Calaveras County DA awarded DUI Prosecution Grant

DA Office press release re: Criminal Complaint filed charging Karl Karlsen with murder

Calaveras County DA Press release re: Child Rapist Robert Walker Sentenced To 27 Years To Life

San Andreas, CA...On July 21, 2014, Robert Walker was sentenced to life in prison for raping a six year old child. Walker had been found guilty of this crime on June 11, 2014, following a five day jury trial in Calaveras Superior Court. The mandatory sentence for this crime is 25 years to life, but due to Walker’s criminal past, his sentence was increased to a term of 27 years to life in prison. Under current law, he will not be eligible for release on parole until he serves a minimum of 27 years behind bars...

The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office began their investigation into this case in July of 2012 when the victim’s mother came forward to report the crime. The Sheriff’s Department determined that the crime actually occurred in 2008 when the victim was 6 years old. Despite the passage of time, the Sheriff’s Department put together a strong case and worked closely with Social Worker, Alfiea Porter, in documenting the victim’s report in a child appropriate manner. Mary Sawicki, Director of Calaveras Health & Human Services Agency stated, “Ms. Porter’s excellent work in this case is commensurate with her dedication and passion for protecting children.” Jen Joses, PA-C, of the Calaveras Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) also played a key role in corroborating the victim’s report.

DA press release re:Jury finds Robert Swiggart guilty of four felonies in three strikes case - updated

CALAVERAS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY

Barbara Yook

891 Mountain Ranch Road

San Andreas, CA 95249

(209) 754-6330

FAX (209) 754-6645

July 9, 2014 Press Release

 

JURY FINDS MAN GUILTY IN THREE STRIKES CASE

People v. Robert Swiggart, 14F6178

            On Tuesday a Calaveras County jury convicted a Stockton man, Robert Swiggart, of four felonies with two strike priors, four prison priors and one misdemeanor.  The felonies include criminal threats, inflicting injury on Jane Doe a co-habitant, attempting to extort $5,000, and stalking of Jane Doe after a restraining order was issued against him.

            Deputy District Attorney Dana Pfeil was pleased with the outcome.  She said “the victim (Jane Doe) showed real courage after testifying for an entire day.  Domestic violence cases can be difficult because there is a stigma attached to the crime.”  In the middle of the trial the Defendant decided to represent himself, as is his Constitutional right, so the Public Defender’s Office was relieved.  Three Deputy Sheriff’s testified in the case in addition to three lay witnesses.  Dana Pfeil said “Justice was served and a career criminal will be out of our community.”

The two “strike” prior convictions were for two separate burglaries of an inhabited dwelling in 1994.  The Defendant could receive twenty-five years to life in prison due to the two strike priors and possibly more time for the remaining felonies.  A sentencing hearing is set for August 5^th.  The Probation Department is expected to file a report and recommend a sentence.

The victim wished to be listed as a Jane Doe in court documents.

updated 7-9-14 3:50 pm.

Copperopolis Man Found Guilty of Rape

On June 11, 2014, a Calaveras County jury found Robert Walker, 32, guilty of raping a child under the age of ten with two prison priors.
Deputy District attorney Dana Pfeil prosecuted the case on behalf of the Calaveras County DA's office.
"The victim was very believable and showed incredible courage testifying. The jury believed her and I am pleased to say justice was served today." Pfeil said.
Sentencing is set for a hearing July 21, 2014.

Office of District Attorney press release re: Criminal Grand Jury indictment of Michael Eugene Kelly

DA Press release re: man sentenced for VS Burglary

Candidate Forum Re-cap Calaveras County District Attorney Candidates

Calaveras County Taxpayers Association (CCTA) and the Copperopolis Community Center (CCC) hosted a Candidates Forum at the Historic Armory on April 23, 2012.

Both Calaveras County District Attorney Candidates, incumbent Barbara Yook and David Singer, attended the event.

Each candidate was asked a question from questions submitted by residents in attendance. Questions were vetted by Copperopolis Community Center board members and Calaveras County Taxpayers Association members. Candidates were each given a limited amount of time to answer from two minutes to three minutes. Candidates were rotated for each question. The answers posted here are condensed.

Opening statement:

Yook- with Calaveras County DA office for 14 years…became acting DA in 2010…faced budget cuts of 10% in 2010 and 17.5% in 2011…500 crimes no longer able to convict do to AB109.

Singer- DA is an administrative position sets the direction of the office…revolving door for criminals in our county a catch and release program, I will be more aggressive…put teeth back into the office.