By Miriam Raftery

August 16, 2022 (San Diego) – The FBI San Diego division today announced that it has located at least 17 potential human trafficking victims, including a minor, as part of the nationwide “Operation Cross Country XII” operation. The national FBI-led effort partnered with agencies across the U.S. to recover 141 adult and 84 minor victims of human trafficking, including 37 missing children; the youngest victim was 11 years old.

Update August 9, 2022 -- The victim died August 6 at a hospital.  The autopsy report ruled the death a homicide caused by a gunshot wound to the head.  A press release from the Sheriff states that at request of family, the department is not releasing the victim's name at this time. He was a Ramona resident.

By Miriam Raftery

August 5, 2022 (Ramona) – The Sheriff’s department has opened a homicide investigation into the shooting of a 59-year-old man in Ramona.

Deputies found the victim on the ground with gunshot wound to his upper torso near the side yard of a home in the 1800 block of La Brea Street in Ramona.

East County News Service

August 3, 2022 (El Cajon) – Joshua Lee Martinez, 32, of El Cajon has been arrested after allegedly stabbing a man in the head aboard a trolley near the Marshall Avenue station in El Cajon.

UPDATE:  Head coach Brady Hoke has said that the Aztec football staff will assist with the investigation in any way they can.  He has said that SDSU football will hold the athletes accountable.  

East County News Service

August 2, 2022 (San Diego) – San Diego Police and San Diego State University have launched investigations into five Aztec football players, who are accused of raping a 17-year-old girl during an off-campus house party on October 16, 2021.

By Miriam Raftery

August 1, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) – Each year, law enforcement agencies around the nation celebrate National Night Out events to help build community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. Locally, some agencies are hosting their own free family-friendly events, with giveaways and everything from K9 police dog demonstrations to DJs and face painting. Others, such as La Mesa Police, invite residents to host their own neighborhood events such as block parties or barbecues which police or city representatives will visit to share information on things like crime prevention, as well as field questions and hear concerns.

Here's a rundown on some local events:

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: CC via Bing

July 28, 2022 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police have arrested a 22-year-old man who reportedly fled the scene after his vehicle struck and fatally injured a 20-year-old woman. Found with a signal light still hanging off his vehicle, the driver was found to be on a narcotic and faces multiple charges.

East County News Service 

July 26, 2022 (El Cajon) – Two El Cajon Police officers suffered fentanyl exposure and had to undergo a decontamination procedure today.

Source: San Diego Sheriff

July 14, 2022 (San Diego) -- A Fresh Start Farm Stand was held today at San Diego County Sheriff's Department Headquarters in Kearny Mesa. It is part of a landscaping and gardening program at the Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility in Santee and the East Mesa Reentry Facility in Otay Mesa. People in custody learn about growing their own food, eating healthy, working in teams and responsibility.

East County News Service

Photo by Rebecca Jefferis-Williamson

July 3, 2022 (Santee) – Erica Wahlberg, 40, died in a hospital, where she was admitted June 28 after suffering medical distress at the Las Colinas Detention facility in Santee.

East County News Service

June 22, 2022 (Lemon Grove) – A judge has lifted a restraining order which had barred Lemon Grove Councilmember Liana LeBaron from her home due to her husband accusing her of assault. The order was ended after LeBaron’s husband, Timothy Howell, told the judge that the couple had sorted matters out civilly.

East County News Service

June 17, 2022 (San Diego) -- People in custody at all San Diego County Sheriff's Department Jails now have easy access to lifesaving medication to help prevent overdoses.

Source: San Diego County Crime Stoppers

June 16, 2022 (Lemon Grove) --  San Diego County Crime Stoppers and investigators from the Lemon Grove Sheriff's Substation want the public's help in identifying and locating a suspect wanted in a shooting that occurred on June 1, says Sargeant Noah Zarnow.

By Miriam Raftery

June 15, 2022 (El Cajon) - The Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) and El Cajon Police have launched investigations into allegations of sexual misconduct by a Granite Hills High School teacher.

East County News Service

Photos: Michael Martinez, sexually violent predator proposed for release in Borrego Springs

June 14, 2022 (Borrego Springs) -- State Senator Brian W. Jones (R-Santee) has sent a letter to San Diego County Superior Court Judge David Gill asking that sexually violent predator (SVP) Michael Martinez not be paroled out of the State Hospital and into the community of Borrego Springs.

Martinez was convicted between 1979-2004 in four separate cases of child molestation, lewd or lascivious acts on a child under 14, and has been designated a sexually violent predator by the state.

East County News Service

June 11, 2022 (Lemon Grove) – A 15-year-old boy was found dead at the corner of Palm and Mulder Streets in Lemon Grove shortly before 2 a.m.  Deputies and firefighters found the body after responding to a report of a male with a gunshot wound.