It’s official: San Diego gets $8.5M check from SeaWorld, ending years-long dispute
A Superior Court judge has dismissed all litigation stemming from San Diego's efforts to secure...
Courts
Killer sentenced in shooting spree that targeted victims at random
Jaime Ernesto Gonzalez, 24, opened fire on seven victims during a shooting spree in Spring...
Ramona driver who fled scene of fatal DUI crash sentenced to 15 years
Driver pleaded guilty to 2023 head-on crash that killed Andrea Ortiz, 44.
National City settles lawsuit for $1M with family of machete-wielding man killed by police
The federal wrongful death and civil rights lawsuit alleged Brian Umana was suffering a mental...
Trial ordered for Oceanside man accused in 7-year-old daughter’s killing
VISTA — A man who allegedly stabbed his 7-year-old daughter to death at the family’s...
Judge finds East Village man was legally insane during killing
Maxwell Thomas Logan, 26, pleaded guilty for the Aug. 9, 2023, slaying of Andrew Holland
Judge declines to return sexually violent predator to state hospital
Herman Smith can return to Jacumba home, but another sexually violent predator living there must...
Driver sentenced 22 years to life for pedestrian’s death in University Heights
Prosecutors said Brandon Janik, 38, ran a red light, struck Joshua Gilliland, 47, failed to...
Four men pled guilty to pellet gun shootings in Hillcrest
The defendants, all 19 years old, were arrested in connection with drive-by attacks on six...
Alleged Sinaloa cartel leader from Tijuana extradited to San Diego
Octavio 'Chapito' Leal Hernandez was arrested in February 2020 following shootout with Tijuana law enforcement
San Diego judge rules on effort to cut prison time for Marine veteran who dismembered girlfriend
Brian Brimager had sought to reduce the 26-year sentence he received for killing Yvonne Baldelli...
San Diego Judge Dana Sabraw passes chief judge gavel to Cynthia Bashant
The Board of Supervisors declared Wednesday "Dana Makoto Sabraw Day throughout San Diego County."
SUBSCRIBER ONLY
At least 8 with San Diego ties pardoned for Jan. 6 Capitol breach
A former Camp Pendleton Marine and nephew of former Democratic lawmaker among those with San...
Extortion, drugs and murder: Dozens arrested in San Diego Mexican Mafia operation
The suspects took orders from cartel bosses operating in state prison and preyed on business...
Man who coordinated maritime smuggling that led to three drownings in OB sentenced
The overloaded boat capsized on April 10, 2022, near the Ocean Beach Pier, killing three...
Life prison sentence for killer in failed carjacking
Francisco Xavier Villegas shot Jose Quirin as the victim was sitting in his parked vehicle...
Chula Vista child molester who filmed the abuse sentenced to 25 years to life in prison
Antonio Medina Jr., 33, pleaded guilty to molesting children and possessing child pornography
Chula Vista woman, Filipino couple accused of running $44 million book publishing scam
Indictment alleges trio was behind PageTurner, a company that defrauded authors by impersonating literary agents...
Man pleads guilty to manslaughter in shooting in front of San Diego Central Library
The midday shooting outside the downtown library followed the theft of a backpack at a...
Man charged in Vista shooting that killed 19-year-old, wounded others
Jose Ulices Luna was charged Tuesday in connection with a 2024 shooting that killed Antonio...
Biden administration to forgive debt for students of former San Diego-based Ashford University
The federal government will discharge a combined $4.5 billion in debt for some 261,000 borrowers...
Man who procured guns, ammo for Sinaloa Cartel sentenced to nearly 20 years
Prosecutors said Keith Rodriguez Padilla obtained powerful guns and ammunition for the Valenzuela trafficking organization
Judge: Teen who killed Oceanside cop in 2006 rightfully charged as adult, will remain in prison
Meki Gaono, who fatally ambushed Officer Dan Bessant, sought to retroactively be moved to Juvenile...
Sexual misconduct lawsuit against Nathan Fletcher appears headed for trial
A judge has rejected the former county supervisor's motion for summary judgment, and issued mixed...
Wrong-way DUI driver sentenced in fatal Del Cerro crash
Briana Michelle Contreras, 25, drove the wrong way on Interstate 8 and caused a crash...
Bonsall woman who led nationwide cosmetics theft ring sentenced to prison
Michelle Mack, 54, was also ordered to pay $3 million in restitution to Ulta and...
SUBSCRIBER ONLY
Should Oceanside cop killer have been tried as an adult? A new hearing could set him free.
Meki Gaono was sentenced to life in prison without parole for killing Officer Dan Bessant,...
Post office employee, son sentenced for stealing more than $5 million in money orders
A father and son were sentenced to prison for enlisting people to help commit bank...
Four SDSU fraternity members charged after one of them is set on fire
The Phi Kappa Psi members and pledges are accused of setting a pledge on fire...
SUBSCRIBER ONLY
At 96, San Diegan is longest-serving federal circuit judge ever
Senior U.S. Circuit Judge J. Clifford Wallace has served on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court...
As sexual misconduct lawsuit nears trial, Nathan Fletcher’s accuser drops assault, battery claims
The dismissals were included in a flurry of recent documents submitted to the court in...
Criminal investigation continuing into Carlsbad man allegedly linked to Wisconsin school shooter
A hearing for a gun violence restraining order Friday against Alexander Paffendorf, 20, was continued...
Man sentenced to 7 years for role in death of homeless man at Bonita Cove
The 65-year-old victim had been stabbed and beaten early July 5, 2023
SUBSCRIBER ONLY
9th Circuit upholds Stone Brewing’s $56 million jury verdict from Molson Coors over trademark
A San Diego federal jury had found that Keystone Light parent company Molson Coors had...
Former Marine gets probation for assault rifle possession
Victor Krvaric, 24, was arrested in September at the Scripps Ranch home of his father,...
SUBSCRIBER ONLY
Sheriff’s Office deemed not liable for deputy who accessed investigation file after groping teen
A judge's finding removes the last remaining claim San Diego County Sheriff's Office faced in...
SUBSCRIBER ONLY
Judge rules San Diego Humane Society’s policy of returning cats to community violates law
The decision is a victory for the animal rights groups and people who sued over...
Lawsuit alleges San Diego police improperly used surveillance equipment at Comic-Con, Pride
The suit alleges that the police department did not receive proper approval from the City...
In one of last acts as majority, Senate Democrats confirm federal judge in San Diego
U.S. Magistrate Judge Benjamin Cheeks, a former prosecutor and longtime defense attorney, will be newest...
Jury convicts DUI driver of murder in National City deaths
Tayishe Baltys was found guilty by a Chula Vista Superior Court jury for the June...
Man sentenced for killing small dog in Clairemont
Todd Schuster intentionally kicked, then ran over a 17-year-old Bichon Frise mix, according to Humane...
San Diego businessman pleads guilty to bribing IRS officer
Wahead Raz met offered money in order to wipe out around half a million dollars...
SUBSCRIBER ONLY
San Diego judge issues rare acquittal of pair in securities fraud case
The judge ruled it was unclear who'd been defrauded by the California businessmen but said...
Police sought guns from Carlsbad man questioned by FBI in Wisconsin school shooting
Authorities say Alexander Paffendorf told the Madison school shooter he planned to attack a government...
Sex offender sentenced for sexually abusing teen girl in El Cajon motel
Michael Inman was convicted of four felony sex offenses for the March 2023 encounter with...
Feds agree to nearly $116M settlement with prison sex abuse victims, including San Diego women
Father of former San Diego businesswoman Gina Champion-Cain, convicted in $400 million Ponzi scheme, says...
San Diego pays $640K to settle 3 trip-and-fall lawsuits over uneven pavement
The largest settlement goes to a 76-year-old woman who tripped on uneven sidewalk in Mira...
Americans’ trust in nation’s court system hits record low, survey finds
The drop wasn’t limited to one end of the political spectrum
SUBSCRIBER ONLY
Adoptable or feral? Lawsuit challenges San Diego shelter’s program to return cats to the outdoors
The case questions the breadth of San Diego Humane Society "community cats" program, which returns...
Murder convictions against two overturned in 2020 Point Loma shooting
Angel Garcia and Armando Alvarado were found guilty in the death of 18-year-old Eduardo Salguero
Sheriff agrees to make all jails safer for people with disabilities
The settlement partially resolves a lawsuit that accused San Diego County jails of failing to...
Two attorneys appointed to San Diego Superior Court bench
Lizbet Muñoz and Roy Lai are set to replace two retiring judges and will be...
Two attorneys appointed to San Diego Superior Court bench
Lizbet Muñoz and Roy Lai have been appointed to serve as judges in the San...
SUBSCRIBER ONLY
Sexual abuse victims of Carmel Valley horse rancher awarded nearly $10 million
The women sued Christian Clews, his ex-wife and his mother over abuse they alleged occurred...
Man accused of breaking into Linda Vista home and molesting child to stand trial
Alejandro Jose Confesor, 23, is accused of entering a Wellington Street home and sexually abusing...
Pair sentenced in violent two-day crime spree that spanned county
A man and woman took part in a crime spree that included shootings and carjackings...
SUBSCRIBER ONLY
San Diego’s new city attorney is a housing expert and ‘nerd’ who loves ‘messy’ issues. Her job offers plenty.
'I want to find ways that we can use the office of city attorney to...
SUBSCRIBER ONLY
Mother of Navy corpsman killed by Oceanside neighbor settles suits against government for $10.5M
Devon Rideout's mom alleged federal and state government failed to block the mentally ill Marine...
SUBSCRIBER ONLY
Two more ex-Aztec football players settle civil suit alleging rape
The woman accused multiple players of raping her at an off-campus house party in 2021
Mother of children killed in San Diego police pursuit files negligence lawsuit
Malikai, 8, and Mason Orozco-Romero, 4, were killed Dec. 8, 2023, when a BMW being...
Man sentenced for attempted rape of 78-year-old woman in Mira Mesa church
Hugo Jonathan Espinoza-Martinez, 29, pleaded guilty in the assault at Summit Point Church
Shooter sentenced on murder charge in death of Oceanside teacher
Vicente Huerta was found guilty in two separate trials at Vista Superior Court for the...
SUBSCRIBER ONLY
Long-jailed former cartel lieutenant pleads guilty in San Diego and is released from custody
Gustavo Rivera, who grew up in Chula Vista, was a high-ranking member of the Arellano...
Administrator claims sexual harassment in lawsuit against San Diego Unified, former superintendent
The lawsuit elaborates upon quid pro quo sexual harassment allegations against Lamont Jackson that she...
Former Tri-City Medical Center executive sentenced for burglary, attempted sex crime
The prosecutor said Gary Johnson showed up at hospital staffer’s home in April with a...
SUBSCRIBER ONLY
San Diego federal court was ground zero for hashing out Trump’s border policies. A repeat is likely.
Border wall construction projects, family separations, asylum limitations and hardline enforcement priorities all landed in...
SUBSCRIBER ONLY
San Diego federal judge nominee now a political pawn in run-up to Trump inauguration
Republicans could try to block Senate confirmation of U.S. Magistrate Judge Benjamin Cheeks in waning...
Former San Diego federal judge who later mediated Enron settlement dies at 89
J. Lawrence Irving resigned his judgeship over concerns with sentencing guidelines and later mediated the...
SUBSCRIBER ONLY
Champion-Cain pushes for early release, citing ‘horrific’ sexual abuse while in prison
Currently serving a 15-year sentence for masterminding San Diego's biggest Ponzi scheme, Champion-Cain was among...
April trial set for former National City teacher accused of sex crimes with 2 students
Jacqueline Ma, 35, former Teacher of the Year has pleaded not guilty to charges involving...
Man pleads guilty in homeless man’s killing in Bonita Cove Park
Daniel Ruben Martin, 20, was arrested along with a 17-year-old boy in connection with the...
Former Marine reservist pleads no contest to assault weapon charge
Victor Krvaric, 24, was arrested at the Scripps Ranch home of his father, former San...
DUI driver sentenced in crash that killed Arizona woman in Pacific Beach
Nestor Alejandro Hernandez, 24, pleaded guilty for the Jan. 22, 2023, crash that killed 22-year-old...
San Diego city attorney files flurry of lawsuits against retailers after flavored tobacco sting
This week's complaints target six people, four chains and more than a dozen outlets in...
Two sexually violent predators ordered to be conditionally released as transients
Alvin Ray Quarles — dubbed the "bolder-than-most" rapist — and Merle Wakefield were ordered released...
Challenge to San Diego’s franchise agreements with SDG&E rebuffed by state appeals court
In a split decision, a majority of a three-judge panel agreed with the trial court...
Rancho Santa Fe woman charged with failing to corral aggressive dogs
The 68-year-old woman reportedly allowed her dogs to regularly escape her North County property and...
‘Fat Leonard’ to appeal sentence, while retired Navy captain will seek a reduced charge
Leonard Francis will seek a reduction of his 15-year sentence while retired Capt. Davis Haas...
SUBSCRIBER ONLY
Feds drop case of San Diego man charged with threatening Arizona election official
The alleged victim, Maricopa County's recorder, says he expressed to prosecutors his "earnest interest in...
First person sentenced in San Diego FBI’s encrypted phone sting that spied on criminals worldwide
Osemah Elhassen, a Lebanese-Australian dual citizen, was one of 17 indicted in conspiracy to administer...
Man sentenced in watercraft crash that killed 12-year-old paddleboarder in Mission Bay
Arsanyous Refat Ghaly, 20, pleaded guilty for the July 29, 2023, watercraft crash that killed...
Life sentence for man who killed mother, half-brother in Imperial Beach
Marco Antonio Valadez Jr. pleaded guilty in the Dec. 4, 2021, slayings of Raquel Pitsenberger...
Former San Diego Border Patrol agent charged with on-duty sex crimes
Juan Prishker, who has resigned from CBP, allegedly touched one victim while she was restrained...
Shooter who killed one and wounded 3 in La Jolla drive-by sentenced
Odyssey Sellers Carrillo, 23, pleaded guilty in the June 23, 2019, shooting death of 20-year-old...
Seeking ‘dedicated residents with sound judgment’ to apply for new county grand jury
The San Diego Superior Court is taking applications until Jan. 10 for people who want...
Pothole, faulty crosswalk claims cost city $500K to 2 injured women
A bicyclist was hurt after she hit a pothole, and another woman says she was...
Ex-Baja California state police officer sentenced for cocaine importation
A former Baja California state police officer who tried to drive through the San Ysidro...
Man sentenced to nearly 7 years for setting cars on fire at Fox5 San Diego
Dimitrius Cannon, 42, pleaded guilty to arson for Feb. 26 fires that damaged three cars...
Driver convicted of murder, DUI in death of man struck in University Heights
Brandon Allen Janik, 38, ran a red light and struck Joshua Gilliland, 47, as the...
San Diego Border Patrol agent granted immunity, cleared in fatal crash
The Border Patrol agent claimed and was granted immunity from state charges under the supremacy...
Former Granite Hills High teacher sentenced in sex misconduct case
Gerald Lopez, 56, was sentenced Wednesday to six months in county jail for the case...
DUI driver who killed woman and 4-year-old girl in crash sentenced
Erick Arambula pleaded guilty to DUI and evading authorities for the crash that killed Courteney...
Nearly a decade after pleading guilty, ‘Fat Leonard’ is sentenced in massive Navy bribery scandal
Malaysian contractor Leonard Glenn Francis learned his fate Tuesday
San Diego man convicted of investment fraud, pandemic loan fraud schemes
Federal prosecutors said the schemes netted the man $35 million, and the victims included friends...
Man sentenced to prison for sexually abusing girl on San Diego flight
Ryan Coffey pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl while the pair were passengers...
Nearly 6 years after man’s death in jail, county agrees to pay $5M just before trial
Michael Wilson, 32, went days without the heart medication he relied on for a lifelong...
SUBSCRIBER ONLY
‘Fat Leonard’ will soon learn his fate. But will he pay for the Navy’s worst corruption scandal?
Leonard Glenn Francis is expected to be sentenced to more prison time and be ordered...
Bribery scandal involving former NAVWAR employee widens with new indictment
A San Diego federal grand jury charged Cask Technologies, LLC and a former company executive...
Prosecutors allege Navy sailor’s killing stemmed from nightclub fight
Ta'Kari Terell Benness, 20, pleaded not guilty in the slaying of operations specialist seaman apprentice...
Lawsuit says probation officers abused 16-year-old boy in juvenile detention
His attorney says the county failed to protect the boy from being abused by two...