Army Tag Archives — The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog

Published on: June 2, 2025

Combat Vet Invaded Home of Beanie Babies CEO

A 43-year-old U.S. Army combat veteran is facing multiple charges after allegedly breaking into the home belonging to the CEO of Beanie Babies and violently attacking a woman.

Late in the afternoon on May 21, the 80-year-old CEO of Beanie Babies and others who live in his Montecito, California, residence were at home when a strange man reportedly walked in. The alleged intruder reportedly said it was his house and ordered everyone to get out before locking himself in a bathroom. The authorities were notified, and they went to the address to see what was going on.

When they arrived, deputies from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office noted that a 60-year-old woman who appeared to be seriously injured was outside the house, and everyone else appeared to have gotten out unharmed. The woman was taken to the hospital, and it was reported that she sustained a brain injury that left her in a coma. The deputies also learned that the suspect was still inside the home. Law enforcement from several agencies went to the scene to assist, and when a crisis intervention specialist tried to coax him out of the restroom, the man reportedly refused.

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Published on: June 2, 2024

AWOL Soldier Stalked TikTok Star from Cali to Florida

by Staycie R. Sena

A 30-year-old Army soldier is facing charges after he reportedly went AWOL and allegedly stalked a woman he saw on TikTok because he believed they were soul mates.

Several months ago, a man stationed in North Carolina before he was discharged from the military was perusing TikTok when he came across the content of a woman with 1.5 million followers. He allegedly developed fantasies about having a relationship with her and reportedly believed mystical forces intervened and led him to the woman he was meant to be with.

In January, the woman believed the man might be stalking her after she posted pictures of herself on Laguna Beach when she was in California, and he allegedly figured out where she was and photographed himself in the same spot. The woman blocked the TikTok account he was using at the time, in addition to more than 20 accounts she believed he was operating.

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Published on: March 7, 2020

Child Playing Fortnite With Toy Gun Charged With Felony

by Staycie R. Sena

A 10-year-old boy was prosecuted for a felony after he and his friend pointed unarmed Nerf guns at a passing vehicle and the driver alerted the authorities.

Gavin Carpenter lives with his parents at an Army post in Colorado Springs while his father finishes the final two-and-a-half months of his duty in the state.

At the end of last July, Gavin and one of his friends were spending time together at Gavin’s grandparent’s house and they decided they would go outside with Nerf guns and act out the popular video game Fortnite.

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Published on: September 28, 2017

Off-duty Officer Arrested in DUI Crash Leaving 3 Dead

by Staycie R. Sena

Officer Edgar Verduzco had been driving down the 605 freeway in Whitter when his car veered to the right into the adjoining lane and made impact with the back end of a Nissan carrying two parents and their child. The mother, father and teenage son were pronounced dead at the scene. Verduzco was suspected of DUI.

26-year-old Verduzco, an Army veteran who has worked at the front desk of the police department for two years, had allegedly been driving approximately 65 mph when he struck the Nissan causing it to combust, and leaving the victims without an escape from their vehicle. They have not yet been identified due to the state of the remains.

Immediately following the initial accident Verduzco’s car continued on and struck another vehicle before he came to a stop. The driver from the second vehicle was reported to have suffered minor injuries, and Verduzco acquired a broken nose.

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