Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor SAN GABRIEL - The San Gabriel Unified School District announced an assistant principal was arrested, accused of a sex crime against a minor.
Michael Guzman, 57, was arrested by officers from the Los Angeles Police Department Hollenbeck Division November 13. Guzman was charged at a November 15 arraignment with four counts of lewd acts upon a child age 14 or 15. Guzman pleaded not guilty, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. The alleged lewd acts took place 20 years ago when Guzman was a history teacher and girls basketball coach, according to the Los Angeles Times. The two victims are also suing the Los Angeles Unified School District over the alleged sexual assaults. “Upon learning the nature of the charges, the assistant principal was immediately placed on unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of criminal the proceedings, and is barred from any District property,” according to the San Gabriel Unified School District in a written statement. There was no information suggesting the victim or victims are students are from any San Gabriel Unified schools, according to the district statement. In a “cold call” conducted by a LAPD detective months prior to the arrest, one of the victims questioned Guzman, who was put on speaker phone, why he assaulted her. Guzman allegedly apologized to her, according to the Times. Guzman was arrested at 10 a.m. and booked at 12:01 p.m. November 13. He posted bond November 16, according to Los Angeles County booking records. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor LOS ANGELES - A Pasadena man who pleaded guilty late last year to conspiracy to kidnap was sentenced for his part in a plot that ended with a victim’s body being unearthed months after the victim was kidnapped.
Anthony Valladares, 29, was sentenced to 195 months in federal prison. Hired as the “muscle,” Valadares was one of four men directly involved in the kidnapping of Ruochen “Tony” Liao in San Gabriel. Liao was beaten, restrained and held for a $2 million ransom that was demanded from his parents, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. U.S. District Judge Fernando Olguin also ordered Valladares to pay $33,090 in restitution. Valladares pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to kidnap October 2020. Liao met with Chinese national Peicheng Shen, 35. The latter used an alias several times while communicating with Liao, pretending to help him settle a debt. During a third meeting, Shen met Liao at a San Gabriel shopping center July 16, 2018 and lured him into a van, according to court documents. Valladares was hiding in the van. Shen uttered a word to the “muscle,” who helped to beat shocked with a stun gun, restrained with zip ties and covered with a black hood, according to court documents. “Valladares admitted to helping Yang acquire the taser used in the kidnapping and admitted to acquiring a revolver and bullets for the kidnapping,” according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in a written statement. Alexis Ivan Romero Velez, a 25-year-old Azusa man, was hired by Valladares. Velez drove the van to a house in Rosemead where Liao was placed into another vehicle. Shen and another co-conspirator, Chinese national Guangyao Yang, 28, took Liao to a home in Corona where his legs and arms were restrained and his eyes taped shut. He was then confined to a closet, according to court documents. “The day after the kidnapping, the victim’s father received a demand for a $2 million ransom in exchange for the victim’s life, with the money to be deposited into three Chinese bank accounts within three hours,’ according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in a written statement. Valladares was apparently not present when Liao was killed. Investigators learned of Yang’s Internet search history, which included discovering how long it takes for a body to decompose in soil. The closet where Liao was confined was also re-carpeted, according to court documents. Liao’s body was eventually disposed of in Mojave, California. His skeletal remains were eventually discovered by a hiker June 12, 2019 in the area of Cache Creek Road and Highway 58. The manner of death is undetermined, according to the Kern County Sheriff’s Office - Coroner Section. Shen and Yang, who previously resided in West Covina, were both arrested in China, held on charges related to the kidnapping. Velez pleaded guilty in September 2019 to one count of conspiracy to kidnap. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, November 10. The FBI conducted this investigation with help from the FBI’s Safe Street Task Force, which includes the Pasadena Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Julia S. Choe and Frances S. Lewis, both of the General Crimes Section, prosecuted this case. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor LOS ANGELES - One of the suspects accused of helping to kidnap a Santa Ana business owner who wound up dead after his father was extorted of $2 million pleaded guilty today.
28-year-old Anthony Valladares pleaded to a single-count of conspiracy to kidnap. In his plea deal, he admitted to conspiring with Chinese nationals and an Azusa man to violently abduct Ruochen “Tony” Liao from a San Gabriel parking lot July 16, 2018, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Valladares admitted to obtaining a gun, ammunition and a stun gun used in the kidnapping and beating. Valladares previously admitted to being paid $1,000 for the job. Liao’s skeletized remains were eventually discovered by a hiker June 12, 2019 near Mojave in the area of Cache Creek Road and Highway 58. The manner of death is undetermined, according to the Kern County Sheriff’s Office - Coroner Section. Liao met with 34-year-old suspect Peicheng Shen, who used an alias at the time of the meeting. The latter lured Liao into a trap, promising him to help collect a debt from another person, according to Valladares’ plea agreement. Liao was kidnapped in San Gabriel during a third meeting with Shen. He was lured to a minivan where Valladares was hiding. Valladares was the hired muscle used to intimidate, subdue and beat Liao who was driven away by Azusa man Alexis Ivan Romero Velez, 24. “Liao entered the minivan and spoke in Chinese with Shen, who used a specific word to signal Valladares to begin attacking the victim. Once Shen uttered the word, Valladares and Shen violently assaulted Liao, used a taser to subdue him, and ultimately bound and restrained him with a black hood and ties,” according to the plea agreement. Velez was recruited by Valladares, court papers stated. Once taken to Rosemead, Liao was then transported in another vehicle by Shen and Guangyao Yang, 27, to a home in Corona where Liao was stuffed in a closet. His legs were bound, his eyes taped shut and his arms restrained behind him, court papers stated. Liao’s father received a ransom demand for $2 million one day after the kidnapping. The father received “proof of life” images of his son bound and restrained in the closet, court papers stated. Liao died while restrained in Corona by Shen and Yang. Valladares was apparently not present, court papers stated. Investigators believe Liao died July 17, 2018. The Following day, his body was likely disposed of. Investigators found their way to the Corona home. The closet where Liao was held captive received new carpeting. Internet searches conducted by Yang sought information on how long a human body decomposes in soil, court papers stated. Shen and Yang fled to China, but were eventually captured and are still being held by Chinese authorities on charges related to the case. Shen and Yang were charged with kidnapping, conspiracy to kidnap, attempted extortion in violation of the Hobbs Act and threat by foreign communication, investigators said. Romero Pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to kidnapping. He is scheduled to be sentenced February 4, 2021. Valladares is scheduled for a February 18, 2021 hearing and may face a maximum statutory sentence of life in federal prison. The prosecution and defense agreed that a sentence of 12 years, but no more than 25 is an appropriate sentence. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor REGION – Federal investigators announced the arrest of a Pasadena man and a recent Azusa resident for their alleged involvement in a ransom plot that ended with the victim being buried in the desert after being beaten to death.
Pasadena man Anthony Valladares, 28, and Alexis Ivan Romero Velez, 24, a recent Azusa resident, were arrested July 14 with the execution of search warrants by the FBI and the San Gabriel Valley Safe Streets Task Force, the US Attorney’s Office said. Prosecutors allege Valladares was the hired muscle used to subdue, intimidate and beat Rouchen “Tony” Liao, 29. Velez was the driver, according to an affidavit. “According to the affidavit, Valladares admitted that he was hired to assist in the kidnapping, agreed to accept $1,000 for the job, and restrained Liao during the kidnapping. Romero admitted, according to the affidavit, that he was recruited by Valladares and was the driver during the kidnapping,” according to the Department of Justice in a written statement. Valladares and Velez allegedly worked with two Chinese nationals who fled the country after the killing. Guangyao Yang, 26, and Peicheng Shen, 34, were charged with kidnapping, conspiracy to kidnap, attempted extortion in violation of the Hobbs Act and threat by foreign communication, investigators said. Yang and Shen, who last lived in West Covina before they fled, were captured and are being held by Chinese authorities. Liao, a Santa Ana resident, was kidnapped July 16, 2018 in San Gabriel by three men and forced into a dark-colored Toyota Sienna minivan, which was followed by two suspects in a Range Rover SUV. The kidnapping occurred around 7:30 p.m. at San Gabriel Square, 140 W. Valley Blvd. Liao was possibly coaxed to the area on the premise of conducted a business deal, the FBI said. After Liao was kidnapped and taken to a Corona home, demands were made to deposit $2 million within three hours to several Chinese accounts. Liao’s father also received “proof-of-life” photos of his son physically retained in a closet: his arms bound behind him, his legs bound together and his eyes taped shut, investigators said. No more demands were made and nothing was ever heard from the captors again. Investigators believe Liao died July 17, 2018. The Following day, Yang and Shen allegedly drove to the Mojave Desert to dispose of Liao’s body. An internet search connected to Yang revealed efforts to learn how fast a body decomposes in soil. Shen apparently had the closet where Liao was held re-carpeted, investigators said. Liao’s remains were discovered by a hiker June 12, 2019 near Mojave in the area of Cache Creek Road and Highway 58. The manner of death is undetermined. Liao’s remains were identified by the Kern County Sheriff’s Office - Coroner Section. The kidnapping charge carries a statutory maximum penalty of life in federal prison. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor MOJAVE - The remains of a man kidnapped by two Chinese nationals in San Gabriel were identified recently. Rouchen “Tony” Liao, 29, was identified by the Kern County Sheriff’s Office - Coroner Section. Liao’s remains were discovered by a hiker near Mojave in the area of Cache Creek Road and Highway 58 June 12. The manner of death is undetermined. Liao, a Santa Ana resident, was kidnapped July 16, 2018 in San Gabriel by three men and forced into a dark-colored Toyota Sienna minivan, which was followed by two suspects in a Range Rover SUV. The kidnapping occurred around 7:30 p.m. at San Gabriel Square, 140 W. Valley Blvd. Liao was possibly coaxed to the area on the premise of conducted a business deal, the FBI said. One of the three suspects was seen by witnesses to the kidnapping and was referred to as “David,” the FBI said. The U.S. Department of Justice announced in February 2019 that two Chinese nationals were indicted in Liao’s kidnapping. Guangyao Yang, 25, and Peicheng Shen, 33, were charged with kidnapping, conspiracy to kidnap, attempted extortion in violation of the Hobbs Act and threat by foreign communication, the DOJ said. After Liao was kidnapped and taken to a Corona home, demands were made to deposit $2 million within three hours to several Chinese accounts. Lio’s father also received photos of his son physically retained in a closet: his arms bound behind him, his legs bound together and his eyes taped shut, investigators said. No more demands were made and nothing was ever heard from the captors again. Investigators learned Yang and Shen drove to the Mojave Desert to possibly dispose of Liao’s body two days after the kidnapping. An internet search connected to Yang revealed efforts to learn how fast a body decomposes in soil. Shen apparently had the closet where Liao was held re-carpeted, investigators said. Yang and Shen possibly fled to China. Anyone with information leading to the suspects is urged to call the FBI Los Angeles Field Office at 310-477-6565. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor REGION – Deputies are investigating a phoned threat about a shooting, or weapons threat inside an unspecified high school, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said Thursday. Parents and students report heavy law enforcement presence at Rosemead High School, 9063 Mission Dr., in Rosemead. The San Gabriel Unified School District reported lockdowns were initiated at district schools out of an abundance of caution. The threat was reported more than an hour ago. “There was a threat regarding a weapon inside a high school. There were no witnesses or victims identified yet,” according to Deputy James Nagao of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Information Bureau.
San Gabriel Police had San Gabriel High School surrounded, but lockdowns at all San Gabriel Unified Schools have since been lifted. There is still no immediate threat, police said. The incident may have been a prank call, which may have begun as a report of a son shooting his mother and was en route to Rosemead High School, according to Sheriff’s radio traffic. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor LOS ANGELES - A San Gabriel man was named Friday less than a day after dying by gunfire during a barricade that shut down a huge section of freeway and cause two homes to burn. Jose Salvador Meza, 35, was identified by Sarah Ardalani of the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner. Meza died as he began exiting a rear door to a burning home in the 2000 block of Brighton Street in San Gabriel Thursday afternoon. Armed with a shotgun, Meza was hit by gunfire and fell at the door where he was eventually declared dead. Meza is accused of firing on San Gabriel Police officers just before 12:30 p.m. June 6 when they arrived to investigate a domestic disturbance call. San Gabriel officers returned fire. Meza barricaded himself and fired his weapon inside the home numerous times during the ordeal. A fire erupted inside one home at the triplex property. Meza fled to a secondary home, pistol in hand, where a second fire broke out.
Authorities shut down both east and west lanes of the I-10 freeway from San Gabriel Boulevard to Del Mar Avenue out of an abundance of caution. Meza continued to flee around the property as residents were evacuated, firefighters worked to battle the fires and deputies worked to get Meza to surrender. During the barricade, Meza allegedly ignited fireworks which were caught on live news as the exploded. Some launched in the air. Meza armed himself with two handguns before fleeing into one of the burning homes where he found a shotgun. Homicide investigators have not yet stated if Meza died by deputy gunfire, or if the injuries were self-inflicted. Email Newsletter! | Advertise! | Donate! Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor
Perez was sentenced to 12 years and four months in state prison.
Perez struck and injured Mei Li and granddaughter Paisley Chen as he was driving northbound on Del Mar Avenue at Live Oak Street October 26, 2018. Both victims, who later died at a hospital, in a marked crosswalk, Santiago said. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor MONTEREY PARK - Police arrested a man and woman from La Mirada March 8, accused of a series of purse robberies around the Monterey Park area. David Nicolas Davido, 30, and Erica Tiger Adams, 29 were both arrested and booked on suspicion of robbery. The du allegedly targeted Asian women in shopping plazas frequented by the Asian community, according to the San Gabriel Police Department. The San Gabriel Police Department partnered with neighboring departments and the Los Angeles Interagency Metropolitan Police Apprehension Crime Taskforce worked on identifying suspects who were committing purse snatch robberies in San Gabriel and around the area.
Detectives determined Davido and Adams were suspects in the crimes, located the duo and arrested them. Davido is being held in lieu of $310,000. Adams is being held in lieu of $280,000 bail, according to Los Angeles County booking records. Anyone with information on the suspects are urged to call San Gabriel Police Detective Eric Britt at 626-382-0248. Information can be provided anonymously by calling L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor REGION - The U.S. Department of Justice announced two Chinese nationals have been indicted in the $2 million ransom plot involving the kidnapping and possible murder of a Santa Ana man. Guangyao Yang, 25, and Peicheng Shen, 33, have been charged with kidnapping, conspiracy to kidnap, attempted extortion in violation of the Hobbs Act and threat by foreign communication, the DOJ said. “Tony” Rouchen Liao, 28, was abducted by three men in San Gabriel July 16, 2018. He was taken in a dark-colored Toyota Sienna minivan. The minivan was followed by two suspects in a Range Rover SUV. The captors demanded $2 million in exchange for Liao’s return, according to the FBI Los Angeles Field Office.
The kidnapping occurred around 7:30 p.m. at San Gabriel Square, 140 W. Valley Blvd. Liao was potentially coaxed there on the premise of collecting a debt, investigators said. Shen was one of the suspects seen taking Liao from the San Gabriel Shopping Center, investigators said. Liao, a Chinese national who operated a Costa Mesa luxury car dealership, is believed to be dead. After Liao was kidnapped and taken to a Corona home, demands were made to deposit $2 million within three hours to several Chinese accounts. Lio’s father also received photos of his son physically retained in a closet: his arms bound behind him, his legs bound together and his eyes taped shut, investigators said. No more demands were made and nothing was ever heard from the captors again. Investigators learned Yang and Shen drove to the Mojave Desert to possibly dispose of Liao’s body two days after the kidnapping. An internet search connected to Yang revealed efforts to learn how fast a body decomposes in soil. Shen apparently had the closet where Liao was held re-carpeted, investigators said. One of the three suspects was seen by witnesses to the kidnapping and was referred to as “David,” the FBI said. An attorney for the Liao family has offered a $150,000 reward for information leading to Liao’s safe return, on top of a $25,000 reward offered by the FBI. Anyone with information leading to the suspects or Liao is urged to call the FBI Los Angeles Field Office at 310-477-6565. |
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