California
4 Southern California men sentenced to federal prison for Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot
Four Southern California men have been sentenced to federal prison for their part in the Ja.6 U.S. Capitol riot.
The Department of Justice said the men identified as “Three Percenters,” described as an antigovernment group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.
The convicted felons received similar prison sentences:
- Erik Scott Warner, 48, of Menifee, California, was sentenced to 27 months in prison
- Felipe Antonio Martinez, 50, of Lake Elsinore, California, was sentenced to 21 months in prison
- Derek Kinnison, 42, of Lake Elsinore, California was sentenced to 33 months in prison
- Ronald Mele, 54, of Temecula, California, was sentenced to 33 months in prison
In addition to their prison sentences, the federal judge ordered each man to pay $2,000 in restitution and complete 36 months of supervised release.
A federal court convicted all four men of conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding and obstruction of an official proceeding. Each man was also convicted of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds and disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, both of which are misdemeanors.
Warner and Kinnison were also convicted of an additional felony of tampering with documents or records.
During the trial, prosecutors revealed the four men worked together to collect weapons, travel to Washington D.C. and obstruct Congress’ certification of the 2020 election. They dubbed their Telegram chat “The California Patriots — DC Brigade,” according to the DOJ.
On the date of the insurrection, the group joined the “Stop the Steal” rally before marching towards the Capitol. When they arrived at about 2:00 p.m., Kennison said, “This is the storm of the Capitol,” as the men weaved through the crowd, according to the DOJ.
Prosecutors said all of the men actively participated in the riot by provoking the crowd, dawning tactical plate carriers and carrying weapons such as bear spray, a wooden flag pole and knives.
The DOJ said Mele took a selfie video as he marched up the northwest stairs while shouting “Storm the Capitol.”
After the riot, Warner and Kinnison deleted the Telegram chat from their phones.
In the over three years since Jan. 6, federal prosecutors have charged more than 1,387 people with crimes related to the breach — nearly 500 of whom were charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement.
California
California Upsets No. 14 Louisville Cardinals in Overtime Thriller
California traveled to Louisville, Ky., in search of a statement win against the No. 14 Louisville Cardinals (7-2, 4-2 ACC), and the Golden Bears (6-4, 3-3 ACC) pulled out all the stops Saturday evening to earn the upset, 29-26, in overtime.
On the first play of the game, California quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele threw a lateral to his slot receiver, Jacob de Jesus, who then connected with Trond Grizzell on a deep 27-yard pass. While the Golden Bears would not score on the drive, their fast and aggressive play early on silenced much of the 51,381 in attendance.
California out-gained Louisville in total yards and offensive plays throughout the entire game. The Golden Bears never once trailed the nationally ranked Cardinals by more than one score, despite entering the game as three-score underdogs, according to many sportsbooks’ odds.
Sagapolutele earned the game-winning touchdown in overtime with a nail-biting throw on fourth down. California’s first-year signal-caller found his favorite target of the evening, de Jesus, who brought in the three-yard reception to close out the game.
De Jesus had a game-high 157 receiving yards and hauled in 16 of 23 passes in which he was targeted. His 16 receptions tie Geoff McArthur’s school record for receptions by a receiver in a single game.
In his post-game press conference, Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm praised de Jesus, calling him California’s “best player.”
“… Even at the end, to allow their best player to be one-on-one for an easy throw in the corner… you know, we need to coach better; we need to play better,” Coach Brohm said.
Sagapolutele completed 30 out of 47 passes attempted and racked up 323 passing yards—both career highs. In addition to the game-decider, the quarterback threw his first touchdown of the game in the first quarter, a 20-yard bomb to tight end Landon Morris.
The last time California beat a nationally ranked, top-25 team was on Dec. 5, 2020, when the Golden Bears upset the No. 20 Oregon Ducks, 21-17, for their first win in the 2020 college football season.
With the win, California is now eligible for a post-season bowl bid.
California
Mom of missing California girl arrested on unrelated charges of daughter’s disappearance
CALIFORNIA (AZFamily) — The mother of a missing California girl has been arrested on charges unrelated to her daughter’s disappearance, but the child still has yet to be found.
FBI Los Angeles announced that 40-year-old Ashlee Buzzard was taken into custody on Friday. However, the whereabouts of her daughter, 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard, remain unknown.
Melodee and Ashlee reportedly went on a road trip as far as Nebraska in a rental white Chevrolet Malibu last month, detectives say. Federal authorities say Melodee and her mother may have passed through Interstate 15 in Littlefield, Arizona while on the drive.
Detectives say Ashlee was arrested for a recent incident where she allegedly prevented a victim from leaving against their will. Authorities say this crime is not connected to the ongoing search for Melodee.
“Although this arrest occurred during the course of the missing person investigation, it is not directly related to Melodee’s disappearance. Sheriff’s detectives remain fully focused on locating Melodee and confirming her safety,” FBI Los Angeles said in a statement.
Ashlee was booked for a felony charge of false imprisonment. She is being held at a jail in Santa Maria, California, with bail set at $100,000.
Melodee was photographed at a rental car agency on Oct. 7, wearing a wig and a hoodie.
The young girl has brown eyes and brown, curly hair that may be straightened or covered with a dark wig. She is between four and four-and-a-half feet tall, weighing between 60 and 100 pounds.
Anyone with information about Melodee is asked to contact detectives at (805) 681-4150 or submit an anonymous tip at (805) 681-4171.
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California
Home Ronald and Nancy Reagan commissioned as California Governor’s Mansion hits the market
A Carmichael home that was originally designed to be California’s official Governor’s Mansion is now up for sale.
The mid-century modern home, located at 2300 California Avenue, was built in 1975 after being commissioned by Ronald and Nancy Reagan to replace the aging governor’s mansion at 16th and H streets in Sacramento.
By the time construction was finished, Reagan had already left office. His successor, Jerry Brown, declined to move in – famously dismissing the Carmichael residence as the “Taj Mahal.”
No California governor ever called the mansion home, with the property being sold to a private citizen in 1983.
A time capsule installed at the property recognizes the home’s history. The capsule is scheduled to be opened on July 4, 2076.
Now, as of Oct. 16, the Carmichael home has hit the market with a list price of $7.5 million. The property spans 4.3 acres that overlook the American River, with the home featuring a total of 8 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, and 2 half bathrooms.
“You can really feel the history here,” said realtor Hattie Coleman in a statement.
The Carmichael home last sold in 2004 for $4.1 million.
The East Sacramento home Reagan lived in for much of his time as California governor was designated as a historic landmark in 2024.
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