Pacifica Police Department Officer Involved Shooting Of Michelle Arrais On March 27, 2024

July 19, 2024 Re: Pacifica Police Department Officer Involved Shooting Of Michelle Arrais On March 27, 2024 The District Attorney’s Office has completed its investigation into the fatal shooting of Michelle Arrais on March 27, 2024 by Pacifica Police Corporal Hayden Fry and Officer Kevin Contreras during a confrontation at 2562 Francisco Boulevard in Pacifica. After a thorough investigation by Inspector Jamie Draper and other inspectors with the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office, District Attorney Stephen M. Wagstaffe has concluded that there is no legal basis for filing criminal charges against either of the two Pacifica Police Officers involved in the death of Ms. Arrais. District Attorney Wagstaffe has concluded that the use of lethal force by Corporal Hayden Fry and Officer Kevin Contreras was legally justifiable self-defense and defense of others pursuant to California Penal Code section 835a and section 196. Therefore, this case is now deemed closed by this office.

2023 Property Tax Highlights Publication Press Release

For Immediate Release January 24, 2024 Contact: Kristie Silva, Assistant Controller (650) 363-4777 controller@smcgov.org  

SUBJECT: Grand Jury Indictment – People v. Chunli Zhao

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   DATE:        Monday, January 22, 2024   TO:             Media Members   FROM:       Stephen M. Wagstaffe   SUBJECT: Grand Jury Indictment – People v. Chunli Zhao  

2023 ACFR and PAFR Press Release

San Mateo County Controller Juan Raigoza Releases for public review the County's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and the Popular FInancial Report (PAFR) for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2023.

Triple Crown for County Finance Teams - Three Documents, Three Awards.

Redwood City – The County of San Mateo pulled off another coveted triple crown with its three primary financial documents for the past 2022 fiscal year that showcase the spirit of transparency and full disclosure.

Statement on the In Custody Death of Maycarla Sulapas on January 7,2023

August 17, 2023   Re: In Custody Death Of Maycarla Sulapas On January 7, 2023  

2022 Property Tax Highlights Publication Press Release

For Immediate Release May 8, 2023 Contact: Kristie Silva, Assistant Controller (650) 363-4777 controller@smcgov.org  

Re: Officer Involved Shooting Of Abran Gutierrez On November 15, 2022

The District Attorney’s Office has completed its investigation into the fatal shooting of Abran Gutierrez on November 15, 2022 by Redwood City Police Officers Luke Shoats, William Wolfe, Nicholas Muniz, Victor Figueroa, and Jose Montoya during a confrontation near the intersection of El Camino Real and Maple Street in Redwood City.

Statement on the Half Moon Bay Mass Shooting

Just days removed from the tragedy in Monterey Park, San Mateo County District Attorney Stephen M. Wagstaffe and all the members of the District Attorney’s Office regrettably now mourn the 7 lives lost to a mass shooting right here in Half Moon Bay.

2022 ACFR and PAFR Press Release

San Mateo County Controller Juan Raigoza Releases for public review the County's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and the Popular FInancial Report (PAFR) for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2022.

Firearm Seizure and Arrest by Newly Formed Gun Violence Prevention Program Unit

On Wednesday morning December 21, 2022, San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office Gun Violence Prevention Program (GVPP) Detectives, in collaboration with the Menlo Park Police Department served a search warrant that resulted in the seizure of prohibited firearms in the City of Menlo Park. The GVPP Detectives identified Kristian Arnaldo Arguello as a “prohibited person” who is not allowed to possess firearms and/or ammunition based upon a 2015 criminal conviction. Arguello had firearms still registered in his name, despite the 2015 prohibition. GVPP Detectives obtained a search warrant for Mr. Arguello’s residence, and they worked closely with the Menlo Park Police Department’s Investigations Division. As a result of the search warrant served yesterday on the 1300 Block of Henderson Avenue in Menlo Park, Detectives recovered an unregistered and prohibited AR15 assault weapon, numerous high capacity magazines for the AR15, hundreds of rounds of .223 ammunition, a Glock .40 caliber handgun, a Beretta 9mm handgun and 9mm and .40 caliber ammunition. Kristian Arnaldo Arguello was taken in custody and booked into the San Mateo County Jail for 29805(A)(1) PC, 30605(a) PC, and 30305(a)(1) PC, two of which are felony charges. This was a collaborative effort by our Gun Violence Prevention Program Detectives and the Menlo Park Police Department that will help keep our communities in San Mateo County safer.

People v. Jowy Omar Roman

On October 21, 2022, after 40 minutes of deliberation, a jury convicted Defendant Jowy Roman of Assault on A Peace Officer. On January 22, 2020, police went to the Defendant’s home to serve an arrest warrant and search warrant stemming from the Defendant’s years-long molestation of a minor victim. When officers arrived, the Defendant hid in the shower with a knife. Officers entered bathroom and the Defendant stabbed one officer in the chest which resulted in minor injuries. The knife did not penetrate the officer’s Kevlar vest. During the Defendant’s attack, a second officer shot the Defendant once in abdomen. The jury trial began with the Defendant facing 28 counts related to the molestation of the minor victim, with the 29th count being Assault on A Peace Officer for the January 22, 2020 incident. Midway through the victim’s testimony, the Defendant pled guilty to all 28 counts relating to the molestation. The Defendant is facing a minimum of over 100 years in prison on those counts alone. The trial continued on the one count concerning the Assault on A Peace Officer. The prosecutor was Sexual Assault DDA Nicole Sato, and the Investigating Officer was Clara Leong of the Foster City Police Department.