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NEWS-PRESS EXCLUSIVE
Serial burglar pleads guilty to more commercial burglaries Brian Christopher Schotz, 48, scheduled to be sentenced in April for Santa Barbara crimes By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
A previously convicted serial burglar charged with committing a new string of commercial burglaries targeting businesses in Santa Barbara over the past few months has pleaded guilty to four out of seven counts filed against him. He will be sentenced in April, prosecutors said.
Brian Christopher Schotz, 48, pleaded guilty to three felony counts of seconddegree commercial burglary and one count of identity theft, a misdemeanor, at a Jan. 31 court conference held to set a date for his preliminary hearing, Deputy District Attorney Michelle Mossembekker told the News-Press. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 18. “His maximum exposure in this case
is 13 years, 8 months in state prison,” prosecutor Mossembekker said. Prosecutors alleged in their complaint that Mr. Schotz was involved in a total of six burglaries between Nov. 23 and Jan. 17, and that two burglaries occurred on the same day — twice — during that time period, Dec. 10 and Jan. 17. The six burglaries took place either in downtown Santa Barbara or at the waterfront. The four counts the defendant pleaded
guilty to are: • Second-degree commercial burglary on Nov. 23 when he entered a commercial building occupied by Boat Launch Mini Mart, 305 W. Cabrillo Blvd., “with the intent to commit larceny and any felony.” • Second-degree commercial burglary on Dec. 6 when he entered a commercial building occupied by an adult book store at 405 State St., also with intent to commit larceny.
• Second-degree commercial burglary on Dec. 10 when he entered a commercial building occupied by Loquita Restaurant, 202 State St., also with intent to commit larceny. • Identity theft on Jan. 18, when he “did willfully and unlawfully with the intent to defraud, acquire and retain possession of personal identifying information of another person.” Please see BURGLER on A4
Dealing with diabetes New research warns of upcoming increases in cases for young people, but new technology and prevention efforts offer hope
By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
New research from the American Diabetes Association shows that diabetes in those under the age of 20 will increase significantly in the coming decades. Research suggests that Type 1 diabetes will increase by 65% and that Type 2 diabetes will increase 700% in those under the age of 20 by the year 2060. Dr. Ashley Thorsell, endocrinologist at Sansum Clinic, told the News-Press that the study showed “... the greatest burden in the black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian, Pacific Islander and American Indian/Alaska Native children. “Regardless, this emphasizes the need to focus our research efforts and management of this disease on prevention,” Dr. Thorsell said. “Although it’s more difficult to prevent Type 1 diabetes, nutrition and dietary changes do play a part in the prevention and treatment of both diseases. It is absolutely vital that we ensure our youth are the healthiest they can be.” Santa Barbara resident Kara Hornbuckle and her two children all have Type 1 diabetes. Ms. Hornbuckle also works for the Sansum Diabetes Research Institute as director of development. Ms. Hornbuckle spoke with the NewsPress recently not only about her own journey with Type 1 diabetes but that of her children as well. “I have lived with Type 1 for 35 years since I was 6 years old,” Ms. Hornbuckle said. “At the time there were a lot of unknowns for our family. I was the first in the family to develop it and we had so much to learn. “I had to take insulin injections four to seven times a day and check blood glucose levels about six to 10 times a day. My diet changed significantly; everything was scheduled. There wasn’t a lot of flexibility.” The News-Press asked Ms. Hornbuckle about the early warning signs of Type 1 diabetes and when she started noticing them in her children. “Early warning signs include excessive urination, and having to drink a lot more water. You are always thirsty; it is very noticeable. It’s like having six to seven glasses at a time. For both of our kids, we saw that. I remember Lucas at 2 was drinking more and his diapers were filling up frequently. “We were living in denial because we didn’t want him to live with this disease,” she continued. “So one day, I checked his blood sugar level, and it was so high the machine couldn’t read it. As soon as that happened, I was shocked, but I knew I had to get him taken care of immediately. So I called the Sansum Diabetes Research Institute. “Dr. Zisser spoke with me, and he told me to go to the ER right away. I took Lucas to the ER, and he started vomiting in the waiting room because blood sugar was so high, and blood work confirmed he had
By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS
Kara Hornbuckle and her daughter Kamryn work together on preparing a healthy snack as Ms. Hornbuckle’s son Lucas watches at their Santa Barbara home. All three have Type 1 diabetes.
Type 1.” Dr. Thorsell said warning signs of Type 1 diabetes include “rapid weight loss, increased thirst, increased urination, fatigue and fruity breath. In Type 2 diabetes, these symptoms are likely to be absent, and the disease progression is much slower.” Ms. Hornbuckle also spoke about the diagnosis of her daughter. “In December of 2021, it was deja vu when my daughter Kamryn started showing signs. It wasn’t as noticeable, but it was enough to alert my husband to check blood sugar level and we got the same reading as with my son. I was able to work with Dr. Fran Kaufman, a pediatric endocrinologist,” she said. “Shortly after Lucas came home from hospital, he would hide from us under the table because he didn’t want insulin injections,” Ms. Hornbuckle said. “That was hard for him, and we had to negotiate with him when he needed to eat and when his blood sugar was high. Kamryn had a greater capacity to understand what was going on because she was older, and it was challenging for her to take insulin Please see DIABETES on A4
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This is an example of a healthy snack for diabetics.
A man charged with murder in the fatal shooting of a 22-year-old Lompoc man in December will appear in court next month to set a date for his preliminary hearing, prosecutors said. Benito Martinez, 20, appeared in court on Wednesday to set the date, but his case was continued until March 15, Deputy District Attorney Lynmarc Jenkins told the News-Press. The defendant is charged in a two-count felony complaint with murder, alleging that he “did unlawfully and with malice aforethought murder Victor Deluna, a human being.” The murder charge includes a special allegation that Mr. Martinez intentionally and personally discharged a handgun in the commission of murder, a serious and violent felony. The second count charges the defendant with having a concealed, unregistered firearm on his person, and that “the firearm and unexpanded ammunition were in the immediate possession of, and readily accessible to, the defendant.” The Lompoc Police Department arrested Mr. Martinez on Dec. 10 on suspicion of shooting Victor Deluna the night before in the 600 block of North Fourth St. in Lompoc. He died later from his wounds. Police responded to the shooting scene on Dec. 9 at approximately 11:25 p.m. When officers arrived, they located the victim on the ground with bullet wounds. Officers began providing life-saving measures until relieved by paramedics. Lompoc police said the victim was transported to Lompoc Valley Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. Detectives responded and were able to identify the alleged shooter as Mr. Martinez, according to Lompoc police. He was arrested at the police station in the early morning hours of Dec. 10. Mr. Martinez remains in custody on $1 million bail, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office. email: nhartsteinnewspress@ gmail.com
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