ALISO VIEJO, Ca. (Feb. 8, 2023): Captain Alan Villanueva has been selected as the new Chief of Aliso Viejo Police Services. He began his new assignment Friday, Jan. 27.

“I am honored to serve the city of Aliso Viejo and lead the dedicated men and women of the Sheriff’s Department who work hard every day to keep the city safe,” Captain Villanueva said. “I look forward to bringing my experience and background to continue the tradition of excellence in public safety the Sheriff’s Department provides.”

Captain Villanueva joined the Sheriff’s Department in 1998 and worked as a deputy in Custody Operations and Patrol Operations, serving the city of Rancho Santa Margarita and unincorporated South Orange County.

He was promoted to investigator where he worked a variety of assignments, including Financial Crimes, North Narcotics and the Technical Investigations Unit, where he worked narcotics operations, conducted threat assessments and provided dignitary protection. 

As a sergeant, he served in Custody Operations before supervising the Technical Investigations Unit.

Captain Villanueva promoted to Lieutenant in 2020 and was assigned to the Central Jails Complex as the Watch Commander. Most recently, he served as the Department Commander assigned to the Emergency Communications Bureau, overseeing the day-to-day patrol operations for the Sheriff’s Department.

In addition, Captain Villanueva has extensive specialized law enforcement training in narcotics, gangs, and human trafficking investigations, and in Incident Command System. He has a bachelor’s degree in finance from Loyola Marymount University and currently serves as an associate instructor at Rancho Santiago Community College.

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RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, Ca. (Feb. 21, 2023): The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint on Friday, Feb. 24, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at an undisclosed location in the city of Rancho Santa Margarita.  

DUI Checkpoints are placed in locations based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests. Deputies will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment, with deputies checking drivers for proper licensing.

The Sheriff’s Department reminds drivers that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” If you take prescription drugs, particularly those with a driving or operating machinery warning on the label, you might be impaired enough to get a DUI. Marijuana can also be impairing, especially in combination with alcohol or other drugs, and can result in a DUI.

In 2019, 1,066 people were killed in alcohol-involved crashes on California roads.

The Sheriff’s Department offers these reminders to ensure you have a safe night of fun that doesn’t involve a DUI:

• Always use a designated sober driver – a friend who is not drinking, ride-share, cab or public transportation – to get home.
• See someone who is clearly impaired try and drive? Take the keys and help them make other arrangements to find a sober way home.
• Report drunk drivers – Call 911.
• Hosting a party? Offer nonalcoholic drinks. Monitor who are drinking and how they are getting home.

Getting home safely is cheap, but getting a DUI is not. Drivers caught driving impaired and charged with DUI can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to be upwards of $13,500. This includes fines, fees, DUI classes, license suspension and other expenses, not to mention possible jail time.

Funding for this checkpoint is provided to the Sheriff’s Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

DANA POINT, Ca. (Feb. 2, 2023): At 3:02 p.m. on Feb. 1, 2023, Orange County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Crown Valley Parkway reference a traffic collision and an assault. Upon arrival, deputies found Michael John Mammone, 58, a cyclist, lying in the intersection suffering from severe injuries. Mammone was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Mammone was riding a bicycle facing northbound on PCH when he was struck from behind by the suspect vehicle. The driver of the vehicle, Vanroy Evan Smith, 39, from Long Beach, exited his vehicle and assaulted Mammone with a knife. When deputies arrived, Smith was being detained by bystanders and was taken into custody. He was later booked into the Orange County Jail on suspicion of murder. A knife believed to be used in the assault was recovered at the scene.

At this time, there is no known connection between the suspect and the victim. Investigators will work to determine what led to this incident. This incident is being investigated by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department's Homicide Detail. If you have any information related to this crime, please contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at 714-288-6740. Anonymous information may be provided through Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.

Stanton, Ca. (Jan. 16, 2022) – At 11:50 p.m. on Jan. 15, 2023, Orange County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to an apartment in the 10000 block of Bell Street in the city of Stanton reference a stabbing. Upon arrival, deputies found Serena Celeste Gallardo, (22) suffering from life-threatening injuries. Gallardo was transported to the hospital where she was pronounced deceased. Two additional adult victims were treated at the scene for minor injuries.

The victim’s boyfriend, Edgar Navarrete (22) from Stanton, was taken into custody and booked into the Orange County Jail. A weapon believed to be used was recovered at the scene. This incident is being investigated by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Detail.

If you have any information related to this crime, please contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at 714-288-6740. Anonymous information may be provided through Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS. 

San Juan Capistrano, Ca. (Jan. 15, 2022) – At 5:21 p.m. on Jan. 14, 2023, Orange County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to the 26000 block of Calle San Luis in the city of San Juan Capistrano for unknown trouble. Upon arrival, deputies found a 30-year-old man who had been assaulted and sustained traumatic injuries. The man was identified as Jorge Marvin Guadarrama (30) years old from San Juan Capistrano. Guadarrama was pronounced deceased by the Orange County Fire Authority at the scene.

The suspect/s fled the location prior to deputies’ arrival. Deputies established a perimeter and searched, but a suspect was not located. This incident is being investigated by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Detail.

If anyone has any specific details, they are asked to contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at 714-288-6740. Anonymous information may be provided through Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS. 

SANTA ANA, Ca. (Jan. 12, 2023): The Orange County Sheriff’s Department today promoted 15 personnel, including two Assistant Sheriffs and four Commanders, in a ceremony held at the Orange County Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy.

“The experience, dedication, and integrity of the leaders promoted today are among the best of what the Orange County Sheriff’s Department has to offer our community,” said Don Barnes, Orange County Sheriff-Coroner. “They each bring a unique perspective and commitment to service that will benefit the department and the public we serve.”

Today’s promotions also included an investigator, four sergeants, and four lieutenants. All personnel will assume their new assignments on Friday, Jan. 13.  

Assistant Sheriff John McCulloch – Patrol Operations Command

Assistant Sheriff McCulloch will lead patrol operations for the Sheriff’s Department’s 13 contract cities and unincorporated areas. He also will oversee public safety services for Harbor Patrol, the John Wayne Airport, and the Orange County Transportation Authority.

Assistant Sheriff McCulloch joined the Sheriff’s Department in 1998 and in his tenure has served in the Custody, Patrol Operations, and Investigations commands.

A career steeped in investigative expertise, Assistant Sheriff McCulloch has held positions both as an investigator and supervisor in multiple assignments, including the Homicide Detail and the South Narcotics Detail.

In 2018, he was promoted to Captain and served as the Chief of Police Services for the city of Rancho Santa Margarita and later as the Sheriff’s Executive Aide, developing and implementing special projects, conducting research, and providing recommendations on law enforcement best practices.

Most recently, Assistant Sheriff McCulloch served as Commander of the Investigations Division, overseeing 13 investigative details, including special and criminal investigations and the Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center.

Assistant Sheriff McCulloch graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Loyola Marymount University where he double majored in history and political science.

Assistant Sheriff Cory Martino – Professional Services Command 

Assistant Sheriff Martino will lead five divisions as part of the Professional Services Command, including Records, Professional Standards and Court Operations. He also will oversee the Orange County Regional Training Academy and the Sandra Hutchens Regional Law Enforcement Training Center, providing mentorship and training to current and future law enforcement officers and professional staff.

Assistant Sheriff Martino joined the department in 2000 and first served in Custody Operations then Patrol Operations, working in the city of San Juan Capistrano before joining the Training Division as a Tactical Officer.

In leadership roles, Assistant Sheriff Martino has worked in the Custody, Professional Services, and Patrol Operations commands. In his tenure as Captain, he served as the Academy Commander for the Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy and as Chief of Police Services for the city of Yorba Linda, among other assignments.

Most recently, Assistant Sheriff Martino was assigned as the Commander of Southwest Operations, overseeing patrol operations for seven contract cities and south unincorporated areas, and multiple specialized teams including the School Resource Officer program, the Major Accident Reconstruction Team and the Behavioral Health Bureau.

Assistant Sheriff Martino has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and sociology from Chapman University and a master’s degree in human resource management from Ashworth College. He also is a graduate of the FBI National Academy Class #284.  

Commander Ash Abdelmuti – Professional Standards Division

Commander Abdelmuti joined the department in 1999 and has served in the Custody, Patrol, and Investigations and Special Operations commands.

Most recently, he was assigned as the Captain of the Criminal Investigations Bureau, managing the operations of more than a dozen teams, including the Homicide, Special Victims, Cyber Crimes, and the Crime Analysis details.

He will be assigned to the Professional Services Command, leading multiple teams including recruiting, employee relations, backgrounds and the Concealed Carry Weapons (CCW) permit program.

Commander Virgil Asuncion – Southwest Operations Division  

Commander Asuncion joined the department in 2001 and has served in the Custody, Patrol Operations, and Professional Services commands.

Most recently, he was the Chief of Police Services for the city of Laguna Niguel, responsible for providing public safety services to more than 64,000 residents.

Commander Asuncion will be assigned to Southwest Operations, managing operations for seven contract cities, south unincorporated areas, and overseeing multiple specialized teams including the Regional Traffic Bureau and the Orange County Auto Theft Taskforce.

Commander Tony Benfield – Investigations Division

Commander Benfield joined the department in 1997 and has been assigned to the Custody, Patrol Operations, and Investigations and Special Operations commands.

He most recently served as Chief of Police Services, managing law enforcement services for the city of San Clemente.

Commander Benfield will be assigned to the Investigations Division, leading the Criminal Investigations Bureau, Special Investigations Bureau and the Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center.

Commander Brent Jasper – Special Operations Division

Commander Jasper joined the Sheriff’s Department in 1998 and has served in the Custody, Operations, Investigations and Special Operations, and Professional Services commands.

He most recently was assigned as the Captain of the Special Enforcement Bureau, overseeing multiple teams including the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, the Hazardous Devices Squad (HDS), the K-9 team, and the Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT).

Commander Jasper will lead the Special Operations Division, which includes the SWAT team, HDS, Air Support Bureau, and Mutual Aid Bureau.  

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In recognition of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, the OC Sheriff’s Department encourages the community to learn the signs of human trafficking and how to report it.

Human Trafficking is a crime that uses force, coercion or fraud to compel a victim to provide labor services or engage in commercial sex. Traffickers may use fear or intimidation, or the promise of security and safety, in an attempt to control their victims.  

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department has dedicated resources to fight human trafficking in Orange County, including specialized investigations teams that conduct operations to help victims of exploitation and hold their traffickers accountable. In 2022, investigators arrested 32 suspects on human trafficking-related charges and rescued 10 juvenile victims.

In addition to investigations, the Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center (OCIAC), the county’s multi-agency fusion center, collects and analyzes human trafficking information to assist with investigations across the county.

The community also plays an integral role in helping us fight human trafficking. Here is what you need to know and how you can help:

PREVENT IT:

• Young victims are often groomed online through social media and gaming applications, especially those with direct messaging or voice messaging functions.
• Talk to your children early and often about the dangers of engaging with strangers online. Make sure they know never to accept messages or chat with someone they don’t know.
• Consider adding security measures to limit the access your children have to online applications.
• Routinely monitor their online activity and check for any concerning behavior.

KNOW THE SIGNS:

• Trafficking victims may start dressing or behaving differently. They may also have unexplained items or cash.
• Victims also may have new tattoos and although not a guaranteed indicator of human trafficking, imagery including dollar signs, diamonds, a crow or a barcode can be indicative of human trafficking.
• Sometimes trafficked victims are fearful of law enforcement or government officials and may have trouble making eye contact.
• Victims also may have untreated injuries.

HOW TO HELP:

• Never directly approach an individual believed to be a victim of human trafficking. This is not only for your safety, but the safety of the person being trafficked.
• Contact law enforcement immediately if you suspect human trafficking activity.
  • Report it to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888
  • Text a tip to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at by texting “help” or “info” to 233733.
  • Online tips can be submitted directly to OCIAC at ociac.ca.gov.  

Yorba Linda, Ca. (Jan. 11, 2023): The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint on Friday, Jan. 13, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at an undisclosed location in the city of Yorba Linda.  

DUI Checkpoints are placed in locations based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests. Deputies will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment, with deputies checking drivers for proper licensing.

The Sheriff’s Department reminds drivers that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” If you take prescription drugs, particularly those with a driving or operating machinery warning on the label, you might be impaired enough to get a DUI. Marijuana can also be impairing, especially in combination with alcohol or other drugs, and can result in a DUI.

In 2019, 1,066 people were killed in alcohol-involved crashes on California roads.

The Sheriff’s Department offers these reminders to ensure you have a safe night of fun that doesn’t involve a DUI:

• Always use a designated sober driver – a friend who is not drinking, ride-share, cab or public transportation – to get home.
• See someone who is clearly impaired try and drive? Take the keys and help them make other arrangements to find a sober way home.
• Report drunk drivers – Call 911.
• Hosting a party? Offer nonalcoholic drinks. Monitor who are drinking and how they are getting home.

Getting home safely is cheap, but getting a DUI is not. Drivers caught driving impaired and charged with DUI can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to be upwards of $13,500. This includes fines, fees, DUI classes, license suspension and other expenses, not to mention possible jail time.

Funding for this checkpoint is provided to the Sheriff’s Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

SAN CLEMENTE, Ca. (Jan. 9, 2022): Captain James Christian has been selected as the new Chief of San Clemente Police Services. He will begin serving the city on Friday, Jan. 13.

“Having served the city of San Clemente in previous assignments and as a resident of this community, I look forward to leading an exemplary team of men and women dedicated to keeping our city safe,” Captain Christian said. “I am humbled to have been selected and excited to begin this new assignment.”

Captain Christian joined the Sheriff’s Department in 1997 after graduating from California State University, Sacramento with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a minor in sociology.

As a deputy, he was assigned to Custody Operations and Patrol Operations. In his time on patrol, Captain Christian served as a field training officer, a motor deputy, and as a member of the Special Enforcement and Directed Enforcement teams, assignments that handle specific crime problems or concerns in the community.  

Captain Christian then promoted to Investigator and worked in San Clemente General Investigations, the Special Victims Detail and the Homicide Detail. 

After promoting to Sergeant, Captain Christian worked as a supervisor in the Central Jails Division before serving as an Investigative Sergeant for the North Operations Division. He then was assigned to the Professional Standards Division as an Internal Affairs Sergeant.

Most recently, Captain Christian served as the Lieutenant for the Central Jails Division, managing day-to-day shift operations.  

In addition, Captain Christian has extensive specialized training in various aspects of investigative techniques and strategy, leadership and critical incident response. 

When not working, Captain Christian enjoys spending time with his family on snowboard trips and supporting his children’s sporting events.  

San Clemente Police Services current Chief of Police Services, Captain Tony Benfield, is being promoted to Commander of the Sheriff’s Department’s Investigations Division. Captain Benfield begins his new assignment Jan. 13. 

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LAGUNA NIGUEL, Ca. (Jan. 9, 2022): The city of Laguna Niguel has selected Captain Isaac Flores to serve as the new Chief of Police Services.

“I am honored to have been selected to lead an exceptional team of sworn and professional staff committed to the safety and wellbeing of the residents of Laguna Niguel,” Captain Flores said. “Having served this community under Captain Virgil Asuncion, I look forward to continuing our well-established dedication to service and professionalism.”

Captain Flores has been with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department for more than 21 years. As a deputy, he was assigned to Custody Operations and Patrol Operations, where he served the city of Stanton and mentored new patrol deputies as a Field Training Officer.  

Captain Flores then transferred to the Homeland Security Division to work as the Law Enforcement Mutual Aid Coordinator, managing the deployment of law enforcement resources across the county and state to assist in large-scale incidents such as search and rescue efforts, civil unrest and natural disasters.  

He then promoted to Sergeant and was assigned to the Theo Lacy Jail before transferring to the Training Division to supervise a full-time training unit at the Tactical Training Center. Captain Flores transferred to the city of Laguna Niguel in 2020, first as a Patrol Sergeant and then as the Administrative Sergeant.  He then worked Internal Affairs before promoting to Lieutenant and returning to the Theo Lacy Jail to oversee day-to-day operations.   

Captain Flores has a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from Cal Poly Humboldt. He has a background in tactics and emergency management.  He is also a college instructor and certified to teach Crowd Control, Less Lethal Munitions, Taser, Firearms, Tactics, Active Shooter Response, and Advanced Incident Command System.  

Captain Flores will begin his new role Jan. 13 when Captain Virgil Asuncion promotes to the rank of Commander, serving Southwest Operations, which includes the city of Laguna Niguel. 

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