Arrests made in Prescription Drug Diversion Ring

SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on Wednesday, November 13 that Federal, State and local officers have made arrests related to the illegal diversion of prescription opiates. The Federal Bureau of Investigations, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), and the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office have jointly investigated a widespread criminal ring. The initial investigation by DHCS discovered large amounts of opioids being prescribed out of Monterey County and being filled at pharmacies throughout California. The investigation led to surveillance of several pharmacies and a real estate office in Salinas. An independent investigation by the FBI uncovered other aspects of the criminal ring. The FBI, DEA, DHCS and Monterey County District Attorney’s Office along with the United States Attorney agreed to cooperate in a joint investigation.
On August 14, 2019, search warrants were served at the office of Genesis Real Estate located at 210 Capitol Street in Salinas. Telephones and computers were among the evidence seized.
Simultaneously, a search warrant was served at 6685 Langley Canyon Road in Prunedale, the home of Dr. Dean Crow and his wife Diane Crow. At that time, Dr. Crow voluntarily forfeited his right to prescribe controlled substances. Other officers served a third search warrant at a Greenfield residence.
The United States Attorney’s Office unsealed several indictments after arrests of the targets of those indictments. For additional details on the indictments, please refer to the United States Attorney’s Office press release which will follow.
The Monterey County District Attorney’s Office, Federal, State, and local law enforcement are working collaboratively toward the common goal of addressing the nation’s opioid epidemic and look forward to more joint operations aimed at arresting those who profit on addiction.

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Fatal 3 Vehicle Accident Involving Wrong Way Driver on Highway 101 Outside of King City on January 10

A fatal multi-vehicle collision happened on Saturday night, January 10 at 9:51 p.m. on northbound Highway 101 outside of King City. According to the King City CHP a 2016 Toyota Tacoma driven by 65-year-old Paul Lee Cooper of Otis, Oregon was heading the wrong way going southbound in the northbound lanes south of Jolon Road, while a 2006 Toyota Corolla driven by 33-year-old Dinora Maribel Gomez of Salinas was heading northbound on Highway 101 south of Jolon Road in the #1 lane and a Honda Accord driven by 36-year-old Ignacio Sangerman of King City was also traveling northbound on Highway 101 south of Jolon Road but was in the #2 lane. Due to Cooper's level of impairment his vehicle went the wrong way on Highway 101 going directly into the path of Gomez' vehicle causing the rear of her car to crash with the front of the vehicle driven by Sangerman. Cooper was arrested, sustaining major injuries and was transported to Natividad Medical Center in Salinas where as of January 12 is...

Monterey County DA Releases Preliminary Information Concerning an Officer Involved Shooting Incident that Occurred Outside of Soledad on December 16

SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni on December 19 released preliminary information concerning the officer involved shooting (OIS) which occurred at about 1:20 a.m. outside the city of Soledad on December 16, 2025. Just before 1:00 a.m., Monterey County Sheriff’s Deputy Carlos Pina, who has been a peace officer for 10 years all with MCSO, and Deputy Blain Councilman, each in separate patrol cars, were dispatched to 32097 McCoy Road. A resident at the farm labor camp reported a suspicious individual with a handgun whose white Honda 4 door sedan was parked in space 18 at the complex. Before parking there, the suspect drove around and around, stopped in front of the reporting party’s (RP’s) truck, and got out. The RP could hear music. Deputy Pina drove the lead patrol car and arrived just after 1:20 a.m. His dashcam video, which does not record sound but which he installed on his own and at his own expense, depicts the following: He drove down ...

King City City Council Announces Selection of José Arreola as New City Manager

January 7, 2025-Following an extensive recruitment process, José Arreola has been selected by the King City City Council to be its next City Manager. Arreola will replace Steve Adams, who is retiring after serving in the position for the past 10 years. Arreola was selected from 31 applicants and 8 finalists for the position. The King City City Council will formally consider the proposed city manager contract at its meeting on Tuesday night, January 13. Arreola's first day on the job is scheduled to be February 23. José Arreola has a distinguished career of serving the community with a particular commitment to youth. He has worked for the City of Salinas for 12 years as their Community Safety Program Manager, Community Safety Administrator and Assistant to the City Manager. Among other responsibilities, Arreola has led several programs to eliminate gang violence which aligns well with the City of King’s efforts and priorities. Prior to that, Arreola worked as an Educa...

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