san diego county district attorney’s office

Tell mamaw, papaw; 8 indicted for grandparent fraud

Eight people were charged in a federal grand jury indictment unsealed recently, accused of participating in a criminal enterprise that has stolen millions of dollars from elderly victims in San Diego County and around the nation. The defendants swindled more than $2 million from 70-plus elderly victims across the nation, with at least 10 in San Diego County, by feeding them phony stories that their…


As Jose Fragozo’s legal world turns

Another day, another day in court has been set for Escondido Union School District Trustee Jose Fragozo. Judge Carlos Armour called for a pre-trial hearing on Wednesday, June 22 following Fragozo pleading not guilty to 13 felony charges related to allegedly misrepresenting his place of residence to run for school board. Fragozo’s attorney Victor Torres entered the plea. A preliminary hearing last month found enough…


No charges for Twelve Tribes member kidnap suspects

The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office announced recently no charges would be filed against three people accused of kidnapping a relative from the Twelve Tribes Community Church compound in Vista. A spokesman said kidnapping charges couldn’t “be proved beyond a reasonable doubt.” The relative was Robert Martinez, 23, who joined the church in 2010. He and his wife, also a tribe member, were expecting…


Official versions: DA targets ID theft while SDG&E warns of faux employees

District Attorney targets credit card ID theft San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie M. Dumanis this week warned consumers that old credit card technology leaves them more susceptible to identify theft. The magnetic strip technology on the back of credit cards has been around since the 1970s. This old technology is easier for scammers steal and sell cardholder personal information The chip in newer credit…