Authorities announced the arrests of 22 people Tuesday in a massive organized crime case alleging MS-13 gang members are responsible for “Medieval Style Murders” in the Los Angeles region, where the gang has had a presence since forming there in the 1980s.
The Los Angeles Metropolitan Task Force on Violent Gangs, which includes local law enforcement officers and FBI agents, made the arrests.
Sheriff Alex Villanueva was among law enforcement officials at the press conference announcing the indictments.
The vicious crimes committed by MS13 gang members included locations in the “Malibu Hills” as released by authorities. The Local Malibu reached out to Acting Captain Chuck Becerra of the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Department and asked him to elaborate on the circumstance regarding the MS13 incidents in our area, and how deputies in the field are handling these extremely dangerous criminals.
“In response to this challenge, the majority of the deputies assigned to Malibu/Lost Hills Station have undergone specialized training specific to MS-13, their modus, their tactics, and their practices. The training was administered by experts in this field deemed to be the authorities in this subject matter. Several weeks following the training, LHS deputies conducted a traffic stop of alleged MS-13 gang members and affiliates and made several arrests. After a preliminary investigation of the suspects in this arrest, the detectives concluded the deputies who conducted the traffic stop thwarted another potentially deadly assault.” said Becerra. “Its important to note this station has established open lines of communication with our partners at LAPD, VCSD, CHP, and the Department of Justice regarding MS-13 and are working tirelessly to address this latest challenge.” he concluded.
Shortly before the murder of Tristan Beaudette, the body of Reynaldo Cruz 52, was found on May 16th, 2018, dumped in a ditch in front of the Hindu Temple, not far from entrance to the Malibu Creek State Park. Cruz’s body displayed distinct markings of an MS13 execution style gang hit.
The second (decomposed) body found was Roger Chavez Barahona, a 19 year old latino male, found near Fire Camp 8 on July 19. Coroner reports state that Barahona died as a result of gunshot wounds and authorities confirmed the homicide was gang related.
The indictments, unsealed this week after prosecutors made their arrests, allege members of the gang’s San Fernando Valley stronghold committed seven murders, some including torture and dismemberment.
United States Attorney Nick Hanna, US Attorney for the Central District of California, released this statement: “We have now taken off the streets nearly two dozen people associated with the most violent arm of MS-13 in Los Angeles, where the gang is believed to have killed 24 people over the past two years. This investigation has been an unqualified success. The collaborative law enforcement effort solved several murder cases and dealt a severe blow to members of the gang who engaged in acts of brutality not seen in the region for over 20 years.”
No one who has ever suffered a loss wishes to extend their suffering from that loss any longer than absolutely necessary. While the wheels of justice sometimes turn painfully slow, for victims of the Woolsey Fire, the wheels of justice may actually come off.
On November 9th, 2018, Malibu suffered one of the worst wildfires in our community’s history. Millions of dollars of destroyed properties were left in its wake, and countless lives have been affected by the federally-declared disaster.
Shortly after the smoke cleared, Woolsey victims assessed damages and hired lawyers to pursue recovery from their losses. Lawsuits flooded the courthouse with more to follow. The court coordinated all of the cases into one action.
for determination of liability against the defendants, in this case, Southern California Edison Company (SoCal Edison). Judge William F. Highberger was assigned to the coordinated case.
Since coordination, our wheels of justice have been turning at an expedient rate. Attorneys have been disqualified, attorneys have bargained for positions to drive the train (as lead counsel), a trial date is set for February 2020, and now, victims face a deadline to submit their claims for damages — AUGUST 25th!
The ashes are barely collected. Our recovery from this catastrophe has barely begun. And even though our damages are not yet fully calculated, we are placed on a track to dispose of our claims hardly before the ink has dried on our legal complaints.
What’s the rush? Sure, Malibu and its residents would like to move on. But the extraordinary rush to force claims through the judicial system and resolve them, yesterday, seems outrageous. Expediency has replaced efficiency. It seems Woolsey Fire victims may soon be railroaded into rushed judgments and forced settlements to move this thing along for…what good reason?
No after-action reports have been prepared. Investigations are not yet complete. The facts remain undetermined. But here we go! So hold on.
Continue to follow our FireWire coverage of up to the minute news and information to help Woolsey Fire victims recover from this tragic event.
There is no doubt the earthquakes that rocked Southern California recently was a serious reminder to be prepared for a disaster.
As the first official fire season fast approaches, and after hard lessons learned during the Woolsey Fire, manyMalibuites most certainly have a better understanding of the importance of emergency preparedness.
Unfortunately, City officials haven’t shown residents any evidence of being better prepared for fire season, regardless of the backlash from the community after City officials completely abandoned residents during the Woolsey Fire.
The City’s one attempt to placate citizens was to add a third member to the Public Safety Department. The new Malibu Fire Safety Liasion, Jerry Vandermuelen, was welcomed to the community May 13th. While Vandermuelen has some impressive credentials, 35 years of fire service experience with the Kern County and Ventura County Fire Departments, unfortunately, the wheels of bureaucracy continue to turn. The City of Malibu was embarrassingly unprepared during the disaster, and the community remains skeptical at best – especially since the Public Safety Manager Susan Duenas, and her assisant, Public Safety Specialist Stephanie Berger, were completely M.I.A. during Woolsey. Theyoffered no guidance or information to assist residents during this critical time.
However, the one relationship that has drastically improved is Malibu’s connection with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department.
With new Sheriff Alex Villanueva in charge, we can have faith that the issues under his pervue will be managed efficientally. Villanueva was aware of the mistakes made by LASD during Woolsey, which at the time, was under the control of former Sheriff Jim McDonnell.
Villanueva was sworn in December 3rd, 2018, after a nail-biter Sheriff’s race during mandatory evacuations. While votes were still being counted in the Sheriff’s election, Villanueva made the trip at 11 p.m. to Malibu from from his home in LaHabra Heights to check on troops stationed at Zuma Beach.
Incidentally, McDonnell did not make the trip out to Malibu during the disaster.
As Villanueva took the lead in the Sheriff race last November, while he was not yet sworn-in as Sheriff of L.A. County, he still took it upon himself the trip from his La Habra Heights home to Malibu, to talk with troops stationed at Zuma Beach.
Villanueva’s dedication to our community, and beingprepared for the next for the next disaster is unparalled toany other Sheriff before him. On May 22nd, Sheriff Villanuevamade his third visit to Malibu (at our publication’s request allthree times), for a town hall to address resident concerns andtalk about disaster preparedness.
The Sheriff was very clear about the protocol of residents with health conditions, and that those in need of special care, prompting them to follow evacuation orders so they can receive the proper medical services should they need it.
For those of you who are planning to stay being the barricades in the next disaster, the Sheriff delivered cautionary advice we should take very seriously. “If you fail to prepare, prepare to fail.” Villanueva warned those in attendance.
Wise words as we enter Malibu’s most dangerous season of the year.
ABOVE: The Malibu Times covered the first Town Hall after the Woolsey Fire, December 7th, hosted by The Local Malibu. However, they not disclosing to their readers the Sheriff’s appearance was NOT at the request of City officials. Incidentally, all three appearances the Sheriff made in Malibu to address community members has been at the request of our publication. The City of Malibu has not scheduled one event since the Woolsey Fire that included Sheriff Villanueva who was sworn in December 3rd, 2018.
Q & A With Sheriff Villanueva and Malibu Public Safety Commissioner Andy Cohen
As a 24 year resident of Malibu, and as a new member of the Malibu Public Safety Commission, I am concerned with many of the safety issues that are now facing Malibu. Previous Sheriffs have never visited Malibu during a disaster, and we are very appreciative of the multiple visits Sheriff Villanueva made during, and after, the Woolsey Fire. Although Malibu only has 13,000 residents, over 15 million people visit Malibu annually to visit our beaches, hike our trails, shop in our stores and eat in our restaurants. Sheriff Villanueva has a hard road ahead in charge of the largest Sheriff’s department in the country, and the cultural changes he is instilling in the department. The deputies that I have spoken to are all on board with the changes Sheriff Villanueva has made. The Lost Hills Acting Captain Beccera, and Malibu Public Safety Liasion, Jennifer Seetoo, have made an amazing difference in just the first few months of the year. Their care and interaction with Malibu residents, an enhanced summer traffic safety program, homeless outreach are just some of the positive effects of their efforts. Recently,I asked Sheriff Villanueva a few additonal questions about other issues concerning Malibu residents.
AC:It seems like recently there has been an upswing in gang activity in Malibu with tagging and two major MS 13 arrests in the area due to the great work of your deputies. In the past years it seems like gang activity in Malibu was kept to a minimum with gang members not even attempting anything in Malibu because they knew there were only a few ways out of Malibu and they did not have a chance to commit a crime and get out.What has changed, and what can we do to improve the situation?
AV: We have seen gang activity rise over the past few years, as prison realignment (AB109) and Prop 47 have been enacted and changed our laws.Certain crimes that were felonies were changed to misdemeanors, and drug laws were weakened.These gangs have become more brazen in their activities and areas where they look for opportunities to commit crime.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will continue to be proactive in our patrolling of the City of Malibu and all the cities we serve.We will also work with our Operation Safe Streets bureau to track gang activity.
AC: We know the homeless problem is a county wide problem. Your task force tells me that 80% of the homeless really wants a shelter over their heads and a job but it seems like with only eight deputies on your team out of 10,000 deputies progress is severely limited. Are there any plans to increase that task force?
AV: We are working to secure more funding from the Board of Supervisors and hope to increase the team in the near future.
AC: In Malibu particularly, the problem has really escalated in the past 12 months with many cars and trucks and motorhomes lining PCH every night, and causing resident to be harassed and inundated with various issues related to this problem. I know that in the past there were signs preventing parking on PCH After midnight and your deputies always kept PCH clear and safe. It seems like if we could get this signs replaced it would solve many problems. Any insight on how to get that done?It seems like a Coastal Commission issue and public access to our beaches, but after midnight it becomes a public safety issue rather than a beach access issue
AV: The City of Malibu would need to create stricter municipal codes for these issues, so the LASD could enforce these codes.
AC: One problem which continues to get the public upset is the issue of how residents were treated by deputies.During the fire, with a complete lockdown situation that prevented residents and food and medical supplies and fuel for their generators, as well as keeping out doctors and nurses and the staff at our Malibu Urgent Care. I understand that people need to be more prepared the next time if they choose to stay and protect their homes.However, the markets were closed, the gas stations were closed, and recognizing that many roads had dangerous situations with power poles and wires along the road, there were also places that were fine and still a total lockdown. It did not seem practical. Can you tell me how, without endangering public safety, we can make the next emergency a little more flexible for residents, CERT team members who were not allowed in, etc.?
We would need to work in partnership with LA County Fire Department and create a model to make this happen.Utilizing what worked and did not work during the Woolsey Fires.
Residential real estate market expert James Weekley provides the first quarter report of the 2019 Malibu/Malibu Beach residential sales. This report is recognized as the industry standard for providing the state of the residential real estate market.
This report is also in the latest print issue of The Local Malibu on newsstands now.
Two officers from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department filed claims recently against LASD for “retaliation” related to their actions in the Malibu Creek State Park Shootings case.
Lt. Jim Royal, whose claim made headlines last month, says the actions of the department are directly associated with his requests made to a high ranking officer to warn the public about a series of shootings in and around the area of Malibu Creek State Park in early 2017.
Sargeant Tui Wright, the former head of Malibu Search Rescue Team at Lost Hills Sheriff’s Department,was the second officer to file a claim against LASD for “retaliation”, the same day as Lt. Royal, June 6th, 2019. Wright’s claims are also associated with the the Malibu Creek State Park Shootings case, and names former Sheriff Jim McDonnell in his complaint. Incidentally, major news media did not report on Wright’s claim, or that McDonnell was named in the claim.
Royal’s claims against LASD were circulated widely by media outlets in a seemingly high powered PR move which also primes him to be a star witness in the $90 million dollar lawsuit filed by Tristan Beaudette’s widow, Erica Wu, against LASD and the state.
Lt. Jim Royal, far right, at the Public Safety Meeting August, 19th, 2018.
The night Beaudette was discovered murdered, The Local Malibu posted a warning on our Facebook page that a Tesla was shot in the hood 4 days before Beaudette was found dead, at approximately the same time as the murder, just outside the Malibu Creek State Park.
The next day, victims of previous shootings told their harrowing stories on our Facebook thread, and the cover-up by law enforcement and State Parks was exposed.
Upon reviewing the documents filed by the officers, and conferring with sources inside law enforcement, it is clear the claims made by Royal and Wright are more of a result of a power play, and the militaristic rank and file gone rogue at LASD, rather than retaliation for their attempts to warn the public of the shootings that spanned over a two year time period.
Royal and Sgt. Wright are collateral damage resulting from the $90 million suit, and the targets in a macho pissing contest, which largely has to do with the corruption throughout the department under former Sheriff Jim McDonell.
In fact, last May, shortly before Beaudette’s murder, McDonnell sent out this inner department memo warning LASD staff not to release sensitve information. McDonnell was in heavy campaign mode, and wanted to make sure nothing stood in the way of his political wheels being greased.
Lt. Royal maintained his rank and overtime benefits throughout the shootings, including after his interactions with Chief Benedict, where he requested to release information about the shootings, and was subsequently “shut down”.
Incidentally, Chief Benedict, who has since taken early retirement, attended the “Public Safety Meeting” regarding the shootings, hosted by Senator Henry Stern, on August 19th, 2018. Benedict sat in the front row, in plain clothes, overseeing Lt. Royal, and making sure he stayed on script as he fielded questions from the press and concerned community members.
Lt. Royal did in fact stay on script, and continued to do so right until his attorney filed the claim against the department, six months after being demoted, tranferred, and the subject of internal affairs investigations. Sources tell The Local Malibu Lt. Royal is also the subject of a second investigation involving his actions during the Woolsey Fire.
Long after the shootings were exposed, and reported by global news media, both Lt. Royal and Sgt. Wright attempted to keep new reports of shots fired under wraps, including attempting to bully members of the news media who reported them. A reporter for a national news outlet I work with almost went to blows with Lt. Royal over releasing important information in the shootings, none of which would have interfered with the investigation by any means.
Lt. Royal and Sgt. Wright also engaged in acts of intimidation against me personally, when I reported on the Carbon Canyon incident last September, before Anthony Rauda was arrested.
The cover-up of incidents of shots fired after the murder of Beaudette, by Sgt. Wright and Lt. Royal in the Malibu Creek State Park Shootings investigation, could very well have been under Chief Benedict’s orders. However, the abuse of power and attempting suppress information has been an on-going issue at LASD under Sheriff Jim McDonnell. The department was famous for their lack of transparency before the new regime took over in January. Sheriff Alex Villanueva has made a noticeable difference in the department’s interaction with the press specifically, but it is evident McDonnell loyalists have their foothold at LASD HQ, and Villanueva has a way to go before he has that situation under his control.
A little over a month after Wu filed the lawsuit triggering the Internal Affairs investigations of Sgt. Wright and Lt Royal, Wright sent out an email to his “troops” at Lost Hills Sheriff’s Department announcing that he, and Lt. Royal, were under investigation. His email explained the process was “administrative only and not criminal”.
After the Internal Investigations and transfers were leaked, I communicated with one of the officers involved who stated the Internal Investigations specifically involved the day Rauda was arrested, and went on tosay “What we did was not as bad as what they did.” referring to the actions of Detectives at LASD Headquarters.
He refused to go into further detailin light of the ongoing investigation.
However, according to Wright’s claim, he “uncovered important evidence against Rauda” and was retaliated against for disclosing that information. Similarly, Royal claims he is being retaliated for “conducting his own investigation” in the shootings, which his lawyer patently denies.
These claims further substantiate the back stabbing behavior at LASD, exposing even more aspects of the dark side of law enforcement, which has been a problem for decades. Under former Sheriff McDonnell, and his enabling of this corrosive environment, it created the lowest morale in the history of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department.
With lawsuits pending, the knives continue to fly at LASD headquarters – especially in the Malibu Creek State Park Shootings case. It seems at least two of those knives landed in the backs of Lt.Royal and Sgt. Wright.
Shortly after the Letter of Intent to Recall was served upon City Council members Skylar Peak and Rick Mullen, recall organizers became aware of serious illegal conduct by City Officials.
Representatives of the recall initiative collected supporting evidence, and subsequently filed criminal complaints with multiple law enforcement agencies including the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office where they were directed to D.A. Alan Yochelson, the head of the Public Integrity Divison.
From the on-set, the communication between recall representatives and D.A. Yochelson produced unsettling, and biased reactions. Signs of partisan behavior which was almost as troubling as the criminal complaints recall representatives were filing.
Yochelson’s demeanor with organizers showed he wasn’t especially interested in any transgressions committed by city officials, as if they were somehow immune to prosecution (he was however interested in the extortion of a burn victim by a City inspector).
Already aware of the recall efforts in Malibu, Yochelson went to unusual lengths to deter recall representatives from filing a formal complaint, without knowing the evidence representatives were in possession of, boldly statedthe
complaints “won’t help you get a leg up on the recall”. Complaints were filed in good faith, and Yochelson’s biased and inapproriate comments lead to contacting Lacey directly.
As if it wasn’t disturbing enough to discover how city officials corrupted the recall process, D.A. Yochelson also added salt to the proverbial political wound by adding an anecdote regarding how another city also went through the recall process, and that he felt it was a “good thing” the efforts were not successful. The recall he spoke of was brought in bad faith and unlike the recall of council members Peak and Mullen, which was filed due to negligent conduct and abuse of power.
The statements made by Yochelson were unsolicited and the exact opposite reaction expected from the Public Integrit Division given D.A. Laceyis currently campaigning for re-election in 2020.
In the cover letter to D.A. Lacey sent by representatives of the recall, Lacey was informed of the bias displayed by Yochelson and reminded of the high profile raids on Mayor Jefferson Wagner’s homes and business last year, just days after voting against the renewal of City Manager Reva Feldman’s contract for a second time.
The raids were a complete waste of resources, and executed only to politically harass Wagner. The actions of the D.A.’s officehave been traced back to City Manager Reva Feldman, who has close ties to Antonio Villaraigosa.
Villaraigoasa, as we have learned, also has close ties to DA Lacey and supported her last campaign.
Wagner was the sole vote against the renewal of Feldman’s contract in 2017,despite the personal efforts made byAntonio Villaraigosa to keep his “niece” employed at City Hall.
Villaraigosa personally reached out to each newly elected council members (Peak, Mullen and Wagner) after the 2016 election.
In the D.A. complaint against Wagner last year, filed “anonymously”, claims were made regarding Wagener’s “residency”.
Wagner owned a home 400 ft outside of the City limits where he serves on City Council, as well as a family property in the Civic Center, which qualified him to run for City Council in 2016.
Wagner, a Malibu icon, has also owned a business inside the City limits for over 4 decades and served a previous term on Council without issue.
It wasn’t until Wagner was re-elected and the uncovering of inconsistencies and corruption involving Feldman that he became the target of political harassment.
More than 13 monthslater, there is still no resolution to the “anonymous” complaint filed against Wagner, and the political harassment continues with the D.A. dangling the complaint over Wagner’s head. This isin spite of a new law that went into effect last year regarding residence requirements when running for office, and incidentally the residence in question, Wagner’s home in Latigo Canyon, was destroyed in the Woolsey Fire.
The recent communication with the D.A.’s office is demonstrating the allegations to have standing, and Malibu voters expect D.A. Lacey’s office to bring justice to the community.
Recall organizers will continue to collect additional evidence supporting the complaints filed with mutliple law enforcement agencies, including the attorney general, who oversees the D.A.’s office, as well as seek legal remedies against the City of Malibu for the corruption of the recall and voters right to due process.
*Any information to add to this complaint or want to include a statement, please contact recall organizers at
