San Diego County District Attorney

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San Diego County District Attorney Resources: SanDiegoDA.gov
DA News: www.DAnewsCenter.com
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The San Diego County DA’s Office prosecutes all felony crimes in the county and misdemeanor crimes committed outside the City of San Diego. The office files about 40,000 criminal cases a year and balances prosecution with numerous crime prevention programs. District Attorney Summer Stephan leads the office of more than 1,000 dedicated employees who pursue fair and equal justice, and support victims daily across San Diego County.

10/16/2026

Leona Guevara’s daughters bravely shared emotional victim impact statements at the sentencing hearing of their brother, honoring their mother’s memory and describing the profound loss caused by her brutal murder.

Jacob P. Guevara, 44, was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for the first-degree murder of his mother, Leona Guevara, 63, in Borrego Springs. Leona’s body was dismembered and hidden in a closet.

Their words reflect the devastating and lasting impact of violent crime on families and the importance of giving victims’ loved ones a voice in the justice process.

The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office remains committed to seeking justice for victims and holding those who commit violent crimes accountable.

READ MORE: https://danewscenter.com/?p=10557
EN ESPAÑOL: https://danewscenter.com/?p=10552

10/15/2026

One year of support, hope and healing! 💜

In this week’s DA News, DA Summer Stephan highlights the one-year anniversary of One Safe Place: The South County Family Justice Center in National City.

By bringing agencies and service providers together under one roof, One Safe Place helps survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, elder abuse and other forms of abuse access critical services and support in one safe location.

We remain committed to working together to protect survivors, connect families with resources and build safer communities throughout San Diego County.

Learn more at OSPSanDiegoCounty.gov and FOLLOW: One Safe Place: San Diego County Family Justice Centers.

10/15/2026

Today, I started the day with an incredible honor:
I was honored to receive a recognition on behalf of all the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office and the many prosecutors, investigators, and professional staff in our office were honored today by San Diego County Crime Stoppers for their exceptional contributions to public safety. We’re grateful for this partnership that helps keep our county one of the safest in the nation.

Community support matters. Please continue to support Crime Stoppers and help keep our neighborhoods safe.

Submit anonymous tips at 888-580-8477 or sdcrimestoppers.org. You can also text 274637 and start your message with “SDTips”.

10/13/2026

Setting your own food truck on fire for an insurance payout is a crime, and so is staging car crashes for profit. We prosecuted both.

Economic fraud is sometimes called a “victimless crime,” but the reality is very different. Individuals, small business owners, workers, and the elderly can all be harmed by those who cut corners at others’ expense. That’s why our team at the San Diego District Attorney’s Office joined the California District Attorneys Association for the annual CDAA Fraud Conference, which brought together prosecutors from across the state to learn about the types of fraud affecting our communities.

San Diego prosecutors took part as both teachers and students, leading seminars and discussions while also learning from colleagues. DA Summer Stephan was delivered opening remarks and welcomed attendees to our beautiful city.

Fraud harms all of us, and our office will pursue justice and hold those responsible accountable. We have our community’s back. Learn more on SanDiegoDA.gov.

In recognition of , the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office is highlighting employees whose experiences, backgr...
10/12/2026

In recognition of , the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office is highlighting employees whose experiences, backgrounds and dedication to public service help strengthen our office and the communities we serve.

Born and raised in San Diego’s Shelltown neighborhood in Southeast San Diego, Deputy District Attorney Christopher Mancilla has built his career around a commitment to serving and protecting the community he calls home. Before joining the District Attorney’s Office in 2017, he spent four and a half years as a staff attorney with the Legal Aid Society of San Diego, representing low-income clients in unlawful detainer cases.

Today, Christopher serves as a team leader in the Narcotics Division at the Hall of Justice and as the office’s Overdose Death Case Coordinator. In these roles, he supports and advises prosecutors, reviews case resolution offers, and works with local, state and federal partners to investigate and prosecute overdose death cases. His work reflects a commitment to accountability and to protecting families and neighborhoods from the devastating effects of drug-related crime.

“Growing up in a working-class neighborhood, I saw firsthand that the primary victims of crime and violence are the hardworking, everyday people living within those very neighborhoods. I’ve always felt a strong sense of duty to serve the public and a career in law enforcement provides me with the opportunity to protect the vulnerable people who remind me of my own family, neighbors, and friends.”

READ THE FULL ARTICLE: https://danewscenter.com/?p=10537

EN ESPAÑOL: https://danewscenter.com/?p=10544

AB 2076 is signed into law!AB 2076 closes loopholes to get around age restrictions on nitrous oxide purchases. Nitrous o...
10/10/2026

AB 2076 is signed into law!

AB 2076 closes loopholes to get around age restrictions on nitrous oxide purchases. Nitrous oxide, also known as whippets or laughing gas, is a neurotoxic drug that can lead to paralysis, brain injury, and death. Kids should not be able to acquire it online.

I want to give a shoutout and thank you to the San Diego County District Attorney for their work helping get this bill signed.

10/10/2026

San Diego County DA Summer Stephan discusses a major step toward justice in a decades‑old case and explains why timely testing of sexual assault kits is essential to protecting survivors and holding offenders accountable. This week’s DA Weekly News highlights how persistence, advanced DNA technology, and collaboration helped bring closure to a victim and her family after nearly 30 years.





10/09/2026

A San Diego County man has been sentenced for animal cruelty and neglect. 🐾

Nelson Andres Zepeda, who was convicted by a jury in August of six misdemeanor counts, was sentenced to probation, ordered to forfeit all seized animals to the Department of Animal Services, pay impoundment costs and victim restitution in an amount to be determined. He was also ordered to see a psychologist or psychiatrist and follow their recommendations, take an animal cruelty class, and is prohibited from having animals for five years.

Zepeda operated an unlicensed “holistic” animal care facility in Julian called Urban Feline. Investigators found animals suffering from untreated mange, severe infections, fractures and malnutrition. One dog, Roble, died while in Zepeda’s care, and his owner was never notified that Roble was ill or had died.

At the sentencing this week, Roble’s owner delivered an emotional victim impact statement, sharing the heartbreak of losing a beloved companion and the pain of not being told about his final days.

Following the investigation, eight animals were rescued, and most improved significantly after receiving proper veterinary care.

If you suspect an animal is being neglected or abused, please report it to your local animal services agency. Your call can save a life. 🐾

MORE INFO: https://danewscenter.com/news/man-illegally-operating-holistic-animal-care-facility-guilty-of-animal-cruelty/

EN ESPAÑOL: https://danewscenter.com/noticias/hombre-que-operaba-ilegalmente-un-centro-de-cuidado-integral-de-animales-es-declarado-culpable-de-crueldad-animal/?lang=es

Animals can't speak for themselves, so it's our responsibility to speak up. A man who illegally operated an unlicensed h...
10/08/2026

Animals can't speak for themselves, so it's our responsibility to speak up.

A man who illegally operated an unlicensed holistic animal care facility in Julian was sentenced today after a jury convicted him on six misdemeanor counts of animal abuse, neglect, and failure to care for an animal.

In April 2025, our partners at the Department of Animal Services received a complaint about the dogs and cats at Urban Feline. Investigators found animals with untreated mange, respiratory infections, leg fractures, and malnutrition. One dog, Roble, died while in the man's care, and his owner was never told he was sick or that he had passed.

Eight animals were rescued. Most improved significantly once they received proper veterinary care.

"Cruelty and neglect like this has no place in our community," said DA Summer Stephan. "Animals deserve to be treated with care and compassion, and those who intentionally harm them must be held accountable."

Today, a judge sentenced Nelson Andres Zepeda to probation, ordered him to forfeit all seized animals to the Department of Animal Services, to pay restitution for impoundment costs and victim restitution in an amount to be determined. He was also ordered to see a psychologist/psychiatrist and follow their recommendations, as well as take an animal cruelty class and is prohibited from having animals for five years.

If you suspect an animal is being neglected or abused, please report it to your local animal services agency. Your call can save a life.

10/06/2026

San Diego County DA Summer Stephan recently stood with our community at the Amazing Grace event to talk about what real progress looks like when we face substance use and overdose together. We’ve seen powerful signs of hope with a nearly 50% drop in overdose deaths in the Black community since 2023, and that didn’t happen by accident. It happened because people cared enough to speak up, share data, reduce stigma, and take action.

At Amazing Grace’s event, “Voices of Hope”, community members learned how overdoses in the Black community in San Diego are disproportionality high. Faith and community leaders told real stories of resilience and recovery, and discussed the stigma around substance use disorder.

If you’re with someone experiencing an overdose, get help immediately. California’s Good Samaritan law provides protections for people who call 911 during a drug overdose emergency from arrest or prosecution for certain minor drug offenses.

Amazing Grace is a committee under the Substance Use and Overdose Prevention Taskforce. The Amazing Grace committee is facilitated by Carla Crudup and made up of faith-based and community leaders focusing on overdose education and awareness, especially within our Black community.

Together, through education, compassion, and action, we can continue turning awareness into hope and hope into progress.

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