Law Enforcement

FRESNO -- Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today announced the arrest of eleven individuals associated with a Central Valley-based narcotics trafficking organization and the seizure of over $200,000 in cash and drugs including over 50 lbs. of methamphetamine and nearly 1,000 marijuana plants.

"Transnational drug traffickers aren't troubled by the details of law enforcement jurisdictions or government borders, and neither should our enforcement efforts,” Attorney General Harris said. “My California Department of Justice Task Force worked closely with local, state and federal law enforcement officials throughout the Central Valley to dismantle the Magana organization. Our success shows the pressing need for more collaboration and funding to fight transnational drug trafficking in California.”

Defendants Jose Magana, Manuel Munoz and Juan Parra were arrested on March 4, 2014, defendant John DeWayne Young was arrested on November 10, 2013 and defendant Ana Valero was arrested on March 11, 2014, all in Tulare County. Defendants Erwin Alva, Rosemary Alvarez, Ernesto Carrillo and Christopher Pellegrin were arrested on March 4, 2014 in Riverside County. They are charged with thirteen felony counts including possession, transportation and sale of a controlled substance, prohibited possession of ammunition, and conspiracy. All are currently being held in Tulare County Jail and are being prosecuted by the Tulare County District Attorney. Alva, Alvarez, Carrillo, Munoz, Pellegrin and Valero are being held on $500,000 bail, Magana and Parra are being held without bail and Young is being held on $3 million bail.

Defendants Gerardo Campos-Cuin and Angel Pedraza-Cervantes were arrested in Jonesboro Arkansas by the Independence County Sheriff's Department, Jonesboro Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration on February 13, 2014 and charged with one count of felony possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Both are currently being held without bail at the Craighead County Jail and are being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Eastern District of Arkansas.

In the summer of 2013, agents with a California Department of Justice task force in the Central Valley initiated an investigation into Jose Magana for suspected marijuana trafficking.  Further investigation revealed that Magana and members of his organization were trafficking narcotics including methamphetamine and cocaine from Mexico through the Central Valley of California to be sold as far away as Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, New York and Pennsylvania. Agents also discovered that Magana and his organization were supplying narcotics to a Nuestra Familia-affiliated street gang operating in Kings County.

In total, agents seized 56 pounds of methamphetamine, 4 kilograms of cocaine, 942 marijuana plants, $268,775 in U.S. currency and 1 vehicle.

The announcement of these arrests and seizure was delayed due to the ongoing nature of this investigation.

The investigation was initiated by the California Attorney General’s Central Valley Marijuana Investigation Team, which is a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area task force, and the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department. Later in the investigation, the Attorney General’s Tulare County Agencies Regional Gang Enforcement Team task force also assisted with the investigation.

Attorney General Harris announced the creation of the Tulare County Agencies Regional Gang Enforcement Team task force in April of 2011 in an effort to dedicate additional resources to investigate and arrest criminal gang members in the Central Valley as well as increase cooperation between law enforcement agencies in the region.

The California Attorney General’s task forces were assisted in this investigation by the following participating agencies: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California, U.S. Forest Service, Internal Revenue Service, Bureau of Land Management, California Highway Patrol, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California National Guard, Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, Kings County Gang Task Force, Kings County Sheriff’s Office, Tulare County District Attorney’s Office and Tulare County Sheriff’s Department.

In June of 2011, Attorney General Harris announced the arrests of 101 leaders and members of two transnational gangs operating violent criminal enterprises in the Central Valley cities of Madera, Los Banos, Livingston, Merced, Atwater and Dos Palos.

A March 2014 report issued by Attorney General Harris called the trafficking of methamphetamine from Mexico into California a growing threat to the state and a top priority for law enforcement. The report, Gangs Beyond Borders: California and the Fight Against Transnational Organized Crime, is the first comprehensive report analyzing the current state of transnational criminal organizations in California and the threats they pose to the state’s public safety and economy. The report outlined many recommendations to address this problem including a call for increased funding for state anti-narcotics trafficking task forces and additional coordination between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in combatting transnational criminal organizations. The report is available here: https://oag.ca.gov/transnational-organized-crime.

Following the release of this report, Attorney General Harris led a delegation of state attorneys general to Mexico to strengthen working relationships between the governments of both countries to enhance efforts to combat transnational crime. The delegation met with Mexican state attorneys general and federal officials to discuss the issues of drug, human and firearms trafficking, money laundering and high-tech crime.

Charging documents are attached to the electronic version of this release at: https://oag.ca.gov/news.

Please note that a complaint contains only allegations against a person and, as with all defendants, those named here must be presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

SACRAMENTO -- Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today announced that the California Attorney General’s office will receive the United States Department of Justice’s Award for Professional Innovation in Victim Services for its successful efforts to improve the DNA analysis of rape kits by law enforcement agencies.

The California Attorney General’s Rapid DNA Service Team (RADS) will receive the award during the Department of Justice’s National Crime Victims’ Rights Service Awards ceremony on April 9th in Washington, D.C.

“Victims of sexual assault deserve swift justice,” Attorney General Harris said. “The Rapid DNA Service Team’s technology gives law enforcement a critical tool to quickly identify perpetrators and prevent these dangerous individuals from victimizing more people. On behalf of all Californians, I thank our RADS team for their innovation and dedication.”

The RADS Team, part of the Attorney General’s Bureau of Forensic Services, developed a program in 2011 that improves the traditional process by which rape kits are tested and reduces the processing time to within 15 days. This program currently operates in eight counties across the state including Butte, Lake, Marin, Napa, Sonoma, Solano, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara.

The program allows for the processing of evidence from sexual assault cases within 15 days from the start of analysis and uses automation to reduce processing time, allowing for a threefold increase in casework capacity. This process includes the upload of DNA profiles into the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System to search for unknown suspects.

In her first year in office, Attorney General Harris eliminated a long standing backlog of untested rape kits in state-run labs, which included 1,300 DNA cases. Along with committing additional resources to the labs, Attorney General Harris introduced new technology that dramatically increased the speed with which cases are analyzed.

In January 2012, Attorney General Harris announced that, for the first time ever, the backlog of untested DNA evidence in state labs had been eliminated.

MEXIO CITY -- Attorney General Kamala D. Harris and four other state attorneys general today signed a letter of intent with the National Banking and Securities Commission of Mexico to establish a bi-national working group on money laundering enforcement. The delegation of U.S. state attorneys general is in Mexico to strengthen working relationships with governments of both countries and enhance efforts to combat transnational crime.  

"The laundering of money fuels transnational criminal organizations and threatens California's economy and our public safety," Attorney General Harris said. "This bi-national agreement will create the cooperation and communication needed to disrupt the financing of transnational crime. I want to thank my colleagues and the Mexican government for their steadfast commitment to addressing this serious issue."

Last week, Attorney General Harris issued a report, Gangs Beyond Borders: California and the Fight Against Transnational Organized Crime, that identified California as a key portal for the transfer of illicit money.  According to the report, transnational criminal organizations transfer billions of dollars out of the U.S. through California. As much as $40 billion in illicit funds were laundered in the state in 2012.

The bi-national agreement will develop an anti-money laundering working group with the following purposes:

• Establish the scope of coordination between Mexico and U.S. state attorneys general on money laundering enforcement issues.
• Develop a plan for mutual technical assistance and training on combating money laundering.
• Share best practices on money laundering enforcement techniques and other enforcement issues of mutual concern, including the impact of money laundering on the border region of the U.S. and Mexico.

The delegation of U.S. state attorneys general, including California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris, Colorado Attorney General John Suthers, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto, and New Mexico Attorney General Gary King signed the letter of intent with Jaime Gonzalez Aguadé, President of the National Banking and Securities Commission of Mexico.

On Monday, the U.S. delegation of state attorneys general met with Mexican state attorneys general to discuss various issues related to transnational crime, including high-tech crime, human trafficking, and the use and adoption of technology.  The delegation met with Mexican state attorneys general from Baja California, Chihuahua, Campeche, Distrito Federal, Jalisco, Sonora, and Zacatecas. 

On Monday, the delegation also met with Mexican Attorney General Jesus Murillo Karam to strengthen cooperation in the fight against transnational crime in the areas of drug, human, and weapons trafficking, money laundering, cybercrime and use of technology in law enforcement.

Attorney General Harris’ report last week was the first comprehensive report analyzing the current state of transnational criminal organizations in California and the threats they pose to the state’s public safety and economy, including the problem of money laundering. The report is available here: https://oag.ca.gov/transnational-organized-crime

FRESNO – Agents from a California Department of Justice task force joined with California Highway Patrol and federal investigators Thursday night to seize 176 pounds of crystal methamphetamine during the execution of a search warrant at a Madera home. The seizure is one of the largest methamphetamine caches uncovered in the Central Valley.

“Methamphetamine is a very serious threat to California’s public health and safety, and is frequently trafficked by transnational criminal organizations,” Attorney General Harris said. “This seizure highlights the importance of strong collaboration between the California Department of Justice and local, state and federal partners to dismantle these organizations and keep our communities safe.”

Thursday night’s seizure came just hours after Attorney General Harris issued the first comprehensive report analyzing the current state of transnational criminal organizations in California and the threats they pose to the state’s public safety and economy. The report estimates that Mexican organized crime groups smuggle an estimated 70 percent of the foreign-produced U.S. supply of methamphetamine through California’s border crossings. View the report here: https://oag.ca.gov/transnational-organized-crime.

Preliminary evidence indicates the methamphetamine in the residence was likely smuggled into the U.S. from Mexico in liquid form, then converted into its crystalized form at the Madera residence for subsequent distribution.

Agents discovered the methamphetamine, much of it in crystalized form, scattered throughout multiple rooms in the Madera residence. They also found a lab used to convert liquid methamphetamine into its crystalized form. While initial estimates place the value of the seized methamphetamine at approximately $750,000, authorities say it could exceed $1 million, pending final laboratory tests to determine its purity.

In addition to the drugs, investigators also seized other evidence at the scene, including $58,000 in cash. The residence was vacant at the time of the search and no arrests were made overnight. However, authorities emphasize the investigation is continuing.

The ongoing probe is being conducted by the Central Valley Marijuana Investigation Team (CVMIT) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with substantial assistance provided by the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Other agencies participating on the Central Valley High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Initiative (HIDTA) include the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; the Fresno Sheriffs Department, Madera and Tulare counties; the Fresno and Madera Police Departments; and the State of California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

“There’s no question this seizure has dealt a significant blow to the criminal organization behind this operation,” said Tatum King, acting special agent in charge of HSI San Francisco, which oversees the agency’s enforcement activities in the Central Valley. “Methamphetamine is a powerful drug that devastates entire communities. By keeping this dangerous contraband from reaching our streets reaching our streets, we’ve potentially saved untold lives.”

Thursday’s search warrant was the result of intelligence information provided by the CHP.

“This case is a prime example of the ongoing collaborative efforts between local, state and federal authorities to combat the illicit flow of narcotics through our communities,” said Jason Daughrity, CHP canine unit sergeant.

LOS ANGELES - Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today issued the first comprehensive report analyzing the current state of transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) in California and the threats they pose to the state’s public safety and economy. The report also sets forth recommendations to combat the increasingly complex issue of transnational organized crime in California.

“The growth of transnational criminal organizations seriously threatens California’s safety and economic well-being,” Attorney General Harris said. “State and local law enforcement officers are on the front lines of this fight every day. Our response must include sustained funding for their work and strong coordination at all levels of government.”

This new report, Gangs Beyond Borders: California and the Fight Against Transnational Organized Crime, addresses the three emerging pillars of transnational criminal activity: the trafficking of drugs, weapons and human beings; money laundering; and high-tech crimes, such as digital piracy, hacking and fraud.

The report highlights the work of law enforcement to date in combatting transnational crime and details major strides that have already been made to stop this violent, insidious threat. It analyzes how transnational criminal organizations are innovating, and outlines recommendations to adapt to new challenges, including stricter laws targeting TCO leaders, sustained funding for law enforcement, and strong collaboration between federal, state, local and international governments.

The report is a result of extensive research and consultation with federal, state, and local law enforcement, non-governmental organizations and academia.

The full report can be viewed here: https://oag.ca.gov/transnational-organized-crime

Highlights from Gangs Beyond Borders:

• Mexico-based transnational criminal organizations traffic 70% of imported methamphetamine through the San Diego port of entry alone. California is the primary source of methamphetamine nationwide.
• The Sinaloa Cartel is the most dominant Mexico-based drug trafficking organization operating in California and is responsible for trafficking most of the Mexico-produced marijuana, methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine through Tijuana into California.
• Transnational criminal organizations are using new technologies like social media to facilitate criminal activity, recruitment, intimidation and harassment.
• Breaches of computer networks by TCOs have increased since 2009 and many originate from organizations based in China, Russia, Romania, and Nigeria, among other countries.
• Last year, California state drug task forces disrupted 140 drug, money laundering and gang organizations, arrested nearly 3,000 individuals, rescued 41 endangered children, confiscated 1,000 weapons and seized nearly $28.5 million in anti-narcotic law enforcement actions.

The comprehensive report presents the following recommendations:

• The California legislature should amend state law to target the leaders of transnational criminal organizations operating in California.
• Federal, state, and local law enforcement should use California’s State Threat Assessment System as a central hub for sharing information about transnational crime.
• Federal, state, and local authorities should establish a unified maritime task force and associated radar network to counter maritime smuggling operations along California’s coastline.
• The Legislature and Governor should fund five additional Special Operations Units across California.
• Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies should increase operational coordination in combatting transnational criminal organizations
• State and local authorities should develop public-private partnerships to leverage technology against transnational crime.
• Businesses should adopt industry best practices designed to protect against cybercrime.
• The Legislature should amend California law to enable prosecutors to temporarily freeze the assets of transnational criminal organizations and their gang associates before the filing of an indictment.
• The Legislature should strengthen California’s prohibition against financial transaction “structuring.”
• California prosecutors need advanced training to combat sophisticated money laundering schemes.
• State authorities should partner with their Mexican counterparts to share intelligence and disrupt the illicit flow of money across the border.

Next week, Attorney General Harris will lead a delegation of state attorneys general to Mexico to strengthen working relationships between the governments of both countries and enhance efforts to combat transnational crime. The delegation will meet with Mexican state attorneys general and federal officials to discuss the issues of drug, human and firearms trafficking, money laundering and high-tech crime.

The Attorneys General will travel to Mexico City from March 24 through the 26. The delegation includes California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris, Colorado Attorney General John Suthers, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto and New Mexico Attorney General Gary King.

In 2012, Attorney General Harris released a report, The State of Human Trafficking in California, which outlined the growing prevalence of the crime of human trafficking in the state, the increasing involvement of sophisticated transnational gangs in perpetrating the crime and the modern technologies that traffickers use to facilitate it. (link http://www.oag.ca.gov/human-trafficking/2012 )

SAN YSIDRO -- Attorney General Kamala D. Harris was joined by San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officials to tour the San Ysidro Port of Entry (POE)— the busiest land border crossing in the Western Hemisphere and a hotspot for the importation of illegal narcotics.

"California’s proximity to Latin America fuels our economy but makes us a target for transnational crime,” Attorney General Harris said. “The San Ysidro Port of Entry is vital to California's commerce and our fight against transnational criminal organizations—but a smart response must look past our state border. For this reason I am leading a bipartisan delegation of state attorneys general to Mexico to strengthen cross border coordination and communication." 

Attorney General Harris’ tour of the U.S.-Mexico border comes a week before she will lead a delegation of state attorneys general to Mexico to strengthen working relationships between government officials in both countries and enhance efforts to combat transnational crime.

Every day, more than 50,000 vehicles and 25,000 pedestrians enter the United States through the San Ysidro POE, and each year this port of entry processes more than $200 million in U.S. exports. The San Ysidro POE is also a hotspot for the importation of illegal narcotics; with 70 percent of the U.S. supply of methamphetamine entering through this port by Mexico-based transnational criminal organizations. 

Currently, the Attorney General’s office operates three San Diego-based programs along the U.S.-Mexico border including the Foreign Prosecution and Law Enforcement Unit, the California Anti Money Laundering Alliance Team and the San Diego Regional Pharmaceutical Narcotic Enforcement Team.

On Thursday, March 20, Attorney General Harris will release a comprehensive report detailing the current impact of transnational criminal organizations on California. The report will also include recommendations to address the threat of transnational crime in California.

After issuing the report, Attorney General Harris will lead a delegation of state attorneys general to meet with Mexican state attorneys general and federal officials to discuss the issues of drug, human and firearms trafficking, financial crimes and cybercrimes.

The attorneys general will travel to Mexico City from March 24 through the 26. The delegation includes California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris, Colorado Attorney General John Suthers, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto and New Mexico Attorney General Gary King.

Specifically, the delegation will meet with government officials to increase mutual strategic support to combat the problems of international money laundering, intellectual property violations and distribution of counterfeit goods, and the adoption of technology to combat human trafficking, cybercrime and child pornography distribution. 

The first trip Attorney General Harris took upon assuming office in 2011 was to Calexico in Imperial County, where she toured a drug smuggling tunnel along the California-Mexico border.

In 2012, Attorney General Harris and then-Mexico Attorney General Marisela Morales Ibáñez signed an accord agreeing to expand prosecutions and secure convictions of criminals who engage in human trafficking. The agreement also included an increase in coordination of law enforcement resources targeting transnational gangs across the California-Mexico border.

In 2012, Attorney General Harris also released a report, The State of Human Trafficking in California, at a symposium also attended by then-Mexico Attorney General Marisela Morales Ibáñez. The report outlined the growing prevalence of the crime of human trafficking in California, the increasing involvement of sophisticated transnational gangs in perpetrating the crime, and the modern technologies that traffickers use to facilitate it. That report is available here: http://www.oag.ca.gov/human-trafficking/2012.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Attorney General Kamala D. Harris will lead a delegation of state attorneys general to Mexico to strengthen working relationships between government officials in both countries and enhance efforts to combat transnational crime. The delegation will meet with Mexican state attorneys general and federal officials to discuss the issues of drug, human and firearms trafficking, financial crimes and cybercrimes. 

“The fight against transnational crime requires a unified response across state and international borders,” Attorney General Harris said. “This bipartisan delegation of attorneys general will travel to Mexico to strengthen the cross-border coordination and communication that is vital to ending this violent, insidious issue. I thank my colleagues for joining me to address this serious threat to California and the United States.”

The delegation trip is a result of work by the Attorneys General Consortium to Fight Transnational Organized Crime, and is organized with the assistance of the Conference of Western Attorneys General.

The attorneys general will travel to Mexico City from March 24 through the 26. The delegation includes California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris, Colorado Attorney General John Suthers, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto and New Mexico Attorney General Gary King.

The attorneys general will meet with Mexican state and federal officials to discuss mutual cooperation in areas of technology, information sharing and prosecution coordination.

Specifically, the delegation will meet with government officials to increase mutual strategic support to combat the problems of international money laundering, intellectual property violations and distribution of counterfeit goods, and the adoption of technology to combat human trafficking, cybercrime and child pornography distribution.

The delegation will meet with:

• Mexico Attorney General Jesus Murillo Karam
• President of the National Banking Commission Jaime Gonzalez Aguade
• Secretary of Economy Ildefonso Guajardo
• General Director of the Mexico Institute of Industrial Property Miguel Margain
• State attorneys general from Sonora, Baja California, Chihuahua, Campeche, Distrito Federal, Zacatecas and Jalisco

Before leading the delegation to Mexico, Attorney General Harris will:

• Meet with federal officials on Tuesday, March 18 to tour the San Ysidro Port of Entry—the busiest land border crossing in the Western Hemisphere and a hotspot for the importation of illegal narcotics.
• Release a comprehensive report on Thursday, March 20 detailing the current impact of transnational criminal organizations on California. The report will also include recommendations to address the threat of transnational crime in our state.

Details on these two events to follow via Media Advisory.

“Education and collaboration is key to the success of government organizations,” said Nevada Attorney General Masto. “I am honored to assist in exchanging information about practices on human trafficking, drugs, and organized crime.”

“It's an honor to continue assisting our Mexican peers as they work to transition their justice system,” said Colorado Attorney General John Suthers. “These meetings allow us to share best practices that advance key law enforcement priorities related to transnational organized crime.”

“It is important for New Mexico that I continue our long established working relationship with Mexico to improve border security; combat drug and human trafficking; reduce border violence, and other issues.  I remain committed to ensuring that New Mexico continues to be a leader in efforts to make our borderlands safer and improve the quality of life on both sides,” New Mexico Attorney General King said.

Last year, Attorney General Harris convened a meeting of western Attorneys General to propose the creation of a working group to combat transnational crime. This working group, the Attorneys General Consortium to Fight Transnational Organized Crime, is currently coordinating state-level policy leadership on civil and criminal enforcement strategies against transnational crime by creating uniform legislation that allows bringing civil forfeiture actions against traffickers and focusing on threats from specific transnational criminal organizations (TCOs). The group is also coordinating regular data and intelligence-sharing on TCO activity that includes the creation of an inventory of the work that state offices are doing and identifying areas where mutual assistance could strengthen investigations.

In 2012, Attorney General Harris and then-Mexico Attorney General Marisela Morales Ibáñez signed an accord agreeing to expand prosecutions and secure convictions of criminals who engage in human trafficking. The agreement also included an increase in coordination of law enforcement resources targeting transnational gangs across the California-Mexico border.

In 2012, Attorney General Harris also released a report, The State of Human Trafficking in California, at a symposium also attended by then-Mexico Attorney General Marisela Morales Ibáñez. The report outlined the growing prevalence of the crime of human trafficking in California, the increasing involvement of sophisticated transnational gangs in perpetrating the crime, and the modern technologies that traffickers use to facilitate it. That report is available here: http://www.oag.ca.gov/human-trafficking/2012. 

Note: Credentialed media interested in covering the delegation should contact Attorney General Harris’ press office at 415-703-5837 or Nicholas.pacilio@doj.ca.gov.

LOS ANGELES -- Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today announced the seizure of over 400 firearms and the arrest of two individuals who allegedly trafficked illegal firearms.

“California has laws that regulate the sales and purchase of firearms. These individuals broke the law by illegaly selling firearms for personal profit,” Attorney General Harris said. “The trafficking of firearms is a serious threat to public safety, and they will face serious consequences.”

Suspects Alvin Seal, 67, of Oildale (Kern County), and Erik Stoffel, 39, of Apple Valley (Riverside County) were arrested and taken into custody yesterday and booked into San Bernardino County Jail on charges of sale of an assault weapon, sale of a large capacity magazine and sale to a prohibited person. Seal remains in custody on $50,000 bail while Stoffel made bail this morning.

On Tuesday, March 11, agents with the California Department of Justice executed three search warrants at three locations at 13483 Cronese Rd., Apple Valley, 329 Beardsley Ave., Oildale, and 309 Beardsley Ave., Oildale.

The search of the three locations resulted in the seizure of over 350 firearms (handguns, rifles and assault weapons), two WWII-era grenades and one mortar round. At the time of the arrests the suspects were also in possession of an additional 50 firearms.

The arrests and seizures are the result of a investigation conducted by the California Attorney General’s Office that began in early 2014. According to investigative documents, Seal was an official vendor selling firearms at California gun shows and Stoffel was a co-conspirator during Seal’s attempts to complete firearms transactions at gun shows without going through a licensed firearms dealer, as required under state law. These transactions included assault weapons, which are banned in California. Over the course of the investigation, Seal and Stoffel illegally sold multiple firearms, including banned assault weapons, to undercover agents with the California Department of Justice.

The California Department of Justice was assisted in this operation by the California Highway Patrol and the Kern County Sheriff’s Department.

Photos of the guns seized are attached to the electronic version of this release at: https://oag.ca.gov/news

Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today filed a petition in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, on behalf of the State of California, urging the court to review and reverse its decision in Peruta v. County of San Diego.

In its February 13, 2014 Peruta decision, the Ninth Circuit ruled that San Diego County violates the Second Amendment by requiring individuals to show “good cause,” beyond a mere desire to carry a gun, when applying for a concealed-carry weapons permit.

“Local law enforcement must be able to use their discretion to determine who can carry a concealed weapon," Attorney General Harris said. "I will do everything possible to restore law enforcement's authority to protect public safety, and so today am calling on the court to review and reverse its decision."

California state law currently requires individuals to show "good cause" to carry a concealed weapon, but gives local law enforcement control over the permit process. If the Ninth Circuit’s ruling is allowed to take effect, officials throughout the State could be required to issue concealed-carry permits to individuals based on nothing more than the applicant’s assertion that they wish to carry a gun for self-defense.

In San Diego County, concealed-carry permit applicants have, until now, been required to show “good cause” by demonstrating “a set of circumstances that distinguish the applicant from the mainstream and causes him or her to be placed in harm’s way.”

On February 21, 2014 San Diego Sheriff Bill Gore announced he would not seek further review of the Ninth Circuit’s ruling. 

The copy of the filings is attached to the electronic version of this release at: https://oag.ca.gov/news

SAN FRANCISCO -- Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today issued recommendations to California businesses to help protect against and respond to the increasing threat of malware, data breaches and other cyber risks.

"My office issued this guide to support California’s businesses and ensure a robust economy,” Attorney General Harris said. “Technology has created new opportunities and new risks for California businesses, including cyber attacks. This guide offers specific, straightforward recommendations to help businesses continue to thrive by reducing cyber security risks to employees and customers.”

The guide, Cybersecurity in the Golden State, provides recommendations focused on small to mid-sized businesses, which are particularly vulnerable to cybercrime and often lack the resources to hire cybersecurity personnel. In 2012, 50% of all cyber attacks were aimed at businesses with fewer than 2,500 employees and 31% were aimed at those with less than 250 employees.

Click here to view Cybersecurity in the Golden State: https://oag.ca.gov/cybersecurity

The guide is a product of a collaborative effort between the California Attorney General’s office, the California Chamber of Commerce and Lookout, a mobile security company.

“Prevention is the best medicine. Not only does the guide provide useful information to reduce the threat of cybercrime, it highlights the need to be proactive in preventing data breaches. This is good for California businesses and consumers,” said Allan Zaremberg, President and CEO of the California Chamber of Commerce.

“Security should not be viewed as a technology problem; it needs to be viewed as a business problem. If companies take a more proactive approach to security, they mitigate issues related to cyber risk,” said Kevin Mahaffey, co-founder and CTO at Lookout. “We’re happy to collaborate with Attorney General Harris to identify the steps businesses can take to improve their security practices -- for companies of all sizes.”

Key Recommendations for small business owners:

• Assume you are a target and develop an incident response plan now.
• Review the data your business stores and shares with third parties including backup storage and cloud computing. Once you know what data you have and where it is, get rid of what is not necessary.
• Encrypt the data you need to keep. Strong encryption technology is now commonly available for free, and it is easy to use.
• Follow safe online practices such as regularly updating firewall and antivirus software on all devices, using strong passwords, avoiding downloading software from unknown sources and practicing safe online banking by only using a secure browser connection.

In 2003, California was the first state to pass a law (AB 700) mandating data breach notification, which requires businesses and state agencies to notify Californians when their personal information is compromised in security breach. In 2012, companies and state agencies subject to the law were required for the first time to report any breach that involved more than 500 Californians to the Attorney General’s Office (SB 24). That first year, The Attorney General’s office received reports of 131 data breaches, which placed the personal information of an estimated 2.5 million Californians at risk. More information is available here: http://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-kamala-d-harris-releases-report-data-breaches-25-million

Attorney General Harris created the eCrime Unit in 2011 to identify and prosecute cyber crimes such as hacking, theft of intellectual property, identity theft, on-line fraud and extortion and identity theft. Attorney General Harris also established the office’s Privacy Enforcement and Protection Unit in 2012 to enforce federal and state privacy laws regulating the collection, retention, disclosure, and destruction of private or sensitive information by individuals, organizations, and the government.