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Mandatory “kill-switches” for smartphones to prevent theft? Bill awaits Governor Jerry Brown's signature by jennifer schlueter With our smartphones being worth up to $700, $800 or even more, they have become favorable objects for thieves. Black market resales for stolen phones are lucrative for robbers, especially overseas, where American smartphones are more expensive. According to Consumer Reports, smartphone thefts in the US have almost doubled from 2012 to 2013 making them the leading property crime. Major cities in California are highly affected by this epidemic. In San Francisco and Oakland, cellphones were a target in 65 percent or rather 75 percent of all robberies in 2013, estimates the San Francisco city district attorney’s office. Oakland police data reveals that in the first half of this year over 80 percent of armed robberies involved mobile devices. Los Angeles has seen a 12% increase in cellphone thefts last year, reports NBC. To fight these alarming numbers, State Sen. Mark Leno introduced a bill that would require smartphone manufacturers to install a “kill-switch” into
their new, California-sold devices, which would make them inoperable if they fall into the wrong hands. Rightful owners would be able to lock their phones with antitheft software. According to CNBC, the bill exempts “smartphone models introduced before Jan. 1, 2015, that could not ‘reasonably be re-engineered’ to incorporate the anti-theft technology” and excludes tablets. Should the bill become law, “manufacturers will have until July 1, 2015, to incorporate the theft deterrent, which users would be asked to turn on when they set up their new devices,” CNBC states. “Our goal is to swiftly take the wind out of the sails of thieves who have made the theft of smartphones one of the most prevalent street crimes in California’s biggest cities,” Leno’s statement reads. The CTIA, a trade association representing the wireless telecommunication industry, opposed the bill according to a statement by their vice president of external and state affairs, Jamie Hastings. “We
Sian was extradited from Guatemala for the sexual assault of a child, and Pereda was extradited from Spain for a probation violation stemming from domestic violence and child abduction. “Whether it is before or after conviction, we are going to con-
The Recording Academy remembers Robin Williams By Terry Miller
-Photo by Jennifer Schlueter
urge the Governor to not sign this bill, since uniformity in the wireless industry created tremendous benefits for wireless consumers, including lower costs and phenomenal innovation,” said he. “State by state technology mandates, such as this one, stifle those benefits and are detrimental to wireless consumers.” However, the bill’s spon-
Robin Williams, circa 1990, at Santa Barbara’s Biltmore Hotel at a special event honoring his comedic mentor Jonathan Winters. –Photo by Terry Miller
tinue to bring fugitives to justice to ensure they are held accountable for the harm they have caused,” said District Attorney Tony Rackauckas. “Bringing these defendants to justice will help bring
Oscar-winning actor and comedian Robin Williams apparently took his own life at his Northern California home Monday, law enforcement officials said. Williams was 63. “He has been battling severe depression of late,” publicist Mara Buxbaum told CNN. “This is a tragic and sudden loss. The family respectfully asks for their privacy as they grieve during this very difficult time.” Coroner investigators suspect “the death to be a suicide due to asphyxia,” according to a statement from the Marin County, California, Sheriff’s office. Hundreds of thousands of
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OCDA announces extradition of two fugitives from Guatemala and Spain for sexual assault of a child and child abduction probation violation The Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) announced the extradition of two fugitives from Guatemala and Spain for serious and violent felonies committed in Orange County. Jose Carmen Sian, 42, and Jose Luis Pereda, 46, were extradited on Aug. 7, 2014.
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Two men who helped set Colby Fire sentenced to federal prison Two men involved in setting an illegal campfire above Glendora that erupted out of control to become the destructive Colby Fire were sentenced last week to federal prison. At the sentencing hearing, Clifford Eugene Henry Jr, 22, of Glendora, received a prison term of 6 months, plus a three-year term of supervised release, and Steven Robert Aguirre, 21, of Baldwin Park, received a prison term of 5 months, plus a three-year term of supervised release, from United States District Judge George H. Wu. Clifford Henry and Steven Aguirre were tried together in May and each was found guilty of four charges (one felony and three misdemeanors) related to the fire. At this hearing, the government agreed to dismiss one of the misdemeanor charges. One other defendant in the case, Jonathan Carl Jarrell, was also found guilty of a felony offense of unlawfully setting timber afire and a misdemeanor offense of illegally starting a fire. Jarrell is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Wu later this month. The Colby Fire started on the morning of January 16. By that evening, the fire had consumed more than 1,700 acres of federal, state, local and private lands. The fire destroyed six residences, damaged eight other residences and 17 additional structures, and resulted in injuries to one civilian and two firefighters. Prosecutors argued
-Photo by Terry Miller
that the damages and costs associated with fire-fighting efforts were in excess of $6,000,000. Henry and Aguirre were detained by Glendora Police Officers after they were seen fleeing from area of the fire in a flood control channel. During interviews with Glendora Police and personnel with the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Arson Investigations Unit – interviews that the jury heard during the trial – both defendants admitted playing a role in the starting the illegal campfire that led to the Colby Fire after wind blew burning paper into the brush in the hills above Glendora. Strong Santa Ana winds drove the fire into the residential communities below the hills.
A United States Forest Service fire investigator determined that the origin of the Colby Fire was at a point near a fire ring built by the three men at a location on federal lands within the Angeles National Forest. “The devastation directly caused by defendants conduct points to the incredible seriousness of their offense,” prosecutors wrote in a brief filed in relation to the sentencing. “But the fact that it could have been worse underscores that degree of seriousness. But for the quick thinking and courageous reactions of the Glendora and Azusa
Police Departments to evacuate the residents in harm’s way; but for the heroic actions of individual fire fighters, helicopter pilots and aircraft tanker pilots in battling the blaze; but for the winds dying down and the humidity increasing…this could have been so much worse.” The investigation in this case was conducted by the United States Forest Service, the Glendora Police Department, the Azusa Police Department, the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Arson/Fire Investigation Unit, and CAL FIRE.
“Kill-switch” for smartphones Continued from page 1
sor San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón says that “the manufacturers have indicated that they will implement this technology nationwide with passage of this bill, and with organized crime rings shipping smartphones stolen in the U.S. overseas, passage of this legislation will have implications for public safety around the globe.” Samsung and Apple, along with other US mobile device manufacturers have already carried out antitheft measures and are continuously working
on them. After prior denial and several revisions, the “kill-switch” bill was recently approved 27-8 by the California State Assembly and is now being reviewed by Governor Jerry Brown. Following Minnesota, California would be the second state to require a “kill-switch”. In May, the Midwestern state has passed a similar law. Minneapolis mayoral candidate Mark Andrew fell victim to two teenage robbers, who had beaten him down because he tried to prevent them from stealing his phone.
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Extradition of two criminal fugitives Continued from page 1
closure to victims and prevent innocent people from becoming future victims.” Deputy District Attorney Erin Rowe of the Special Prosecutions Unit secured the extraditions. Extraditions: In 2013/2014, the OCDA extradited eight international fugitives and successfully brought home a child who had been abducted. These extraditions have included defendants located in Canada, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, and Spain, and an abducted child located in the Netherlands. An attorney in the OCDA’s Special Prosecutions Unit with specialized experience in extraditions orchestrates the search and apprehension of Orange County’s most serious, violent, and dangerous fugitives. The majority of extradition cases involve homicide, sexual assault, gang cases, major fraud, and child abduction. Sian (Case #10CF0306): Beginning in 2007, Sian is accused of sexually assaulting 10-year-old Jane Doe, whom he knew through the victim’s mother. The defendant is accused of continuously molesting the victim until she was 12 years old, and then fleeing to Guatemala upon learning that the victim was pregnant as a result of the sexual assault. A warrant was issued and Sian was charged with one felony count each of sexual intercourse with a child age 10 years or younger and continuous sexual abuse, and sentencing enhancement allegations for substantial sexual conduct with a child and causing great bodily injury as a result of sexual assault. Sian was located in Guatemala by the FBI. He faces a maximum sentence of 40 years to life in state prison if convicted and is scheduled for a continued arraignment Aug. 29, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana. Senior Deputy District Attorney Jana Hoffmann of the Sexual Assault Unit is prosecuting this case. Pereda (Case #05CF0671): In 2011, Pereda was convicted of two felony counts of child abduction, one felony count of domestic battery with corporal injury, and one misdemeanor count of domestic
violence battery for crimes that occurred in 2005. He was sentenced to one year in jail, for which he received credit for time served, and five years of formal probation. The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Jim Bacin of the Child Abduction Unit. Less than one month after his sentencing, Pereda violated and absconded from probation. A warrant was issued for his arrest. Working pursuant to the OCDA’s extradition efforts, Interpol and the FBI tracked Pereda to countries in the Middle East, Poland, and eventually Spain, where he was arrested. The U.S. Marshals Service transported Pereda back to Orange County.
On Aug. 11, 2014, Pereda had a probation violation hearing in Orange County, during which he admitted to violating his probation. He was sentenced by Commissioner Vickie Hix to the low term for the violation to two years in state prison. The OCDA and Orange County Probation Department argued for the mid-term sentence of three years in state prison so that the defendant would have been required to serve additional time in custody. With over 440 days of incustody credit accumulated prior to his trial in 2011, Pereda again received credit for time served and was ordered to be released on parole.
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Former US Marine rode his Holden’s bill to recognize Harley across the USA to help President Obama in high shelter animals in need school textbooks passed Rock & Rawhide, the charity that helps increase adoption levels of dogs and cats in shelters, launched a national campaign to help drive adoptions and support of local animal shelters across the country with “Anthony’s Ride for Shelter Pets.” Harkening back to the days of Route 66 and how Americans used to drive awareness of issues from town to town, “Anthony’s Ride for Shelter Pets” took Rock & Rawhide volunteer and Marine Corps Veteran Anthony L. Ungaro from New York to Los Angeles on his 2007 Harley-Davidson FXDB Dyna Bob. Anthony is a 29-year-old Brooklyn native who combined his love for motorcycle riding with his desire to help animals. He served for eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps, including a deployment to Iraq during the 2004 Battle of Fallujah, before returning home and finding love with his red-nosed pit bull Donny. According to Ungaro, “I attribute my successful transition from the military to college, to the positive experiences and responsibilities that come with having a pet in the family.” Anthony rode his HarleyDavidson cross-country to help spread awareness about Rock & Rawhide and pet adoption and arrived in Los Angeles Tuesday,
August 12. Anthony’s motorcycle trip spanned 4,000 miles, covering 14 states. Anthony departed New York City on July 28, and made his final destination Los Angeles, California. In California, Anthony met with the Los Angeles Animal Services and Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA, at Petco La Brea, where he delivered toys, treats and supplies on behalf of Rock & Rawhide. Los Angeles Animal Services promotes and protects the health, safety and welfare of animals and people. They envision the day when every pet born has a good home and is cared for all its life, and no person is ever endangered by an animal. Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA is an independent, donor-supported, non-profit agency that provides animal care for abandoned and homeless animals. An open door agency, PHS welcomes and cares for all animals in its service area regardless of age, medical condition, breed or any other criteria. The Society is responsible for animal control and welfare for nine area cities that include Arcadia, Bradbury, Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge, Monrovia, Pasadena, San Marino, Sierra Madre and South Pasadena.
The California Legislature has given overwhelming, bi-partisan approval to Assemblymember Chris Holden’s bill to encourage California schools to teach the story of President Barack Obama’s trailblazing election. Today’s vote in the Assembly on concurrence in language changes was approved unanimously – 73 to 0. Last Thursday the Senate overwhelmingly approved AB 1912. The bill now goes to Governor Brown for signature. AB 1912 asks the State Board of Education and the Instructional Quality Commission to include the significance of President Barack Obama’s election in the state’s history and social science standards for grades seven to twelve. “The election of President Barack Obama is a significant
part of history and should not just be a mere footnote within textbooks,” said Assemblymember Holden. “This bill would create an opportunity for our children to learn about the historical significance of electing our first AfricanAmerican President. Children need to understand that for years intimidation and physical violence prevented millions of African Americans from voting and alienated them from the electoral process, making the 2008 election of President Obama even more noteworthy.” California has not updated its standards for nine years due largely to the state’s fiscal crisis. The State Board of Education is expected to review instructional materials during the 2015-2016 school year.
Robin Williams Continued from page 1
tributes and a makeshift memorial at his Hollywood star mark the end of one of the most illustrious comedic careers in history. The Recording Academy, based in Santa Monica, released this statement of Williams’ death. “Five-time GRAMMY® winner Robin Williams was a prolific actor and stand-up comedian who literally did it all: television, film, theater, and live performances. After gaining fame in his breakout role of Mork in the television show ‘Mork & Mindy,’ Williams became a household name. His improvisational skills and comedic timing were unmatched, and he quickly established himself as a larger-than-life presence on screen and on stage. His roles in classic movies such as Mrs. Doubtfire, The Birdcage, and Jumanji showcased his comedic chops, while his versatility was reflected in dramatic films such
as Dead Poets Society, The Fisher King, and Good Will Hunting, which earned him an Academy Award® for Best Supporting Actor. Although Williams is most recognized for his film and television work, he has received GRAMMYs for Best Comedy Recording three times, Best Recording for Children, and Best Spoken Comedy Album. Additionally, his heart matched his expansive talent, as he often gave generously — both financially and personally — to a number of worthwhile causes throughout his life. Our entertainment community has lost an immense talent, a true inspiration, and a creative genius, and his remarkable legacy will forever be immortalized in his vast and impressive body of work. Our sincerest condolences go out to his family, friends, and his countless fans around the world who will continue to honor his memory through laughter.”