Riverside Independent_2/26/2024

PG 02

MONDAY, FEBRUARYY 26- MARCH 03, 2024

Former teacher pleads guilty to sex charges, gets 30 years to life

By City News Service

ADunesLearning

Center teacher who is accused of sex crimes involving children pleaded guilty Thursday to felony charges and was immediately sentenced to 30 years to life in prison.

Palm Desert resident Devin Daniel Lujan, 32, pleaded guilty Thursday at the Larson Justice Center in Indio to two felony counts of engaging in oral copulation on a child under 10 as well as one felony count each of lewd acts on a child under 14 and willful child cruelty, according to court records.

His co-defendant, James McCall Anderson, 36, is charged with two felony counts of knowingly distributing harmful matter and two misdemeanor counts of immoral acts before a child, according to court records.

His next court appearance was set for March 26.

Both defendants volunteered at George Washington Charter School in Palm Desert, according to Desert Sands Unified School District spokeswoman Mary Perry.

The pair were arrested in July 2019 in the 74000 block of Scholar Lane in Palm Desert after deputies were tipped off to an allegation of child sexual abuse, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

According to a declaration in support of Lujan’s arrest filed by Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Investigator Thomas Hendry, Anderson was out on a date from around 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on June 27, 2019, and had asked his roommate Lujan to babysit.

When Anderson returned, the victim was

watching television in the living room, but an hour later, went into the defendant’s bedroom to tell him in private that Lujan took her into his bedroom and licked her private area while he was gone, Hendry wrote. She added that she asked Lujan to stop because it started to hurt, and the defendant did, telling her that he would buy her a bicycle if she didn’t tell anyone about what happened.

During the victim’s forensic interview, she told the interviewer that Lujan had taken her into his bedroom, placed her on a black couch, spread her private area with his finger and stared at it, according to the court document. She then told him that it hurt and he stopped, but then he licked her until she again told him to stop.

A second victim, who was 6 years old at the time, was interviewed June 3, 2019, and said that she was cuddling with Lujan at his residence when he placed one of his hands on her butt, according to Hendry. When asked what she thought when he did that, she made a shocked facial expression.

Anderson faces two felony counts of sending pornographic material to minors and two misdemeanor counts of committing immoral acts before a minor. The criminal complaint alleges the defendant was “habitually drunk” in the presence of at least one child in his care or custody.

Lujan is being held at the John J. Benoit Detention Center in Indio without bail. Anderson was free on a $30,000 bail bond.

Palm Springs Art Museum, Desert X partner for weekend of art events in March

PG 28

VOL. 10, NO. 160

Bestseller-based play addressing Alzheimer’s to open in Palm Springs

By Staff

Aplay on the impact of Alzheimer’s disease on families is set to open next month in Palm Springs. Revolution Stage Company is hosting the California premiere of “The Woman in the Mirror” — “a dark comedy about navigating Alzheimer’s with love, laughter, and wine (that) takes audiences on an inspirational journey filled with laughter, wit, and the resilience required when facing extraordinary and unexpected circumstances,” according to theater organizers.

Adapted from Dayna Steele’s best-selling book “Surviving Alzheimer’s with Friends, Facebook, and a Really Big Glass of Wine,” the one-woman play is about the author’s reaction to her mom’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis. The show chronicles Steele’s experiences caring for her mother and is a heartwarming story filled with humor and inspiration, theater organizers said in a statement.

“Steele began posting online, detailing the family’s alarming, sometimes humorous struggles, turning it into a therapeutic community of support and information encompassing thousands of followers,” according to theater organizers. Steele’s refreshing honesty, laced with biting humor, is a beacon of strength and resiliency. Her play is not only a theatrical triumph but also a living on-stage caregiver’s

Corona nonprofits’ requests for event cosponsorship due Thursday

By Staff

Corona nonprofits have until Thursday to submit requests for grants to help pay for events in the next fiscal year that starts in July.

City officials are drafting the budget for co-sponsored events and have invited qualified nonprofit organizations to apply.

Applications are accepted in two phases: Events set for July 1-Dec. 31, applications are currently available and due this Thursday, Feb. 29. Events scheduled for Jan. 1-June 30, 2025, applications will be available starting July 1.

The city uses the following criteria to choose co-sponsorship grant recipients:

“1. Community groups, non-profit 501(c)(3) tax exempt organizations or other government agencies. Non-profit status will be verified via the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Corona-Norco Unified School District events may be considered for City co-sponsorship.”

Applicants must provide proof of their organization’s

See Corona nonprofits Page 28

Brothers admit stealing more than $2.3M in postal scam

formerBermuda

Devin Daniel Lujan. | Photo courtesy of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department

James McCall Anderson. | Photo courtesy of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department

VISIT

Man charged with selling fentanyl, meth in Perris

By City News Service

A42-year-oldman accused of selling large quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine out of his Perris home was charged Wednesday with transportation of controlled substances for sale and other offenses.

Miguel Angel Lopez was arrested Friday following a Riverside County Sheriff’s Department investigation.

Along with the transportation count, Lopez was charged with possession of drugs for sale, illegal possession of a collapsible baton, child endangerment and possession of ammunition while engaged in narcotics sales.

The defendant, who is

being held in lieu of $350,000 bail at the Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta, was slated to make his initial court appearance Wednesday afternoon at the Riverside Hall of Justice.

According to sheriff’s officials, Lopez came under investigation earlier this month after deputies were informed of possible drug trafficking at his home in the 1000 block of Ruby Drive, near Mildred Street.

Sheriff’s Sgt. Kamal Kabbara said Special Enforcement Bureau investigators served a search warrant at the property in the early afternoon of Feb. 16.

“They located and seized hundreds of multi-colored fentanyl pills, fentanyl powder, methamphetamine, and thousands of dollars in cash,” Kabbara said. “Additionally, deputies seized ballistic panels, ammunition and a collapsible baton. At the residence, deputies discovered a 12-year-old child alone in the vicinity of the narcotics.”

The youth, whose relationship to the defendant was not specified, was placed in the care of county Child Protective Services staff.

Lopez was taken into custody without incident.

According to court records, he has prior misde-

meanor convictions for possession of controlled substances and illegal alteration of a firearm. He has no felony priors.

Preliminary data released by the county Department of Public Health showed there were 388 confirmed fentanylrelated fatalities countywide in 2023, a 23% decline from 2022, when there were 503.

Fentanyl is manufactured in overseas labs, principally in China, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, which says the synthetic opioid is smuggled across the U.S.-Mexico border by

cartels.

The drug is 80-100 times more potent than morphine and can be mixed into any number of street narcot-

ics and prescription drugs, without a user knowing what he or she is consuming. Ingestion of only two milligrams can be fatal.

Moreno Valley pastor charged with sexually assaulting girl Brothers admit stealing more than $2.3M in postal scam

By City News Service

A78-year-old pastor accused of sexually assaulting a young girl is slated to be arraigned next week on multiple felony charges.

David Lee Helbling of Moreno Valley was arrested last week following a Riverside County Sheriff’s Department investigation.

Helbling is charged with oral copulation of a child under 10 years old, abduction of a minor, forcible lewd acts on a child, perpetrating three or more sexual acts on a minor and a sentenceenhancing allegation of bodily injury during a sexual assault.

The defendant made his initial court appearance Friday before Superior Court Judge Gail O’Rane, who appointed him a public defender and scheduled his arraignment for March 1 at the Riverside Hall of Justice.

Helbling is being held on $2 million bail at the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning.

According to sheriff’s Sgt. Robert Martinez, deputies were informed on Jan. 30 of an alleged attack on the victim, identified in court documents only as “E.A.,” in the 23000 block of Hemlock Avenue, near Pigeon Pass Road.

The ensuing investigation led to the identification of Helbling, a local minister, as the alleged perpetrator.

Martinez said a search warrant was obtained and

David Helbling. | Photo courtesy of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department

served at the defendant’s residence, where “evidence related to the crime was collected, and Helbling was taken into custody without incident.”

Court papers indicated the defendant committed the alleged offenses all on the same day -- Jan. 30.

“It is alleged that in connection with the commission of the offenses, Helbling ... kidnapped the victim, and the movement of the victim substantially increased the risk of harm,” according to the criminal

complaint. “The defendant resided in the same home, and (he) had recurring access (to her) with the intent of arousing, appealing to and gratifying (his) lust, passions and sexual desires.”

No other details were disclosed, including the house of worship where the defendant presided.

The charges carry a potential maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Helbling has no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.

Two Temecula men who perpetrated a $2.3 million scam that involved sending empty packages via the U.S. Postal Service and insuring them as if they contained valuable contents — then claimed they’d been lost or damaged — pleaded guilty Friday to mail fraud.

Brothers Anwer Fareed Alam, 35, and Yousofzay Fahim Alam, 31, admitted the federal charge under joint plea agreements with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The admissions were made during a hearing at U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles.

Judge Wesley Hsu scheduled the brothers’ sentencing for Nov. 1. The Alams are facing up to 20 years in federal prison.

They’re both free on bond.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, from October 2016 to May 2019, the pair filed a series of “fraudulent insurance claims via the USPS’ website and falsely certified that packages (they had sent) contained items of higher value than they did and lied that the packages were lost or had been damaged in transit.”

“Yousofzay Alam also included false invoices, as well as photographs of goods that were not actually inside the parcels,” according to an agency statement.

“The Alam brothers used

By City News Service

aliases and fake business names to hide the number of false insurance claims they submitted.”

“Relying on the false information in the fraudulent insurance claim forms, USPS issued checks to the Alam brothers to cover their purported losses up to $100 in value, plus the cost of shipping,” the agency said.

The Postal Service distributed insurance payment checks to the defendants at their homes and more than a dozen post

office boxes that they maintained, prosecutors said.

“The brothers then deposited the fraudulently obtained funds into their bank accounts,” according to the government. “The total loss caused to USPS through this scheme was at least $2,367,033.”

The USPS Inspector General’s Office ultimately uncovered the scheme.

The men have no documented prior felony convictions in the federal court system, according to records.

| Photo by LightFieldStudios/Envato Elements

| Photo by joebelanger/Envato Elements

HLRMedia coM

Editorial editorial@beaconmedianews.com editor@hlrmedia.com

Graphics/Production production@beaconmedianews.com production@hlrmedia.com

Advertising advertising@beaconmedianews.com advertising@hlrmedia.com

Legal Advertising legals@beaconmedianews.com legals@hlrmedia.com

Business accounting@beaconmedianews.com accounting@hlrmedia.com

BEACON MEDIA ADDRESS: 820 S. Myrtle Ave. Monrovia, CA 91016

PHONE: (626) 301-1010

WEBSITE www.beaconmedianews.com

HLR MEDIA ADDRESS: 820 S. Myrtle Ave. Monrovia, CA 91016 PHONE: (626) 301-1010 www.HLRmedia.com

PRESS RELEASE SUBMISSIONS editor@beaconmedianews.com editor@hlrmedia.com

A zusa B eacon

Rosemead Reader

DMotion Picture Academy to honor filmmaking scientific, technical achievements

By City News Service

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Friday evening paid tribute to the people behind more than a dozen scientific and technical achievements that have advanced the art of moviemaking.

“The Academy recognizes and celebrates all aspects of the film industry and the diverse, talented people who make movies,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer said in a statement when the honorees were announced. “Our Scientific and Technical Awards are a critical part of this mission, as they honor the individuals and companies whose discoveries and innovations have contributed in significant and lasting ways to our motion picture industry.”

The Scientific and Technical Awards ceremony was hosted by actress/director/ writer/producer Natasha Lyonne. The event took place at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.

The honorees are the brains behind innovations such as laser projection systems, sound systems and other achievements that are likely unfamiliar to the average moviegoer, but that have advanced the filmmaking process.

Advancements being honored were not necessarily developed in the past year, but they are recognized for demonstrating “a proven record of contributing significant value to the process of making motion pictures,” according to the Academy.

Event honorees were:

Bill Beck for his use of semiconductor lasers for theatrical laser projection systems;

Gregory T. Niven for his work in using laser diodes for theatrical laser projection systems;

Yoshitaka Nakatsu, Yoji Nagao, Tsuyoshi Hirao, Tomonori Morizumi and Kazuma Kozuru for the development of laser diodes for theatrical laser projection systems;

Arnold Peterson and Elia P. Popov for design and engineering work, and John Frazier for the initial concept of the Blind Driver Roof Pod, which is aimed at boosting safety in stunt driving;

Jon G. Belyeu for the design and engineering of Movie Works Cable Cutter devices;

James Eggleton and Delwyn Holroyd for the design and implementation of

the “High-Density Encoding lossless compression algorithm within the Codex recording toolset”;

Jeff Lait, Dan Bailey and Nick Avramoussis for the expansion of the feature set of OpenVDB to improve the quality of film visual effects; Oliver Castle and Marcus Schoo for the design and engineering of Atlas, and to Keith Lackey for the prototype creation and early development of Atlas and its “scene description and evaluation framework”; and Lucas Miller, Christopher Jon Horvath, Steve LaVietes and Joe Ardent for the creation of the Alembic Caching and Interchange system.

Scientific and Engineering Awards — Academy Plaques

Charles Q. Robinson, Nicolas Tsingos, Christophe Chabanne, Mark Vinton and the team of software, hardware and implementation engineers of the Cinema Audio Group at Dolby Laboratories for the creation of the

ADolby Atmos Cinema Sound System; Steve Read and Barry Silverstein for their contributions to the development of the IMAX Prismless Laser Projector; Peter Janssens, Goran Stojmenovik and Wouter D’Oosterlinck for the design and development of the Barco RGB Laser Projector; Michael Perkins, Gerwin Damberg, Trevor Davies and Martin J. Richards for the design and development of the Christie E3LH Dolby Vision Cinema Projection System; Ken Museth, Peter Cucka and Mihai Aldén for the creation of OpenVDB; Jaden Oh for the concept and development of the Marvelous Designer clothing creation system; and F. Sebastian Grassia, Alex Mohr, Sunya Boonyatera, Brett Levin and Jeremy Cowles for the design and engineering of Pixar’s Universal Scene Description.

Ex-FBI informant re-arrested, charged in LA with lying about Joe Biden and son

n ex-FBI informant charged with fabricating corruption allegations against President Joe Biden and his son was re-arrested Thursday in Las Vegas after federal agents appeared at his lawyers’ offices with an arrest warrant out of Los Angeles, according to court papers.

Alexander Smirnov, 43, of Las Vegas, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen, was first arrested last week in Las Vegas and set free by a magistrate judge on Tuesday. He was re-arrested Thursday on a new warrant for the false statement charges, signed by U.S. District Judge Otis Wright II, who will oversee the case in downtown Los Angeles, court papers show.

Federal prosecutors allege that Smirnov lied to his FBI handler, whom he worked with for more than a decade, and should not be trusted. He also has extensive contacts in Russia and elsewhere, prosecutors said in a court filing, and lied to authorities about his “access to over $6 million in liquid funds — more than enough money for him to live comfortably overseas for the rest of his life.”

Smirnov’s lawyers have denied that their client would flee the country or otherwise try to escape prosecution. They said in a filing Thursday that Smirnov has remained fully compliant with his conditions of release since his court-ordered release Tuesday.

Defense attorneys requested an emergency hearing in front of the chief judge of the district of Nevada.

A grand jury indictment accuses Smirnov of making false allegations to FBI agents in June 2020, when he allegedly told them about meetings with an executive from Burisma, the Ukrainian energy company which employed Hunter Biden as an attorney and later as a member of its corporate board.

He also allegedly told agents that the Burisma executives made $5 million payments to both Joe and Hunter Biden when Joe Biden was vice president, court papers show.

Hunter Biden faces federal charges related to an illegal purchase and possession of a gun, as well as nine tax-related charges in Los Angeles for his alleged failure to pay $1.4 million in taxes owed between 2016 and 2019, according to federal prosecutors. He has pleaded not guilty in both cases.

Technical Achievement Awards — Academy Certificates

IMAX projectors. | Photo courtesy of IMAX

TTrey Songz accusers drop lawsuit alleging sexual assault

James Hong places handprints, footprints outside TCL Chinese Theatre

By City News Service By City News Service

wowomenwho accused Trey Songz of sexual assault at a 2015 party at his Bell Canyon home have dropped their lawsuit.

An attorney for the plaintiffs, identified only as Jane Doe A and Jane Doe B, filed court papers on Tuesday with Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Maureen DuffyLewis asking that their case be dismissed “without prejudice,” meaning it can be refiled later. The pleadings do not state if a settlement was reached or if the women were not pursuing the case for other reasons.

Jane Doe A lives in San Diego and Jane Doe B in Denver, the suit states. The two plaintiffs were expecting a celebration when they went to the R&B singer’s home on his invitation after attending one of his concerts on Aug. 2, 2015, but were instead subjected to “acts so heinous, so contrary to basic human decency, that they defy comprehension,” the suit filed Oct. 23 stated.

“The atmosphere grew heavy, disturbingly, (and)

while defendant Songz and his male associates did not drink alcohol, the plaintiffs and other female guests were coercively pressed to drink from unsealed liquor bottles, which were curiously full, and faced intense intimidation if they dared to decline,” the suit stated.

Both women believe they were led by the 39-yearold “Can’t Help but Wait” singer to an upstairs room after being drugged and sexually assaulted during

the night, the complaint alleged.

The morning of Aug. 3, 2015, the women waited about 30 minutes to get their phones returned and another 40 minutes for a ride-hailing driver to arrive, according to the complaint, which also states that their finances have been impacted and that they continue to suffer from emotional distress.

The singer’s real name is Tremaine Aldon Neverson.

James Hong placed his handprints and footprints in cement in the forecourt of the TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX in Hollywood Thursday, his 95th birthday, honoring a seven-decade acting career with more than 600 credits.

“When I first came here in 19 — I think it was 1953 — the first thing I did was come here and try all the footprints,” Hong told the crowd gathered for the event. “I put mine on top of John Wayne. Wow, too big for me. Too large. Jimmy Stewart? Too large. But now, today, I have my own size.”

Oscar-winning filmmakers Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert and actress Lucy Liu were among those joining Hong at the ceremony.

Kwan and Scheinert won best director and best original screenplay Oscars at last March’s Academy Awards for the best picturewinning time- and spacetwisting sci-fi tale, “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” which they produced with Jonathan Wang. Hong portrayed the demanding father of dissatisfied and overwhelmed laundromat owner Evelyn Quan Wang (Michelle Yeoh) in the film.

Liu and Hong both supplied voices for all the “Kung Fu Panda” films, including “Kung Fu Panda 4,” set to premiere March 8.

Born in Minneapolis to Chinese immigrant parents, Hong told CNN in a 2020 interview he

received some of his favorite acting inspiration from his father’s herb shop in Minneapolis.

“All the laundrymen from Minneapolis had nothing to do on weekends, so they would gather at my father’s store, herb store,” Hong said. “I remember that, because we’d have those little wooden stools and they all gathered there, and they hired these Chinese opera people from San Francisco to come and do their thing. ... I was only a little boy. You watch them with wide eyes, ‘Wow! What a profession.’”

Hong studied civil engineering at the University of Minnesota and joined the Minnesota Army National Guard. His national guard unit was mobilized during the Korean War and Hong was sent to Camp Rucker, Alabama for training.

After finishing his training for the day, he would entertain soldiers. Upon witnessing Hong’s performing prowess, the camp general asked Hong to stay at Camp Rucker and be in charge of the camp’s live shows rather than being deployed to Korea.

After the Korean War, Hong moved to Los Angeles in 1953 with a friend and finished his engineering degree at USC. After graduation he worked as a road engineer for Los Angeles County for 5 1/2 years, while acting in the evenings, the weekends and during his vacation

time.

Hong has said his breakthrough came in a 1954 appearance on Groucho Marx’s game show “You Bet Your Life,” when he did impersonations of Marx, James Cagney and others, which resulted in a huge flood of fan mail and landed Hong an agent.

Hong is the only living actor to have worked with Clark Gable and Marx, appearing with Gable in the 1955 adventure film “Soldier of Fortune.”

“Everything Everywhere All at Once,” was the fifth film Hong appeared in that was nominated for a best picture Oscar. The others were “Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing,” “The Sand Pebbles,” “Chinatown” and “Bound for Glory,” with “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” the only one to win.

Hong’s other film credits include “Airplane!”

“Big Trouble in Little China,” “Black Widow,” “Blade Runner,” “Flower Drum Song,” “Mulan” and “Wayne’s World 2.”

Hong’s television credits include “Seinfeld,” “All in the Family” and “Perry Mason.”

Hong was among the Asian American artists who founded the East West Players in 1965, seeking to create roles beyond the stereotypical parts they were offered in mainstream Hollywood. It has become the nation’s premier Asian American theater.

James Hong. | Photo courtesy of James Hong/X

Trey Songz. | Photo courtesy of Lunchbox LP/Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

What the Biden administration’s new executive order on AI will mean for cybersecurity

By Dom DiFurio, Stacker

Regulations have been proposed by a presidential administration committed to a responsible rollout of one of the most consequential technologies since the advent of the internet.

The adoption of AI products accelerated rapidly over the past year since OpenAI released its large language modelpowered chatbot, ChatGPT. Today, the generative AI platform boasts more than 100 million weekly users worldwide and is used by developers at nine in 10 Fortune 500 companies.

In that time, academics, researchers, and even the CEOs of companies producing AI tools themselves have called for guidance and responsible safeguards for AI. Among their concerns are the displacement of workers; violations of copyright law; furthering wealth inequality in financial services, as well as dissemination of discrimination and misinformation; and national security in a world where other global powers have access to AI as well.

Drata reviewed the Biden administration’s 48-page executive order on AI and analyses from law firms and researchers to identify the proposals most likely to affect U.S. cybersecurity.

The order has been described as “sweeping” by academics because it proposes regulations for using AI in the federal government and managing risks to privacy, consumer protections, national security, and civil and human rights in both the public and private sectors.

The Biden administration said it not only wants to prevent harm but promote a responsible development of AI tools that will keep the U.S. at the forefront of what’s been dubbed the “AI arms race.” On that front, the order aims to “maximize the benefits of AI” for working Americans, expand grant funds for AI

research, attract workers who can work on advanced AI systems, and hire AI professionals into federal agencies.

A benchmarking initiative from the Commerce and Energy departments

The Department of Commerce is the federal agency implementing and overseeing many of the executive order’s new rules and regulations. The department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology released its Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Framework in January 2023 for developing and deploying AI systems responsibly within the government, which can be used voluntarily by the private sector.

The executive order has given the Department of Commerce nearly a year to expand on its NIST framework and create a version for generative AI products like ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini model. The order will also launch an initiative to create standards for how companies and the government should audit AI systems to determine cybersecurity risks.

Training record

transparency

The Department of Commerce will also require private companies to turn over to the government records from AI training processes for advanced models considered “dualuse foundation models.” AI is developed by feeding an algorithm large amounts of data, which it can learn from, cite when answering prompts, and use to generate media or perform a task.

The administration’s executive order defines “dual-use” as an AI model “trained on broad data; generally uses self-supervision; contains at least tens of billions of parameters; is applicable across a wide range of contexts; and that exhibits, or could be easily modified to exhibit, high levels of performance at tasks that pose a serious

risk to security, national economic security, national public health or safety, or any combination of those matters.”

The executive order states that the government is particularly concerned with how those models might make it easier to develop weapons of mass destruction, enable “powerful” offensive cyberwarfare capabilities, and become difficult for humans to control once unleashed.

Annual CISA risk reports

Importantly, the order also lays the groundwork for protecting critical infrastructure around the country from cyberattacks via vulnerabilities in AI models. Any agency overseeing critical infrastructure, like the Department of Energy, will be required to meet with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency director at least once a year to report risks posed by AI.

Treasury’s best practices for financial sector cybersecurity

The part of the order focused on risk reporting with CISA also requires the Treasury Department to pull together and share best practices for financial institutions trying to mitigate cybersecurity risks posed by AI systems.

In an August 2023 report, the International Monetary Fund found that AI models pose an inherent risk to customers’ data privacy, civil rights, and financial security. Financial institutions like banks are vulnerable to phishing attacks and identity theft that could become much more sophisticated and aggressive with the adoption of generative AI. The report also detailed the risks posed by institutions using AI to do things previously performed by humans, like profiling them for risk before lending them money, which could result in discriminatory lending decisions.

Potential regs for AI in health care settings

Over the next year, an AI task force made up of the secretaries of the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and of Health and Human Services will develop policies for the responsible deployment of AI in the health care sector. It would include AI systems that might be used for new drug discovery, health care devices, public health initiatives, and care financing. The order instructs those department heads to propose regulatory action “as appropriate.”

The order specifically calls out the need for guidance on how software security standards can be updated to protect personally identifiable information maintained by companies in the sector. The health care sector is one that stands to benefit

greatly from the advancement of technology and is also among the most targeted by cyberattacks.

Incorporation

of AI in government operations with CISA guidance

The federal government isn’t planning to sit on the sidelines and merely set the rules for the rest of the players. It, too, is interested in deploying and using AI for its own operations. The order explicitly discourages government agencies from “imposing broad general bans or blocks on agency use of generative AI.” Instead, it encourages limiting their use based on risk assessments of each specific tool.

That will mean, in part, establishing a position at each agency known as the Chief AI Officer. Those heads and their agencies will be provided with recommendations by the

Office of Management and Budget for navigating the implementation of AI responsibly while factoring in practical limitations like budgets, workforce training, and necessary cybersecurity processes. Agencies will also receive recommendations for how to conduct “red teaming” on generative AI systems— the process of trying to exploit the weaknesses of a system in an adversarial way to learn how to defend it better.

Story editing by Jeff Inglis. Copy editing by Paris Close.

This story originally appeared on Drata and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.

Republished pursuant to a CC BY-NC 4.0 license. This article was retitled and copy edited from its original version.

President Biden signs the new executive order on artificial intelligence. | Photo courtesy of Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images/Stacker

TV host Wendy Williams diagnosed with aphasia, dementia Vote centers open throughout SoCal

By City News Service

Former talk show host WendyWilliams’ medical team announced Thursday that she has been diagnosed with a pair of cognitive disorders — primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia.

“Aphasia, a condition affecting language and communication abilities, and frontotemporal dementia, a progressive disorder impacting behavior and cognitive functions, have already presented significant hurdles in Wendy’s life,” according to a statement released by the 59-year-old Williams’ “care team.”

Actor Bruce Willis was diagnosed with the same conditions last year.

“As Wendy’s fans are aware, in the past she has been open with the public about her medical struggles with Graves’ Disease and Lymphedema as well as other significant challenges related to her health,” according to the statement. “Over the past few years, questions have been raised at times about Wendy’s ability to process information and many have speculated about Wendy’s condition, particularly when she began to lose words, act erratically at times, and have difficulty understanding financial transactions.”

The concerns led to a battery of tests last year, leading to the diagnoses. The statement credits the work of specialists at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York.

“Wendy is still able to do many things for herself,” according to the statement. “Most importantly she maintains her

trademark sense of humor and is receiving the care she requires to make sure she is protected and that her needs are addressed. She is appreciative of the many kind thoughts and good wishes being sent her way.”

The public announcement of her condition comes on the heels of a People magazine report this week that a

legal guardian has been appointed by a court to oversee Williams’ affairs while she undergoes treatment.

On Saturday, Lifetime is scheduled to begin airing a two-night documentary series that follows Williams from the time her daytime talk show was canceled in June 2022 until she was admitted for treatment last year.

By City News Service

BeginningSaturday, 119 vote centers will be open across Los Angeles County for residents to cast in-person ballots for the upcoming presidential primary election.

Early voting is already available at the county Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s Office in Norwalk, at 12400 Imperial Highway. The 119 centers opening Saturday are spread throughout the county in hopes of encouraging more people to get their votes in early.

The centers will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters can cast their ballot at any center, regardless of where they live in the county. A list of nearby locations can be found online at locator. lavote.gov.

People who missed the voter-registration deadline but still want to vote can register at a vote center and cast a provisional ballot.

On March 2, more than 600 vote center locations will open across the county.

On Election Day, March 5, the centers will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Riverside

A total of 17 vote centers

will open throughout Riverside County starting this weekend for the 2024 Presidential Primary Election, the county of Riverside announced.

Seventeen vote centers were set to open this Saturday, and an additional 131 vote centers will open next Saturday, March 2 for a total of 148 operational vote centers throughout the county.

Voters are not assigned to a specific location and may cast their ballot at any available vote center, the county of Riverside announced.

For voters who wish to return their vote-by-mail ballots at a drop box location, the Registrar of Voters has 106 official ballot drop-off locations throughout the county. Drop boxes will remain open through 8 p.m. on Election Day.

A list with dates and hours of operation, as well as a map of vote centers and ballot drop off locations are available at voteinfo.net.

San Diego

A total of 39 vote centers were scheduled to open throughout San Diego County this weekend for the 2024

Presidential Primary Election, the county of San Diego announced.

An additional 179 vote centers will open this Saturday, March 2, for a total of 218 operational vote centers throughout the county.

Voters are not assigned to a specific location and may cast their ballot at any available vote center, the county announced.

The locations will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through March 4. On the final day of voting, March 5, all vote centers and official ballot drop boxes will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For voters who wish to return their vote-by-mail ballots at a drop box location, the Registrar of Voters has 146 official ballot drop-off locations throughout the county. Drop boxes will remain open through 8 p.m. on Election Day.

A list with dates and hours of operation, as well as a map of vote centers and ballot drop off locations are available at voteinfo.net.

Voters can visit any vote center in the county and can find a location at sdvote.com.

Wendy Williams. | Photo courtesy of WBLS/Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)

This map shows LA County vote centers. | Image courtesy of the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s Office

Temple City City Notices

TEMPLE CITY NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PLANNING COMMISSION

The Planning Commission is holding a public hearing on the project described below. You are receiving this notice because your property is located near the project, the project may directly, or indirectly affect you, or because you have requested to be notified.

Project Citywide, City of Temple City, County of Los Angeles

Location:

Project: File PL 24-4478. Adoption of thresholds of significance for projects and plans reviewed under the California Environmental Quality Act

Applicant: City of Temple City, 9701 Las Tunas Drive, Temple City, CA 91780

Environmental The adoption of thresholds of significance is exempt from CEQA

Review: review. Section 15064.7 of the CEQA Guidelines establish the process for adopting thresholds and CEQA review is not part of this procedure. Additionally, adoption of thresholds is not a “project” because environmental changes that might result from their adoption are too speculative to be considered “reasonably foreseeable” under CEQA.

The Planning Commission Public Hearing will be held:

Meeting Date & Time: Tuesday, March 12 at 7:30 P.M.

Meeting Location: City Council Chambers, 5938 Kauffman Avenue, Temple City, CA 91780

For questions or concerns regarding this project, or if you wish to review the project file, please contact:

Project Planner: Scott Reimers, Community Development Director (626) 656-7316 sreimers@templecity.us

The decision of the Planning Commission is a recommendation to the City Council. A separate public hearing for the project will be held before the City Council. When scheduled, the hearing will be separately noticed. If you challenge any of the foregoing actions in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing or in written correspondence delivered to the hearing body at, or prior to, the public hearing.

Date: 02/21/2024

Signature: Scott Reimers, Community Development

Publish February 26, 2024

TEMPLE CITY TRIBUNE

El Monte City Notices INVITATION TO BID

Pursuant to Public Contract Code Sections 1600 and 1601, all bids or proposals shall be submitted through the City’s electronic bid management system (PlanetBids) at https://www.planetbids.com/ portal/portal.cfm?CompanyID=43375 by 2:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on or before MARCH 12 , 2024 for the project listed below. A bid submitted after the time set shall not be considered. Bidders are required to submit (upload) all items listed in Section 4(d) of Instructions to Bidders, including a copy of the required Bidder’s Bond and acknowledgement of all addenda. Bids will be received by the City via the electronic submission up to the date and time shown in the Invitation to Bid. The City will be responsible for bid tabulations. Bids will be opened and read out loud by the City Clerk’s Office in Council Chambers at the date and time stated in the Invitation to Bid. Bid results will be made available to the public on the City’s website in the electronic bid management system once the bid tabulation has been completed.

The foregoing notwithstanding, the award of any contract shall be subject to approval by the City Council at a duly noticed City Council meeting and the City Council reserves the right to reject all Bids.

The Bidder, by submitting their electronic proposal, agrees to and certifies under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California, that the certification, forms and affidavits submitted as part of this proposal are true and correct. The Bidder, by submitting its electronic bid, acknowledges that doing so carries the same force and full legal effect as a paper submission with a longhand (wet) signature. By submitting an electronic bid, the Bidder certifies that the Bidder has thoroughly examined and understands the entire Contract Documents (which consist of the plans and specifications, drawings, forms, affidavits and the solicitation documents), and that by submitting the electronic bid as its Bid proposal, the Bidder acknowledges, agrees to and is bound by the entire Contract Documents, including any addenda issued thereto, and incorporated by reference in the Contract Documents.

BALDWIN AVENUE

STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

PHASE 1, CIP NO. 039

The proposed work consists of traffic safety enhancements including modification of traffic striping, signing and replacement of traffic loop detectors, as set forth in the Contract Drawings and Technical Specifications for the project. The City Engineer’s estimate for the project is approximately two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000).

Completion of Work: All work shall be completed within ten (10) working days from the date designated on the Notice to Proceed.

Obtaining Contract Documents: Specifications and contract documents are posted in the City’s electronic bid management system (PlanetBids) at https://www.planetbids.com/portal/portal. cfm?CompanyID=43375. All Bidders must first register as a vendor on the City of El Monte PlanetBids System website to participate in a Bid or to be added to a prospective Bidders list. Only those parties that have registered with the City as a plan holder on a particular project will receive the addendum(a) for that project. The City is not responsible for notifications to those parties who do not directly register as a plan holder on the City’s database. It is the responsibility of all perspective Bidders to register on the City’s database to ensure receipt of any addendum(a) prior to Bid submittals. Additionally, information on any addendum(a) issued for any bid specifications for any project will be available on the City website at: https:// www.planetbids.com/portal/portal.cfm?CompanyID=43375. The City reserves the right to reject as nonresponsive any bid that fails to include the information required by any addendum(a) posted on the City website.

Questions: Project-specific questions must be submitted in writing through the City’s electronic bid management system (PlanetBids) at https://www.planetbids.com/portal/portal. cfm?CompanyID=43375 by 12:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on or before MARCH 4, 2024. All posted questions will be answered in writing and conveyed via written addenda to all Proposers via posting on PlanetBids.

Submission of Proposals: Pursuant to Public Contract Code Section 1600 and 1601, all bids or proposals shall be submitted through the City’s electronic bid management system (PlanetBids) at https://www.planetbids.com/portal/portal.cfm?CompanyID=43375 no later than the date and time prescribed. All bids must be signed by an authorized representative.

All required sections, including pricing, shall be submitted (uploaded) via the website. The Bidder shall attach Subcontractor(s) Listing, Experience Form, Copy of Bid Security, and all other documents as listed in the BIDDER’S CHECKLIST to the PlanetBids Attachments Tab. The system will not accept a bid for which any required information is missing. Prior to the bid due date and time, all Bidders shall submit the original Bid Security to: Office of the City Clerk City of El Monte – City Hall East 11333 Valley Blvd. El Monte CA, 91731

The award of the contract by the City Council is contingent upon the Bidder submitting the required bonds and insurance, as described in the Contract, prior to the Bid due date and time. Proof of delivery that is date/time stamped and signed for by the City Clerk from other couriers other than Certified Mail will be accepted. A copy of the proof of delivery shall be submitted with the bid package

by the bid due date. If the Bidder fails to comply with these requirements, the City may award the contract to the second or third lowest Bidder and the Bid security of the lowest Bidder may be forfeited.

Bids Remain Sealed Until Due Date and Time. Electronic Bids are transmitted into the City’s bidding system via hypertext transfer protocol secure (https). Bids submitted prior to the due date and time are not available for review by anyone other than the submitter, who will have until the due date and time to change, rescind or retrieve its bid should they desire to do so. Upon the Bidder’s entry of their bid, the system will ensure that all required fields are entered. The system will not accept a Bid for which any required information is missing. This includes all necessary pricing, subcontractor listing(s) and any other essential documentation and supporting materials and forms requested or contained in these solicitation documents. All Bid submission information must be fully transferred from the Bidder server to the bid system server before bid closing. Bids still transmitting at the time of bid closing will not be accepted. Bidders will receive an e-bid confirmation number with a time stamp from the bid management system indicating their bid was submitted successfully. The City will only receive those bids that were transmitted successfully. DO NOT FAX OR EMAIL.

Bid Security: Each proposal must be accompanied by a Bid Security in the form of a cashier’s check, certified check, or bid bond executed on the prescribed form, in an amount not less than ten percent (10%) of the total bid price payable to the City of El Monte. Bidders are hereby notified that in accordance with the provisions of Public Contract Code Section 22300, securities may be substituted for any monies which the City may withhold pursuant to the terms of this Contract to ensure performance. Prior to the bid due date and time, all Bidders shall submit the original Bid Security to the City Clerk. Proof of delivery that is date/time stamped and signed for by the City Clerk from other couriers other than Certified mail will be accepted. A copy of the proof of delivery shall be submitted with the bid package by the bid due date.

Contractor's License: Bidder must possess a current Class A or C-32 license issued by the State of California, at the time the bid is submitted.

Contractor Registration: All Bidders and listed subcontractors must have registered with the California State Department of Industrial Relations pursuant to Labor Code Section 1725.5 prior to submitting a bid. Furthermore, a Contractor and all subcontractors must be registered pursuant to Labor Code Section 1725.5 before entering into a contract to work on a public project.

City’s Right to Postpone Opening of Bids. The City reserves the right to postpone the date and time for the opening of bids at any time prior to the date and time initially announced in this Invitation to Bid in accordance with applicable law.

Opening of Bids. Bids will be received by the City via the electronic submission up to the date and time shown in the Invitation to Bid. The City will be responsible for bid tabulations. Bids will be opened and read out loud by the City Clerk’s Office in Council Chambers at the date and time stated in the Invitation to Bid. Bid results will be made available to the public on the City’s website in the electronic bid management system once the bid tabulation has been completed.

Award: The award shall be made to the lowest responsible Bidder whose proposal complies with the specified requirements. The foregoing notwithstanding, the award of any contract shall be subject to approval by the City Council at a duly noticed City Council meeting. Contractor shall execute the Contract within ten (10) days after it has received the Contract from the City. The City reserves the right to waive any irregularity in the proposals. No bid may be withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) days after the opening of bids.

Rejection of Bids: The City reserves the right to reject any and all bids. The City further reserves the right to waive immaterial irregularities in any bid. Any bid not conforming to the intent and purpose of the Contract Documents may be rejected. The City reserves the right to make all awards in the best interest of the City.

Disqualification of Bidder: If there is a reason to believe that collusion exists among any Bidders, none of the bids of the participants in such collusion will be considered and the City may likewise elect to reject all bids received.

Wage Rates: Bidders are hereby notified that the California Department of Industrial Relations has determined the general prevailing rate of wages for each craft, classification, or type of worker needed to execute the work. Copies of the current schedules for prevailing wages applicable to this project are on file in the City’s office. It shall be mandatory for the Contractor and any subcontractor under it to pay not less than the said specified rates to laborers and workmen employed by them in the execution of the Contract. The contractor’s duty to pay State prevailing wages can be found under Labor Code, Section 1770 et seq. Labor Code Sections 1775 and 1777.7 outline the penalties for failure to pay prevailing wages and employ apprentices including forfeitures and debarment.

Bonds: The successful Bidder will be required to furnish a payment bond in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract price, and a faithful performance bond in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract price.

Publish February 26 & 29, 2024

EL MONTE EXAMINER

CITATION FINE AMOUNTS FOR ENFORCEMENT OF THE CITY TREE AND INDIGENOUS TREE ORDINANCES AND AMENDING THE EXISTING COMPREHENSIVE CITYWIDE FEE SCHEDULE TO ADD VIOLATIONS SUBJECT TO FINES RELATED TO ENFORCEMENT OF THE CITY TREE AND INDIGENOUS TREE ORDINANCES.” A copy of said Ordinance is on file and available for public inspection in the office of the City Clerk. In substance, this Ordinance adds and modifies administrative citation fines in the Citywide Fee Schedule for enforcement of the Public Tree and Indigenous Tree Ordinances, including in-lieu fee options for permitted tree removal and replaces fees, and fees for unpermitted tree damage or destruction fees.

Suzie Abajian, Ph.D.

City Clerk of the City of Glendale

Publish February 26, 2024

GLENDALE INDEPENDENT

City of Glendale

Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact and Notice of Intent to Request a Release of Funds

NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

Date of Notice: February 26, 2024

Roubik Golanian City Manager 633 E. Broadway, Glendale CA 91206 818 550-4400

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of Glendale Community Development Department.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about March 15, 2024 the City of Glendale Community Development Department authorizes the Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center of California to” submit a request to HUD for the release of Economic Development Initiative (EDI)-Special Project funds, to undertake a project known as Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center of California for the purpose of building a museum which consists of ground floor (approx. 15,609 sq ft) covered and outdoor plazas, a glass enclosed lobby, a coffee shop, loading area, and a 315-seat auditorium projection room/stage area. The auditorium would allow the Museum to host events, such as lectures, small film screenings, performances, & social events. The second floor (approx. 25,621 sq ft) would include an exhibition hall, souvenir shop, and common and private support areas. The exhibition hall, consisting of approximately 17,800 sq ft. would feature permanent/rotating exhibits. The exhibition storage would facilitate the changing exhibition program and provide care for collection items. The rooftop (approx. 18,570 sq ft) would include an office, education/research areas, collection storage, a demo kitchen, and common and private areas. The Museum includes designed open space & amenities, 16,500 sq ft outdoor plaza; 1,900 sq ft coffee shop and 800 sq ft outdoor terrace. Estimated funding is $45 million dollars with $950,000 in HUD funding located in the heart of Central Park Block to include Brand Boulevard Paseo, Central Library and Adult Recreation Center.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

The City of Glendale Community Development Department has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at Roubik Golanian, City Manager, 633 E. Broadway, Glendale CA 91206 where ERR can be examined and where the record is available for review and may be examined or copied weekdays 9 A.M to 5 P.M. The ERR can also be accessed online at: www.glendaleaca.gov or requested via email to ekrause@glendaleca.gov

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the City of Glendale Community Development Department at 633 E. Broadway, Glendale, CA 91206 or email ekrause@glendaleca.gov All comments received by March 15, 2024 will be considered by the City of Glendale Community Development Department prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

Please contact: Erik Krause at (8181) 55-4400 or email at: ekrause@glendaleca.gov

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

The City of Glendale Community Development Department certifies to HUD that Roubik Golanian, in their capacity as City Manager consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center of California to use Program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and the City of Glendale Community Development Department’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the Community Development Department; (b) the Community Development Department has

Probate Notices

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF LAURANCE

LANE

Case No. 24STPB01516

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of LAURANCE LANE

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by Colleen White in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that Colleen White be ap-pointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court ap-proval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the per-sonal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held on March 11, 2024 at 8:30 AM in Dept. No. 67 located at 111 N. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA 90012.

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal rep-resentative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Attorney for petitioner:

CHRISTOPHER P BRANDLIN ESQ SBN 278426

CHRISTOPHER P BRANDLIN APC BEZAIRE LEDWITZ & ASSOCIATES APLC 2780 SKYPARK DR STE 295 TORRANCE CA 90505 CN104233 LANE Feb 19,22,26, 2024

ALHAMBRA PRESS

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF:

KENNETH JAMES LEE AKA

KENNETH J. LEE

CASE NO. 24STPB01592

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of KENNETH JAMES LEE AKA KENNETH J. LEE.

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by ELLEN MAE LEE in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that ELLEN MAE LEE be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representa-

tive will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows:

03/14/24 at 8:30AM in Dept. 67 located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Attorney for Petitioner CHARLES J. STAVELEY - SBN 298971

PABST AND STAVELEY, a P. C. 3436 N. VERDUGO RD., SUITE 220

GLENDALE CA 91208

Telephone (818) 957-8800 2/19, 2/22, 2/26/24 CNS-3784518#

GLENDALE INDEPENDEN

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF

Michael C. O’Connor AKA

Michael Charles O’Connor

CASE NO. 24STPB01349

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of: Michael C. O’Connor AKA Michael Charles O’Connor

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by James P. O’Connor in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that James P. O’Connor be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act with full authority . (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held on 3/6/2024 at 8:30 am in Dept. 9 located at 111 N. HILL ST. LOS ANGELES CA 90012 STANLEY MOSK COURTHOUSE.

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from

LEGALS

the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code.

Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Attorney for Petitioner: Elizabeth Vozzella, Esq. 3553 Atlantic Avenue #187 Long Beach, CA 90807 Telephone: (562) 426-9876 2/19, 2/22, 2/26/24 CNS-3784748# BELMONT BEACON

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF NERCESS EDWARD BABAYAN

Case No. 24STPB01673

To all heirs, beneficiaries, cred-itors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of NERCESS EDWARD BABAYAN

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by Hermineh K. Babayan; Edward N. Babayan; Tallin H. Ba-bayan in the Superior Court of Cali-fornia, County of LOS ANGELES. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that Hermineh K. Babayan be appointed as personal repre-sentative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administra-tion authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objec-tion to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held on March 15, 2024 at 8:30 AM in Dept. No. 99 located at 111 N. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA 90012.

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your ap-pearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issu-ance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code.

Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Attorney for petitioner:

ROUPEN AVSHARIAN ESQ SBN 182647

AVSHARIAN & ASSOCIATES

450 N BRAND BLVD STE 600 GLENDALE CA 91203

CN102847 BABAYAN Feb 22,26,29, 2024

BURBANK INDEPENDENT

NOTICE OF

JEFFREY JOHN

DANTAGNAN AKA JEFF J.

DANTAGNAN

CASE NO. 24STPB01700

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of JEFFREY JOHN DANTAGNAN AKA JEFF J. DANTAGNAN.

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by BARRY DANTAGNAN, JR. in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that BARRY DANTAGNAN, JR. be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows:

03/22/24 at 8:30AM in Dept. 44 located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Attorney for Petitioner

AMANDA KRUSE - SBN 346654, LAGERLOF, LLP

155 N. LAKE AVE., FLOOR 11 PASADENA CA 91101, Telephone (626) 683-7234 2/22, 2/26, 2/29/24 CNS-3785035# BURBANK INDEPENDENT

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: CHARLES SATRUSTEGUI

CASE NO. 23STPB09717

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of

CHARLES SATRUSTEGUI.

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by MARTHA SATRUSTEGUI in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that MARTHA SATRUSTEGUI be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests the decedent’s WILL and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The WILL and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.

notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 03/29/24 at 9:30AM in Dept. 5 located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code.

Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Attorney for Petitioner

ZEV S. BROOKS - SBN 162830

LAW OFFICE OF ZEV BROOKS

18627 BROOKHURST ST. PMB 435

FOUNTAIN VALLEY CA 92708

Telephone (714) 965-0179

BSC 224712 2/22, 2/26, 2/29/24

CNS-3785360#

GLENDALE INDEPENDENT

NOTICE OF PETITION TO

ADMINISTER ESTATE OF:

JOSE ISRAEL CHAVEZ

CASE NO. 24STPB01780

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of JOSE ISRAEL CHAVEZ.

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by CHRISTIAN RUIZ AND EVELYN CHAVEZ in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that CHRISTIAN RUIZ AND EVELYN CHAVEZ be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 03/18/24 at 8:30AM in Dept. 9 located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

tion 9052 of the California Probate Code.

Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Attorney for Petitioner

CHRISTOPHER P. WALKER, ESQ. - SBN 174533

LAW OFFICE OF CHRISTOPHER P. WALKER, P.C.

505 S. VILLA REAL DRIVE, STE. 103

ANAHEIM HILLS CA 92807 Telephone (714) 639-1990 BSC 224706 2/22, 2/26, 2/29/24

CNS-3785384#

BALDWIN PARK PRESS

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF:

TERRY DANNE

CASE NO. 24STPB01848

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of TERRY DANNE.

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by MARY THERESA DANNE in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that MARY THERESA DANNE be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 03/19/24 at 8:30AM in Dept. 11 located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code.

Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

TO

OF:

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act with limited authority. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under sec-

Attorney for Petitioner

SCOTT FEIG, ESQ. - SBN 299493

FEIG LAW FIRM 930 ROOSEVELT, SUITE 214 IRVINE CA 92620

Telephone (949) 689-9715 BSC 224738

2/26, 2/29, 3/4/24

nonprofit status with an “Entity Status Letter” dated within the last six months. Entity Status Letters are available online from the federal Internal Revenue Service, the state Franchise Tax Board or the California secretary of state.

“2. Must be based within the City of Corona or must have a local branch or nonprofit affiliation within the City. Organizations with a non-profit affiliation must submit a written letter from the non-profit verifying the affiliation.

“3. The organization’s event must be designed to accomplish one of more of the following objectives:

“Promote the City of Corona as a desirable place to live, visit or do business.

“Promote the City of Corona as a visitor destina-

tion and/or bring tourismassociated revenue for the City.

“Enhance the quality of life and well-being of the residents of the City of Corona.

“Advance the City’s commitment to, and pride in, being a multicultural community.

“Encourage the development of neighborhood identity and pride.

“Promote cultural and artistic awareness within the community.” Officials discouraged co-sponsorship requests for events that will “conflict” with other already approved co-sponsorship events or events organized by the city.

City officials also provided Guidelines for grant requests. “City co-sponsorship

Corona nonprofits

shall be limited to ‘in-kind’ donations of City services in lieu of direct monetary donations,” according to a city statement. “Examples of ‘in-kind’ donations are the waiving of certain permit fees associated with an event or covering City staff time cost incurred as a result of the event.”

Written grant applications should have a background description of the specific event that details the scope of activities and the event’s significance to Corona residents.

“The request should also include an itemized breakdown of the event’s total cost and the specific City services that are being requested,” officials said.

For help with general questions or to determine if city services for a particular

Bestseller-based play

manual.”

Steele said in a statement, “I want caregivers to know they’re not alone in this crazy journey ... and it’s okay to laugh.”

The Houston Press called the play “charming, oddly inviting, and a love letter to an often-unsung group of people: caregivers.”

Steele is a Texas rock radio hall of famer and accomplished speaker, bringing her personal and professional expertise in storytelling to the stage as the play’s stage performer.

Director Laura Stearns is an actor, singer, and director whose career spans decades in professional theater in Minneapolis, including 12 years at the Guthrie Theater.

Performances at Revolution Stage Company take place March 10-31. Ticket prices are $25, $35 or a $45 VIP Meet & Greet “with a really big glass of wine Preview performances are scheduled for March 8-9. All seats cost $20.

Tickets are available for purchase at www.revolutionstagecompany.com.

Revolution Stage Company is located at 611 S. Palm Canyon Drive in downtown Palm Springs near Revivals and can be reached at 760-318-4115. More information is available at www.revolutionstagecompany.com.

“When it comes to Alzheimer’s, if you don’t laugh, you’ll cry,” theater organizers said.

event will be needed and related costs, officials asked potential applicants to contact the Special Events Team at Special.Events@ CoronaCA.Gov or 951-8175755 or to stop by the Circle City Center, 365 N. Main St., for in-person assistance.

Applications received after Thursday won’t be considered, officials said, adding that “all written requests submitted by the deadline will be reviewed, but due to budgetary constraints, not all requests will be funded.”

Officials noted that the co-sponsored event grants are a different initiative than the recently approved Community Based Organization Grant Program, which will have a separate application process.

More information on

the CBO Grant Program is at https://www. coronaca.gov/government/ departments-divisions/

community-assistance/ community-based-organization-grant-program.

Woman admits abusing, killing home Gardens senior

By City News Service

A30-year-old woman who fatally injured a Home Gardens senior under her care pleaded guilty Thursday to elder abuse resulting in death.

Kyla Mylissa McCall admitted the charge under a plea agreement with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office. In exchange for her admission, prosecutors agreed to drop a murder charge against McCall.

The plea deal was announced at the start of a scheduled preliminary hearing at the Riverside Hall of Justice Thursday. The hearing would have determined whether there was sufficient evidence to warrant a trial.

Superior Court Judge Gary Polk set a sentencing hearing for March 29. The proposed term of imprisonment is nine years.

McCall is being held without bail at the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning.

The defendant’s mistreatment of 69-year-old Sandra Ross precipitated the woman’s death in 2020.

According to sheriff’s Sgt. Rick Espinoza, McCall abused Ross over an unspecified period, causing injuries on Oct. 3, 2020, that resulted in the victim’s hospitalization.

Doctors quickly determined that the wounds had been intentionally inflicted,

and sheriff’s detectives were notified, Espinoza said, but no other details were disclosed.

Nearly four weeks later, Ross succumbed to her injuries, and the ensuing investigation culminated with the filing of charges by the District Attorney’s Office.

When deputies went to take McCall into custody in December 2020, she could not be found. An arrest

warrant was issued, and she was tracked to a residence in Wheat Ridge, Colorado -- a Denver suburb, according to the sheriff’s department.

Authorities there arrested her without incident days later. She was extradited to California almost immediately.

The defendant had no documented prior felony convictions.

| Image courtesy of Revolution Stage Company

| Photo by BLACKDAY/Envato Elements

community-services/

| Photo courtesy of the city of Corona

Palm Springs Art Museum Artful Events fundraisers to continue March 2

By City News Service

The Palm Springs Art Museum’s Artful Events series will continue next week with a Hollywood-themed fashion show fundraiser.

The event, which will celebrate style and creativity, will begin at 6 p.m. March 2 in the main museum, 101 Museum Drive, according to museum officials. It will be the second year that the museum holds the fashion event.

“Metropolitan Fashion Week returns with creations to rival those in our galleries for an unforgettable

night of fun and fashion as Palm Springs Art Museum struts high and haute-y,” museum officials wrote. “View fashion masterpieces from celebrity designers and mingle with designers and models at a cocktail afterparty.”

Attendees can expect to see Las Vegas fashion designer David Tupaz, Couture Hats by Arturo Rios, Men’s and Women’s Pool and Resort wear by El Tuggle, Brazilian fashion designer Fernanda Pinheiro’s “Puttin’ On the Ritz Capsule Collection,” and a choreo-

graphed dance performance by Nickerson-Rossi Dance, museum officials said. The event will be hosted by KESQ News Anchor Peter Daut and co-hosted by Jake Ingrassia.

The other fundraisers set to follow in the series are “The Love Bite: An Irreverent New Comedy” by Luke Yankee on March 10; “Wine Tasting and Silent Auction” on March 14; “Staged Reading ‘Art’: by Yasmina Reza and Translated by Christopher Hampton” on April 5; and a sold-out “Coming Home to Eldorado” on April 11.

The last three fundrais-

ers scheduled are “Dinner with Michelin Star Chef, Wine Music and Art” on April 12, a “Garden Cocktail Party” at Frank Sinatra’s Twin Palms Estate on April 21 and a Coachella Valley Men’s Chorus on May 15.

More events, some of which will be held in the museum while others are set to be held at private residences, are expected to be added throughout the season, museum officials said. Proceeds will fund the museum’s exhibitions, programming and institutional maintenance.

The events began in October with a Miami Beach cocktail dress-themed “Desert Art Salon” at the home of Mark Pellegrino and

Palm Springs Art Museum celebrates Black History Month

By City News Service

The Palm Springs Art Museum continued its Black History Month Nights at the Museum series Thursday evening with a free night of music.

The blues-and-soul program will got underway at 5:30 p.m. in the main museum at 101 North

Museum Way. It featured Norman Carter, former lead singer of the Delfonics.

“Embark on a bluesand-classic-song inspired Night Sessions that will have you swaying to the rhythm,” museum officials wrote in a statement. “You will be captivated by his

soulful vocals as you experience this one-of-a- kind event.”

The series got underway Feb. 1 with a celebration of the Harlem Renaissance and African American culture and arts. It continued Feb. 8 with a jazzinspired program, Feb.

T15 with a “Rhythm and Hues” event featuring local fashion and music, and Feb. 19 with familyoriented programming related to Black History Month.

The series of events is set to conclude Thursday with a block party celebrat-

Stuart Kent. Registration and more information about the events can be found at psmuseum. org/events/programs-events.

with special events

ing 50 years of hip-hop.

The museum partnered with the Palm Springs Black History Month Committee to present the monthlong celebration, which is part of a larger, citywide series of events scheduled throughout February. Other events

held at varying locations included the 37th annual Black History Month Awards Gala, a men’s basketball tournament and a Palm Springs Black History Caravan.

More information can be found at palmspringsblackhistory.org.

Palm Springs Art Museum, Desert X partner for weekend of art events in March

By City News Service

he Palm Springs Art Museum and Desert X have partnered to launch a weekend of free panels, workshops, discussions and artists’ studio visits next month, officials announced.

The event, “Desert r&d,” will celebrate and make space for research and development through half-

baked thoughts, processbased practices, ongoing experiments and unanswered questions, according to a statement from Desert X. It will be from March 8 to 10 at locations that are yet to be announced.

“Join us this spring as we gather a diverse group of creative practitioners, including artists, scien -

tists, writers and thinkers, to explore global questions with a local focus, employing the desert as a research laboratory,” Desert X officials wrote in a statement.

Desert X Artistic Director Neville Wakefield and 2025 Co-curator Kaitlin Garcia-Maestas curated the program

Awith Palm Springs Art Museum Chief Education and Community Engagement Officer Luisa Heredia and Associate Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art Sharrissa Iqbal, according to officials.

Desert X is a biennial outdoor art exhibition in the Coachella Valley and will begin March 8, 2025.

Man charged with sexually assaulting teens in Lake Elsinore

By City News Service

20-year-oldman accused of engaging in sex acts with two teenage girls in Lake Elsinore was charged Wednesday with unlawful intercourse with a minor and other offenses.

Emilio Esteban Ronquillo of Riverside was arrested Friday following a Riverside County Sheriff’s Department investigation.

Along with unlawful intercourse, Ronquillo is charged with three counts of oral copulation of a minor and one count each of sexual

penetration with a foreign object, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and a sentence-enhancing allegation of committing a crime while on bail.

The defendant, who is being held in lieu of $500,000 bail at the Byrd Detention Center, was slated to make his initial court appearance Wednesday afternoon at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta.

According to sheriff’s Sgt. Robert Thomas, in December deputies at the sheriff’s Lake Elsinore

station received reports of a sexual assault on a runaway girl, identified in court documents only as Jane Doe.

The investigation resulted in allegations that Ronquillo had facilitated the victim’s flight and “harbored the juvenile for two days before returning the victim home,” Thomas said.

He said deputies arrested the defendant for his alleged assault on the teenager, but Ronquillo was able to post bond and was released from custody around the start of the year.

“In January, another juvenile victim came forward and disclosed (she was) a victim of sexual assault by Ronquillo,” the sergeant said.

No details were released concerning how the defendant had come into contact with the second girl, identified in documents only as “K.H.”

The ensuing investigation culminated in his arrest last week in Hemet.

Ronquillo has no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.

Emilio Ronquillo. | Photo courtesy of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department

A Desert X installation. | Photo courtesy of Desert X/Facebook

| Photo courtesy of the Palm Springs Art Museum