In January 2023, District Attorney Ron Freitas appointed Donald Vaughn as the Chief Deputy District Attorney over the Special Operations Division. Chief Deputy District Attorney Vaughn supervises the San Joaquin County Family Justice Center, as well as the internal Human Resources division, and oversees prosecutorial efforts in major narcotics, public integrity, arson, white-collar crimes, and asset forfeiture.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Donald Vaughn is a lifelong resident of San Joaquin County. He attended San Joaquin Delta College and graduated from California State Stanislaus with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. He then attended the Drivon School of Law and joined the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office in 2002. Chief Deputy District Attorney Vaughn has risen through the ranks of the District Attorney’s Office, prosecuting misdemeanors, major narcotics, mainline felonies, gang violence, insurance fraud, and homicides.

Mr. Vaughn has been married for 25 years and has two grown children.