Special Operations Division
The Special Operations Division is led by Division Chief Paul Azevedo and Assistant Chief Fiona Khalil.
The division investigates a variety of complex cases including misuse of public funds, political corruption and violation of election laws.
Special Operations is responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes committed by government officials and employees, including law enforcement officers. This division also investigates and prosecutes attorneys for crimes committed while in their professional capacity; offenses committed against the justice system, such as perjury and threatening a judicial officer; as well as hate crimes.
Investigators who work with law enforcement agencies in Mexico and other countries are assigned to Special Operations and the division is responsible for background checks on potential employees and volunteers. In 2013 for example, the unit completed 287background checks
The unit formally established the Crimes against Peace Officers (CAPO) Unit in late 2013, which is led by an experienced prosecutor and investigator. The unit oversees all cases in the county where officers were victimized as a result of their duties. There are 15 prosecutors assigned to CAPO throughout the county. Prior to the creation of the unit, the Special Operations Division handled many of the cases where a peace officer was seriously injured. Two of those cases are described below.
Duties of the division also include the independent review of all officer-involved shootings (OIS), which the District Attorney's Office has done since the mid-1970s. The purpose of the review is to provide an impartial analysis of all shootings and other use of deadly force by peace officers, fatal and non-fatal. The neutral and objective review determines if peace officers in San Diego County acted in a legally justifiable manner when they made a decision to use deadly force. Upon completion of the District Attorney's review, a letter summarizing the facts and statements of the deputy or officer and other witnesses is written and delivered to the respective law enforcement agency. In 2013, the division reviewed 16 officer-involved shootings.
Some of the more significant cases include:
People v. Daniel Witczak
The defendant shot two San Diego County Deputy Sheriffs with an M-1 rifle, leaving one deputy in critical condition. Deputies had gone to the residence to investigate the defendant for possession of child pornography. The defendant subsequently pleaded to two counts of attempted murder and two counts of child molestation. He was sentenced to life in prison, plus 80 years.
People v. Samuel Sullivan
The 21- year old defendant drove while intoxicated and crashed into a San Diego Police officer who was on duty. The officer suffered serious injuries. The defendant pleaded guilty to driving while under the influence, with more than .15 percent blood alcohol content and causing great bodily injury. He was sentenced to five years probation and a year in custody.
People v. Mariano Contreras
While working for CALTRANS the defendant submitted phony U.S. Marine Corps Reserve orders. He was paid more than $54,000 while taking time off for a fabricated deployment. The defendant pleaded guilty to felony grand theft and paid all restitution. He was placed on probation.
People v. Rommel Asuncion
The defendant was employed by the Department of Child Support Services, when he stole printer and toner cartridges worth more than $363,000 and sold them. The defendant pleaded guilty to felony grand theft. He was given a three-year sentence. The defendant became the first former county employee to lose part of his pension benefits that he accrued while he committed theft as a county employee.
People v. Sydney Kirkland
Kirkland, an attorney, stole more than $200,000 from her elderly client's trust account. She pleaded guilty to three felonies, including grand theft from an elder. She was given a three-year prison sentence.
