News & Press Releases

San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas announces today’s arraignment of 18-year-old Anthony Pontod of Stockton at the San Joaquin County Courthouse, who was formally charged with murder, attempted murder, and various gun charges.

After reviewing the facts and evidence of the July 15, 2020 officer-involved shooting of 39-year-old Antwaune Burrise of Stockton, the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s office has found this case to be non-prosecutable because the use of force was lawfully justified.

San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas announces the arraignment at the Manteca Courthouse for Derek W. Young, 41, of Ceres who was officially charged with multiple counts of sex crimes against children.

District Attorney Ron Freitas takes the lead in environmental prosecutions with the filing against Quest Diagnostics, Inc., in San Joaquin County Superior Court to address claims that the diagnostic laboratory company unlawfully disposed of hazardous and medical waste, as well as, protected health information at its facilities statewide. As part of the filing, Quest Diagnostics will be required to pay nearly $5 million for penalties, costs, and supplemental environmental projects and make significant changes to its operations and practices at its California facilities.

San Joaquin District Attorney Ron Freitas is pleased to announce that the Honorable Ronald A. Northup, sentenced Douglas G. Rivaselias, 23, of Manteca, to 25 years to Life in State Prison.

Today, in Department 8C, the defendant, Kristopher Sawyer pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and admitted to the 12022.53(d) enhancement. Sawyer will face a term of 40 years to life, with sentencing scheduled for April 9, 2024.

San Joaquin District Attorney Ron Freitas is pleased to announce that the Honorable Gus Barrera, sentenced Ariel Baez, 62, of Manteca, to 24 years in state prison. Baez, who entered pleas on October 9, 2023, to two counts of Felony PC 261(a)(2), Rape by Force, both deemed strikes under California’s Three Strikes Law, has waived all credit earned since his incarceration in January 2023. Additionally, Baez is mandated to register as a sex offender for life under PC 290, accompanied by standard orders.

Antonee Haines, 41, of Tracy, has been formally charged with PC 187 (a) -Murder in the Second Degree. Haines was apprehended at the Superior Court of California, County of San Joaquin - Manteca Branch on Wednesday, January 17, 2024. The arrest follows a comprehensive investigation into the Fentanyl overdose death of Travis Gassaway in May of 2023.

The San Joaquin Board of Supervisors is set to consider District Attorney Ron Freitas’ recommendation to designate January 1, 2024, through January 31, 2024, as Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month. The proclamation aims to address the alarming rise in human trafficking incidents, as highlighted in the October 2023 United States Department of Justice report.