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Couple sentenced to long prison terms for murdering ex-girlfriend
Couple sentenced to long prison terms for murdering ex-girlfriend
Oxnard, CA A California couple has received lengthy prison sentences for the murder of a woman they lured from a bar. Margarita Jimenez, 34, was sentenced to 80 years to life in prison. Jorge Garfias, 38, received a sentence of 25 years to life.
The victims, Jimenez and Garfias were convicted of first-degree murder last month. The victim, Yanelly Vargas, was shot and killed on March 17 after a dispute that escalated following a telephone call to Garfias from Vargas.
Police responded to the nightclub shortly before midnight to reports of a fight. Gunshots were heard as officers arrived at the scene, where they discovered Vargas suffering from a gunshot wound. She was transported to the hospital where she later died.
During the sentencing on Tuesday, family members provided victim impact statements about Vargas. Her loved one, Sonia Correa, expressed grief over the loss. Vargas was a mother of five who enjoyed cooking with family.
Jimenez apologized during the hearing, stating she had no excuse for her actions and shows remorse for the victim’s children. Judge Catherine Voelker admonished Jimenez, stating that she had stolen the opportunity for Vargas to engage with her children.
Garfias did not pull the trigger but was considered to share responsibility for Vargas’s death. The judge indicated that he played an essential role in the crime.
The fatal events unfolded after Garfias received a call from Vargas while he was with Jimenez. Jimenez confronted Garfias about the call, leading to anger and jealousy.
The couple drove Vargas to an alley where they physically assaulted her. Surveillance footage captured the moment when Jimenez exited the vehicle, chased Vargas, and shot her.
Neighbors called 911 after witnessing the altercation and hearing gunfire. Officers found Vargas dead at the scene with multiple injuries and evidence of a struggle.
After a thorough investigation, law enforcement arrested Jimenez and Garfias two weeks later. Various pieces of evidence were collected from the scene, linking the couple to the crime.
Chipotle settles lawsuit over gift card cash redemption
Chipotle settles lawsuit over gift card cash redemption
LOS ANGELES, CA Chipotle Mexican Grill has reached a settlement in a lawsuit regarding gift card cash redemption rights for California consumers. The lawsuit alleged that the company’s policy did not comply with California law allowing refunds for gift cards with balances under $10.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman confirmed Chipotle must offer refunds for gift cards under that limit. The final judgment from Ventura County Superior Court totals $246,000, which includes civil penalties and investigative costs.
Consumers will now have a more accessible process through a dedicated website portal for requesting refunds. Chipotle is required to update its gift certificates with information notifying consumers of their rights regarding cash redemption.
The company will not utilize consumer information from gift card redemptions for other purposes without consent. The lawsuit involved collaboration from various district attorney’s offices, including those in Los Angeles, Shasta, and Sonoma counties.
Los Angeles County employees charged with stealing over $430,000 in unemployment benefits
Los Angeles County employees charged with stealing over $430,000 in unemployment benefits
LOS ANGELES, CA – Thirteen employees in Los Angeles County face felony charges for allegedly stealing a total of $437,383 in state unemployment benefits from 2020 to 2023. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has ordered these arrests as part of an ongoing investigation into fraud.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman addressed the situation, stating, “When a civil servant steals from the government, that trust is broken.” He noted the gravity of the fraud, emphasizing that the defendants claimed unemployment benefits during a public health emergency when many Californians legitimately needed assistance.
Each of the charged employees faces one felony count of grand theft along with a misdemeanor offense. They reportedly submitted fraudulent claims to the California Employment Development Department while continuing to receive paychecks from the county.
The fraudulent claims involved asserting they earned less than $600 per week during two-week claim periods while their actual earnings exceeded that limit. “Public service is a public trust,” said Los Angeles County Auditor-Controller Oscar Valdez, adding that most county employees serve the public with integrity.
The cases against these employees were filed on October 9 and 10. Alm Agamalian is accused of stealing $37,800 between October 2020 and March 2023. Other individuals face similar accusations, with some scheduled for arraignment on dates throughout November.
If convicted, each defendant could receive up to three years in state prison. The cases remain under the scrutiny of the Los Angeles County Department of Auditor-Controller, Office of County Investigations.
The ongoing investigation has revealed that the county faced losses exceeding $3.75 million due to fraud linked to pandemic unemployment insurance. The public is being encouraged to report any known fraud involving county employees.
Thirteen county employees are behind bars for testing their luck on pandemic unemployment funds.
Doctoral student charged with drugging and raping women at USC
Doctoral student charged with drugging and raping women at USC
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has charged Sizhe Weng, 30, also known as Steven Weng, with multiple counts of sexual assault involving several women from 2021 to 2024 while he was a doctoral student at the University of Southern California.
District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman stated, “No one should ever have to endure the trauma of being drugged, sexually assaulted and stripped of their ability to consent.” He added that the prosecution team is committed to holding the defendant accountable for these actions and encourages any additional victims to come forward.
Weng, whose date of birth is August 16, 1995, faces charges in case number 25CJCF05617. He has been charged with one felony count of forcible rape, two felony counts of sodomy by controlled substance or anesthesia, one felony count of rape by controlled substance, and four felony counts of sexual penetration by controlled substance or anesthesia.
The charges allege that Weng raped three women after administering incapacitating drugs via food and drinks. Following his arraignment on September 2, Weng pleaded not guilty to all charges. The court granted the prosecution’s request to hold him without bail.
A preliminary hearing is set for January 14, 2026, in Department 31 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center. If convicted, Weng faces a sentence of 25 years to life along with 56 additional years in state prison and would be required to register as a sex offender for life.
The case is being handled by Deputy District Attorney Catherine Mariano of the Sex Crimes Division and is currently under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department.
Weng remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The charges against Sizhe Weng highlight the serious risks of sexual violence in academic environments.
