Here we go again: more “fake” non-violent offenders who have earned early prison release. One is a non-repentant child abuser and one a killer.
Tapia, Jaime: A review of Tapia’s criminal history shows that his propensity for crime began in 2008 when he was convicted of misdemeanor vehicle theft, and possession of a stolen vehicle. Tapia continued with his thieving ways into 2009 when he was convicted of grand theft auto, this time as a felony. Later on in 2009 Tapia was again convicted of receiving stolen property. Tapia ‘s criminal behavior escalated to violence in 2011 when he was convicted of  carjacking, his first felony strike offense. That felony strike conviction did not at all slow Tapia down. Rather, while on probation for the strike offense, Tapia was convicted of receiving stolen property in 2012 and felony vehicle theft, later that same year. In that case Tapia stole a car from his ex-girlfriend. Tapia and his ex-girlfriend were arguing and Tapia got physical with her. Tapia hit her and slapped her in the face, threw her down on the ground and got on top of her and choked her with his hands. As Tapia had his hands around his ex-girlfriend’s neck he told her she would be better off dead.  Tapia ‘s ex-girlfriend was able to escape, but when she came back to her apartment a short time later she realized her car was gone and Tapia had taken it. District Attorney’s Letter Opposing Early Release
Thao, Doua: Thao’s criminal pattern began at age 21 and has continued to increase in severity and frequency until the present day. Over the past 10 years, Thao has committed crimes of violence against his family members, crimes against law enforcement and several theft crimes with multiple victims. A review of the police and probation reports for the crimes in which Thao has been convicted clearly indicates inmate Thao received opportunities of leniency that he squandered time and time again. Even when supervised Thao will continue to engage in criminal behavior. In fact, Thao has never successfully completed any grant of misdemeanor or felony probation or even parole without committing a new offense. District Attorney’s Letter Opposing Early Release
Thomas, Martece: Thomas has proven himself incapable of respecting the law. In 2012 Thomas began a two year sentence after committing burglary. In this instance, Thomas broke into a residential home through a wooden fence, smashed a garage window and broke the lock on the interior door. Inside, Thomas stole three televisions, searched dresser drawers in the master bedroom, and stole a jewelry box leaving his fingerprints throughout the home. After this sentence, Thomas was released and back to business as usual. By February, he was caught on CCTV breaking into the victim’s home and stealing three decorative swords. This offense earned Inmate Thomas a four year prison sentence. District Attorney’s Letter Opposing Early Release
Timmons, Bobby Ray: In 2008, Timmons entered a Bank of America and attempted to cash a check he knew to be fraudulent.  An alert bank teller recognized immediately the check was a fake and notified his manager who called the police.   Timmons left the bank immediately and moments later, was apprehended by the Sacramento Sheriff s Department without incident. Since 1976, Timmons has found trouble with the law for a myriad of reasons.  Burglary and vehicle theft arrests from the California Bay Area to the Sacramento Valley pepper his rap sheet.  While on probation for a burglary in 1986, Timmons was arrested, months later, for another burglary.  While on probation for the 2nd burglary, Timmons was arrested for yet another burglary.  Again, in 1986, officers were dispatched to a residential burglary in progress.  When the officers arrived on scene, they found Timmons inside the home and he was arrested without incident.  Within months of that arrest, Timmons was picked up for petty theft.  But it wasn’t until his releases from either county jail and/or prison that he started a more dangerous criminal venture-driving under the influence.  From, at least, 1986 to 2006,  Timmons has a history littered with drug and/or alcohol violations and only his prison/county jail stays seem to curb those habits. District Attorney’s Letter Opposing Early Release
Torres, George Mario: Torres has repeatedly demonstrated a willingness to engage in criminal activity. He has shown no interest in complying with the law.  In his most recent case, Officers from the Sacramento Police Department made contact with Torres in a high crime area. When they asked his name, he lied.  Torres fled on foot for approximately 150 yards while reaching into his right pants pocket. Officers located a loaded and stolen .380 semi automatic pistol in his right pants pocket. In addition, not only was Torres in possession of a loaded stolen firearm, he was on probation, and had a no bail warrant for his arrest.  Torres is also a validated Varrio Gardens Sara (VGS) Norteno gang member. In 1996, Torres robbed innocent victims in a public parking lot while pointing a loaded stolen firearm at them. On February 7, 1996, he was sentenced to 5 years in prison for robbery, with the use of a firearm and for being in possession of a stolen vehicle. A further review of Torres’s criminal history shows a propensity for criminal behavior and violence. On November 16, 2006, Torres was sentenced to 32 months state prison upon a separate auto theft conviction. On March 18, 2008, Torres was sentenced to 4 years state prison upon another vehicle theft conviction. This time Torres led the police on a high speed chase that lasted approximately 10-minutes and reached speeds in excess of 90 mph in a residential neighborhood. Torres was on active parole at the time of this offense. District Attorney’s Letter Opposing Early Release
Valencia, Alejandro: There might not be a special spot in hell for child abusers but there should be sufficient beds in prison to assure that individuals who have previously tormented and inflicted great bodily injury on an infant should remain in prison for the full term of any sentence imposed on them thereafter. On January 19, 2003, officers responded to Valencia’s residence to conduct a welfare check regarding possible child abuse. The inmate’s co-defendant, the child’s mother, was holding the 22 month old victim who had bruises covering her forehead and head, missing patches of hair from her head, and she was going in and out of consciousness.  She was rushed to the hospital and observed to have multiple bruises all over her body, a hand-shaped bruise to the left side of her head, a solid bruise from the top of her buttocks down the back of her thighs and to the back of her knees, and severe bruising to her left ear.  Some of the bruising on her chest appeared to be from pinching.  She also had lacerated liver and a blood alcohol content of .013%. Valencia took this case to trial and was convicted of 4 felony counts of child abuse, two with an enhancement for the infliction of great bodily injury on a child less than 5 years old. He was sentenced to 100 months in prison.  Two of these offense are violent strikes. While on parole for that offense, he committed the more recent offense of being a felon in possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number which was found during a parole search, along with ammunition and methamphetamine. District Attorney’s Letter Opposing Early Release
Volker, Avette Carol: In 1987, a much younger version of Volker decided to leave home and travel with friends, now referred to as “known accomplices”.  They believed they could make their way by their wits and through the kindness of strangers who would pick them up to hitchhike to their chosen destination.  One such Good Samaritan picked up Volker and her known accomplices. According to the probation department report generated by Sierra County, the , evidently tired of intermittently walking and thumbing for rides, came up with the idea to kill the driver to alleviate the physical burden of her current lifestyle. She talked one of her known accomplices into the killing and he then set about beating the unsuspecting victim violently about the head and face with a large rock more than a dozen times causing his death.  Volker removed the victim’s bloodied clothing and set them on fire along with bloodied blankets and sheets removed from the victim’s van.  The judge presiding over the eventual criminal trial on the case, wherein the  testified for the State in exchange for a plea deal, had this to say at the ‘s sentencing: “While these opinions may indeed seem harsh, especially considering the defendant’s young age and lack of prior record, unfortunately, the elements and facts surrounding this crime are also harsh. Individuals must be made to understand that the taking of someone else’s property, especially with violence or threat of great violence will not be tolerated by society. It is truly unfortunate that the defendant has chosen a crime with such devastating surrounding circumstances with which to open up her criminal career.” District Attorney’s Letter Opposing Early Release
