Monterey County DA Jeannine M. Pacioni Appoints Marisol Mendez as an Assistant DA

SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on Friday, May 21 the appointment of Marisol Mendez to the position of Assisant District Attorney. Mendez was born and raised in the Salinas Valley, by way of Soledad and Salinas as she graduated from Salinas High School and went on to Hartnell College where she transferred to the University of California Santa Barbara, earning her Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies. Mendez attended McGeorge School of Law with the intent on practicing Constitutional Law. Her career trajectory shifted after spending a summer as an intern with the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office where she recognized the important work prosecutors do for the community In 2005, Mendez began her career as a prosecutor with the Kern County District Attorney’s Office. After 3 years, she returned home to Monterey County to serve her community. From 2008-2018, she worked as a deputy district attorney, and in May 2018, she was promoted to managing deputy district attorney. Mendez has held a variety of prosecutorial assignments. She serves as Co-Chair of the Community Restorative Justice Commission, she currently supervises the Prisons Prosecution Unit, Juvenile Justice Unit, Civil Commitments Unit, Board of Parole Hearings Unit, the Office of Traffic Safety DUI Vertical Prosecution Unit, the MADCAT Prosecution Unit, the Welfare Fraud Unit and the California Department of Insurance grant funded units which includes the Auto Insurance Fraud Unit, Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fraud Unit and the Disability and Healthcare Insurance Fraud Unit. Mendez also manages the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office Intern Program. In addition to her prosecutorial range she brings to the position, Mendez has a passion to serve her community. “I love Monterey County. Having been born and raised here I feel indebted to this community for all the great teachers, friends and neighbors that have enriched my life. I want to do all that I can to make this community safe and ensure that the criminal justice system is equitably applied for all those who become involved in it.” District Attorney Pacioni stated that “Ms. Mendez is an effective and multitalented leader. Her lifelong commitment to the welfare of Monterey County residents, and dedication to seeking justice makes her perfect for our executive leadership team.” Mendez will begin her new position on May 22 and will be joining Assistant District Attorneys Doug Matheson and Christopher Knight.

Comments

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...

KRKC COUNTRY

Search This Blog