Early Prison Releases: January 2018 Update

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Early Prison Releases: January 2018

Update

As of January 31, 2018, 314 inmates sentenced from Sacramento County have been granted early prison release. Information about some of these inmates can be found on the Early Prison Releases webpage at www.sacda.org/early-prison-releases. Monthly press releases are issued to provide the public with a sampling of recent noteworthy offenders, including:

Alfredo Casillas (Case #93F01877) – In 1988, Casillas was convicted of second-degree murder with a use of firearm enhancement. He received a sentence of 16 years to life in prison for this murder. While in prison, he continued his

violent conduct. In 1992, Casillas and another inmate attacked a third inmate in the yard at Folsom Prison. They used inmate-manufactured knives to slash the victim multiple times. The victim suffered four slash wounds, one to the back of the neck, one to the left shoulder, one to the nose, and a 9-inch cut to the stomach. Casillas was convicted of assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury. He was sentenced to 7 years in prison consecutive to the 16 years to life sentence he was

already serving for murder. In 1995, Casillas was convicted of being a prisoner in possession of a weapon. Casillas’ murder conviction and criminal record demonstrate his propensity for violence. The Board of Prison Hearings found this inmate to be a nonviolent offender who does not pose an unreasonable risk of violence to the community. Opposition Letter

Joseph Holyfield (Case #11F04348) – In his current commitment offense, Holyfield consumed excessive amounts of alcohol before choosing to drive his wife’s BMW. Holyfield ran a red light at more than 65 mph when he collided with another car, which then collided with two other cars. In total, four cars and six people were involved. Holyfield left the scene on foot without checking

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on the welfare of any of the people he had injured. The victims (one of which was only 13 years old) were transported by

ambulance to a hospital with deep lacerations, neck and back

injuries, bruises, and contusions. Holyfield later threatened to kill his wife if she did not call the police to report the BMW had been stolen. He then told his insurance company the car was stolen, which delayed the financial recovery of the injured

parties. Holyfield was arraigned in July 2011, but fled to the Caribbean in November. The FBI contacted local authorities, but they would not deport him. At the end of 2012, the St. Martin authorities informed the FBI that Holyfield had been kicked out of their country due to his alcohol and drug-fueled behavior, and that he was on a plane to Puerto Rico. The FBI took Holyfield into custody at the San Juan airport. In 2013, Holyfield was convicted of hit and run with death or injury, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs with injury, felony insurance fraud and false report of a criminal offense. He was sentenced to 13 years and 8 months in state prison. Holyfield has lived a life of crime with 10 prior felony convictions and 12 misdemeanor convictions for crimes including attempted robbery, spousal abuse, burglary, auto theft, possession of narcotics, grand

theft, violating a protective order and resisting arrest as well as multiple probation violations. The Board of Prison Hearings found this inmate to be a nonviolent offender who does not pose an unreasonable risk of violence to the community. Opposition Letter

In January 2015, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation began a new parole determination process after a federal court ordered California to reduce prison overcrowding. As a result, inmates characterized as “nonviolent second-strikers” (NVSS) became eligible for early parole. In November 2016, Proposition 57 was then passed with the promise that “nonviolent” inmates who “turn their lives around” in prison could also earn early parole under a new “nonviolent parole review” (NVPR).

Qualifying NVSS and NVPR inmates must not currently be serving a sentence for a crime legally categorized as a violent felony and must not be required to register as sex offenders. NVSS inmates must have served (or be within 12 months of serving) only 50 percent of their sentence, while NVPR inmates may be paroled after serving the base term for the principal offense and may earn additional conduct credits.

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The Board of Prison Hearings (BPH) determines whether NVSS or NVPR offenders would pose an unreasonable risk of violence to the community based on a paper review of prior criminal history,

facts of the current commitment offense, behavior in prison, rehabilitation efforts, whether the inmate has any medical condition which might affect the ability to re-offend, and written statements.

Unlike parole hearings – where the prosecution, defense attorney, and victim may appear – there is no public hearing for these BPH administrative reviews. Additionally, no evidence-based risk assessment is conducted prior to consideration of early release to indicate an inmate’s safety risk.

The Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office takes an active role in evaluating NVSS and NVPR cases. For inmates who appear to pose a danger to the public, the office writes opposition letters to BPH with an overview of the inmate’s criminal history and current commitment offense, and an opinion on the public safety risk if an inmate is granted early release. NVPR cases are especially concerning since prosecutors are denied access to records of the inmate’s behavior behind bars, which is critical to rehabilitation, and do not have a right to appeal an early parole decision.

Many of the offenders who are granted early prison release have violent and lengthy criminal histories. District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert feels it is important for the public to be aware of the so-called “nonviolent” offenders being released early from prison into our neighborhoods.

Defendant Convicted for Attempted

Murder, Assault, Arson

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DATE: January 16, 2018

CASE: Richard Castello Galindo Jr. (Case #15F03295)

PROSECUTOR: Deputy District Attorney Andrea Morris, Felony Prosecution Unit

Richard Galindo was convicted by a jury of one count of attempted murder with willful, premeditation and deliberation, five counts of assault with a deadly weapon, and one count of arson of an inhabited structure.

Galindo and the victim were friends. On June 2, 2015, Galindo drove to the victim’s apartment. When the victim refused to meet with Galindo, Galindo became angry and banged on the apartment door demanding the victim speak with him. The victim’s friend, roommate, and two small children were also in the apartment at the time. The victim stood at a second-story window and an argument ensued between him and Galindo. Galindo threatened to burn the apartment down. He then lit an object on fire and threw it through the first-floor window, which ignited the downstairs of the small apartment. The victim and everyone in his apartment barely escaped out of the back door. The apartment was

completely destroyed by the fire, and there was severe damage to neighboring apartments.

Galindo has a prior 2003 strike conviction for assault with a deadly weapon. He faces a maximum sentence of 36 years to life in prison. Sentencing is set for February 22, 2018 at 1:30 p.m. in Department 31 before the Honorable Michael Kenny.

Defendant Pleads to Felony Real Estate

Fraud Charges

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CASE: Dennis Joseph Giacopetti (Case #16FE011744)

PROSECUTOR: Deputy District Attorney Ruth Young, Real Estate Fraud Unit

Dennis Joseph Giacopetti (aka Dennis Jacopetti) pled no contest to forgery, grand theft and filing false documents. Giacopetti also admitted the aggravated white collar enhancement and the enhancement for commission of a felony while released from custody on another case.

Giacopetti advertised the businesses Legal Aid Services of California and Legal Aid of California online and through Craigslist. Although he was not an attorney, Giacopetti

represented himself as an attorney in order to obtain clients. Through these false representations, he unlawfully obtained legal fees from multiple victims. Giacopetti also filed false legal documents and illegally acted as a foreclosure consultant.

Giacopetti will be sentenced to 12 years in prison and ordered to pay restitution to all victims named in the complaint. Sentencing is set for February 18, 2018 at 8:30 a.m. in Department 62 before the Honorable Gregory Haas.

This case was investigated and prosecuted by the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Real Estate Fraud Unit.

Defendant Convicted for Kidnapping,

Carjacking, Sexual Assault

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CASE: Eddie Ray Jones Jr. (Case #16FE019308)

PROSECUTOR: Deputy District Attorney Kevin Jones, Adult Sexual Assault Prosecution Unit

Eddie Ray Jones Jr. was convicted by a jury of two counts of kidnapping during a carjacking, two counts of robbery and one count of oral copulation by force or fear with kidnapping and use of a dangerous or deadly weapon or firearm allegations. The jury also found true a use of a firearm allegation on all counts.

On September 10, 2016, Jones was inside a restaurant on Mack Road when the female victim entered the restaurant with her 2-year-old granddaughter. After purchasing food to go, the victim returned to her vehicle and began placing her granddaughter in her car seat. Jones approached the victim from behind, told her he had a gun and pointed it at her through his coat pocket. He proceeded to order the victim into the vehicle and to drive. Over the next hour, the victim was forced to drive around while Jones smoked drugs. He then pulled out the gun, switched seats with the

victim and drove to a secluded area where he forced the victim to orally copulate him. He then stole money from the victim’s

purse, dropped her and her granddaughter off on the side of the road and drove off in her vehicle. Jones was arrested later that month after leading police on a high-speed vehicle chase and

attempting to escape on foot.

The victim was able to describe Jones’ distinctive tattoos and picked him out of a photo lineup. DNA evidence found on the

victim’s shirt was also analyzed by the District Attorney’s Crime Lab and was a match to Jones.

Jones faces a maximum sentence of 69 years to life in prison. Sentencing is set for February 8, 2018, at 1:30 p.m. in

Department 62 before the Honorable Patrick Marlette.

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Former Police Officer Sentenced for

Drugs, Weapon Possession

CASE: Isaac Richard Knutila (Case #16FE021432)

PROSECUTOR: Deputy District Attorney Neil Ferrera, Special Investigations Unit

Isaac Richard Knutila pled no contest to all charges filed in this case; specifically, felony possession of controlled

substances with a firearm and felony possession of an assault weapon. The Honorable Lawrence Brown sentenced Isaac Richard Knutila to 150 days in jail and five years formal probation.

On November 4, 2016, Isaac Knutila was contacted at a local hotel and found to be in possession of heroin, methamphetamine,

cocaine, and marijuana while armed with a loaded .40 caliber firearm. Police officers later searched his residence and

located an illegal assault weapon. At the time of these crimes, Knutila was employed as a police officer with the Sacramento Police Department.

District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert states, “The men and women in law enforcement do a tremendous job in protecting and serving our community. However, if a law enforcement officer or any citizen engages in criminal activity, they will be held

accountable regardless of their profession or any other status they may have.”

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Human Trafficking Awareness Day

District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert recognizes January 11th_as

Human Trafficking Awareness Day and January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

“I would like to thank all of the organizations in our Sacramento region that work so hard to help victims of both labor and sex trafficking,” said DA Schubert. “Through our Sacramento Together coalition, we have been able to work with community and law

enforcement agencies to raise awareness as well as increase efforts of victim prevention and prosecution of traffickers.” The District Attorney’s Office wants to acknowledge all of the community groups and public agencies that participate in the Sacramento Together coalition:

Community Organizations

3Strands Global, Bridge Network, Another Choice Another Chance, City of Refuge, Blue Heart International, Dignity Health, Empower Yolo, Grace City Center & The Grace Network, International Rescue Committee, Kaiser Permanente, My Sister’s House, Soroptomist

International Sierra Nevada Region, National Council of Jewish Women of Sacramento, Shared Hope International, Opening Doors Inc., UC Davis CAARE Diagnostic and Treatment Center, Sacramento LGBT Community Center, Sacramento Rescue and Restore Coalition, WEAVE, WellSpace Health, A.C.F.P.

Local Agencies

Sacramento County Child Protection Services Sacramento Unified School District

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California CASA Association, Sacramento County

California Department of Social Services El Dorado County Health & Human Services

Yolo County Child Welfare Services Law Enforcement Agencies

Sacramento County Probation Department Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department

Sacramento Police Department Auburn Police Department

EL Dorado County Probation Department El Dorado Sheriff’s Department

Citrus Heights Police Department Elk Grove Police Department

Folsom Police Department Galt Police Department

Rocklin Police Department Twin Rivers Police Department

West Sacramento Police Department Winters Police Department

Yolo County Sheriff’s Department Woodland Police Department

Federal Bureau of Investigation California Highway Patrol

Department of Justice California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation Legal Agencies

Sacramento County Counsel Sacramento County Public Defender

Yolo County District Attorney’s Office California Attorney General’s Office

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U.S. Attorney Eastern District of California

Defendant Sentenced for Deadly

Stabbing

CASE: Rodney Bruno (Case #16FE019105)

PROSECUTOR: Deputy District Attorney Caroline Park, Homicide Unit The Honorable Michael Kenny sentenced Rodney Bruno to 86 years to life in prison. On October 10, 2017, a jury convicted Bruno for the first-degree murder of Virgil Torres. The jury also found that Bruno used a deadly weapon in the course of the murder. Bruno was sentenced under the three strikes law and the court found that Bruno had previously been convicted of a 1980 strike conviction for voluntary manslaughter and a 2008 strike

conviction for robbery.

On October 2, 2016, Rodney Bruno was upset with Virgil Torres. Bruno and Mr. Torres were at a home in the Tahoe Park area when they began to argue. The argument quickly escalated into a

physical fight. Bruno stabbed Torres multiple times in the

course of the altercation. Torres died as a result of those stab wounds.

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Defendant Convicted of Assault and

Torturing Toddler

CASE: Lovely Ocean Williams (Case #16FE012205)

PROSECUTOR: Deputy District Attorney Nancy Cochrane, Special Assault & Child Abuse Unit

Lovely Ocean Williams pled no contest to torture and assault by means of force likely to cause great bodily injury.

Between February and April of 2016, Williams was in a

relationship with the victim, who had a daughter younger than 3 years old at the time. During the two-month period, Williams assaulted the victim and tortured the victim’s daughter.

Williams burned the child with the heated end of a drug pipe and a hand-held butane blow torch. The child was burned over her entire body, and was specifically burned on her genitalia with the blow torch. Many of the burns have resulted in permanent scars.

Williams will be sentenced to 7 years to life in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for March 6, 2018, at 8:30 a.m. in Department 61 before the Honorable Michael Sweet.