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District Attorney George Gascón Announces
Exonerations of Two Men Wrongfully Convicted
of Murder in 2003

In a news conference, District Attorney George Gascón announced the exonerations and release of Jofama Coleman and Abel Soto, each of whom spent two decades in prison for a May 2003 murder they did not commit.

“Jofama Coleman and Abel Soto were wrongfully convicted and imprisoned for a murder they did not commit,” District Attorney Gascón said. “Our hearts also go out to Jose Robles’ family, who have suffered immeasurably through this tragedy and injustice. To everyone impacted, we offer not just words of regret, but a solemn promise of our unwavering pursuit of truth and justice.”

“We must not be mere spectators of justice, but active advocates intertwining our voices and actions to mend the threads of injustice,” said Jofama Coleman. “We must champion individuals like George Gascón and those at the Habeas Corpus Litigation Unit who stand as guardians of justice. Let us demand not just their presence, but their empowerment to navigate the complex maze of our legal system. Their dedication should be fortified, their voices amplified, and this symphony of justice, let us be the choir harmonizing for the forgotten, demanding a system of fairness and compassion together. Let us work towards a system that upholds the principles of fairness and ensures that no one else suffers the agonizing ordeal that I and [Abel Soto have] gone through.”

Watch the full press conference here.

Read our press release here.

District Attorney George Gascón Announces
Charges in Crime Spree That Killed Four
in Southeast Los Angeles

In a news conference with L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn and law enforcement, District Attorney George Gascón announced that Gary Garcia Jr. and Timberland McKneely have been charged with murdering four people — three men and a child — and attempting to murder two others, including another child.

The murders occurred between February 11 and 12 in the cities of Bell, Cudahy, Huntington Park, and unincorporated Los Angeles.

“Multiple communities have been terrorized by these men’s callous, cruel and cold-hearted actions,” District Attorney Gascón said. “Our Major Crimes Division is working tirelessly to hold these two men accountable and to bring justice to the victims and their families.”

“I applaud the District Attorney for taking swift and decisive action in filing murder charges against these two gang members responsible for the heinous murders of four innocent people,” said Supervisor Hahn, Fourth District.

Watch it on TikTok.

Watch the full press conference here.

Read our press release here.

On February 22, District Attorney Gascón announced charges against two additional individuals, 18-year-old Joseivan Mendoza and 17-year-old Deair Fleming Delerence, for their involvement in separate shootings during a multi-city crime spree that killed a total of six people, including a 14-year-old boy, in November 2023 and February 2024.

Read our press release here.

District Attorney George Gascón Announces
Major Steps to Combat Organized Retail Theft
in L.A. County

In a news conference with LAPD and the Sheriff’s Department, District Attorney George Gascón announced that nearly 200 organized retail theft cases involving adult and juvenile defendants had been filed by his office in 2023.

The District Attorney had previously partnered with regional law enforcement agencies to create the Organized Retail Theft Task Force, and it was this partnership that led to these crimes being prosecuted.

In addition to prosecuting these cases, the District Attorney’s Office has been working with task force partners to recover millions of dollars in stolen goods that have been returned to retailers.

Watch it on TikTok.

Watch the full press conference here.

Read our press release here.

Justice for Black Women:
Healing, Hope and Prevention

As Black History Month came to a close, D.A. George Gascón and LADA’s first African American Advisory Board held an insightful panel discussion addressing the disproportionate impact of violence against Black women and girls.

The panel, which was streamed online, discussed resilience and a path forward toward preventing violence against Black women and girls through wellness, community trust, and access to resources.

We’re grateful to our African American Advisory Board and to everyone who attended!

Watch the full forum here.

People Learn How to Report Hate Crimes in LGBTQ+ Advisory Board Hosts Hate Crimes Organized Event

Thank you to the District Attorney’s Office's LGBTQ+ Advisory Board for hosting a hate crimes community dialogue earlier this month.

District Attorney George Gascón gave welcome remarks. Fraud and Corruption Prosecutions Director Marc Beaart discussed how hate crimes are likely to be underreported — and how can we encourage more people to report hate crimes.

People who do not wish to contact law enforcement directly may call 211 LA or visit LAvsHate.org to report hate crimes or incidents. 211 LA and LA vs Hate also provide care coordination for victims.

Thank you to everyone who participated!

Watch it on TikTok.

Watch the full forum here.

We Honor Black History Month

Teens Experiencing Dating Abuse Should Seek Help

Kung Hei Fat Choi!

BVS Teaches How to Report Hate Crimes

Thank you to our Bureau of Victim Services for organizing the virtual community provider forum, “Hate Crimes: The Process of Reporting.”

Speakers from the BVS, Los Angeles Police Department, and other agencies discussed what constitutes a hate crime, services available to victims, and the steps to obtaining a crime report.

Thank you to Esther Lim, chair of our Asian American and Pacific Islander Advisory Board, and Bureau of Communications field deputy Shari Farmer who co-hosted the forum.

And thank you all for attending!

Watch it on TikTok.

Watch the full forum here.

Board of Supervisors Praises the BOI

At a recent L.A. County Board of Supervisors meeting, Supervisors thanked our Bureau of Investigation for providing security at their public meetings for the past year.

We greatly appreciate BOI for your stellar service to our five Supervisors and L.A. County residents!

Watch it on TikTok.

In Honor of Vicha Ratanapakdee,
Fighting Against Hate

The Thai Community Development Center hosted a memorial at the Thai Temple in L.A. in honor of Vicha Ratanapakdee, an 84-year-old man tragically attacked and murdered three years ago while he walked near his home in San Francisco.

Chief Deputy Joseph Iniguez spoke at the remembrance, emphasizing that the District Attorney’s Office is working vigorously to combat anti-Asian violence and hate.

Watch it on TikTok.

D.A. George Gascón Celebrates The Resilience of
Monterey Park During Lunar New Year Event

D.A. George Gascón participated in a Lunar New Year Festival organized for older adults at the Langley Center in Monterey Park. The D.A. celebrated the resilience of the community more than a year after the tragic mass shooting that claimed the lives of 11 people, and he lauded residents for uniting to help each other heal and move forward to make Monterey Park stronger than ever.

Watch it on TikTok.

D.A. George Gascón Speaks to a Crowd of 15,000 During Lunar New Year at Alhambra Chamber of Commerce Event

D.A. George Gascón spoke during a Lunar New Year event in Alhambra, celebrating the spirit of community that the host, Alhambra Chamber of Commerce, has worked so hard to cultivate.

As the D.A. helped to usher in a new year on a joyous occasion in Alhambra, Gascón recalled the somber events that transpired just a year ago in neighboring Monterey Park. He remembered and honored the lives we lost in the tragic shooting.

He vowed to continue to champion the causes of the AAPI community and wished everyone a kung hei fat choi!

Watch it on TikTok.

• Rebecca Grossman found guilty of murder in Westlake Village crash that killed 2 young brothers
  
  
• Homeless man charged with kidnapping that triggered Amber Alert
  
  
• Long Beach man sentenced for beating live-in girlfriend to death
  
  
• Man Charged with Multiple Crimes Including Church Arson, Attempted Carjacking in Pasadena
   
• Man charged in L.A. model's torture, death makes first court appearance
  
  
• Ex-LAPD Officer Charged With Alleged Theft of Cards from Detention Center Visitors

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