Stanislaus County District Attorney

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Stanislaus County District Attorney Official page of Stanislaus County DA's Office! Terms of use:
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Stanislaus County is located in the central valley of California. The District Attorney's Office prosecutes all criminal cases within the jurisdiction of Stanislaus County. Contact us at the number listed or you can contact our Victim Services Unit directly at (209) 525-5541.

District Attorney Jeff Laugero announced that Anthony Kulp, 37, of French Camp, has pled guilty and been convicted of pr...
10/15/2026

District Attorney Jeff Laugero announced that Anthony Kulp, 37, of French Camp, has pled guilty and been convicted of premeditated attempted murder causing great bodily injury, with the use of a deadly weapon. Kulp is facing a life sentence.

Kulp and the victim had been in a dating relationship for several years, which ended in December 2020. During the breakup, Kulp threatened to kill the victim stating if he “could not have her, no one could" and later threw a brick through a window at her residence. On December 20, 2020, the victim met Kulp in a public location in Salida to return property he had left at her home. After the exchange, Kulp approached the victim from behind as she was leaving and attacked her with a knife, slashing her throat from ear to ear. Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Deputies and medical personnel responded immediately and provided lifesaving aid. A subsequent investigation by the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office determined that Kulp had planned the assault and intended to kill the victim.

At sentencing, Kulp faces life in prison with the possibility of parole. Deputy District Attorney Fawn Smolak prosecuted the case on behalf of the People.

Media inquiries should be directed to [email protected].

The Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office stands with survivors of domestic violence and remains committed to pro...
10/07/2026

The Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office stands with survivors of domestic violence and remains committed to promoting safety, protecting victims, and holding offenders accountable.

Domestic violence is a serious crime that can have lasting impacts on individuals, families, and our community. Awareness, education, and access to resources are essential in breaking the cycle of abuse.

This month, we encourage our community to recognize the signs of domestic violence, support those affected, and help create a community where everyone can live free from violence and fear.

District Attorney Jeff Laugero announced that Inmate John Scott Finch, 72, of Chicago, was denied parole following a hea...
10/02/2026

District Attorney Jeff Laugero announced that Inmate John Scott Finch, 72, of Chicago, was denied parole following a hearing held on September 29, 2026, at San Quentin State Prison. Deputy District Attorney Victoria Vasquez appeared on behalf of the People and argued against Finch’s release.

Finch is currently serving a sentence of 75 years to life under California’s Three Strikes Law after a jury convicted him of two attempted robberies and one completed robbery. In each incident, Finch pretended to possess a fi***rm and targeted young women at their places of employment.

Before his current sentence, Finch had been convicted of 19 robberies throughout California. During his incarceration, he has been found in possession of drug paraphernalia and has attempted to evade paying court-ordered restitution by directing his mother to deposit funds into other inmates’ accounts to avoid garnishment.

Although Finch’s sentence is 75 years to life, he became eligible for a parole hearing under the 2014 Elder Offender Parole Law.

DDA Vasquez argued that Finch continues to pose an unreasonable risk to public safety. The Parole Board agreed, noting that Finch has not adequately addressed the triggers and causative factors underlying his repeated violent criminal conduct.

Media inquiries should be directed to [email protected].

District Attorney Jeff Laugero announced that a jury has convicted Marco Duran, age 28, of Ceres, of felony driving unde...
10/02/2026

District Attorney Jeff Laugero announced that a jury has convicted Marco Duran, age 28, of Ceres, of felony driving under the influence causing great bodily injury and felony reckless driving causing serious bodily injury. Duran faces a potential six-year state prison sentence. The conviction qualifies as a violent strike under California law.

On March 20, 2025, Duran was traveling at nearly 100 miles per hour and weaving through traffic when he collided with another vehicle on Highway 99 near the Carpenter Road overpass. The force of the collision destroyed Duran’s vehicle and ejected both him and his passenger. The passenger sustained major injuries, including broken ribs and significant internal trauma.

Investigators contacted Duran at the hospital and noted the smell of alcohol on his breath. Through further investigation, they determined he was under the influence at the time of the crash. A blood sample taken at the hospital and later analyzed by the Department of Justice Crime Laboratory confirmed the presence of alcohol in his system.

Duran is scheduled to be sentenced on October 16, 2026. The California Highway Patrol conducted the investigation into this crime, and Deputy District Attorney Patrick Hogan prosecuted the case on behalf of the People.

Media inquiries should be directed to [email protected].

Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office Proudly Announces Statewide Honor for Criminal Investigator Cristina Magana...
09/26/2026

Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office Proudly Announces Statewide Honor for Criminal Investigator Cristina Magana

The Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office is proud to announce that Criminal Investigator II Cristina Magana has been selected as the 2026 California District Attorney Investigators’ Association (CDAIA) Investigator of the Year—a statewide honor recognizing extraordinary professionalism, leadership, and unwavering dedication to victims of crime.

Investigator Magana was formally recognized at the annual conference in Los Angeles earlier this month, where leaders from across the state gathered to celebrate excellence in criminal investigations.

Throughout her career, Investigator Magana has demonstrated exceptional skill and compassion in her work with victims of domestic violence, child abduction, and other sensitive cases. Her ability to build trust, navigate complex investigations, and provide compelling courtroom testimony has made her an invaluable asset to both the District Attorney’s Office and the community it serves. Colleagues and prosecutors consistently commend her expertise, her integrity, and her relentless pursuit of justice for vulnerable victims.

Chief Criminal Investigator Terry Seese shared: "Cristina's passion for justice, her meticulous work, and her empathy for victims truly set her apart. This award highlights not only her incredible skill, but also her heart for the community. We are proud of her, inspired by her, and grateful to have her on our team.”

The Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office congratulates Investigator Magana on this well‑deserved recognition and thanks her for her exceptional service to the people of Stanislaus County.

District Attorney Jeff Laugero announced that four men were convicted of various charges following their participation i...
09/25/2026

District Attorney Jeff Laugero announced that four men were convicted of various charges following their participation in a violent assault at the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center in June of this year. All four were members of an organized criminal gang known as the Peckerwoods, a white supremacist prison gang with a significant presence throughout California penal institutions.

The suspects participated in a coordinated assault on an African American inmate at the direction of a ranking member of the gang. This assault demonstrated the growing presence and influence of this prison gang within the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center, creating a safety risk to other inmates and staff. After the assault, gang prosecutors immediately began working with members of the Sheriff’s Office’s Major Crimes Unit and Custodial Investigative Unit to identify suspects.

Prior to this assault, gang prosecutors and Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office investigators had begun a wide-ranging investigation to develop intelligence about the operations of the Peckerwoods within the jail in an effort to validate them as a criminal street gang and disrupt their criminal organization. That process of validation was critical because doing so allows crimes committed by Peckerwood gang members to be receive significantly more prison time under the Street Terrorism Enforcement and Prevention (STEP) Act. The increased penalties under the STEP Act are also intended to deter would be gang members from participating in criminal gang activity.

In Stanislaus County, prosecutors have used the STEP Act to dismantle several violent criminal gangs by sentencing gang members to lengthy prison sentences for crimes they commit at the direction of their criminal gang and deterring them from participating in violent gang crimes.

This investigative effort led to the first validation of the Peckerwoods as a criminal street gang under the STEP Act in Stanislaus County and is a critical step in the ongoing effort to dismantle this gang. The pictures included in this release are examples of Peckerwood gang tattoos that demonstrate allegiance and affiliation to the gang.

All four participants in the assault pled to all charges and enhancements related to the assault and admitted being active Peckerwood gang members who committed the assault for the benefit or at the direction of the Peckerwood criminal street gang.

The gang leader of the attackers, Joshua Clint Keys, who was serving time for a separate felony, was sentenced to state prison. The other participants will be sentenced in coming weeks.

Gang prosecutor Patrick Hogan assisted in the validation of this gang and prosecuted the suspects on behalf of the People. Media inquiries should be directed to [email protected].

District Attorney Jeff Laugero announced that Jose Primitivo Valencia, aged 47 of Riverbank, was convicted by jury of fi...
09/23/2026

District Attorney Jeff Laugero announced that Jose Primitivo Valencia, aged 47 of Riverbank, was convicted by jury of first-degree premeditated murder with a fi***rm. At sentencing, Valencia faces 50-year to life in prison.

On September 9, 2021, Valencia’s father reached out to law enforcement stating that his son just admitted to killing someone in his (Valencia’s) home. The Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office conducted a security check of Valencia’s home and discovered the deceased victim, Ernesto Casillas, inside. Valencia was later found on the property and arrested. Valencia admitted to shooting the victim because he thought the victim had stolen drugs from him.

Valencia will be sentenced on November 9, 2026. Deputy District Attorney Matthew Yeoman prosecuted the case on behalf of the People.

Media inquiries should be directed to [email protected].

District Attorney Jeff Laugero announced that Jose Martinez, 59, of Modesto, has been convicted of stalking and multiple...
09/19/2026

District Attorney Jeff Laugero announced that Jose Martinez, 59, of Modesto, has been convicted of stalking and multiple counts of making criminal threats. The court also found true allegations that Martinez had previously been convicted of three violent felonies. As a result, he was sentenced under California’s Three Strikes Law to a term of 80 years-to-life in state prison.

Around April 2023, Martinez was released from prison after serving a sentence for a violent felony conviction. Shortly after his release, he began calling the victim dozens of times, threatening to kill her and members of her family. He also stalked the victim by following her to her workplace and residence. Prior to these threats and stalking incidents, Martinez had sustained multiple domestic‑violence convictions involving the same victim.

The Modesto Police Department immediately initiated an investigation to locate Martinez. When officers attempted to contact him, Martinez fled, leading to a high‑speed pursuit involving the Modesto Police Department, Stockton Police Department, and the California Highway Patrol. After he was stopped near Stockton, Martinez armed himself with a knife and demanded that officers kill him. Following a 90‑minute standoff, officers were able to take him into custody. Martinez later admitted that his intention was to kill the victim.

He was subsequently convicted in San Joaquin County for offenses related to the standoff and was later brought to Stanislaus County in 2025 to face charges stemming from the stalking and threats.

Deputy District Attorney Vita Palazuelos prosecuted the case on behalf of the People. Media inquiries may be directed to [email protected].

Today, we recognize Constitution Day and the enduring principles that guide our justice system. The Constitution serves ...
09/17/2026

Today, we recognize Constitution Day and the enduring principles that guide our justice system. The Constitution serves as the foundation of the rule of law, protecting individual rights and upholding accountability, fairness, and equal justice for all. 🇺🇸

25 Years Later, We Will Never Forget.On this 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, the District Attorney’s Office paus...
09/11/2026

25 Years Later, We Will Never Forget.

On this 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, the District Attorney’s Office pauses to remember the nearly 3,000 innocent lives lost and the families, friends, and communities forever changed by the attacks of that day.

We honor the brave first responders, law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency personnel, military members, and ordinary citizens who demonstrated extraordinary courage and selflessness in the face of unimaginable tragedy.

Twenty-five years later, we continue to honor those we lost and seek the unity of our great nation.

Address

832 12th Street Ste 300
Modesto, CA
95354

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+12095255550

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