registration

Published on: September 29, 2017

Pair Caught with Stolen Goods from Vehicle Burglaries

A car containing two people was pulled over by Ripton police officers performing a traffic stop for expired vehicle registration tags on Wednesday. Upon inspection they located items in the car that they believe had been stolen in a string of recent vehicle burglaries that took place in Santa Rosa and Modesto. In addition, the officers allegedly discovered methamphetamine and a fake gun in the car.

The driver of the Buick, 45-year-old Robert Lenton Ruiz, was found to be on probation and wanted for an arrest warrant for misdemeanor vandalism. 39-year-old Elisa Marie Cabonios, the passenger of the vehicle, possessed an arrest warrant for petty theft. The two were placed under arrest at the scene.

Ruiz and Cabonios are each facing allegations for possession of stolen property, possession of burglary tools, possession of a controlled substance and destroying or concealing evidence. Ruiz must also face charges for driving with a suspended license and violation of a court order.

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Published on: June 15, 2017

Westminster Man who Downloaded More Child Pornography While on Bond is Sentenced

by Staycie R. Sena

Peter Herz, a 61-year old Westminster resident, pleaded guilty to a possession of child pornography charge in February. This offense is among many that are eligible for lifetime sex-offender registration. Before his arrest and incarceration, Herz reportedly had a job as a pianist and musical director for Laguna Beach’s “Pageant of the Masters.” Sources say he was also an accompanist at Cal State Fullerton’s Theater Department.

Herz was targeted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) “Operation Predator,” an initiative designed to protect children from sexual predators and to identify and rescue victims of child exploitation.

While Herz was out on bond and waiting for trial, he allegedly obtained new electronic devices and obtained new images of child pornography on them. In total, Herz was reportedly in possession of more than half a million images and roughly 400 videos of child pornography.

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Published on: December 12, 2016

Youth Pastor Sentenced to Two Years for Sexually Assaulting Four Different Church Goers

by Staycie R. Sena

A man who had been working as a youth pastor at Grace Community Church in Lake Forest, Orange County has just been sentenced to two years in state prison and lifetime sex registration, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s website. He plead guilty to two felony counts of sexual battery by restraint and two misdemeanor counts of sexual battery. The assaults are alleged to have occurred last year and involved four separate female victims. Some of the assaults occurred on the Orange County church property. The victims spoke to the man during his sentencing in court, describing their suffering in a “victim impact statement.” Under California’s Marsy’s Law, every adjudged victim is given this right to confront her perpetrator.

If you or a loved one are charged with sexual battery or are the victim of sexual battery seeking help with a victim impact statement, please contact Orange County criminal defense attorney Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.