Killings to gang crackdowns: 2011 in mug shots

DECEMBER: Edgar Luciozamudio was taken into custody after police allege he beat and killed a male friend who tried to initiate a sex act in the garage of a Buena Park garage. According to police, Luciozamudio was visiting a friend Dec. 14 when the fried made a sexual advance. Luciozamudio tried to leave, officials said, but the victim threw a cement block at Luciozamudio's car. Police said Luciozamudio then attacked the victim, breaking his jaw, nose and several ribs before fleeing. He is scheduled to be arraigned Jan. 20, 2012.

AUGUST: Sonia Hermosillo's husband said she had never truly come to terms with their baby's disease. On Aug. 22, 2011, prosecutors allege, the 31-year-old mother pushed her 7-month-old child from the fourth floor of the parking structure of a hospital. Authorities said the boy was born with a condition known as flat-head syndrome, for which he wore a helmet. Authorities said Hermosillo removed the boy's helmet before dropping him from the structure. Her husband said she was suffering from postpartum depression and had been hospitalized in June. Hermosillo is facing murder and child assault charges in court, and a mental health competency hearing is scheduled for Jan. 6, 2012.

APRIL: While representing himself in court, Milorad Teodor Olic told jurors his father was "Darth Vader," a terrorist and an evil man. He denied in court that he attacked his father, and argued instead that his father had stabbed himself in the face "just to blame me so I will die in prison." During the attack, Olic's father managed to push him off, and ask for help. Prosecutors said Olic had been financially supported by his father for 18 years, and had been asked to downsize his life after his father suffered financial setbacks. In April 7, 2011, he was found guilty of attempted murder and inflicting injury on an elderly adult.

APRIL: Michael Lallana was sentenced to 90 days in jail and three years of probation after leaving his semen in the water bottle of a co-worker. The 32-year-old man was found guilty of two misdemeanor counts of battery in February. The victim told authorities she first noticed something unusual was in her water Jan. 14, 2010, and again four months later. On the second time, she took it to a private lab to have it tested.

MAY: Mark Ward, of Las Vegas, was one of eight people charged in what authorities said was an illegal scheme to solicit dozens of county inmates for a bail bond agency. Prosecutors alleged that bail bond agents used other inmates to solicit inmates. Ward was already in custody on suspicion of attempted murder, domestic violence with corporal injury and residential burglary when he was charged. He has pleaded not guilty to those charges. In Oct. 28, 2011, he pleaded guilty to two counts of undertaking bail without a license, and violating bail license regulations. He was sentenced to three years' probation and 180 days in jail. He remains in jail in lieu of $1 million bail.

NOVEMBER: Marcos Gonzalez was taken into custody three days after authorities said he ran over the legs of a motorcycle officer who was trying to ticket him. The 28-year-old resident of Fullerton fled after he was pulled over by the officer. According to the allegations, Gonzalez ran back to the car, struggled with the officer who tried to pull him out of the driver's side door and ran over the officer's legs as he fled. Gonzalez was stopped and taken into custody in Riverside County.

JULY: One of two Fullerton officers charged in the beating death of mentally ill homeless man Kelly Thomas, officer Manuel Ramos faces charges of murder and involuntary manslaughter. Both officers have pleaded not guilty to the charges. According to prosecutors, Ramos gave instructions to Thomas while he sat on a curb. Prosecutors said Thomas had trouble following directions, and Ramos put on latex gloves before telling Thomas, "Now see my fists? They're getting ready to ‘F' you up." When Thomas stepped away from Ramos, prosecutors allege, Ramos swung his baton and chased Thomas. Ramos is accused of punching Thomas several times in the left ribs after tackling him to the ground, and holding Thomas' neck while using his weight to pin him to the ground.

MARCH: Anastasia Darlena Mendezkestler's parents were arrested in February 2011 on suspicion of stealing more than $600,000 from a 93-year-old Alzheimer's patient. A month later, Mendezkestler was taken into custody by investigators. Authorities allege Mendezkestler received the stolen money from her mother and deposited it into her bank account, then used the money to pay for toys, dental work, pets, toys and electronics. Her mother, Norma Casini, had been hired to care for the 93-year-old victim. Facing multiple counts of theft and burglary, Mendezkestler in May pleaded guilty to one count of receiving stolen property, and was sentenced to three years' probation and 93 days in jail.

APRIL: Lisa Debbie Adams, 35, told a 37-year-old victim she had been cursed while in her mother's womb, prosecutors said, and that Adams would help her cleanse herself of the curse. Prosecutors allege Adams then stole more than $200,000 from the Irvine woman, charging her for rituals to get rid of the "darkness." The woman also bought $30,000 in gold bars that would be used for a "shield." Adams was charged in April 2011 with multiple counts of grand theft and second-degree burglary. According to court records, she is scheduled to be back in court Jan. 9, 2012.

MARCH: Laura Ilharreguy, 46, of Placentia, is charged with one felony count of grand theft with a sentencing enhancement for taking more than $50,000. She pleaded not guilty March 17. Ilharreguy was working as an office manager for an information-technology and office-equipment business in Yorba Linda when prosecutors allege she used the company's credit card to buy electronic equipment. Her case is expected back in court Jan. 23, 2012.

MARCH: A former youth pastor of a San Clemente church, Joe David Nelms, was arrested on suspicion of molesting a 14-year-old girl in 1993. Nelms was taken into custody in Lindale, Texas, on an Orange County warrant. Authorities said Nelms was working as a youth pastor at Pacific Coast Church in San Clemente, and assaulted the girl during a three-year period. She reported the assault to police in 2011, after she was encouraged by a friend. He is in custody at Theo Lacy jail.

JULY: One of two Fullerton officers charged in the beating death of mentally ill homeless man Kelly Thomas, Cpl. Jay Cicinelli faces charges of involuntary manslaughter and excessive force. Both officers have pleaded not guilty to charges. According to prosecutors, Cicinelli kneed Thomas twice in the head July 5 and used his Taser four times on Thomas. In videos taken by witnesses, Thomas is heard screaming during the confrontation. Authorities said Cicinelli then used the front end of the Taser to hit Thomas in the head and face eight times. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 28, 2012.

NOVEMBER: Prosecutors said 17-year-old Gladys Remigio recruited gang members to help her steal her roommate's 15-day-old baby. In December, the Orange County District Attorney's Office said it would prosecute the Santa Ana teenager as an adult in the case. Remigio and the two others forced the mother into a room, officials allege, and tried to flee with the baby until the mother ran out and took the newborn back. Remigio is expected back in court Jan. 10, 2012, for an arraignment hearing.

SEPTEMBER: More than 20 years after the brutal abduction and rape took place, Joseph Hyungmin Son was sentenced to life in prison. The former actor – who played the role of a shoe-throwing hit man in the 1997 Mike Myers “Austin Powers” movie – was convicted in the 1990 Christmas Eve rape of a woman who was out walking her dog. Authorities said Son and a partner kidnapped the woman at gunpoint and sexually assaulted her inside a car while telling her she was going to die.

AUGUST: Dustin James Elwood, 21, of Tustin, was charged with multiple counts of lewd acts on children under 16. According to prosecutors, Elwood gained access to three boys ages 7 to 11 in 2008. On more than one occasion, prosecutors said, he sexually assaulted the three boys. The incidents were reported to police when one of the boy's mother said she found a flash drive that contained pornographic pictures of Elwood with her son. Elwood was taken into custody Aug. 23. Elwood has pleaded not guilty to all charges. He is expected to appear in court Jan. 26, 2012, and is being held at Theo Lacy jail in lieu of $1 million bail.

JULY: Donald Aguilar is believed to be a longtime supporter of Peter Ojeda, who authorities said has been the leader of Orange County's Mexican Mafia for years. According to a federal indictment, investigators recorded several conversations between Ojeda and Aguilar, including an April 13, 2008, telephone call in which officials said Ojeda ordered the murder of Vincente Acosta for breaking the rules of the Mexican Mafia. On May 4, 2008, officials say, Ojeda was again recorded talking to Aguilar, and telling him that Armando Moreno, who officials say is a Mexican Mafia member, could not be trusted. Aguilar was one of dozens named in a federal indictment unsealed in July as Mexican Mafia associates and members.

OCTOBER: Scott Dekraai, 42, a former tugboat crewman who served in the military, is being held on suspicion of murder and is the sole suspect in the Oct. 12 mass shooting that left eight people dead in a Seal Beach salon. The two-minute shooting is considered the deadliest mass shooting in Orange County. Authorities believe Dekraai was specifically targeting his ex-wife, a hairstylist, because they were fighting over the custody of their 8-year-old boy. On Oct. 12, Dekraai is accused of taking three guns to Salon Meritage in preparation of the attack. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is expected back in court on April 24, 2012, for a preliminary hearing.

JUNE: Marten Joseph Brandel was taken into custody on suspicion of hanging a noose in the doorway of Equality California, an advocacy group that supports lesbian, gay and transgender people. Brandel was booked on suspicion of a hate crime after authorities said he appeared for a meeting with his parole officer. Police said they linked the incident to Brandel after extracting DNA from the noose, which was linked back to Brandel. According to court records, Brandel was not charged by the Orange County District Attorney's Office.

DECEMBER: A former travel manager, Jeremy Kealoha Belisario, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars to pay for personal luxuries, authorities said, including Super Bowl tickets for him and his friends. In December, Belisario pleaded guilty to three counts of grand theft, for taking more than $825,000 from a corporate incentive travel company. Prosecutors alleged he made purchases using the credit cards of the company and customers.

JULY: Catherine Kieu Becker is accused of drugging her 60-year-old husband July 12, and then cutting off his penis before tossing it into the garbage disposal. The couple were married in 2009, but marital problems led the two to file for divorce just two months before the assault took place. The victim told police Becker was upset with him for filing divorce, and she had prepared a tofu dinner July 11. He then told police he fell asleep after dinner, and woke up to find himself tied to a bed and Becker pulling his pants down. According to court records, the victim told police Becker said "You deserve it" before severing his penis "with one swift motion." Becker has pleaded not guilty, and a hearing is scheduled for Jan. 12, 2012.

JULY: According to a federal indictment and law enforcement sources, Armando Moreno is believed to have attempted to wrestle power from Peter Ojeda, who officials allege is the leader of Orange County's Mexican Mafia, beginning in May 2007. The two are believed to have been aligned at some time. The rivalry is believed to have led to "years of tension within the O.C. Mexican Mafia." The indictment alleges that Moreno ordered supporters of Ojeda to be murdered, placing them on a “Hard Candy List.” Moreno was one of dozens named in a federal indictment unsealed in July as Mexican Mafia associates and members.

DECEMBER: Ali Achekzai was accused of rape in 2004, but it was in December 2011 that the 33-year-old man was convicted of raping two women and attempting to sexually assault a third. Achekzai was extradited from Austria in 2010, and could be sentenced up to 80 years to life in prison. Listed as one of the Orange County District Attorney Office's most wanted fugitives, Achekzai was at one time wanted by the FBI, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Marshals Service and Austrian police. He was taken into custody in Austria, after detectives submitted samples of his DNA to Interpol. Achekzai was convicted of raping a 21-year-old woman in her car after following her from a Laguna Beach nightclub in 2004, and raping a second woman while on a hike near Mount Soledad.

JULY: Alberto Vargas is accused of issuing an order on Dec. 25, 2010, that all Orange County inmates who were interviewed on the MSNBC show "Lockdown" were to be killed because it "violated the code of conduct" of the Mexican Mafia. According to the indictment, two inmates at Theo Lacy jail were assaulted within the week. On April 30, 2011, an indictment alleges, he spoke on the phone with Peter Ojeda. The indictment claims Ojeda instructed Vargas to inform other members of the Mexican Mafia that Armando Moreno, also a member of La Eme, was to be killed. Vargas was one of dozens of Mexican Mafia associates and members named in a federal indictment unsealed in July.

OCTOBER: Detectives at first believed 27-year-old Alana Cosette Hayes was one of two victims of an armed robbery. After police looked into the incident, the Mission Viejo resident was taken into custody on suspicion of conspiring with a man to rob her boyfriend at knifepoint because she thought he might have expensive things.