Home  »  Archives

Articles Tagged With ‘Santa Barbara County District Attorney’




DA says deadly Santa Maria police shooting was justified

Written on 5 Apr, 2017 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 6 comments

The Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office has concluded that last summer’s fatal shooting of a mentally ill Santa Maria man was a justifiable homicide. A report released by the district attorney’s office states three Santa Maria officers had reasonable... (Continue reading)

Former coach gets probation for disputed act of child molestation

Written on 7 Mar, 2017 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 8 comments

A former Santa Maria youth basketball coach, who was accused of molesting a teenage girl over multiple years, received a five-year probation sentence and was set free from jail on Monday. The alleged victim in the case had recanted her... (Continue reading)

Man charged with murder over crash that killed Nipomo native

Written on 24 Feb, 2017 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 7 comments

A Santa Maria man who crashed in Orcutt after allegedly driving drunk at speeds above 125 mph is facing murder charges. The crash killed two women, one of whom was originally from Nipomo. [KSBY] Around 1:40 a.m. on Feb. 6,... (Continue reading)

Lompoc man of the year facing life in prison for child molestation

Written on 6 Jan, 2017 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 9 comments

A longtime public servant and former Lompoc man of the year is facing life in prison after pleading guilty to 17 counts of child molestation charges. Anthony Michael Durham, 67, is expected to spend the rest of his life in... (Continue reading)

Men accused of murdering Marilyn Pharis to appear in court

Written on 12 Dec, 2016 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 6 comments

The two men accused of sexually assaulting and murdering Santa Maria woman Marilyn Pharis, 64, are due to appear in court this week for preliminary hearings. [KSBY] Last week, Santa Barbara County prosecutors announced they would not pursue the death... (Continue reading)

Santa Maria insurance agent charged with fraud and theft

Written on 9 Aug, 2016 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 9 comments

A Santa Maria insurance agent charged with nine felony counts including embezzlement and grand theft is scheduled for arraignment Wednesday in the Santa Maria Division Courthouse Melissa Grimmesey, 42, a former licensed insurance agent employed as a customer service representative... (Continue reading)

Actress charged with felony DUI for Highway 154 crash

Written on 15 Jun, 2016 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 17 comments

The Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office has charged soap opera actress Jensen Buchanan with two felony counts of DUI. Prosecutors say Buchanan’s blood alcohol level was .34, more than four times the legal limit, when she crashed head-on into... (Continue reading)

Orcutt mother gets probation for grabbing kids and running to Mexico

Written on 2 Jun, 2016 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 2 comments

An Orcutt mother convicted of child abduction will not have to serve jail times as punishment for her crime. The mother grabbed her two daughters and fled to Mexico after the children’s father was granted visitation rights. Michelle Christin Gibbs... (Continue reading)

Two men convicted of pimping teen in Santa Maria

Written on 19 May, 2016 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 5 comments

A Santa Barbara County jury convicted two men of pimping a 16-year-old girl whom they advertised on Craigslist as a 20-year-old. The victim had sex with customers, as well as with both of the defendants. Humberto Carranza, 24, met the... (Continue reading)

Pipeline company facing criminal charges over Refugio oil spill

Written on 17 May, 2016 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 8 comments

A California state grand jury has indicted Plains All American Pipeline and one of its employees over last year’s oil spill in Santa Barbara County. The company announced the indictment in a press release Tuesday morning. The indictment contains a... (Continue reading)