Sandra Cantu #4 4/27/09 -

[cece]

Bringing forward a beautiful picture of Sandra that was posted on the first page of this thread.



Lighting a candle & saying a prayer for Sandra and her family:

http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=cantu

[JessStar]

Operation targets child pornographers

By Layla Bohm
News-Sentinel Staff Writer

Local, state and federal law enforcement officers searched homes and confiscated computers in a three-county, two-day operation focusing on finding child pornographers.

The sweep, dubbed Operation TRAPS, resulted in 169 searches and 28 arrests, as well as evidence that could lead to more arrests once computers are analyzed, the FBI announced Thursday.

A majority of the searches were in San Joaquin County, but only one happened in Lodi. In that matter, two computers were seized from a home and will be inspected by experts, said Lodi Police Detective Nick Rafiq.

The suspect in that matter is a juvenile, so child privacy laws prevented Rafiq from releasing further information about the suspect. He noted, though, that a juvenile can still face charges of possessing child pornography.

"It's not the viewer's age; it's the crime," Rafiq said.

Rafiq, who is a member of a regional high-tech crimes task force, was the only Lodi officer involved in the operation that was held Tuesday and Wednesday.

In San Joaquin County, 54 homes were searched in Stockton, resulting in 11 arrests, said FBI Special Agent Steve Dupre. Another 48 locations were searched in Tracy, leading to three arrests.Some of the Tracy searches were a result of extensive investigations after the disappearance and homicide of 8-year-old Sandra Cantu, Dupre acknowledged. Melissa Huckaby has since been indicted on murder and assault charges in that case, but several residents in the mobile home park where Cantu and Huckaby lived were questioned and searched.

The operation was part of a larger FBI program called the Innocent Images National Initiative, which focuses on those who sexually abuse children by using the Internet to either meet them or share graphic images of the assaults.

About 150 officers from 28 law enforcement agencies took part in Operation TRAPS, searching homes of parolees and probationers in San Joaquin, Sacramento and Stanislaus counties.

Agencies included Lodi and Stockton police, the California Highway Patrol, and San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office, District Attorney's Office and Probation Department.

All told, agents tried to contact 196 people. They searched 169 places — including 102 in Stockton and Tracy — and arrested 28 people, Dupre said.

They seized 30 computers and a number of cameras, cell phones, storage drives and DVDs. More arrests are expected after those items are inspected, the FBI said.

Contact reporter Layla Bohm at layla@lodinews.com.
 
http://www.lodinews.com/articles/2009/10/16/news/7_traps_091016.txt

[Sister]

Operation targets child pornographers

By Layla Bohm
News-Sentinel Staff Writer

Local, state and federal law enforcement officers searched homes and confiscated computers in a three-county, two-day operation focusing on finding child pornographers.

The sweep, dubbed Operation TRAPS, resulted in 169 searches and 28 arrests, as well as evidence that could lead to more arrests once computers are analyzed, the FBI announced Thursday.

A majority of the searches were in San Joaquin County, but only one happened in Lodi. In that matter, two computers were seized from a home and will be inspected by experts, said Lodi Police Detective Nick Rafiq.

The suspect in that matter is a juvenile, so child privacy laws prevented Rafiq from releasing further information about the suspect. He noted, though, that a juvenile can still face charges of possessing child pornography.

"It's not the viewer's age; it's the crime," Rafiq said.

Rafiq, who is a member of a regional high-tech crimes task force, was the only Lodi officer involved in the operation that was held Tuesday and Wednesday.

In San Joaquin County, 54 homes were searched in Stockton, resulting in 11 arrests, said FBI Special Agent Steve Dupre. Another 48 locations were searched in Tracy, leading to three arrests.Some of the Tracy searches were a result of extensive investigations after the disappearance and homicide of 8-year-old Sandra Cantu, Dupre acknowledged. Melissa Huckaby has since been indicted on murder and assault charges in that case, but several residents in the mobile home park where Cantu and Huckaby lived were questioned and searched.

The operation was part of a larger FBI program called the Innocent Images National Initiative, which focuses on those who sexually abuse children by using the Internet to either meet them or share graphic images of the assaults.

About 150 officers from 28 law enforcement agencies took part in Operation TRAPS, searching homes of parolees and probationers in San Joaquin, Sacramento and Stanislaus counties.

Agencies included Lodi and Stockton police, the California Highway Patrol, and San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office, District Attorney's Office and Probation Department.

All told, agents tried to contact 196 people. They searched 169 places — including 102 in Stockton and Tracy — and arrested 28 people, Dupre said.

They seized 30 computers and a number of cameras, cell phones, storage drives and DVDs. More arrests are expected after those items are inspected, the FBI said.

Contact reporter Layla Bohm at layla@lodinews.com.
 
http://www.lodinews.com/articles/2009/10/16/news/7_traps_091016.txt

JessStar, thanks for finding this.  It will be very interesting to see if any of those arrested have a connection to MelissaH.  I still believe she was a part of some circle of pervs.  We shall see.

[JessStar]

You bet, Sister.  If there's a silver lining in this, it's that Sandra has just saved a whole bunch of kids from these sick, cowardly SOB's.  Had it not been for her, they would still be out preying on our children.  Hopefully the justice system will work and put them away for a long, long time.

God Bless Sandra.   

[Tracygirl]

Thanks Jess for posting this. Glad they got some, now they have to go get the rest!

I had heard on KCRA that one of the people arrested was a retired sheriff! Sadly this man may have used his position to do whatever he does. Sick.

[Tracygirl]

You bet, Sister.  If there's a silver lining in this, it's that Sandra has just saved a whole bunch of kids from these sick, cowardly SOB's.  Had it not been for her, they would still be out preying on our children.  Hopefully the justice system will work and put them away for a long, long time.

God Bless Sandra.   

It was in I think early January when "the Tracy 60" was revealed to the public. It was when a softball coach was arrested for having child porn. It was found through some kind of tracking that had been taken place. They have known of these other people a lot longer, hopefully they started the investigation before Sandra went missing and didn't wait until something bad happend. Given the track record of the tracy pd, I wouldn't be surprised though.
 

[Tina Bee]

Sandra is once again in my thoughts today. RIP. 

[cece]

Sandra Cantu case: Melissa Huckaby expected back in court today

By Sophia Kazmi
Contra Costa Times
Posted: 10/30/2009 07:14:12 AM PDT
Updated: 10/30/2009 07:19:05 AM PDT

http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_13676630

STOCKTON — The Tracy woman accused of killing 8-year-old Sandra Cantu is expected to return to court today, where her attorney is expected to update the judge on his progress preparing her defense.

Melissa Huckaby and her attorney, San Joaquin County Public Defender Sam Behar, are expected to meet privately with the judge presiding over the 28-year-old's case before the hearing reconvenes in open court. Huckaby is accused of killing and raping Sandra, a playmate of Huckaby's daughter. Huckaby has been indicted on murder with three enhancements — kidnapping, lewd and lascivious acts on a child under 14 and rape by instrument — in connection with the girl's death. A second count charges Huckaby with a sex crime with a child 10 years or younger.

Huckaby has also been indicted on two counts of furnishing a harmful substance and one count of child endangerment for two unrelated drugging cases involving another Tracy girl and a Hayward man.

She has pleaded not guilty to all counts. The San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office will seek the death penalty if Huckaby is convicted. A gag order prevents attorneys involved from publicly commenting.

Tracy police arrested Huckaby on April 10, four days after Sandra's body was found stuffed in a suitcase and submerged in a pond not far from the Orchard Estates Mobile Home Park, where Huckaby and Cantu lived.

Behar was victorious at last month's hearing, when he asked for and received more time before a date was set for Huckaby's trial. Deputy District Attorney Thomas Testa, who is prosecuting the case, pushed for a trial date as soon as possible. After hearing Behar privately on Sept. 25, Judge Linda Lofthus set two court dates for Behar to update the court on the progress of his preparation. Today's court date is the first of two. The second hearing is set for Dec. 4, when a trial date may be set.

Testa was pushing for a trial date because the memories of the children who will be called to testify — the alleged victim of the drugging and Sandra's friends — fade with time. He has said the defense has had ample time to prepare for trial.

Cantu, a second-grader, was last seen alive March 27. A 10-day search ensued that received national attention.

Before she was arrested, Huckaby told a Tracy newspaper that she owned a suitcase similar to the one Sandra was found in. Huckaby said her suitcase disappeared the same day Sandra did.

[cece]

http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091030/A_NEWS/910300314/-1/NEWSMAP#STS=g1f282ch.f9o

Huckaby defense team bolstered
High-profile death penalty attorney has ties to area

By Scott Smith
Record Staff Writer
October 30, 2009 12:00 AM

STOCKTON - The attorney for Melissa Huckaby of Tracy is expected to ask a judge today to toss the indictment that charges his client with the kidnapping, rape and murder of 8-year-old Sandra Cantu.

San Joaquin County Deputy Public Defender Sam Behar, in a second volley of court papers, is also attacking Tracy police investigators who arrested Huckaby, 28, after Sandra's body was found in April entombed in a black suitcase.

Behar now has a high-profile death penalty attorney with ties to San Joaquin County backing him in Huckaby's defense.

Michael Burt of San Francisco has led or assisted in the defenses of Lyle Menendez, Charles Ng, Richard Ramirez and Cary Stayner. Burt began his career in 1978 as an attorney with the San Joaquin County Public Defender's Office.

"He has a first-class reputation," Stockton attorney John Schick said. "He's not flashy or flamboyant, but he does his homework and presents himself very well."

Schick said he doesn't know Burt personally but has heard him give presentations on the death penalty at conferences. Burt is the kind of person jurors relate to well, Schick added.

Burt worked about two years in San Joaquin County. He left for the San Francisco Public Defender's Office, where he rose through the ranks over 23 years. Since 2003, he has been in solo private practice.

Burt did not respond to repeated calls seeking comment. A gag order prevents attorneys and other parties from talking publicly about Huckaby's case. Burt's résumé is posted online.

In Lyle Menendez's first trial, Burt was on the defense team that led a Los Angeles jury to hang 6-6. Menendez and his brother, Erik, were later convicted of the shotgun murders of their wealthy parents. Both are serving life prison sentences.

Burt fought Ng's extradition from Canada. Ng was sentenced to death in 1999 for 11 torture-murders in the tiny Calaveras County town of Wilseyville.

Burt also represented Ramirez - the serial killer convicted of 13 murders and known as the "Night Stalker" - who is on California's death row.

Stayner was convicted in 2001 of killing Carole Sund, her daughter Julie Sund, exchange student Silvina Pelosso and Yosemite National Institute employee Joie Armstrong.

Stockton attorney David Wellenbrock said he and Burt worked together in the San Joaquin County Public Defender's Office years ago.

"I think he's a good lawyer," Wellenbrock said. "He's a good researcher."

Burt will now assist Behar with Huckaby's defense in a case that rivals the bizarre trials Burt has worked on before.

Huckaby, who taught Sunday school at her grandfather's church, faces a death sentence. She is also accused of drugging a 7-year-old girl and a 37-year-old man.

Details of Huckaby's case - what killed Sandra and the instrument used in her alleged rape - remain a mystery to the public, because the judge has sealed the grand jury transcripts, the autopsy reports and other documents.

San Joaquin County Superior Court Judge Linda Lofthus set today's hearing to ask Behar in a closed hearing about the progress of his defense preparations. In a previous hearing, Behar asked for more time before Lofthus set a trial date.

The court would not release to The Record the motions Behar filed ahead of today's hearing. Behar is expected to ask Lofthus to seal them along with any response by San Joaquin County Deputy District Attorney Thomas Testa.

[cece]

Bringing forward a beautiful picture of Sandra that was posted on the first page of this thread.



Lighting a candle & saying a prayer for Sandra and her family:

http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=cantu

[JessStar]

Let's ask Lyle Menendez, Charles Ng, Richard Ramirez and Cary Stayner how Mr. Burt's participation in their defense worked out for them.   (is there an "smirking monkey" icon?)

It's another Game Day!  JUSTICE FOR SANDRA!

[no rose colored glasses]

Let's ask Lyle Menendez, Charles Ng, Richard Ramirez and Cary Stayner how Mr. Burt's participation in their defense worked out for them.   (is there an "smirking monkey" icon?)

It's another Game Day!  JUSTICE FOR SANDRA!

Exactly    Justice for Sandra 

[JessStar]

Still No Trial Date In Melissa Huckaby Case Fri 30 Oct 2009 12:28 Full Article View  SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY-- Melissa Huckaby...the woman accused of murdering 8-year old, Sandra Cantu was back in a San Joaquin County courtroom today. Prosecutors want to get a trial set, while the defense says it needs more time.There's still no trial date set, but they did set a motion hearing to suppress evidence.San Joaquin County District Attorney, Tom Testa wanted Huckaby's trial date set today. The Defense asked Judge Linda Lofthus for more time to look at evidence.Huckaby is accused of kidnapping,raping,and murdering 8-year old, Sandra Cantu of Tracy. Huckaby's attorney is looking at whether any constitutional rights were violated.Legal Expert, Steve Clark says, :What the defense is going to do is test every piece of evidence to make sure all criminal proceedings were followed."The Defense added Michael Burt to it's team."He's extremely skilled with death penalty trials and he's worked on several high profile cases."Cases that include the night stalker, Richard Ramirez, and Yosemite Sightseer Killer, Cary Stayner.Prosecutors say they recognize the defense is stepping up...and they're ready."We want to do it right. We want to follow all the rules. We don't want to to take any shortcuts."One thing both sides can agree on is the judge's decision to keep the grand jury transcripts sealed.Judge Lofthus says when the defendant could get the death penalty it's important they protect privacy rights, in order to have a fair trial.San Joaquin County Deputy District Attorney, Robert Himelbluau says, "We're going to dot all the i's and cross all the t's that's a term we use on all our major cases.The trial date is finally expected to be set at the next court hearing on December 4th. The motion hearing to suppress evidence is set for February 12th.

Add link per JessStar: http://mobile.fox40.com/inf/infomo;JSESSIONID=24302A9E3A4D96BDAAA8.4137?site=ktxl&view=top+stories+item&feed:a=ktxl_1min&feed:c=top_stories&feed:i=50192450  MB

[JessStar]

Link to the above artivle:

http://mobile.fox40.com/inf/infomo;JSESSIONID=24302A9E3A4D96BDAAA8.4137?site=ktxl&view=top+stories+item&feed:a=ktxl_1min&feed:c=top_stories&feed:i=50192450

[no rose colored glasses]

Thanks JessStar

[Wyks]

Justice for Sandra!!

[cookie]

Justice for Sandra!!

darling little girl...

[Wyks]

(similiar to what has been posted)

Melissa Huckaby's attorney asks to dismiss indictment, gets help with defense

By Sophia Kazmi
Contra Costa Times
Updated: 10/30/2009 03:15:55 PM PDT

STOCKTON — The defense of a Tracy woman accused of killing 8-year-old Sandra Cantu is getting some help, with an attorney experienced in defending high profile murder suspects joining the team.

Sam Behar, Melissa Huckaby's public defender, has enlisted the help of San Francisco attorney Michael Burt, who has been involved in defending suspects in high profile death penalty cases, including Richard Ramirez, Charles Ng and Lyle Menendez. Burt did not appear during a hearing for Huckaby in San Joaquin County Superior Court today, but will be at the defense table with Behar and Huckaby at the next court date Dec. 4, when a trial date could be set.

The money to fund Burt will come from a special fund within the Public Defender's Office in death penalty cases, said Robert Himelblau, spokesman for the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office. He said it is not uncommon for the public defenders to seek private counsel as second chair.

Also today, Behar filed a motion to suppress evidence and a motion to dismiss the indictment charging Huckaby, 28, with rape and murder in connection with Sandra's death. Judge Linda Lofthus ordered those files sealed from public access because they contain information from the grand jury transcripts, which she also ordered sealed.

No arguments were made about those issues. Feb. 12 is the date set to start the motion to suppress, which examines how evidence was obtained. A date for the motion to dismiss has not yet been set.

Lofthus she said she sealed the records in the interest of a fair trial both sides, as well as privacy for Sandra's family and the victim in the drugging case. Those issues override the public's right to know, she said.

Huckaby has been indicted by a grand jury on murder with three enhancements — kidnapping, lewd and lascivious acts on a child under 14 and rape by instrument — in connection with the Sandra's death. A second count charges Huckaby with a sex crime with a child 10 years or younger.

Huckaby has also been indicted on two counts of furnishing a harmful substance and one count of child endangerment for two unrelated drugging cases involving another Tracy girl and a Hayward man.

She has pleaded not guilty to all counts. The San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office will seek the death penalty if Huckaby is convicted. A gag order prevents attorneys involved from publicly commenting.

<more at link>

http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_13676630?nclick_check=1


    

[Sister]

Sandra, you parents and your family are in my prayers every day.  I cannot imagine the stress this brings them.  I know you are at peace and I will be glad when your family has some peace too!

[klaasend]

o/t but just goes to show how close you have to keep your kids these days
http://www.telegram.com/article/20091125/NEWS/911259988/1116

Thanks Penny, I found this too be very interesting especially because of the last name, it could belong over in Sandra Cantu's thread.

Klass Do you think this should alos be posted on Sandra's thread.  Note the offender's last name.

Check the perps name 

o/t but just goes to show how close you have to keep your kids these days
http://www.telegram.com/article/20091125/NEWS/911259988/1116

Thanks Penny, I found this too be very interesting especially because of the last name, it could belong over in Sandra Cantu's thread.

Klass Do you think this should alos be posted on Sandra's thread.  Note the offender's last name.