Family Protection Division
The Family Protection Division prosecutes crimes of murder, domestic violence, stalking, crimes against children, and elder abuse. The division strongly supports victims of crime and works closely with criminal justice agencies and community partners. The division is led by Chief Valerie Summers and Assistant Chief Teresa Santana.
In 2013, Family Protection prosecuted 581 felony domestic violence cases and 1,392 misdemeanors cases. In addition, 247 child abuse cases and 10 Internet crimes against children cases were prosecuted along with 282 elder abuse cases.
Domestic Violence
Today's misdemeanor can be tomorrow's homicide. That's why the DA's Office has specially-trained Deputy District Attorneys across the county handling misdemeanor domestic violence cases from the earliest stage and throughout the trial. The office also prosecutes felony domestic violence committed in the county. Having just one attorney handle domestic violence cases from beginning to end ensures better courtroom efficiency, better perpetrator accountability, and better victim safety.
In 2013, The District Attorney's Office continued working with the "High Risk Team," created in 2011 to improve community response and victim support in the most dangerous situations. The team, led by the DA's Office, consists of various local police agencies and non-governmental groups who meet regularly to connect victims with support.
Elder Abuse
In a true community-partnering effort, our office spearheads a grant titled, "The HOPE Team." We bring together Adult Protective Services, the San Diego Police Department and The Center for Community Solutions with the goal of protecting senior citizens. The team meets weekly and discusses individual cases in order to best serve senior victims. The team makes home visits, assists in legal advice, and provides care packages to seniors in need. Specially trained Deputy DAs and victim advocates have proven that rapport and relationships with our elder victims endure well beyond the prosecution of any particular case.
Internet Crimes Against Children
The Internet Crimes against Children Task Force (ICAC) is comprised of law enforcement officers and prosecutors from the local, state, and national levels who work together to reduce the online sexual exploitation of children. The unit has Deputy District Attorneys specially-trained in prosecuting the exploitation of children on the internet. Efforts include full-time online investigation of Internet predators, aggressive prosecution of offenders, as well as community outreach to schools and parents.
Cases of note in the Family Protection Division during 2013 include:
People v. Ronald Pearley
This defendant was a serial molester who preyed on girls with troubled backgrounds. He molested a girl in San Diego from age 6 on. The child was afraid to tell her family because they were never supportive of her. A victim from another jurisdiction agreed to testify in this case and ultimately the jury convicted the defendant of all charges and he was sentenced to life in prison.
People v. Thomas Buckley
Buckley was a convicted rapist with priors for stalking, terrorist threats and domestic violence. The jury convicted him and he is facing life in prison.
People v. David Cruz
The defendant moved in with a woman who had a 4-month-old baby. The mother noticed that after the defendant began living with them, the baby developed bruises, which he never exhibited before. The defendant denied hurting the baby. When baby was 7-months-old, Cruz ran out of his apartment asking for help because the baby was not breathing. Paramedics were called, but the baby died. Further investigation revealed the baby had been beaten to death. The defendant was convicted of felony child abuse causing death, and murder. He was sentenced to 25- years- to life in prison.
People v. Patrick Pawlicki
The defendant molested his step-children and his own daughter, who is unable to communicate. While out on bail, Pawlicki fled the county. He was arrested in another state as he was attempting to leave the country. He was convicted of seven out of eight counts of child molestation and was sentenced to 109 in prison.
