On Thursday, April 1, four Californians pled guilty to felony charges stemming from a traveler’s check counterfeiting scheme that was investigated by the Seal Beach Police Department and the Secret Service.
All four defendants were sentenced to probation rather than state prison time.
Yvette Patko of the Orange County District Attorney’s office said the sentences they received were appropriate for their level of involvement in the case and the damage they caused.
According to the DA’s office, the crime cost Southland retailers more than $650,000.
Patko said none of the four convicted participants would testify against the two remaining defendants. That was not why they pled guilty, Patko said.
Two defendants are still awaiting the outcome of a preliminary hearing in their court cases.
The preliminary hearings are scheduled to continue on Friday, May 7.
In February, Seal Beach Police Sgt. Steve Bowles said the case began with a reported crime at the Kohl’s store involving a traveler’s check.
While investigating, the SBPD learned the Secret Service had information about one of their suspects.
Eventually, six people were charged in the case.
Convicted felons
• Jazmine Williams, 21, of Los Angeles, pled guilty to charges that included second degree burglary and forgery in the Orange County Superior court last week.
According to the courthouse Web site, Williams was sentenced to three years on probation and 210 days in jail.
She was ordered to pay restitution.
If she had been convicted on all counts, Williams could have been sentenced to 13 years and four months in state prison.
• Brittany Ellesse Myvett, 18, of Los Angeles, also pled guilty to multiple charges of second degree burglary and forgery.
She admitted to taking more than $50,000.
The court dismissed the “enhancement” charge of stealing more than half a million dollars.
Myvett was sentenced to three years probation and 210 days in jail.
Myvett was also ordered to pay restitution.
If convicted on all counts, Myvett could have been sentenced to 12 years and eight months.
• Niesha Sherri Johnson, 25, of Lancaster, pled guilty to one county of second degree burglary, one count of possessing a forged document and one count of conspiring to commit a crime.
The other charges were apparently dismissed.
Johnson was sentenced to three years probation and 120 days in jail.
She was also ordered to pay restitution.
If she had been convicted on all charges, Johnson could have been sentenced to six years in state prison.
Johnson’s mother also pled guilty to her role in the same case on Thursday, April 1.
• Nedra Sherri Beard, 41, of Los Angeles, pled guilty to one count of burglary and one count of conspiracy to commit a crime.
The other charges were dismissed.
Beard, who is Johnson’s mother, was sentenced to three years probation, 60 days in jail and to work for CalTrans for 15 days.
Beard could have been sentenced to six years in prison.
The remaining defendants
Los Angeles residents Tyrone Donte Gray, 33, and his girlfriend Tyrica Jenice Goff, 30, face more than 100 counts each of burglary, fraud exceeding $500,000 and being part of a criminal street gang.
Both defendants are in the county jail.
LW Wachovia burglary follow-up: the crooks failed
The criminals put in a lot of work, but got away with nothing during a failed attempt to burglarize a local bank in late March.
Last week, the Crime Log reported a suspicious call involving the Wachovia branch on Seal Beach Boulevard. T
his week, police confirmed that there was a burglary at the bank. However, the criminals didn’t make a dime off their crime.
A citizen noticed that the electrical cabinet outside the bank had been tampered with and phoned the police at about 2:10 a.m., Saturday, March 20.
The bank is located in the Seal Beach Village shopping center, located next to Leisure World.
Someone apparently cut holes in the roof of the Wachovia branch.
Sgt. Steve Bowles told the Sun Newspapers that someone cut a hole in the roof of the bank, dropped inside and tried to cut through the vault door.
Bowles pointed out this was not a robbery, but a burglary.
According to the California Penal Code, anyone who enters a building or a vehicle for the purpose of theft is guilty of burglary.
In this case, the burglars failed. They left the scene empty-handed.
No Rossmoor or Sunset Beach Crime Log this week
Due to Internet problems, the Sun Newspapers could not access the Orange County Sheriff’s Department blotter for Rossmoor or Sunset Beach this week.
Crime Log Assembled by Charles M. Kelly
The crimes listed in the Sun Newspapers were reported to Seal Beach Police Department, Los Alamitos Police Department and Orange County Sheriff Department between March 22 and April 4, 2010. Only street names are used; times given are reported times, not incident times.
Crime Log entries are based on preliminary information. Space limitations make it impossible to publish every incident. Until proven guilty in a court of law, all suspects are considered innocent.
IN SEAL BEACH
Monday, March 28
Grand Theft—3:18 p.m.—Candleberry Avenue—Someone accessed a citizen’s account and withdrew $12,000.
Tuesday, March 23
Police Information—7:42 p.m.—Marina Drive and Spinnaker Way—The caller’s car was out of gas.
The caller was leaving the vehicle with the emergency lights on while she went to get gasoline.
She did not want police to have her car towed. Message delivered.
Friday, March 26
Petty Theft—1:41 p.m.—Pacific Coast Highway—Loss: a roasted chicken. The suspect was described as a black man, 6 feet tall, weighing approximately 250 pounds, wearing khaki pants, a black shirt and a maroon sweater.
Traffic Stop/DUI Arrest—10:44 p.m.—B Row, Surfside Colony—The Seal Beach Police Department arrested Ryan Alari for driving under the influence.
Saturday, March 27
Dead Animal—7:06 a.m.—14th Street and Electric Avenue—The caller said there was a dead cat on the Green Belt. The caller said the cat had been torn apart, possibly by a coyote.
The caller reportedly covered the remains with a black T-shirt. Referred to Long Beach Animal Care Services.
Pedestrian Check—9:54 a.m.—Pacific Coast Highway—Police unit 113, while on service, stopped to check a pedestrian. The pedestrian was arrested for violating the terms of his parole.
DUI Arrest—12:18 p.m.—Adolfo Lopez and Seal Beach Boulevard—A citizen called 911 on his cell phone to report a possible drunk driver.
The caller said the driver stuck out his tongue at the caller.
The caller also said the motorist was swerving in traffic. Police arrested Stephen Eckles for driving under the influence.
Bees—5:41 p.m.—Ocean Avenue—The caller said there was a bee hive with several bees at the end of the pier, where the boat landing is located near Ruby’s restaurant. Referred to a bee control service.
The bee service called back and asked that a police unit check to make sure it was not a swarm. Assisted.
Sunday, March 28
Disturbance, Juveniles—4:05 p.m.—Ocean Avenue—Police unit 117 counseled juveniles about jumping from the Seal Beach Pier to the sand.
IN LOS ALAMITOS
Monday, March 29
Suspicious Occupied Vehicle—1:11 p.m.—Bradbury Road and Pine Street—The caller said a vehicle had a door open and someone was sitting in the driver’s seat, possibly sleeping. Officers spoke with the driver and everything checked out okay.
Tuesday, March 30
Forgery Report—11:54 a.m.—Cerritos Avenue—Someone used the caller’s personal information to create an account and to take money. Report taken.
Wednesday, March 31
Disturbance Juvenile—12:45 p.m.—Humbolt Street—An individual was reportedly heard yelling obscenities in the flood control channel.
Thursday, April 1
Citizen Assist—3:56 a.m.—Katella Avenue—A citizen said he fell and hurt his knee and elbow. He said he was laying on the sidewalk. Report taken.
Saturday, April 3
Suspicious Person—12:22 p.m.—Katella Avenue—An individual tried to withdraw money from a fraudulent account. He is possibly part of a fraud ring. Officers arrested a man.
Sunday, April 4
Disturbance Subjects—12:44 p.m.—Howard Avenue—An unknown female knocked on the caller’s door. She said she needed a jumpstart.
Brian Smith of the News-Enterprise contributed to this article.
