District Attorney Christie Stanley denounced proposed cuts to the state’s prison system, contending that the release of up to 27,000 inmates would put the public’s safety in peril. Stanley said by reducing many nonviolent felony crimes to misdemeanors-as has been proposed by the governor and approved by the state Senate-“even the most obtuse of criminals will realize these crimes carry no real consequences.” However, the measure was bottled up in the State Assembly early this week. Santa Barbara Assemblymember Pedro Nava, who’s running for attorney general, was not available for comment but has been critical of this proposal in the past.
•••
Denise D’Sant Angelo, accused of grand theft for allegedly stealing $2,800 in donations to three nuns, is set to go to trial on 9/22. D’Sant Angelo had headed a group trying to help the Sisters of Bethany save their housing.
•••
The trial of Gregory Doan, who allegedly struck and killed a runner while driving his van drunk on Las Positas Road in August 2008, is scheduled for 11/3. Doan remains in custody and faces a second-degree murder charge, two charges of DUI causing injury with priors, and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated-all felonies.
•••
Sheriff’s deputies responded on 8/23 to a call of a possible suicide jumper at Cold Spring Bridge, only to find a woman being held down on the ground by two others when they arrived. The two had seen the 50-year-old Solvang resident on the bridge and believed she was going to jump, said Sheriff Department spokesperson Drew Sugars. The woman was subsequently taken to a county clinic for a mental health evaluation.
•••
In the same week that the Eastside of Santa Barbara got news of a new medical marijuana club opening its doors, authorities busted an alleged illegal dispensary operation in the same neighborhood. On 8/19, Santa Barbara Police Department narcotic detectives raided a trailer in the Flamingo Court Trailer Park on Cacique Street after receiving complaints for the past year about the goings-on at trailer space #49. According to authorities, after the trailer’s occupant, Jeff Wood, and owner, David Dani, made marijuana sales to undercover agents, detectives raided the property and seized two to three ounces of cannabis, 40 plants, and $1,000. Wood, who recently testified before the City Council about the legality of his operation, was booked into County Jail. The DA’s office is investigating charges against Dani.
•••
Two men were arrested when police discovered heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine during a drug bust on 8/21 at an apartment in the 300 block of West Micheltorena Street. Juan Carlos Flores, 22, and George Rodriguez, 22, were taken into custody and are both on $30,000 bail for drug and firearm possession. Flores had an outstanding drug-related warrant, and Rodriguez was in possession of counterfeit money. A third suspect eluded capture, escaping in his boxer shorts.