News & Press Releases

The San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office, led by District Attorney Ron Freitas, expresses deep gratitude to the City of Mountain House for officially proclaiming October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This year’s theme, #Every1KnowsSome1, underscores the widespread impact of domestic violence and the need for increased awareness and community support.

The San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office has announced that a jury has found 34-year-old Leopoldo Coria of Tracy guilty of second-degree murder. The jury also found the gun enhancement allegation true under Penal Code section 12022.53(d). Coria now faces 40 years to life in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for later this month.

Stockton, CA — San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas announced today that after 35 years, justice has been secured for Ching Jeung, a Stockton resident who was brutally murdered in 1989. Marco Antonio Berrelleza was convicted of first-degree murder with special circumstances for committing the murder during a burglary and attempted rape, bringing long-awaited closure to the victim’s family and the Stockton community.

Samuel Alvarado Hernandez, 48, of Stockton, was sentenced to 12 years in state prison after pleading guilty to continuous sexual abuse of a child and lewd acts with a child under 14 years old. These convictions under California Penal Code Section 288.5 and Penal Code Section 288(a) are classified as Strikes under California’s Three Strikes Law. Hernandez will also be required to register as a sex offender for life under Penal Code Section 290.

On September 24, 2024, Francisco Menesses, 23, of Stockton, was convicted of first-degree murder and several related felony charges stemming from a violent 2018 home invasion in Lathrop that resulted in the death of Robert Archuleta. Menesses, who was 17 years old at the time of the crime, was initially charged as a juvenile. However, San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas, who personally prosecuted the case at its onset, successfully argued for Menesses to be transferred to adult court.

On September 23, 2024, Seth Shannon, 35, of Vacaville, was sentenced to 37 years to life in prison following his conviction for multiple felony charges, including attempted murder, assault with a firearm, and witness intimidation. The verdict followed a jury trial presided over by the Honorable Judge Smalling.

San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas has announced the arraignment of Joshua Ridgeway, 35, and Ammareece Nimmo, 23, both of Stockton, on multiple felony charges related to organized retail theft. Both defendants appeared in court on September 16, 2024, for their involvement in a series of significant thefts targeting businesses in Stockton.

District Attorney Ron Freitas and The San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office are pleased to announce that justice has been served for the family of James and Mary Reiswig, who were tragically murdered in their home on December 16, 2020. A jury has found the defendant guilty of multiple counts, including the first-degree murders of James and Mary Reiswig.

On September 17, 2024, Andria Hill, 42, of Stockton, was arraigned on seven misdemeanor cases involving petty theft of merchandise from various retail locations throughout Stockton. The San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office brought forth multiple charges, all stemming from incidents across several months:

Stockton, CA– Today, District Attorney Ron Freitas announced the arraignment of Steven Guerrero Jr., 25, of Stockton, who is charged with the murders of Joe Pena, Kim Huynh, and Alfred Nguyen in their Stockton home on June 8, 2024. Guerrero faces three counts of murder, each with multiple Special Circumstance allegations, including multiple murders, lying in wait, and committing murder during the commission of a burglary. Additionally, the charges include allegations of using a firearm and being a felon in illegal possession of a firearm.