent living services to developmentally disabled adults. The defendant was entrusted to assist her adult clients with managing their money by helping them to set up checking accounts, pay bills, write checks, and make deposits.

Without the knowledge or consent of the victims, Rosete wrote 652 checks to herself from the bank accounts of 14 developmentally disabled adults. One of the 14 victims lived with her 93-year-old, nearly-blind aunt. The 93-year-old woman asked Rosete for assistance with her finances. Rosete also wrote 11 checks to herself or "cash" from this victim's account.

The Anaheim and Garden Grove Police Departments began investigating the theft after a relative complained to Project Independence that someone was stealing from his developmentally disabled relative.

In September 2010, two victims in this case, both developmentally disabled adults, gave victim impact statements to the court stating that they felt they could no longer trust anyone because of the way Rosete had betrayed them.

Deputy District Attorney Sean O'Brien of the White Collar Crime Team prosecuted this case.

JUDGE SENTENCES DRUNKEN TEEN DRIVER TO PROBATION AND JAILFOR KILLING TWO FRIENDS AFTER CRASHING INTO TREE AND EJECTING VICTIMS ONTO STREET

November 19, 2010

Orange County District Attorneys Office

SANTA ANA - A teen driver under the influence of alcohol was sentenced today to two years in jail and five years of formal probation for killing two friends after losing control of his car and crashing into a tree, ejecting the victims onto the street. Jared Nobel Berggren, 21, Fullerton, pleaded guilty to the court July 9, 2010, to two felony counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated with a sentencing enhancement for causing great bodily injury.

The People strongly objected to the sentence, imposed by the Honorable Robert Fitzgerald, arguing that probation is unprecedented in this type of vehicular homicide case. The People argued that the defendant should receive a state prison sentence based on the fact that he was under the influence of alcohol, driving recklessly, and killed two people. The maximum allowable sentence under the law based on the defendant's conviction is 13 years in state prison.

The People also argued that Berggren was offered a 6-year prison sentence by another judge prior to his preliminary hearing, and therefore the significantly lighter jail and probation sentence post-conviction did not serve the interest of justice.

At approximately 2:30 a.m. on May 11, 2009, Berggren was driving at a high rate of speed in a residential area in Fullerton while under the influence of alcohol. Victim Jacquelyn Ardalan, 19, was riding in the front passenger seat and victim Miles Andrew Christensen, 19, was riding in the rear right seat of Berggren's truck. Berggren lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a large eucalyptus tree. Victims Ardalan and Christensen were ejected from the truck and landed nearby on the ground. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

Berggren was transported to the hospital and treated for a non-life-threatening skull fracture. At the time of the crash he had a blood alcohol level of .10 percent.

Family members of both victims were present for the plea in July 2010 and made victim impact statements to the court. Ardalan's mother, Alice Ardalan, told the court that her daughter's death was preventable and that her life has been destroyed and forever changed by the loss of Jacquelyn.

Christensen's father, Eric Christensen, explained that he had a strong, loving relationship with his son, but "overlying this is the solitude of judgment I feel as a parent. I find little satisfaction in anything I may have done right as a parent and find there is no emotional balm that can soothe the pain of my failures as a father. I know that things we tend to work out with time with our adult children will never be granted to me. I now live with the feeling that there is no redemption in this mortal life for the failures I had in raising my son."

Deputy District Attorney Susan Price of the Homicide Unit prosecuted this case.

MOTHER AND HER BROTHER TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR MURDERING BABY BOY AFTER INFLICTING REPEATED INJURIES TO THE HEAD

November 19, 2010

Orange County District Attorney's Office

SANTA ANA - A mother and her younger brother will be arraigned today for murdering her baby boy after inflicting repeated injuries to the head.

Mother Noel Lynn Hurtado, 25, and her brother Timothy Seymour Hurtado, 19, both of Anaheim, are charged with one felony count of murder and one felony count of assault on a child with force likely to produce great bodily injury resulting in death. Timothy Hurtado was 16 years old at the time and was direct filed as an adult. If convicted, both defendants face a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in state prison. The defendants are being held without bail and are scheduled to be arraigned today, Nov. 19, 2010, in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana. The time is to be determined.

On Aug. 16, 2007, Noel Hurtado and her sister took 23-month-old Dartanian Hurtado to Anaheim Memorial Hospital. The victim was already deceased when doctors examined him. It was determined that the victim had died due to brain swelling caused by chronic injury to the head. The Anaheim Police Department was contacted and an investigation into the baby's death began.

A subsequent investigation linked Noel Hurtado and Timothy Hurtado to the murder of baby Dartanian Hurtado. They are accused of repeatedly abusing the victim.

The investigation is still ongoing. The Orange County District Attorney's Office is seeking the public's help in locating anyone with additional information. Please contact Supervising District Attorney Investigator Helen Moreno at (714) 347-8492.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Howard Gundy of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.

Angry at Barking, Man Beats, Blinds Dog, Gets Arrested

November 18, 2010

Orange County District Attorney's Office

SANTA ANA - A disgruntled man has been charged with breaking into his neighbor's home and attacking a German Shepherd with a yard rake after becoming angry over the dog's barking. Michael Stuart Patterson, 51, Mission Viejo, is charged with one felony count of first degree residential burglary and one felony count of animal cruelty. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of six years and eight months in state prison. Patterson's bail will be set today, Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010, at his arraignment at 3 p.m. in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana.

At approximately 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 16, 2010, Patterson is accused of breaking into the home of his neighbor, William D., by kicking open the front door while the neighbor wasn't home. He is accused of being angry that William D.'s 5-year-old German Shepherd, Honey, barked frequently when his neighbor was not home.

Patterson is accused of finding the dog on the back patio of the home of attacking it with a yard rake. He is accused of hitting the dog, causing puncture wounds to the dog's face. Patterson then left the scene.

Another neighbor heard the noise from the attack, wrote down the defendant's license plate number, and called the police. In addition to the puncture wounds, Honey suffered a permanent loss of vision.

FEMALE HIGH SCHOOL BAND TEACHER FACES TRIAL FOR UNLAWFUL SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH 15-YEAR-OLD MALE STUDENT

November 12, 2010

Orange County District Attorney

SANTA ANA - A female high school band teacher faces trial tomorrow for having an unlawful sexual relationship with a 15-year-old male high school student. Carlie Rose Attebury, 31, Orange, is charged with two felony counts of unlawful sexual intercourse, one felony count of lewd acts on a child, two felony counts of oral copulation of a minor under 16, one felony count of sexual penetration by foreign object of a minor, and one felony count of dissuading a witness from reporting a crime. If convicted on all counts, Attebury faces a maximum sentence of seven years in state prison and sex offender registration. Opening statements are expected to begin Monday, Nov. 15, 2010, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-41, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

Attebury is accused of meeting John Doe, a 15-year-old student, while working at El Modena High School in Orange as the band teacher. She is accused of gaining the trust of the victim and his family by befriending them, including having dinner at their home. The defendant is accused of manipulating the victim's emotions by telling him she loved him and talking about marriage and a future together. Attebury is accused of exchanging hundreds of text messages with the victim, many of which were sexually explicit

In November 2007, Attebury is accused of having her first illegal sexual contact with the victim by kissing John Doe in her classroom on campus. Between November 2007 and September 2008, Attebury is accused of having an unlawful sexual relationship with John Doe on a regular basis at her home in Orange. She is accused of engaging in unlawful sexual intercourse, oral copulation, and digital penetration with the victim.

In June 2008, while continuing to have an unlawful sexual relationship with John Doe, Attebury is accused of going to the Orange Police Department (OPD) to report that she was the victim of an extortion attempt by a former El Modena High School student, Miguel Lopez. Lopez contacted Attebury on MySpace and said he would report a prior sexual relationship that the defendant had with a former 18-year-old student and John Doe if she did not pay him $3,500 and send him sexually explicit photos of herself.

Attebury is accused of denying her ongoing illegal sexual relationship with John Doe, which continued through the course of the extortion investigation. Lopez pleaded guilty to one felony count of extortion in August 2009 and was sentenced to three years of probation.

In October 2008, parent booster club members contacted the school principal after becoming alarmed by inappropriate behavior observed between Attebury and the victim. In one instance, Attebury is accused of sitting behind John Doe in the bleachers at a school event. She is accused of having her legs straddled on either side of him and caressing his hair in view of parents and other students.

The Principal at El Modena High School contacted OPD in October 2008. After OPD began investigating the possible sexual assault by Attebury of a current students, Attebury is accused of having a phone conversation with the victim and encouraging him not to cooperate with the investigation.

Deputy District Attorney Katherine David of the Sexual Assault Unit is prosecuting this case.

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MAN CONVICTED OF MURDERING FRIEND IN 1988 AND SETTING APARTMENT ON FIRE TO DESTROY THE EVIDENCE

November 2, 2010

Orange County District Attorney's Office

SANTA ANA - A Long Beach man was convicted today of the 1988 cold case stabbing, torture, and murder of his longtime friend. Paul Gentile Smith, 50, was found guilty by a jury of one felony count of special circumstances murder with torture and a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a deadly weapon. Smith faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole at his sentencing on Nov. 29, 2010, in Department C-40, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

The defendant still faces a separate jury trial for recently conspiring with his girlfriend to solicit the attack of the lead investigator in his homicide case. In that case, he is charged with one felony count each of conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, attempted aggravated assault, and two felony counts of solicitation to commit aggravated assault. The conspiracy case charges will be tried on the same date as his sentencing in the murder case.

Paul Smith's co-defendant girlfriend, Tina Derae Smith, 47, Mission Viejo, pleaded guilty in this case April 2, 2010, to one felony count of conspiracy to commit aggravated assault and was sentenced to 240 days in jail and five years of formal probation.

Circumstances of the Murder

On Oct. 24, 1988, Paul Smith murdered his long-time high school friend, 29-year-old Robert Haugen, by stabbing the victim several times, nearly decapitating him. Paul Smith left Haugen's body in the victim's Sunset Beach apartment, set the victim's body and apartment on fire to destroy the evidence, and fled the scene. Firefighters were able to put out the fire before it completely consumed the apartment and Haugen's body. Blood belonging to the victim and an unknown second person was collected at the scene. The case was investigated but went cold.

In 2007, Paul Smith was arrested in Nevada for domestic violence. His DNA was later entered into the national DNA database. In late January 2009, Paul Smith's DNA was linked to the blood found in Haugen's apartment after the murder using DNA technology that did not exist in 1988. Smith was charged with the murder and extradited back to Orange County in March 2009.

During the trial, Smith denied committing the murder and offered an alternate explanation to why his blood was at the murder scene. He testified that he had been in the victim's apartment to buy drugs the night before the murder, and had nicked himself with a small knife while cutting marijuana. Paul Smith admitted during his testimony that he had violent tendencies and had previously tortured his girlfriend by stabbing her in the leg, opposite to another wound he claimed she had inflicted herself, in order for her to have matching "his and hers" stab wounds.

Paul Smith also admitted during the trial that he had offered sexual favors from his girlfriend to an undercover officer, who he believed to be a hit man, as payment for a murder he was soliciting (see case below).

Circumstances of Conspiracy

In November 2009, while in custody for the murder of Haugen, Paul Smith is accused of obtaining a phone number for an undercover police investigator, whom he believed to be a contact that could be paid to assault a civilian witness, Scott M., and the lead detective assigned to his homicide case.

 

On Nov. 17, 2009, Smith is accused of calling the undercover investigator to request that he "f*** somebody up" in exchange for $300. Paul Smith is accused of providing a detailed description of Scott M., including his cell and home phone numbers, location of his home, and the type of car he drives.

Paul Smith is accused of having several phone conversations with his girlfriend Tina Smith to discuss the plan to have the witness attacked. Paul Smith is accused of providing Tina Smith with the phone number of the undercover investigator, which Tina used to call the investigator to arrange a meeting.

On Nov. 28, 2009, Tina Smith drove to a fast food restaurant in Lake Forest with the intention of paying the undercover investigator $50 as an advance payment to assault Scott M. Tina Smith confirmed the witness' identity in a photograph shown to her by the investigator.

OCDA SEEKS PUBLIC'S HELP IN IDENTIFYING ADDITIONAL HISPANIC VICTIMS OF MAN CHARGED WITH DEFRAUDING OVER $87,000 FROM IN REAL ESTATE FRAUD SCHEME

November 5, 2010

Orange County District Attorney's Office

SANTA ANA - The Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) is asking for the public's help in identifying potential additional Hispanic victims of a man who was arraigned today for defrauding over $87,000 from Hispanic victims in real estate fraud scheme. Arthur Gonzales Diaz, 56, Anaheim, is charged with seven felony counts of grand theft and one misdemeanor count of engaging in business as a real estate broker without a license with a sentencing enhancement for property damage exceeding $65,000. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of eight years in state prison. Diaz is being held on $75,000 bail and must prove the money is from a legal and legitimate source before posting bond. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled Nov. 18, 2010, at 8:30 a.m. in Department C-55, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

Beginning in August 2008, Diaz is accused of illegally operating as an independent Real Estate Mortgage Broker, despite his license being suspended since 1998. He is accused of coercing Spanish speaking victims into giving him money for bogus real estate deals including home loan medications, short sales, home sales and purchases.

Diaz is accused of setting up three corporations Trans-World International Securities, Inc. International Marketing Network Corporation, and Banco International Realty, Inc. The defendant is accused of running independent operations out two Santa Ana offices, a RE/MAX branch office located at 2951 South Plaza Drive and a Century 21 Real Estate office located at 3500 South Bristol Street.

Between Aug. 1, 2008, and Dec. 16, 2009, Diaz is accused of knocking on door of Alicia L.'s home under the pretense of being a legitimate real estate broker at RE/MAX in Santa Ana. Diaz is accused of fraudulently taking $15,000 from the victim, not purchasing a home for her, obtaining a co-signer on her home loan, and returning only $2,000 of her money.

In March 2009, Diaz is accused of meeting victim Jesus A. while illegally operating his real estate business out of RE/MAX. He is accused of promising that for $9,000 the defendant's investors would purchase the home and re-sell it to the victim at a fixed mortgage rate. The defendant is accused of fraudulently taking the money, not selling the victim's property, and causing the victim's property to foreclose.

In April 2009, Diaz is accused of meeting Valerio S., who was attempting to get a loan modification completed at RE/MAX with another agent. Diaz is accused of fraudulently taking $15,500 from the victim and not purchasing a home for the victim or getting a home loan co-signer as promised.

In June 2009, the defendant is accused of meeting Efrain H. at RE/MAX and offering his services to help him purchase a home. Diaz is accused of taking $5,000 from the victim for a down payment on a home. Diaz never purchased a home for the victim or returned his money.

In June 2009, Diaz is accused of meeting victims Ramon and Patricia G., who were seeking loan modification on their home, while working in the RE/MAX office. He is accused of fraudulently taking $20,000 as a down payment and telling the victims that their home would be sold to investors who would re-sell it back to them in three months at a fixed mortgage rate. The defendant is accused of not selling the victims home, obtaining a loan modification for them or refunding their money.

In July 2009, Diaz is accused of meeting Erica J. who went to RE/MAX because she wanted to list her home for sale. Diaz is accused of telling the victim to sell her home in a short sale so she could stop paying her monthly mortgage payments while it was listed for sale. Diaz is accused of taking $20,000 from the victim, telling her it was for a reserve fund for the sale of her home which he would return plus $3,000 interest. The defendant is accused of never selling Erica J.'s home or refunding her money.

In addition, Diaz is accused of getting Erica J. to purchase a $104,000 Mercedes Benz, promising the victim to make the monthly car payments and find her a co-signer for her property. Diaz is accused of stopping to pay the monthly car payments leading the car to be repossessed and not obtaining a co-signer for Erika J. on her property.

In late December 2009, Diaz is accused of hiring Hector M. to be a transaction coordinator at RE/MAX. He is accused of fraudulently taking $5,000 from Hector M. for a real estate investment deal, promising to pay the victim 20 percent profit and in one month. The defendant is accused of never paying any money back.

Each victim reported fraud to their local police departments in the Cities of Placentia, Tustin, Anaheim, Garden Grove, and Santa Ana. In Sept. 2010, the OCDA began investigating the case and linking the cases. The OCDA filed charges Oct. 21, 2010. He was arrested yesterday, Nov. 4, 2010, by OCDA investigators and Anaheim Police Department officers.

The OCDA is asking for the public's help in identifying potential additional victims. Anyone with additional information or who believes they have been a victim is encouraged to contact Supervising District Attorney Investigator Ron Frazier at (714) 347-8691.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Peter Pierce of the Major Frauds Unit Real Estate and Mortgage Fraud Team is prosecuting this case.