Placer County District Attorney's Office

06/11/2026

This week, our Placer County District Attorney’s Office’s PROTECT Team was proud to join partners from across California for the statewide California Family Justice Network Advocacy Day at the State Capitol.

Our PROTECT Unit is built on a simple but powerful belief: protecting our most vulnerable residents requires more than one agency—it requires all of us working together. Through this multidisciplinary partnership, the District Attorney’s Office, local law enforcement, Health and Human Services, social services, victim advocates, and community partners work side-by-side to support victims, hold offenders accountable, and connect residents with the resources they need to heal and thrive.

The success of Placer County continues to be rooted in collaboration. We have seen firsthand that the best outcomes occur when agencies break down silos, share information, and recognize that compassion and accountability go hand in hand. By combining services under one coordinated approach, we can better protect victims, strengthen communities, and build a safer, more resilient Placer County.

Thank you to the California Family Justice Network and our statewide partners for their leadership and advocacy on behalf of survivors and vulnerable populations throughout California.

To learn more about the Placer County PROTECT Unit and the work being done every day to safeguard our community, visit: www.placer.ca.gov/PROTECT

06/10/2026

𝘼𝘽 46 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙤𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙥𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙚𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙡𝙮 𝙁𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙪𝙧𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚.

The final step? One more floor vote before the bill heads to the Governor's Desk for signature.

This legislation is critical to restoring integrity to California's mental health diversion process by giving judges greater discretion to evaluate cases individually and determine whether diversion is truly appropriate. Judges should have the ability to consider the totality of the circumstances, public safety concerns, treatment options, and the facts of each case—not have their hands tied by a one-size-fits-all process.

Now is the time to make your voice heard.

We are calling on the Legislature to pass AB 46 and send this important reform measure to the Governor for his signature.

We are incredibly fortunate to have supportive legislators here in Placer County and throughout our region who have taken the time to listen to victims, law enforcement, prosecutors, mental health professionals, and community members. But meaningful reform requires support from every corner of California.

If you are concerned about the current mental health diversion system, we encourage you to contact your local representatives and share your perspective. Legislators need to hear directly from the people they represent about why accountability, treatment, community safety, and judicial discretion all matter.

Thank you to everyone who has helped educate their communities, submit letters, attend hearings, and advocate for common-sense reforms. Together, we can ensure this program works as originally intended—providing treatment for those who truly need it while maintaining accountability and public trust in our justice system.

➡Learn more about AB 46: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB46
➡Find your representative: https://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/
➡Learn how to submit a letter through the California Legislative Advocacy Portal: https://www.placer.ca.gov/10854/How-to-submit-letters-of-support-to-the-
➡Learn more about the mental health diversion loophole:
www.placer.ca.gov/MHD

06/10/2026

𝙒𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝘽𝙧𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙚 𝙎𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚𝙧 𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙮 𝘿𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙩 𝘼𝙩𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙮’𝙨 𝙊𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙖𝙨 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝘾𝙧𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝘾𝙤𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙧!

Brooke has joined our Community Outreach Team and will play a critical role in helping educate Placer County students, parents, educators, and community members on some of the most pressing issues facing young people today — including the dangers of fentanyl, risky and predatory apps, online grooming techniques, human trafficking awareness, and other emerging threats impacting our schools and communities.

Prevention is one of the most powerful tools we have. By empowering students and families with information, resources, and practical safety strategies, we can help prevent victimization before it occurs and build a stronger, more resilient Placer County.

We sat down with Brooke to learn more about her background, her passion for crime prevention, and her vision for expanding our outreach efforts across the county.

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝘿𝘼 𝙊𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙍𝙤𝙡𝙚?
- My role is to educate and engage the community through outreach programs, public events, and safety initiatives. I work to build strong relationships with community members while promoting crime prevention and public safety awareness. I work closely with residents, businesses, schools, and law enforcement personnel to identify crime trends, educate the public on prevention strategies and build strong partnerships that promote safer neighborhoods.

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝘼'𝙨 𝙊𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙚?
- I am drawn to the District Attorney's Office because of its vital role in protecting the community, holding offenders accountable, and promoting programs that prevent future crime. I value the opportunity to collaborate with law enforcement agencies, community organizations, and other stakeholders to make a meaningful impact.

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙙𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚𝙧 𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙮?
- What I love most about Placer County is the strong sense of community and quality of life it offers. It is a safe place to live, work, and raise a family, which is something I truly value. I also appreciate the abundance of outdoor activities, from hiking and biking to enjoying the beautiful natural surroundings. There is always something happening in the community, whether it's local events, recreational opportunities, or ways to get involved.

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙙𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙙𝙤 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙛𝙪𝙣?
- In my free time, I enjoy staying active and taking advantage of the outdoors. I love activities such as hiking, camping, traveling, snowboarding, and boating, which allow me to explore new places and spend time with family and friends. I also enjoy cooking and trying new recipes, as it gives me an opportunity to be creative and continually learn something new.

Please join us in welcoming Brooke to the team!

06/09/2026

★★★★★ 𝙒𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 5-𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙤𝙖𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙅𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙚 — 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙𝙣'𝙩 𝙗𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙙. ★★★★★

Our first reviewer called the book a "game changer" and described it as a resource that transforms what can often feel like a cold, confusing, and sterile process into something far more manageable, empowering, and supportive.

That was exactly our goal.

This book was created by victims, survivors, victim advocates, prosecutors, and justice professionals who have seen firsthand how overwhelming the criminal justice process can be. Together, they poured their experiences, lessons learned, encouragement, practical tools, self-care strategies, and hope into a resource designed to remind people that they are not alone.

The review highlighted something we have believed from the very beginning: when District Attorney's Offices partner with survivors, magic happens.

We are especially proud that more than 100 copies of The Road to Justice have already been distributed to local Placer County victims and survivors through our Empower + Resilience Project + Placer Justice Foundation. What started as a local effort to support our community is now expanding beyond county lines, and we are excited to bring this survivor-created resource to agencies, organizations, and communities across California.

To every survivor, advocate, victim services professional, prosecutor, and community partner who helped make this project possible—thank you.

Learn more and order your copy here: https://us.amazon.com/dp/B0H429PV5V

Because no one should have to walk the road to justice alone.

06/08/2026

6/8/26 𝙎𝙑𝙋 𝙎𝙩𝙚𝙥𝙝𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝙪𝙥𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙚 – 𝙉𝙤 𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙨
𝘚𝘵𝘦𝘱𝘩𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘰𝘯’𝘴 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸

ROSEVILLE, Calif. - Today, the court conducted another check-in hearing regarding the state-designated Sexually Violent Predator, William Stephenson. Our office had the assigned prosecutor present at the hearing alongside county counsel, as well as county officials and community members to monitor the check-in.

William Stephenson appeared virtually, along with representatives from the Department of State Hospitals and their contractor, Liberty Healthcare. During the hearing, DSH reported that they have no new housing placement locations for the court to review.

Stephenson’s defense attorney reported that the pending writ petition before the Court of Appeal remains under review. The writ petition asks the California Court of Appeals to overturn a Placer County Superior Court ruling that blocked the proposed conditional release placement of SVP William Stephenson to a home in Alta. The Placer County District Attorney has filed an opposition response to this writ.

No action was taken at today’s hearing. The next check-in hearing will be another review hearing for July 20 at 1 p.m. in Department 4 in Auburn.

06/05/2026

Placer County is special.

At a time when many communities across California are seeing people leave, Placer County remains one of the few places people continue to move to, invest in, and raise their families. That doesn't happen by accident.

It happens because of a countywide commitment to taking care of one another while also holding one another accountable. It happens because residents, businesses, schools, nonprofits, first responders, and community leaders work together to protect and strengthen the place we call home.

We are proud of what we have built.

Our children can still enjoy our parks. Families can gather in our neighborhoods. Women can walk in our communities with confidence. Residents can shop, dine, and spend time in our town centers knowing that safety, opportunity, and quality of life remain priorities.

These things don't happen by chance. They are the result of thousands of people making daily investments in their community, looking out for their neighbors, and refusing to settle for anything less than a county where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

That is the Placer Promise.

Learn more about the movement and how you can get involved at www.placerpromise.com.

06/05/2026

We are excited to share that our book, Road to Justice is now available on Amazon and can reach victims, survivors, advocates, and communities across California.

This project represents the power of partnership. Through the dedication of victim advocates, district attorneys, survivors, and our (Em)Power + Resilience Project, this resource was created to help others navigate the criminal justice process with guidance, encouragement, and hope. Thanks to the hard work of the Placer Justice Foundation, that vision has now been brought to market and made available to anyone who may need it.

Road to Justice is filled with survivor insights, inspirational messages, practical tools, and information designed to support those who find themselves unexpectedly navigating the court process.

This book is also a reminder of why partnering with survivors matters. When we invite survivors to help shape solutions, their experiences become a force for change that can help countless others. What began as a local idea has now become a resource that can impact lives across our state.

Thank you to every survivor, advocate, and partner who helped make this possible. This is your book, your legacy, and your impact.

When you are facing the criminal justice system, it can feel overwhelming, confusing, and isolating - but you don't have to navigate it alone. is a compassionate, practical resource designed to support individuals and families navigating the criminal justice process. Created by the Empower a...

06/04/2026

One of the many strengths of Placer County is our commitment to accountability, collaboration, and follow-through.

These compliance checks are another example of the men and women serving our communities every day to make them safer. Public safety is not just about responding to crime, it's about proactively working together to reduce risk, establish consistent expectations, and ensure individuals are meeting the conditions put in place to protect our neighborhoods.

This commitment to collaboration and accountability is one of the many reasons families continue to choose Placer County as a place to live, work, and raise their children.

Thank you to the Placer County Sheriff's Office and Placer County Probation Department for your partnership and your dedication to keeping our communities safe and thriving.

𝐒𝐞𝐱 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐒𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲
On May 27, Crimes Against Persons Detectives partnered with Placer County Probation Department to conduct a s*x offender compliance sweep. The operation included compliance checks at eight locations throughout Placer County.

During the sweep, two probationers were found to be out of compliance with the terms of their release. Investigators contacted the first one at the Mobile Temporary Shelter in Auburn and determined he was in violation of his Postrelease Community Supervision (PRCS) conditions. He was arrested after being found in possession of drug paraphernalia, undisclosed electronic devices, and s*xually explicit material, which violated the terms of his supervision.

The second probationer contacted during the compliance operation was found in possession of s*xually explicit material, and a Violation of Probation was filed with the Court.

The Placer County Sheriff's Office and Placer County Probation regularly conduct compliance operations and other proactive enforcement efforts to monitor registered s*x offenders and help ensure they remain in compliance with the conditions of their release.

06/03/2026

Today, we were honored to present a proclamation recognizing Placer PROTECT on its 10-year anniversary.

For a decade, Placer PROTECT has brought together law enforcement, health and human services, community organizations, local government, and residents to prevent elder abuse, support seniors, and ensure some of our most vulnerable community members have the resources they need to thrive.

This program represents what Placer County is all about: working together to solve critical problems and improve lives through collaboration, prevention, compassion, and a shared commitment to accountability.

Congratulations to the many partners, volunteers, and leaders who have helped make Placer PROTECT a success over the last 10 years. We are proud to stand alongside you as we continue building a safer, stronger, and more resilient community for all.

06/01/2026

[𝘽𝙍𝙀𝘼𝙆𝙄𝙉𝙂] 𝙈𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝 𝙙𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙙𝙚𝙛𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙨𝙪𝙗𝙨𝙚𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙢𝙪𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙧
𝘋𝘦𝘧𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘶𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘳

AUBURN, Calif. — The Placer County District Attorney’s Office announced that Fernando Jimenez, age 51, has been sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation following a Placer County jury conviction for first-degree murder. Jiminez was actively participating in California's mental health diversion program for violent felony offenses when he committed this murder.

In December 2023, Placer County Sheriff's deputies responded to a local business in Rocklin after an employee arriving for work discovered an unresponsive man lying in the parking lot. Deputies quickly determined the victim was deceased and had suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head.

What initially appeared to be a body in a parking lot soon developed into a complex homicide investigation spanning multiple jurisdictions. Detectives from the Placer County Sheriff's Office Major Crimes Unit reviewed surveillance footage from the warehouse and surrounding area and identified a vehicle entering the parking lot shortly before the victim's body was abandoned. Using advanced technology and other investigative tools, detectives traced the vehicle to the defendant and located him the following morning.

As investigators began piecing together the events leading up to the murder, they uncovered extensive evidence linking the defendant to the crime. Searches of his apartment and vehicle revealed blood evidence throughout both locations. Surveillance footage from the defendant's residence showed him moving the victim's body using a large cooler and hand truck before loading the body into his vehicle.

Investigators also discovered evidence that the defendant took significant steps to conceal the homicide. Evidence presented at trial showed he disposed of the victim's cell phone, blankets, towels, furniture, and other items connected to the killing in an effort to destroy evidence and avoid detection.

Although the defendant initially denied involvement, he later admitted to transporting and disposing of the victim's body. The investigation ultimately established that the victim had been killed before being transported across county lines and abandoned in Placer County.

During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence establishing that the defendant intentionally killed the victim and then engaged in an extensive effort to conceal the crime by moving the body, destroying evidence, and abandoning the victim in a commercial parking lot.

Jurors convicted the defendant of first-degree murder and found true allegations that he personally and intentionally discharged a firearm, causing death. Jurors also found true a special circumstance based on the defendant's prior murder conviction and further found he qualified as a third-strike offender under California law.

At the time of the murder, the defendant was participating in California’s Mental Health Diversion program in another county on charges of battery causing serious bodily injury and criminal threats of an elderly woman. Under California's diversion laws, those criminal proceedings had been suspended while he received treatment services.

The defendant's criminal history extended far beyond those pending charges. He had previously been convicted in Nevada for second-degree murder and attempted murder and served a lengthy prison sentence before relocating to California. He was later granted mental health diversion on separate violent felony charges, over the objections of the local District Attorney’s Office.

In its sentencing report, the Placer County Probation Department described the defendant's conduct as "cruel, callous, and particularly violent” and that he has a “disturbing lack of empathy and regard for the victim and human life”. The report noted that after killing the victim, the defendant wrapped and transported the body, concealed evidence, and abandoned the victim in a parking lot. The Probation Department concluded that the defendant posed a "clear and ongoing danger to the community."

"This case highlights the very real dangers that mental health diversion presents to communities across the state," said Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire. "The defendant had previously been convicted of murder and attempted murder, was facing additional violent felony charges, and was participating in mental health diversion when he committed another homicide. California needs to take mental health diversion reform seriously to ensure this program is working as originally intended and not giving dangerous criminals a pass to put more residents in harm’s way.”

The case was prosecuted by the Placer County District Attorney's Office Felony Unit’s Senior DDA Tim O’ Hair with assistance from the Placer County Sheriff's Office Major Crimes Unit. Learn more about the history and concerns with the state's mental health diversion program at www.placer.ca.gov/MHD