Local Disbarred Attorney Pleads Guilty to Multiple Charges Including Unauthorized Practice of Law and Grand Theft by False Pretenses

SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on Wednesday, August 26 that Gabriel Gerardo Castillo, a local disbarred attorney, pled guilty to 12 felony counts which included two counts of failure to comply with a Supreme Court Order per Rule 9.20, five counts of unauthorized practice of law, and five counts of grand theft by false pretenses. Castillo was admitted to practice law in the State of California on June 9, 2008. He opened a law practice in Salinas, where he practiced immigration law and criminal defense. After an investigation by the State Bar, the California Supreme Court ordered a 90-day suspension of Castillo’s law license and ordered him to not practice law during this period. The suspension began on October 15, 2016. The Board of Immigration Appeals (“BIA”) ordered a reciprocal 90-day suspension prohibiting Mr. Castillo from practicing immigration law before the BIA, Immigration Courts, and the Department of Homeland Security. This suspension began on November 22, 2016. On May 22, 2017, the BIA ordered an additional 90-day suspension. Castillo continued to take on new clients for pay during his suspensions. On December 19, 2017, the State Bar designated Castillo as “Not Eligible to Practice Law.” On February 9, 2018, he was ordered “Inactive.” Ultimately, he was formally disbarred from the State Bar on November 17, 2018. Despite being designated as not eligible to practice law, Castillo continued to take on new clients for pay. After taking on these clients he failed to perform any of the legal services he had promised them and never returned any of their money. Castillo also orchestrated a rental scam in which he advertised his former home to potential renters. He falsely advertised that he was the owner of the property and it was available for rent. He then took security deposits from the potential renters despite not owning the home or having permission to rent out the property. The victims never received the security deposits back. This case was investigated by District Attorney Investigators John Ferreria and Alicia Cox as well as the Salinas and Greenfield Police Departments. Castillo will be sentenced on November 4, 2020 by the Honorable Andrew G. Liu to 10 years 4 months in jail pursuant to Penal Code section 1170(h). He will serve three years in actual custody and the remaining seven years four months on mandatory supervision.

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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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