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Articles Tagged With ‘Santa Barbara County Superior Court’




Central Coast coach sentenced to more than 72 years for child sex crimes

Written on 22 Aug, 2024 in Daily Briefs, Featured | One comment

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A Santa Barbara County judge this week sentenced a former Central Coast coach and yearbook distributor to more than 72 years in prison for dozens of child sex crimes. In 2019, responding to a tip from a... (Continue reading)

Ex-Central Coast coach, yearbook distributor convicted of child sex crimes

Written on 19 Jun, 2024 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 5 comments

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A former Central Coast coach and yearbook distributor is facing life in prison for dozens of child sex crimes. In 2019, responding to a tip from a Santa Ynez Valley High School teacher who overheard an inappropriate... (Continue reading)

Santa Barbara private investigator battling charges, arrested again

Written on 13 Jul, 2023 in Daily Briefs, Featured | No comments

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A longtime Santa Barbara private investigator appeared in court on Tuesday as a defendant in a felony forgery and identity theft case, then stepped out of the courthouse and was promptly arrested on charges related to embezzlement.... (Continue reading)

Goleta man sentenced to life after murdering family

Written on 25 Aug, 2018 in Daily Briefs, Featured | No comments

A judge sentenced Nicolas Holzer on Friday to four consecutive terms of life in prison without the possibility of parole for the brutal slayings of his parents and two sons at their home near Goleta four years ago. [Cal Coast... (Continue reading)

Wallace case moved to Santa Maria after Guerrero appointed judge

Written on 10 Jan, 2018 in Featured, Uncovered SLO | No comments

The felony conflict of interest case against former South San Luis Obispo County Sanitation District administrator John Wallace is moving to Santa Maria following the appointment of a controversial attorney to the SLO County bench. Wallace is facing four felony... (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)

Alleged sex abuse victim recants but judge dismisses her testimony

Written on 20 Dec, 2016 in Daily Briefs, Featured | One comment

A 15-year-old girl who accused her relative, a Santa Maria youth basketball coach, of molesting her over the course of multiple years took to the witness stand Monday and recanted her story. Nonetheless, a judge ruled the alleged victim’s testimony... (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)

Paula Lopez facing four months in jail

Written on 23 Apr, 2016 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 18 comments

Former news anchor Paula Lopez Ochoa pled no contest Friday to one count of driving under the influence, two counts of delaying or resisting a peace officer, one count of refusing a chemical test, and one count of battery on... (Continue reading)

U-Haul murder trial trudges on in Santa Maria

Written on 27 Jan, 2015 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 5 comments

A multi-month murder trial in Santa Maria has moved into its third week of testimony as prosecutors continue to make their case that six gang members murdered and tortured a 28-year-old man in retribution for a drug debt. Six defendants... (Continue reading)