This morning I’m profiling Sacramento County felons who were granted early prison release as “non-violent” second strikers. Unfortunately, if you scratch beneath the surface you find that these guys are violent and dangerous. If passed, Proposition 57 will dramatically increase the number of fake “non-violent” offenders released back onto our streets.
Saechao, Sou: Since 1998, he has been a validated member of the Sacramento Bad Boys street gang and has been convicted of resisting a public officer, driving under the influence twice, driving while on a suspended license and in 2001 was convicted by a jury of assault by force likely to produce a great bodily injury and causing a great bodily injury. He was sentenced to seven years in state prison. District Attorney’s Letter Opposing Early Release
Salcedo, Francisco: A review of his criminal history demonstrates a willingness not only to engage in criminal activity, but to engage in crimes of violence as well, with prior convictions for robbery in 2005 and 2010. Significantly, despite leaving Southern California following his second robbery conviction (having accumulated criminal convictions in Los Angeles County, Orange County, and San Bernardino County) and re-locating to the Sacramento area, Salcedo has continued to engage in criminal activity, burglarizing the victims ‘ residence and, among other property, stealing a pair of loaded firearms. Despite the “change in scenery” and the accompanying opportunities for a “fresh start” and a crime-free lifestyle, Salcedo has chosen to continue to prey on the community. It is abundantly clear that Salcedo, a man who was convicted of a crime of violence as recently as 2010, will persist to engage in dangerous crimes that risk the safety of the public at large. Whether he robs someone by force or burglarizes their home, Salcedo has proven he will place his own criminal self-interest above the safety of the public at large. District Attorney’s Letter Opposing Early Release
Salopek, Thomas: Salopek’s first conviction for a violent act dates back to 1984, wherein he was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon and was sentenced to serve two years in prison. In 1988, Salopek was convicted of robbery and assault with a firearm when he robbed a convenience store. He was sentenced to a 5 year term in prison for those offenses. In February of 1989, Salopek was again convicted of robbery and was sentenced to serve a 13 years in prison consecutive to the term imposed in 1988. His most recent conviction was for burglarizing a detached garage. The garage was immediately adjacent, but not connected to the living quarters of the residence. In addition, the garage contained a small studio living quarters. Finally, Salopek by his own admissions has a substance abuse problem which dates back over 40 years. He has numerous five (5) convictions for driving under the influence and reckless driving (reduced from driving under the influence arrests) One of those convictions resulted in a felony after the defendant injured another person during a traffic collision. District Attorney’s Letter Opposing Early Release
Shifano, Frederick: Shifano poses a threat to the public when he is out on the streets. In his most recent case Sacramento Sheriff’s SWAT Team obtained a search warrant authorizing the search of Shifano, his vehicle and his residence. In the vehicle that Shifano was driving officers located 29 grams of cocaine, 16 grams of marijuana, almost $1,290 in cash, and pay-owe sheets. In Shifano’s residence officers located 80 grams of cocaine, 411 grams of marijuana, 185 hydrocodone pills, 52 MDMA pills, $29,983 in cash, narcotics packaging and a scale. Also located in his residence were three handguns and a sawed-off shotgun. Two of the handguns and the sawed-off shotgun were loaded. Shifano’s possession of multiple loaded firearms while engaging in large scale sales of narcotics created a highly combustible situation ripe for violence. Moreover, Shifano has a record of violence. In 1999 Shifano was committed to state prison for a term of 5-years after he was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon. Shifano is also a recidivist whose rap sheet indicates that he has returned to prison on violations of parole multiple times after being released on his first two prison terms. District Attorney’s Letter Opposing Early Release
Smith, James Michael: Parole or probation means nothing to Smith, as he has demonstrated throughout his entire life. Of course, Smith committed his most recent offense while he was released on Parole for his 2008 felony theft where he stole a co-worker’s credit card. Smith committed the 2008 offense while on probation for writing stolen checks in 2006.In 2001, while on parole from his Strike offense, Smith attempted to pass more stolen checks, was caught, convicted, and sentenced to state prison again. In 1999, Smith committed his Strike offense while on Felony Probation for vehicle theft. In 1998, Smith committed his Felony Vehicle Theft while on Felony probation for 2nd Degree Felony Burglary. In 1997, when he committed his 2nd Degree Felony Burglary, Smith was on Felony probation for Criminal Mischief in Texas. District Attorney’s Letter Opposing Early Release
