Ex-police officer who sexually assaulted minor gets probation

By City News Service

Aformer Banning police officer who molested a girl on several occasions and showed her pornographic material was sentenced Tuesday to three years' felony probation.

Christopher John Sayeski, 40, pleaded guilty in October to two counts each of oral copulation of a minor and furnishing explicit images to an underage victim, as well as one count of sexual penetration with a foreign object.

Sayeski's plea was directly to Riverside County Superior Court Judge Mark Singer- ton, without input from the District Attorney's Office.

Singerton in October had indicated the court's intention to impose a sentence of five years, eight months in state prison.

However, during the sentencing hearing Tuesday at the Banning Justice Center, the judge was swayed by the defense's arguments in favor of a lesser degree of punishment, ordering the defendant to serve out the probation term, as well as spend 180 days in a sheriff's work release program, during which he'll have to be employed or enrolled full time in school.

Singerton also ordered Sayeski to register as a convicted sex offender under Penal Code section 290.

Prosecutors objected to the lenient sentence but were overruled.

Banning police said the defendant resigned from the department on Feb. 11, 2022, a week after he was arrested.

According to the criminal complaint, the acts of molestation occurred on different occasions between August 2017 and October 2020.

The specific relation- ship between the victim and Sayeski was not disclosed, and it was unclear whether he assaulted her at his residence or at another location.

"The Banning Police Department remains committed to uncompromised integrity of its officers, and it will take all appropriate actions to ensure the public's trust in this law enforcement agency," according to a police statement released after the defendant was taken into custody.

It was unclear how long Sayeski had worked in law enforcement.

Nancy Sinatra to be celebrity grand marshal for Palm Springs Classic Car Parade

By City News Service

Nancy Sinatra, the daughter of Frank Sinatra, will be the celebrity grand marshal for the Palm Springs 85th Anniversary Classic Car Parade next week, city officials announced Tuesday.

The free "Cruising Through the Years" parade will get in gear at 11:30 a.m. April 8 along Amado Road from the Palm Springs Convention Center to the Downtown Park, according to Palm Springs communications director Amy Blaisdell. A limited number of free bleacher seats will be set up near the Jackie Lee Houston Plaza.

"We are absolutely thrilled to have the fabulous Nancy Sinatra and so many other local celebrities, community leaders, and pioneers join us for what is sure to be an epic parade and incredible day celebrating 85 years of the magic that makes Palm Springs like no place else," Mayor Grace Garner said in a statement.

She will be joined by notable local celebrities, community leaders and city pioneers including football legend Fred "The Hammer" Williamson, supermodel Beverly Johnson, philanthropist Harold Matzner, Palm Springs International Film Festival chairman Charlie Pasarell, tennis legend Rosie Casals and many others, Blaisdell said.

Participants will ride in 85 classic cars dating back to 1938, when the city was incorporated.

The parade will be followed by various festivities, including an opening ceremony at 12:30 p.m., a car show and DJ set at 1 p.m., a canine celebrity costume contest at 6 p.m. and an Elton John Tribute Concert at 7 p.m. to end the night, according to Blaisdell.

"Our 85th Anniversary Classic Car Parade & Show is sure to go down in the history books," organizer and founder of Palm Springs Exotic Car Auctions Keith McCormick said in a statement. "No other city that I know of has ever had 85 cars representing 85 years all in one place."

He added that the Guinness Book of World Records will be on hand to document the event. More information about the day of festivities can be found at palmsprings85.com.

Felon charged with trying to kill woman, engaging in standoff with deputies

By City News Service

Aparolee accused of trying to kill a woman in her San Jacinto apartment before she was able to escape, then barricading himself inside the residence in an hours-long standoff with deputies, was charged Monday with attempted murder and other offenses.

Salvador Magdaleno

Angulo, 27, was arrested Thursday following the alleged assault and confrontation with law enforcement in the 300 block of Shaver Street.

Along with attempted murder, Angulo is charged with mayhem, assault resulting in great bodily injury and assault with a deadly weapon.

The defendant, who is being held without bail at the Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta, was slated to make his initial court appearance Monday afternoon at the Banning Justice Center.

According to Riverside County sheriff's Lt. Jeremy Harding, shortly before 8 a.m. Thursday, the convicted felon allegedly attacked the 51-year-old woman in her apartment on Shaver Street, where he was staying.

The relationship between

Angulo and the victim wasn't disclosed, nor was her identity.

Harding alleged that the defendant assaulted the woman for an unspecified period, causing injuries, which required immediate medical attention. A possible motive for the alleged attack was not disclosed.

The sergeant said that witnesses called 911, and patrol deputies reached the apartment minutes later, at which point they encountered the victim, who was taken by ambulance to a regional medical center for treatment.

She was recovering from her injuries Monday.

Harding said deputies were unable to enter the apartment after Angulo allegedly barricaded himself alone inside.

"He refused to cooperate and fortified himself in the apartment," the sheriff's spokesman said.

"Due to Angulo's behavior, the surrounding area was evacuated, including a nearby elementary school, for public safety."

The standoff lasted until 1:30 p.m., when Angulo surrendered without further incident, according to Harding.

Neither the defendant nor any deputies were injured.

According to court records, Angulo has prior convictions for assault resulting in great bodily injury and attempted robbery.