LADA June 2023 Newsletter

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Newsletter  |  June 1, 2023

District Attorney Gascón Announces Exoneration of Man in Custody for Over 33 Years

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D.A. George Gascón joined Daniel Saldaña and his loved ones during a news conference to announce and celebrate his return home. Mr. Saldaña spent 33 years in prison after being wrongfully convicted of attempted murder and sentenced to 45 years to life in prison in 1990.

“As prosecutors, our duty is not simply to secure convictions but to seek justice. When someone is wrongfully convicted, it is a failure of our justice system and it is our responsibility to right that wrong. We owe it to the individual who was wrongfully convicted and to the public that justice is served,” District Attorney Gascón said.

Although information surfaced in 2017 under the prior administration that could have led to his exoneration it went without action. A thorough review by LADA’s Conviction Integrity Unit in partnership with Baldwin Park Police Department lead to finding Mr. Saldaña innocent.

Watch it on TikTok.

Watch the full news conference here.


Trio Charged With Killing 3, Wounding Four Others Outside Beverly Crest Vacation Rental

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LADA Chief of Staff Joseph Iniguez joined LAPD for a news conference to announce charges against Dejean Thompkins, Dontae Williams and Daries Stanford in the murders of Iyana Hutton, Nenah Davis and Destiny Sims in West L.A. in January.

The defendants were each charged with three counts of murder and six counts each of attempted murder and assault with a semiautomatic firearm. Thompkins also faces an additional count of murder stemming from a December 2022 slaying in North Hollywood.

The complaint also alleges special circumstance allegations of lying in wait and multiple murders.

Watch it on TikTok.

Watch the full news conference here.


A Tribute to Former BOS Gloria Molina

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A Day of Remembrance

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Thank You For Your Service 

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Senior Investigator Adam Chang was honored during Supervisor Kathryn Barger’s annual Tribute to Veterans and Military Families.

Adam served in the U.S. Marines from 1998 to 2004 and was deployed as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.

We are proud of Senior Investigator Adam Chang’s exceptional career and thank him for his service!

Read more about Senior Investigator Chang's career here.


Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

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We salute our employees of AAPI heritage!

Read about some of LADA’s amazing employees of Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage here, here and here.

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We Thank and Honor Our AAPI Advisory Board

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Fighting Against Hate Crimes

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In light of AAPI Heritage Month, LADA; LADA’s AAPI Advisory Board Chair and Hate Crime Book creator Esther Lim; Supervisor Hilda Solis; LA vs Hate; Advancing Justice Southern California; Asian Youth Center; LASD and LAPD convened for Hate Crime Book’s Safety Workshop and Bystander Intervention Training for the Asian Community at Rowland High School.

The office also hosted a resource table for visitors with LADA’s victim services information.

Watch it on TikTok.


In Appreciation For Our Jewish Americans

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As we celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month, we are reminded of the incredible impact that Jewish Americans have had on our nation, state and county.

From music and literature to science and technology, from culinary and visual arts to the legal field, Jewish Americans have made significant contributions in every arena.

They have enriched our collective lives with their unique perspectives, values and traditions, and have helped create a more inclusive, compassionate and diverse community.

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Read About LADA Investigator Avi Wizenfeld

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Celebrating Harvey Milk

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Congratulations, Your Honor!

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We congratulate Jessica Kronstadt, who worked as a LADA deputy district attorney for 10 years, as she becomes a L.A. County Superior Court judge!

Jessica spent most of her career prosecuting child sexual abuse and domestic violence cases.

We wish her the best of luck in this next chapter!


LADA’s K-9 Unit Forum on Our Support Dogs

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Thanks for joining our virtual Community Provider Forum, “The K-9 Unit!” Special thanks to our panel Executive Director Linda Milanesi of Assistance Dogs of the West; Deputy District Attorneys Lauren Fields and Safaan Ahmed; our Bureau of Victims Services Assistant Program Administer Tambria DeCorse; and Supervising Victim Services Representative Ashley Meyers!

LADA’s facility dogs are specifically trained to provide emotional support to survivors in court and in the aftermath of tragedies such as mass shootings.

Deputy District Attorney Lauren Fields describes the impact the dogs have in supporting young survivors of crime.

Watch it on TikTok.

Watch the forum here.


Learn About Reporting Sexual Assault

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What is LADA’s role after a sexual assault is reported to law enforcement?

Deputy District Attorney Sandra Jimenez from LADA’s Sex Crimes Division explains how these crimes are reviewed for filing consideration, after they’ve been presented to LADA by law enforcement.

Our Bureau of Victim Services is available to support survivors throughout this process.

If you or anyone you know has been a victim of crime and is in need of support and services, please call: (800) 380-3811.

Watch it on TikTok.

Watch the full forum here.


Law Clerk Shares Her Meaningful
Experience at LADA

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Ashley Wold, Southwestern Law student assigned to LADA’s Major Crimes Division, shares her meaningful experience serving as a law clerk at LADA for the last few semesters.

Watch it here.

If you’re interested in volunteering, apply here.


Standing Tall Against Hate

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Chief of Staff Joseph Iniguez joined the Truth and Accountability League’s “Stand TAAL to Hate” town hall on Armeniaphobia with panelists Glendale Mayor Dan Brotman; Glendale Police Chief Manny Cid; California State Commissioner Sam Kbushyan; West Hollywood Major Sepi Shyne; Executive Director of the L.A. County Commission on Human Relations Commission Robin Toma; and LA vs Hate. Thank you all and to host Vic Gerami!

Watch it on TikTok.


Director Tanishia Wright Discusses
Our Victim Services

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Tanishia Wright, director of LADA’s Bureau of Victim Services, provided a comprehensive overview of our victim services during L.A. County Probation Oversight Commission’s virtual session on survivor services.

Watch the session here.

If you or anyone you know has been a victim of crime and is in need of support and services, please call: (800) 380-3811.


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Raising Money in Battle Against Breast Cancer

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LADA’s BOI raised $3,629.04 for City of Hope as part of the Pink Patch Project in 2022!

This national campaign, founded by LADA’s own Law Enforcement Liaison Tony Miranda during his time as Irwindale Police Chief, is led by the L.A. County Police Chiefs’ Association and public safety agencies. Learn more about the Pink Patch Project here.

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BOI on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

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LADA BOI’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Workgroup, founded in 2022, focuses on improving workforce culture, discusses relevant topics and suggests positive changes. We thank BOI for their important work in the continuous growth of our organization!

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Welcome BOI Investigator Amundson

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Congrats to new LADA BOI Investigator Russell Amundson!

Investigator Amundson was sworn in by Chief Robert Arcos during a ceremony at the Hall of Justice.

He begins his career at LADA after serving at the Monterey Park Police Department.

We wish Investigator Amundson the best of luck in his new role!

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CPR Training for LADA Employees

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LADA's BOI Medical Services Unit (MSU) conducted a CPR training for the office’s employees.

MSU consists of investigators who are certified paramedics and emergency medical technicians.

We appreciate our MSU and the work they do to improve wellness and safety for our office!


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D.A. Gascón at UCLA

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D.A. Gascón recently participated in a panel discussion at the Science Policy Group at UCLA on the documentary screening of Reimaging Safety.

Filmmaker Matthew Solomon, the D.A. and experts discussed evidence-based alternatives to policing & incarceration. Learn more about the film here

Watch it on TikTok.

LADA at March for Babies

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LADA was happy to join March for Babies at Grand Park to raise awareness of improving maternal and infant health!

Office employees hosted a resource table to share information, including crime victim resources to those in attendance.

Thanks for having us, March for Babies!

Watch it on TikTok.

A Safe Space for People Experiencing Homelessness

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D.A. George Gascón, Chief Deputy D.A. Sharon Woo, Chief of Staff Joseph Iniguez and Director of Communications Tiffiny Blacknell visited Supervisor Hilda Solis’ Care First Village in Los Angeles.

Watch it on TikTok.

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LADA at L.A. County Fair

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Members of LADA’s team, including our Bureau of Victim Services K-9 Lennox, represented the office at L.A. County Fair’s L.A. County Day.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by our table to learn about the office’s community resources!

And thank you, Supervisor Hilda Solis for stopping by our table!

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Giving Back to Our Community 

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LADA employees volunteered at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank in the City of Industry, where they sorted packaged food kits for people in need.

LADA has been a proud participant of this effort for many years. We value this important opportunity to give back to our community.


LADA in the News

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Become an Investigator at LADA!

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The District Attorney’s Office’s Bureau of Investigation (BOI) is seeking to hire investigators. If you are dedicated to the criminal justice system and the public it serves and seeking opportunities to enhance your career in law enforcement, this is the job for you. Applicants must meet BOI investigator hiring requirements and be available to work any assignment at BOI/L.A. County.

Interested? Please visit here.