By Miriam Raftery 

September 21, 2019 (Spring Valley) - Sheriff's homicide investigators today announced the arrest of Waverly James, 49, for the murder of Stanford Roy Johnson, 52.

By Jonathan Goetz

Photo: Screenshot, City of La Mesa video

September 20, 2019 – (La Mesa) – La Mesa Police Chief Walt Vasquez presented a report on citizen police oversight practices at last week's City Council hearing and made suggestions for an 11-member Citizen Public Safety Panel to exchange information for the betterment of public safety in La Mesa. But his panel would lack investigative powers to look into complaints involving the police department.

Public testimony was against the Chief's proposal, and Councilwoman Dr. Akilah Weber grilled Vasquez on whether he adequately canvassed residents for input.

85 defendants charged for distributing methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl

East County News Service

September 19, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- Eight indictments were unsealed today in San Diego federal court, charging 85 members of drug distribution networks linked to the Sinaloa Cartel with federal drug trafficking, money laundering and firearms offenses. Authorities are searching for 38 defendants; the rest are in state or federal custody, the U.S. Department of Justice in San Diego announced.

By Miriam Raftery

September 15, 2019 (La Mesa) – Gunshots were fired at a motorcyclist in the intersection of University Avenue and Marian Street around 3 a.m., prompting La Mesa Police to shut down several streets while they searched for a dark-colored sedan last seen heading east on University.

The shots missing the motorcyclist, but he sustained leg injuries after the gunfire caused him to crash into a fence. He was taken to a hospital for treatment.

“This is the most significant labor trafficking prosecution in this district in many years.” – Robert Brewer, U.S. Attorney, Southern District of California in San Diego (photo, left)

By Miriam Raftery

IVM Indictment - Click HERE

September 11, 2019 (San Diego) --  A dozen leaders of Imperial Valley Ministries, including the former pastor, are charged with subjecting dozens of mostly homeless people to forced labor, an indictment unsealed today reveals. Victims in San Diego and Imperial Counties were coerced to surrender welfare benefits and compelled to panhandle up to nine hours a day, six days a week, for the financial benefit of the church leaders, prosecutors allege.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo via Facebook

August 30, 2019 (Del Cerro) – Workers preparing a classroom for students set to return after summer break at Temple Emmanu-El in San Diego’s Del Cerro neighborhood this week discovered two bullet holes from shots fired at the building. The temple is located on Capri Drive near College Avenue.

East County News Service

August 28, 2019 (La Mesa) – The PowerTech Wireless Store on University Avenue in La Mesa was robbed at gunpoint Tuesday afternoon around 2:25 p.m.

Seven Chambers of Commerce coming together to host the event

Source:  San Diego District Attorney

August 26, 2019 (El Cajon) - Members of the public are welcome to attend the first-ever Economic Crimes Forum in East County hosted by seven chambers of commerce to learn how scams and cyber-crimes impact businesses and the community. At the event, experts from the District Attorney’s Office will teach attendees how to protect themselves and their businesses from becoming victims of fraud and other economic-related crimes.

East County News Service

August 25, 2019 (Santee) – Minor decoys tried to buy liquor at eight stores in Santee and also asked adults outside four locations to purchase alcohol for them on August 23rd.

By Miriam Raftery

August 22, 2019 (Sacramento) – Weedmaps will no longer list illegal marijuana dispensaries or other illicit enterprises in its online director of cannabis businesses.

The change reflects new state licensing requirements for advertising as California’s legal cannabis industry flourishes.