RON FREITAS
District Attorney
Office of the District Attorney
Protecting our community for 175 Years
Protecting our community for 175 Years
Breaking News
May 6, 2026
District Attorney Ron Freitas Announces Conviction in Violent Family Shooting; Jury Rejects Self-Defense Claim
San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas announced that a jury has found Kenneth Ernesto “Ernie” Mejia, 23, guilty on multiple felony counts, including second-degree murder and attempted murder, stemming from a November 2024 wave of violence against his own family members.
May 1, 2026
Joshua Ramirez Pleads Guilty to Multiple Felony Charges Involving Minor Victims and Narcotics
On April 21, 2026, defendant Joshua Ramirez entered a plea to multiple felony charges.
April 28, 2026
Jury Reconvicts Alejandro Duran Mercado of Second-Degree Murder in Lodi Shooting Case
The San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office announced that Alejandro Duran Mercado has been convicted of second-degree murder following a retrial.
April 27, 2026
San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office Secures Justice in 2022 Stockton Home Invasion and Murder
San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas announced today that Draygo Peraza has been sentenced to 21 years in state prison, following the recent conviction of Rosantito Castaneda for the January 2022 robbery and murder of Remo Serbo.
April 27, 2026
Three Defendants Arraigned Following Major Narcotics Seizure During Traffic Stop
On April 18, 2026, officers with the Tracy Police Department conducted a traffic enforcement stop on an SUV traveling southbound on Interstate 5. During the stop, K9 Officer Niko alerted to the presence of narcotics.
April 27, 2026
People v. Donald Lee Clark
Arraignment in People v. Donald Lee Clark for the 1994 murders of Lawrence "Larry" Loehr and Eugene Cates
April 21, 2026
San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office Secures 50-Year to Life Sentence in Multi-Victim Child Abuse Case
San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas announced that Gerardo Antonio Garcia Aguilar has been sentenced to 50 years to life in state prison, following his conviction on five counts of lewd acts upon a minor. The sentencing, handed down by the Honorable Judge Villapudua, marks the conclusion of a case involving a nearly 20-year cycle of abuse against three separate victims.
April 16, 2026
Sergio Sanchez Horta Arraigned on Multiple Violent Felony Charges
Sergio Sanchez Horta was arraigned on Monday, April 13, 2026, on numerous serious felony charges stemming from two separate violent incidents involving an adult and a juvenile victim, following a multi-agency investigation involving the Stockton Police Department and the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office.
April 10, 2026
Stockton Man Sentenced to 32 Years for Sex Trafficking Minors from Local Foster Youth Facility
San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas announced today that 29-year-old Stockton man, David Hall, has been sentenced to 32 years in state prison for the sex trafficking of multiple minors from a local foster youth residential facility. In addition to his prison term, the defendant will be required to register as a sex offender under Penal Code 290 for the rest of his life.
March 31, 2026
Stockton Man Found Guilty of Sex Trafficking Minors from Local Foster Youth Residential Facility
San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas announced today that David Hall has been found guilty of the sex trafficking and abuse of multiple minors, ranging in age from 12 to 17, who were residing at a local Stockton foster youth residential facility.
March 24, 2026
David Sump Sentenced to Maximum Term in Smith Canal Oil Spill Case
San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas announced today that defendant David Sump has been sentenced to the maximum term of six years in state prison for his role in the Smith Canal oil spill.
March 16, 2026
People v. Joshua Martinez Press Conference
Today, I am announcing that my Office, along with the Amador County District Attorney’s Office, indicted the defendant Joshua Martinez before a San Joaquin County grand jury earlier this month for Victoria’s murder.
March 13, 2026
San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office Secures Conviction in Multi-Victim Child Abuse Case
San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas announced that a jury has convicted Gerardo Antonio Garcia Aguilar on five counts of lewd acts upon a minor, ending a nearly 20-year cycle of abuse involving three separate victims. The verdict was delivered on March 11, 2026, in the courtroom of the Honorable Judge Villapudua.
March 10, 2026
Jamaraqui Burks Pleads Guilty to Gross Vehicular Manslaughter in Fatal Delta College Collision
San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas announced that Jamaraqui Burks has entered a guilty plea regarding the tragic October 2024 collision that claimed the life of Jazmine Floris on the San Joaquin Delta College campus.
March 3, 2026
Naylor and Stewart Sentenced to 100 Years to Life and 80 Years to Life for Gang-Related Murder
On March 2, 2026, Dominique Naylor and Jeffery Stewart were sentenced by Judge Hoyt in Department 8A following their convictions at trial last November.
Naylor was sentenced to 100 years to Life in state prison. Stewart was sentenced to 80 years to Life in state prison.
March 3, 2026
Shakir Khan Sentenced Following Denial of Motion to Withdraw Plea
On March 2, 2026, the Honorable Judge Northup sentenced Shakir Khan, who pled no contest to criminal counts that include election fraud and money laundering, underscoring the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s firm commitment to safeguarding election integrity and holding accountable those who attempt to undermine our democratic process.
March 3, 2026
Man Convicted of Attempted Murder for Setting Sleeping Elderly Woman on Fire
The San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office today announced that a jury has convicted Louie Martinez of attempted murder and arson following a trial led by Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Kistler. The verdicts stem from a shocking February 2025 incident in downtown Lodi, where Martinez intentionally set fire to the bedding of an elderly victim who was sleeping outdoors near an intersection.
February 27, 2026
Christopher Gene Garcia Pleads Guilty to Multiple Child Sexual Assault Charges, Faces 27 Years in State Prison
On February 26, 2026, Christopher Gene Garcia pleaded guilty to multiple felony sexual assault charges involving two minor victims.
February 26, 2026
District Attorney Ron Freitas Announces Felony Convictions in Smith Canal Environmental Disaster Case
San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas announces that a jury has convicted David Sump (DOB 9/5/73) on multiple felony and misdemeanor counts following a deliberate and significant oil spill into the Smith Canal. Sump, who has a prior strike, was remanded into custody by Judge Villapudua. He faces up to six years in state prison.
February 24, 2026
Jose Carmen Cardona Sentenced to Life Without Parole for Triple Murder and Arson
During the early morning hours of June 25, 2024, at approximately 6:17 a.m., the Stockton Fire Department responded to a reported residential fire. After extinguishing the flames, firefighters located three victims inside the home, later identified as Lizbeth, Julian, and Juan. All three died as a result of the fire.