the current

Month: September 2019

  • Mitrice Richardson Investigation: Former Lost Hills Captain Who Hid Video Accused of Sexual Assault

    Mitrice Richardson Investigation: Former Lost Hills Captain Who Hid Video Accused of Sexual Assault

    The 10-year anniversary of Mitrice Richardson’s disappearance, and the press conference at the Lost Hills Sheriff’s Department on September 17th, proved to be a pivotal time in the relationship between family and friends of Richardson, Malibu and surrounding communities, and the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department.

    The outcome of the press conference prompted The Local Malibu to release new information to the public (already in the hands of the Sheriff’s Department), of alleged crimes committed under the color of authority that occurred at the time of Richardson’s disappearance.

    Crimes of Opportunity

    A large ominous cloud has been hanging over the Lost Hills Sheriff’s Department since Mitrice Richardson disappeared in 2009, and the clouds only became darker when her body was found 11 months later, approximately 6 miles from where she was released from custody, minutes after midnight on September 17th, 2009.

    Last summer, shortly after the body of Tristan Beaudette was found murdered at Malibu Creek State Park, one of our readers following The Local Malibu social media posts on the shootings came across the link to the Mitrice Richardson documentary, Lost Compassion. One of our followers posted the link to the documentary because of the close proximity of the crimes, and their potential involvement in Richardson’s death, which still remains undetermined according to the L.A. County Coroner’s office.

    After watching the documentary, our reader contacted her friend, who used to live in the area at the time of Richardson’s disappearance, and prompted her to watch “Lost Compassion”. Shortly after, Dr. Ronda Hampton, a clinical psychologist and friend and mentor to Richardson, received a phone call from a woman who disclosed she was a victim of sexual assault by a man she saw in the video, Captain Tom Martin of the Lost Hills Sheriff’s Department. The same man who admitted to lying about the existence of, and hiding the video of Mitrice Richardson while she was in custody.

    Above: A screen shot of former Lost Hills Captain Tom Martin from the “Lost Compassion” documentary sent from the victim to Dr. Ronda Hampton.

    The victim was in her early 20s at the time, and called Dr. Hampton to offer support in the fight for justice in the Richardson case. While the victim felt there was nothing that could be done in her alleged sexual assault case against Martin, she insisted on telling Dr. Hampton her story feeling there could be a potential connection to the Richardson case. The victim’s alleged rape by Captain Martin occurred just 2 months before Richardson’s disappearance.

    Dr. Hampton encouraged the victim to file a report with the Sheriff’s Department, and assisted filing a criminal Internal Affairs complaint that was investigated from late 2018, into early 2019.

    Investigators deemed the report by the victim reliable enough to where it reached a higher level of investigation prompting investigators to travel out of state to interview the victim in person.

    The victim of Martin’s alleged sexual assault was living in a sober living home at the time of the incident ,and attended a group therapy session that night.

    Her alleged attacker, Captain Martin, routinely drove an unmarked vehicle (as he explained in this interview shortly after being promoted although he admitted to suppressing evidence), and followed the victim two nights in a row, as she left the group therapy session.

    The first night the victim was pulled over by Martin, he noticed there was someone else present in the vehicle. Martin began talking to the two women inappropriately, and cited them both for “littering” ( Martin claimed they threw cigarettes out the window which both women maintained they did not) and released them.

    The second night, Martin allegedly followed the victim leaving the group therapy session, and pulled her over again, on Kanan Rd., after midnight.

    Martin allegedly asked the victim to get out of the vehicle, walk around the car, and pushed her into the back seat where he allegedly raped her. Martin warned his victim if she told anyone about the attack that “nobody is going to believe you because you’re a drug addict, and if you say anything it will ruin your sobriety”.

    The Sheriff’s Department could not proceed with the charges because of lack of physical evidence (due to the amount of time that elapsed since the alleged crime), however the investigator said the victim could re-open the case at any time and expressed a need more victims to come forward. 

    Smoke and Mirrors

    Under Baca’s administration, in order to overshadow any wrongdoing by the Sheriff’s Department, and instead of disciplinary action for suppressing and the potential destruction of evidence (the Richardson video), Baca’s protocol was to “promote” Martin, with a pay increase.

    Martin’s “promotion”to commander at LASD headquarters put him in charge of the detectives division, including the Special Victims Unit, which handles sexual assault cases including Mitrice Richardson’s.

    When questioned by reporters at the September 17th press conference about Martin’s actions in the Richardson case, which include denying the video existed and suppressing vital evidence, Sheriff Villanueva said:

    “That information…again…that’s 10 years ago, I can’t account for something that happened when I was literally a Sgt. on the department… If there was something I could do with that administratively and I had the legs to do it , I could… act on that. Most of the people involved at that level have since retired, I don’t have the teeth to do it…”

    By “lacking the teeth to do it” Villanueva could be referring to the Truth and Reconciliation Panel, which was dismantled by the Board of Supervisors recently, and was vital to Villanueva’s on-going efforts to uncover the corruption in the department. Under the new regime at LASD, the Richardson case was supposed to be the first civilian case to be reviewed. 

    Me Too in Malibu?

    Sources believe more victims of sexual assault under the color of authority occurred in our community during the time Mitrice Richardson disappeared, and authorities want the victims to come forward as there may be vital information linking these cases.

    If you have information you believe may be connected to or directly related to the Mitrice Richardson case, call the anonymous tip line at 310.906.0435.  All calls will remain anonymous.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Mitrice Richardson 10-Year Anniversary Generates New Information with Dedicated Tip Line, $30,000 Reward Still Stands

    Mitrice Richardson 10-Year Anniversary Generates New Information with Dedicated Tip Line, $30,000 Reward Still Stands

    The 10-year anniversary of Mitrice Richardson’s disappearance and the press conference held outside the Lost Hills Sheriff’s Department Tuesday, September 17th, produced some very deep emotions, as well as an unexpected reaction from Sheriff Villanueva, in the very spot where Mitrice Richardson disappeared a decade ago to the day.

    The press conference was called to celebrate Richardson’s life and ask for the public’s assistance for more information regarding the circumstances surrounding her death, and re-establish that the $30,000 reward is still active.

    In Pursuit of Justice?

    Sheriff Alex Villanueva attended the September 17th press conference at the request of Dr. Ronda Hampton, a licensed clinical psychologist and close friend and mentor to Richardson, who has been spearheading the search for her killer since 2009.

    Villanueva, recently attended at a private event to celebrate Richardson’s life also hosted by Dr. Hampton on September 7th, where he offered significant details as to the next steps in the Richardson case:

    “I like to purse the truth and I like to get to the bottom of it”, ” I want to assess the entire case from the beginning with a fresh set of eyes. And that means we’ll go back, we’re gonna canvass, we’re going to walk the entire length of it.”

    Sheriff Villanueva’s speech at the Sept. 7th memorial event was covered on local news stations, immediately re-invigorating the case that has been dormant for at least 9 years. Tips started coming in as the Sheriff’s speech aired on local networks supporting the re-investigating of the case and the need for an Anonymous Tip Line.

    “I was honored that Sheriff Villanueva attended the Celebration of Life event on September 7th and was unexpectedly surprised when he talked about the next steps he was going to take regarding Mitrice’s case.” Dr. Hampton said in an exclusive interview with The Local Malibu after the press conference.

    “I was also meet with a renewed sense of optimism when I began receiving phone calls immediately after the event from individuals who wanted to share information. This prompted me to request the Sheriff to attend the September 17th press conference to appeal to the public to come forward with information and to reiterate the reward. Unfortunately, the press conference did not quite go as expected, however, we had already started generating more leads based on the Sheriff’s initial commitments made on the 7th. I decided at that point that a tip line was vital in gathering more information. There is a trust issue that has prevented people from going directly to the LASD, and the tip line would allow me to effectively monitor tips to hand over to detective’s overseeing the case.”

     

    While Tuesday’s press conference produced confusion in the status of the case Sheriff Villanueva communicated one important fact that still remains; “A homicide investigation is never closed” and Richardson’s cause of death remains currently still remains undetermined, according to the coroner’s office.

    At the Sept 17th press conference, Sheriff Villanueva discussed positive changes in policies and protocol based on the way Richardson’s case was handled.

    LASD policy now is to make sure detainees cell phones, wallet and personal items are returned before they are released from custody. At the time of Richardson’s release, her wallet and cellphone were still in her vehicle that was impounded after she was arrested. Richardson was released from the Lost Hills Sheriff’s Department in a compromised mental state without any means to get to a safe place which Villanueva vowed will never happen again under his watch.

    The Sheriff’s Department will now have the Mental Evaluation team assess new inmates who display signs of mental illness as Richardson did the night she was taken into custody after failing to pay her $89 tab at Geoffrey’s restaurant.

    The Power Remains with the People

    Blindsided by Villanueva’s pivot in the case since his speech at the September 7th event she hosted, Dr. Hampton communicated her extreme disappointment at the press conference after Sheriff Villanueva spoke.

    “I acknowledge the policy changes, and appreciate that he came here today,” she said. “But the reports he cited were compiled by a corrupt sheriff’s administration, she said, and there’s evidence that now-retired people at the Lost Hills station lied.”

    In spite of the recent backtracking by Sheriff Villanueva, Dr. Hampton is optimistic with the new information received resulting from the news coverage of the Sheriff’s initial speech on the 7th.

    There is a renewed optimism among Richardson’s family and friends, not to mention the case has been rejuvenated on may levels bringing important attention to Dark Canyon and the surrounding areas.

    Recent events, including the murder of Tristan Beaudette, the disappearance of Elaine Park and Matthew Weaver Jr. have brought much needed global attention and has inspired people to come forward with important information and the power of social media, and the internet is an integral part of bringing justice to the Richardson case.

    With the newly established Tip Line, Richardson’s family and friends are hoping the community will come forward once again to bring the killer or killers to justice.

    WE NEED YOUR HELP. If you have any information in the death of Mitrice Richardson, please call 310.906.0435.  All calls will remain anonymous.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Malibu Creek State Park Shootings: Rauda Preliminary “Readiness” Hearing Pushed to March 2020 – Is the D.A. NOT READY to Move Forward to Trial?

    Malibu Creek State Park Shootings: Rauda Preliminary “Readiness” Hearing Pushed to March 2020 – Is the D.A. NOT READY to Move Forward to Trial?

    UPDATED AT 9/6/2019, 11:58 a.m.

    In yet another update on the Malibu Creek State Park Shootings case you will only read here on The Local Malibu, it was decided on September 4th, that Anthony Rauda, accused of killing Tristan Beaudette last summer while camping at Malibu Creek State Park, will be spending considerably more time in jail.

    The wheels of justice came to a grinding halt in a Van Nuys Courtroom on Wednesday when the judge proceeding over the matter agreed to push the preliminary hearing more than 6 months out, into the new year, further denying the alleged shooter’s right to a speedy trial.

    However, in an interesting turn of events, it seems the defense is the one that asked for additional time. The request was apparently made in advance to the hearing and it was granted.

    The Preliminary Setting and/or “Readiness” Conference was moved until March, 2020.

    It is a well known fact that Anthony Rauda, who appeared in court Wednesday behind glass and strapped to a chair as he has been in previous court appearances, has requested to change attorneys openly stating he does not trust his public defender.

    Given the monumental task the D.A.’s office has to show sufficient evidence to get to trial, let alone a conviction for murder and multiple shootings (where the actual crimes scenes were never processed nor evidence never collected), it seems more reasonable to believe the D.A. is pulling political puppet strings behind the scenes, rather than the defense truly needing additional time.

    SMOKE AND MIRRORS

    While it’s not surprising to those of us who have been watching the case closely the D.A. is most likely not prepared, what is surprising is pushing this case well into 2020, an election year, which is an exceptionally risky move for D.A. Lacey who is running again for office.

    After exposing the two-year law enforcement cover-up of shootings occurring in and around Malibu Creek State Park, The Local Malibu conducted numerous interviews, gathered witness statements, and information regarding the shootings that allegedly began in November of 2016. There is a staggering lack of evidence in the multiple shooting cases, let alone against Anthony Rauda, who is not only being charged for the death of Beaudette, he is also accused of at least 5 additional shootings dating back at least two years prior.

    Law Enforcement top brass gathered for a “Public Safety” during the Malibu Creek State Park Shootings. Former Malibu Public Safety Liaison Lt. Jim Royal (far right), has since been placed under Internal Affairs investigation and transferred from Malibu/Lost Hills S.D. He is also suing the Sheriff’s Department citing he is being “retaliated against for trying to warn the public”.

    There is no question the D.A.’s office will have an extremely difficult time prosecuting the case, and based on the stalling tactics by the D.A.’s office, getting this case to trial, let alone convicting Rauda for the Beaudette’s murder and the shootings, is proving to be quite a feat.

    Accusations of murder without sufficient evidence is par for the course for D.A. Lacey’s former colleague Sheriff Jim McDonnell which proved devastating in the 2018 Sheriff’s election.

    McDonnell lost to Alex Villanueva, after a series of bad decisions, including wrongfully accusing Cherie Townsend of murder (who is currently suing LASD directly related to McDonnell’s actions) and the cover-up of the shootings at Malibu Creek State Park leaving the door wide open for Villanueva to charge in and take the top spot at LASD. The outcome of the 2018 Sheriff’s election proved that a stellar grass roots campaign, the power of social media and the internet can definitively impact an election and sway voter opinion.

    It also proved the People weren’t willing to re-elect a politician who put their political agenda before the law and due process.

    Sheriff Villanueva in Malibu, May 2019.

    Where hoping the high profile Malibu Creek State State Park Shooting case – and its outcome – could have the same affect on the 2020 D.A. race, hammering the proverbial last nail in D.A. Lacey’s coffin in next year’s election.

    Rauda is currently being held on $1 million bail, yet the D.A. has yet to present to the courts sufficient evidence to move forward to trial.

    Meanwhile, there have been multiple reports of shots fired in Malibu Creek State Park and the surrounding area since Rauda’s arrest last October further indicating there is high probability that the man behind bars is not the responsible for the murder of Tristan Beaudette or the numerous shootings that were covered up by LASD over a 2 year period.

    On October 28th, approximately two weeks after Rauda was apprehended, a car was hit right outside Malibu Creek State Park at approximately 1 p.m. The shooting went “unexplained” by authorities. 

    The question now remains, when will the D.A. show their final hand and either produce sufficient evidence to move forward to trial… or not?

    It looks like we won’t know the answer to that until another election season is upon us.