WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.720 --> 00:00:04.320 You're listening to Later with Moe Kelly on demand from 2 00:00:04.400 --> 00:00:05.919 KFI AM six forty. 3 00:00:06.000 --> 00:00:07.519 Now, as we continue to make sure that you have 4 00:00:07.599 --> 00:00:11.480 the most important information available for you as you try 5 00:00:11.519 --> 00:00:14.960 to maneuver and navigate a tragedy possibly in your life. 6 00:00:15.000 --> 00:00:17.280 If you're one of the people who might have lost 7 00:00:17.320 --> 00:00:20.640 your home, or maybe you've been evacuated and you're not 8 00:00:20.719 --> 00:00:22.679 sure about the status of your home, you don't know 9 00:00:22.679 --> 00:00:24.920 what to do next, where to go next, Well, let 10 00:00:24.960 --> 00:00:27.000 me tell you about someone who might be able to 11 00:00:27.039 --> 00:00:30.839 help you. My next guest is Attorney Latissia Johnson, and 12 00:00:30.879 --> 00:00:34.880 she's a managing partner of the Southeastern Regional offices of 13 00:00:35.000 --> 00:00:39.880 Singleton Schreiber, which is the nation's preeminent wildfire litigation firm, 14 00:00:40.280 --> 00:00:44.159 having represented over twenty six thousand victims of wildfires and 15 00:00:44.240 --> 00:00:48.679 recovered over two point five billion dollars in settlements and 16 00:00:48.799 --> 00:00:53.560 verdicts for their clients. They have an upcoming zoom tomorrow 17 00:00:54.200 --> 00:00:58.880 at six pm Pacific and you can register at Singletonshreiber 18 00:00:58.920 --> 00:00:59.520 dot com. 19 00:00:59.560 --> 00:01:01.079 We'll make sure or that you have this information. 20 00:01:01.159 --> 00:01:03.200 We'll have plenty of time, but you can register at 21 00:01:03.240 --> 00:01:06.640 Singletonstreyber dot com and they'll be discussing community updates and 22 00:01:06.680 --> 00:01:10.680 available resources, and answer your questions about the Eton and 23 00:01:10.760 --> 00:01:15.319 hearstfires and have your concerns addressed by experience attorneys. So 24 00:01:15.400 --> 00:01:18.719 welcoming to the show right now, Attorney Latsia Johnson. 25 00:01:19.239 --> 00:01:20.879 Attorney Johnson, how are you this evening? 26 00:01:22.239 --> 00:01:23.959 I'm wonderful. How are you? 27 00:01:24.280 --> 00:01:26.959 I'm doing well all things considered, and I appreciate your 28 00:01:27.000 --> 00:01:32.959 expertise on this night. Now, for someone who doesn't understand 29 00:01:33.159 --> 00:01:37.519 the enormity of what may be confronting them after they're 30 00:01:37.760 --> 00:01:41.840 losing their homes in a tragedy like this, what's for 31 00:01:42.000 --> 00:01:44.959 you the first step that these homeowners should take. 32 00:01:47.000 --> 00:01:53.120 That's a very good question. So first and foremost, everyone 33 00:01:53.239 --> 00:01:56.920 needs to ensure their safety right. Make sure you're safe 34 00:01:58.280 --> 00:02:02.599 and follow all of the emergence the guidelines, respect the curfews, 35 00:02:02.640 --> 00:02:05.040 and heed all of the evacuation orders. So we want 36 00:02:05.079 --> 00:02:09.080 to keep people as ape as possible. Once you're safe, 37 00:02:09.560 --> 00:02:13.879 then it's time to start documenting everything. Take photos of 38 00:02:13.919 --> 00:02:16.680 the damage, you know, go through all those picks on 39 00:02:16.719 --> 00:02:20.479 your phone, Start making list of all the items that 40 00:02:21.159 --> 00:02:26.159 have been lost. Gave all of your receipts from fire 41 00:02:26.199 --> 00:02:30.840 related expenses, keep records of all of your communications with 42 00:02:30.919 --> 00:02:36.840 your insurance company, and most importantly, understand your rights before making, 43 00:02:37.520 --> 00:02:41.039 you know, any major decisions about your claims. You know, 44 00:02:41.080 --> 00:02:43.560 this is why we hold those town halls to help 45 00:02:43.599 --> 00:02:46.319 people understand all of their options. 46 00:02:46.840 --> 00:02:48.919 Would you say pictures of your home? 47 00:02:49.240 --> 00:02:51.240 I would interpret that to mean if you do have 48 00:02:51.280 --> 00:02:54.879 any pictures of your home before the tragedy, wouldn't that 49 00:02:54.919 --> 00:02:55.560 also help? 50 00:02:57.039 --> 00:02:57.199 Oh? 51 00:02:57.240 --> 00:03:00.639 Yes, that's exactly what I mean. You know, sometimes we 52 00:03:00.680 --> 00:03:04.319 think we remember all the things that we own. Going 53 00:03:04.319 --> 00:03:06.919 through those pictures will help your dog, your memory of 54 00:03:07.039 --> 00:03:10.120 all the little things, right, And you want to claim 55 00:03:10.360 --> 00:03:15.800 everything because we want you to, you know, receive the 56 00:03:15.800 --> 00:03:20.439 benefit of all the things that you own. You know, 57 00:03:20.520 --> 00:03:21.439 that's probably your wealth. 58 00:03:22.560 --> 00:03:24.479 You say, the first thing at the top of the 59 00:03:24.560 --> 00:03:26.599 list should be obviously making sure that you're safe, that 60 00:03:26.680 --> 00:03:32.319 you're observing the curfew and the laws regarding that. But 61 00:03:32.439 --> 00:03:35.479 at the same time, I'm quite sure people were thinking, like, well, 62 00:03:35.560 --> 00:03:37.719 should I reach out to FEMA first? Should I reach 63 00:03:37.719 --> 00:03:40.639 out to my insurance provider first? I mean, what is 64 00:03:40.680 --> 00:03:43.719 the level of what's the priority order? 65 00:03:47.080 --> 00:03:52.240 So it really depends on your situation. And so you know, 66 00:03:52.479 --> 00:03:54.199 if you call us and talk to us so we 67 00:03:54.199 --> 00:03:56.560 can better advise. I would just sort of hate to 68 00:03:56.560 --> 00:04:01.120 give sort of generic answer because there's so many diverse 69 00:04:01.159 --> 00:04:02.159 situations out there. 70 00:04:04.159 --> 00:04:06.520 Now, let's talk about hypothetical. 71 00:04:06.919 --> 00:04:11.560 There are thousands of people in the Eton Canyon area 72 00:04:12.919 --> 00:04:15.879 Altadena who've lost their homes. Let's talk from a standpoint 73 00:04:15.879 --> 00:04:18.560 of someone who's completely lost their home and they can't 74 00:04:18.560 --> 00:04:21.600 even at this moment get back up to where their 75 00:04:21.639 --> 00:04:25.360 home was because they have not been allowed to return. 76 00:04:26.279 --> 00:04:30.000 What could they be doing possibly during this time other 77 00:04:30.040 --> 00:04:31.639 than getting their documents together. 78 00:04:33.879 --> 00:04:38.279 Well, you know, they have to secure living arrangements, reaching 79 00:04:38.399 --> 00:04:40.959 out to their insurance company. It would also be important 80 00:04:41.759 --> 00:04:45.639 to start to get to understand their benefits, start talking 81 00:04:45.759 --> 00:04:48.720 to various attorneys to see so that you can make 82 00:04:48.759 --> 00:04:53.040 an informed decision. It's time to gather all the information 83 00:04:53.160 --> 00:05:00.399 you possibly can about your claims, potential claims, and your 84 00:05:00.399 --> 00:05:02.120 injuries and your rights. 85 00:05:03.040 --> 00:05:05.240 I know someone is listening right now who does not 86 00:05:05.360 --> 00:05:09.759 have their home unfortunately, And I know someone who's listening 87 00:05:09.800 --> 00:05:12.000 right now who lost their home and may not have 88 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:18.439 had the opportunity or even the forethought of or forethought 89 00:05:18.480 --> 00:05:21.920 of mind to gather documents such as like a deed 90 00:05:22.199 --> 00:05:24.959 or any type of information about the sale of the 91 00:05:25.000 --> 00:05:27.839 house or the condition of the house, and they may 92 00:05:27.839 --> 00:05:30.600 be limited as far as the number of pictures they have. 93 00:05:30.639 --> 00:05:33.399 In other words, it's a dire situation all the way 94 00:05:33.439 --> 00:05:37.000 around for someone like that. And I know someone in 95 00:05:37.079 --> 00:05:40.759 that same situation will be on that zoom tomorrow. 96 00:05:41.000 --> 00:05:45.800 What would you tell him or her? In a general sense, So. 97 00:05:46.160 --> 00:05:49.959 For instance, if you don't know who your home insurance 98 00:05:50.120 --> 00:05:53.519 is with, you can always call your mortgage company if 99 00:05:53.560 --> 00:05:56.680 it's s road, or you can call your insurance agent. 100 00:05:58.399 --> 00:06:01.920 When you are getting I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I didn't 101 00:06:01.920 --> 00:06:03.600 mean to step on you. What you're saying when you 102 00:06:03.680 --> 00:06:06.319 are handling these different cases like this, What are some 103 00:06:06.360 --> 00:06:09.920 of the questions that you find yourself fielding when you're 104 00:06:09.920 --> 00:06:13.199 doing a virtual town hall like this. I'm quite sure 105 00:06:13.240 --> 00:06:15.639 you've heard every question under the sun, but what are 106 00:06:15.680 --> 00:06:17.879 some of the more frequent questions that you receive? 107 00:06:20.279 --> 00:06:23.920 So you know, the impact of this devastation of this 108 00:06:24.120 --> 00:06:27.959 fire has been devastating, you know, with fourteen thousand acres burned, 109 00:06:28.120 --> 00:06:32.519 over seven thousand building damage and destroyed, and of course 110 00:06:32.720 --> 00:06:37.160 the loss of life. What we're hearing from families who've 111 00:06:37.160 --> 00:06:42.000 lost everything. You know, in this in particular situation, homes 112 00:06:42.040 --> 00:06:49.720 passed down through generations. We're you know, we are hearing 113 00:06:49.879 --> 00:07:00.639 them really worry about being able to rebuild and being displaced. 114 00:07:01.920 --> 00:07:02.759 As far as. 115 00:07:02.600 --> 00:07:05.279 The time period, because I know when you're in a 116 00:07:05.319 --> 00:07:10.319 desperate situation, you are by definition desperate. Everything is taking 117 00:07:10.360 --> 00:07:13.399 too long and you don't have enough time, and you 118 00:07:13.439 --> 00:07:17.000 don't want to wait months or years. But be honest 119 00:07:17.000 --> 00:07:20.439 with me, be honest with everyone listening right now, how 120 00:07:20.480 --> 00:07:24.160 long is this process usually best circumstances as far as 121 00:07:24.199 --> 00:07:29.040 being displaced, losing your home and being made whole, if 122 00:07:29.079 --> 00:07:29.920 at all possible. 123 00:07:32.040 --> 00:07:41.079 Unfortunately, it is not a short term process. On the 124 00:07:41.079 --> 00:07:46.759 better side, we're looking at eighteen months on probably more 125 00:07:46.800 --> 00:07:50.560 of an average between eighteen months and twenty four months 126 00:07:51.680 --> 00:07:57.000 before lawsuit settlements, insurance places. It may come in quicker 127 00:07:57.000 --> 00:08:02.279 than that. Of course KMA beta fits might be quicker event, 128 00:08:03.360 --> 00:08:06.160 but before it all closes out, we're looking at, you know, 129 00:08:06.199 --> 00:08:11.160 a minimum of two years, and then of course families 130 00:08:11.240 --> 00:08:15.040 have to be a movie built. So this is this 131 00:08:15.120 --> 00:08:16.759 isn't a short term process. 132 00:08:17.160 --> 00:08:19.120 If you're tuning in right now, my guest is attorney 133 00:08:19.160 --> 00:08:23.360 Letisia Johnson, who is the managing partner of Singleton Schreiber, 134 00:08:23.399 --> 00:08:27.480 the nation's pre eminent wildfire litigation firm, having represented over 135 00:08:27.519 --> 00:08:30.720 twenty six thousand victims of wildfires. They're having a very 136 00:08:30.839 --> 00:08:35.600 important and obviously free virtual town hall tomorrow. You can register. 137 00:08:35.759 --> 00:08:39.720 It's at six pm LA time. Register at Singleton Shreiber 138 00:08:39.960 --> 00:08:43.200 dot com. That's s I N G L E T 139 00:08:43.320 --> 00:08:46.480 O N S C h R E I B e 140 00:08:46.639 --> 00:08:48.000 R dot com. 141 00:08:48.240 --> 00:08:50.559 We'll have more with Letisia Johnson in just a moment. 142 00:08:51.360 --> 00:08:54.919 You're listening to Later with Moe Kelly on demand from 143 00:08:55.039 --> 00:08:56.600 kf I A M six forty. 144 00:08:56.879 --> 00:09:00.000 I'm speaking with Attorney Latissia Johnson, who is the manage 145 00:09:00.240 --> 00:09:04.879 partner of Singleton Schreiber for the Southeastern region and Singleton 146 00:09:04.879 --> 00:09:08.519 Shreiber's the nation's preeminent wildfire litigation firm, having represented over 147 00:09:08.559 --> 00:09:11.879 twenty six thousand victims of wildfires and recovered over two 148 00:09:11.919 --> 00:09:15.840 point five billion in settlements and verdicts for their clients. 149 00:09:16.279 --> 00:09:19.559 They're offering an exclusive opportunity to ask key questions about 150 00:09:19.559 --> 00:09:23.039 the Eton and hearstfires and have your questions, excuse me 151 00:09:23.080 --> 00:09:27.120 concerns addressed by experienced attorneys and they will also be 152 00:09:27.159 --> 00:09:31.759 offering community updates and available resources Tomorrow at six pm. 153 00:09:32.000 --> 00:09:37.120 You can register for the virtual town hall at Singletonshreiber 154 00:09:37.440 --> 00:09:40.799 dot com. Of course we'll have that information at KFIAM 155 00:09:40.879 --> 00:09:44.240 six forty dot com and Attorney Johnson let me come 156 00:09:44.279 --> 00:09:46.759 back to you and bring you into the conversation. You 157 00:09:47.240 --> 00:09:50.080 and in your firm, they take fire litigation cases on 158 00:09:50.120 --> 00:09:53.960 a contingency fee basis, meaning you don't get paid unless 159 00:09:54.000 --> 00:09:56.519 their clients get paid. I know there is a question 160 00:09:56.600 --> 00:10:01.000 about what money do people have to offer up Explain 161 00:10:01.039 --> 00:10:03.919 that for people who may not understand what contingency basis is. 162 00:10:05.559 --> 00:10:09.200 So essentially it means there is no requirement to pay 163 00:10:09.200 --> 00:10:14.159 anything upfront, that we don't get paid until our clients 164 00:10:14.200 --> 00:10:14.720 get paid. 165 00:10:15.840 --> 00:10:18.919 What are some of the first steps that you as 166 00:10:19.039 --> 00:10:23.279 legal representation will be taken on behalf of I'm quite 167 00:10:23.279 --> 00:10:25.519 sure some people who will be at that virtual town 168 00:10:25.519 --> 00:10:26.200 hall tomorrow. 169 00:10:29.120 --> 00:10:30.960 So the first thing that we want to do is 170 00:10:31.000 --> 00:10:36.519 sort of explain what the firm offers and take questions 171 00:10:36.600 --> 00:10:42.759 and try to ease concerns, and then you know, of course, 172 00:10:42.840 --> 00:10:45.120 then give people the option if they want to sign 173 00:10:45.240 --> 00:10:47.679 up with us, they will have that option as well. 174 00:10:48.360 --> 00:10:54.039 You're also available to assist with FEMA applications. And if 175 00:10:54.039 --> 00:10:57.080 you could just break down what you are offering to 176 00:10:57.159 --> 00:11:02.080 do as far as helping people become whole with insurance 177 00:11:02.679 --> 00:11:06.639 and how that's different from how you will assist with FEMA. 178 00:11:08.720 --> 00:11:16.279 Sure, so we have our clients will have access to 179 00:11:16.360 --> 00:11:21.039 an insurance expert free of charge, who will consult with 180 00:11:21.080 --> 00:11:24.080 them in terms of the offers that are made by 181 00:11:24.120 --> 00:11:29.639 their insurance companies. Our team also is available to assist 182 00:11:29.679 --> 00:11:35.559 individuals with SEMA applications and appeals at no cost. We 183 00:11:35.720 --> 00:11:42.240 also have an on social worker and our clients have 184 00:11:42.360 --> 00:11:46.159 unlimited access to this social worker who is available to 185 00:11:46.320 --> 00:11:52.120 assist with finding housing, applying for financial aid, and locating 186 00:11:52.279 --> 00:11:53.720 mental health resources. 187 00:11:54.360 --> 00:11:56.120 Okay, let me just stay right there, since we are 188 00:11:56.200 --> 00:11:58.759 talking about FEMA and that's separate and distinct from the 189 00:11:58.799 --> 00:12:02.799 insurance process. What you said could take upwards of, you know, 190 00:12:02.879 --> 00:12:05.960 two years, and people who are without a place to stay, 191 00:12:06.000 --> 00:12:09.000 they may have temporary housing, but as far as permanent housing. 192 00:12:08.759 --> 00:12:09.759 They do not have that. 193 00:12:10.320 --> 00:12:13.039 If it's two years for the insurance, what are we 194 00:12:13.120 --> 00:12:16.559 talking about as far as schedule for FEMA, as far 195 00:12:16.559 --> 00:12:18.919 as what FEMA can do and will do. 196 00:12:21.480 --> 00:12:25.039 So you know, that's sort of a slipperly slope and 197 00:12:25.080 --> 00:12:27.679 I really can't say for sure because it's again it's 198 00:12:27.679 --> 00:12:30.360 one of those things that's on an individual basis and 199 00:12:30.399 --> 00:12:36.200 depends on the circumstance. So what I can say is 200 00:12:36.240 --> 00:12:39.039 that we can help you through that process, whatever that 201 00:12:39.120 --> 00:12:39.960 process looks like. 202 00:12:41.519 --> 00:12:45.159 Tomorrow you have your virtual town hall meeting. You can 203 00:12:45.200 --> 00:12:48.360 register at Singleton Schreiber dot com. That's s I N 204 00:12:48.440 --> 00:12:51.759 G L E t O N S C h R 205 00:12:51.840 --> 00:12:53.759 E I B E R dot com. Will have that 206 00:12:53.799 --> 00:12:56.320 information on our website at KF I A M six 207 00:12:56.480 --> 00:12:59.440 forty dot com. And in that you'll have a number 208 00:12:59.480 --> 00:13:02.720 of a ternoorneys who will be on that call that 209 00:13:02.840 --> 00:13:06.000 virtual town hall. Tell me about some of the expertise 210 00:13:06.200 --> 00:13:10.000 which is going to be offered from yourself and other attorneys. 211 00:13:12.240 --> 00:13:15.559 So you know, you've said it several times. You know, 212 00:13:15.639 --> 00:13:22.279 we leave the Nation and Fire litigation, and so we 213 00:13:22.879 --> 00:13:26.559 have a managing partner of the entire firm, Jerald Smilton. 214 00:13:26.639 --> 00:13:29.919 He will be on the call and he will answer 215 00:13:30.039 --> 00:13:36.919 questions and explain the processes. We have represented so many 216 00:13:37.000 --> 00:13:41.000 victims of fire and there's so many fires across the 217 00:13:41.120 --> 00:13:46.120 nation that we have represented victims with and he'll talk 218 00:13:46.159 --> 00:13:49.200 to about his experience, and I think that's really where 219 00:13:49.240 --> 00:13:52.559 you get the expertise. It's I mean, it's to be seen. 220 00:13:52.720 --> 00:13:53.279 You've seen it. 221 00:13:53.879 --> 00:13:56.919 I know that this is one of those difficult times 222 00:13:57.039 --> 00:14:01.320 in some of your clients' lives where where they may 223 00:14:01.360 --> 00:14:05.320 be full of emotion, they may be uncertain about what 224 00:14:05.360 --> 00:14:08.120 the future is going to bring and they have no 225 00:14:08.279 --> 00:14:11.679 idea where to turn, and you have a good idea 226 00:14:11.679 --> 00:14:14.360 of what they need to do, but at the same time, 227 00:14:14.399 --> 00:14:18.039 you can't get emotionally attached to the clients. What I 228 00:14:18.080 --> 00:14:20.639 would ask you before I let you go, is how 229 00:14:20.639 --> 00:14:25.120 do you go about providing some level of assurance that 230 00:14:25.240 --> 00:14:28.639 this is a process which can be managed, even though 231 00:14:28.679 --> 00:14:31.039 it may take some time, even though it may take 232 00:14:31.120 --> 00:14:34.360 a lot of work, but this is a process, when 233 00:14:34.399 --> 00:14:38.759 done correctly, can really be beneficial for people who are 234 00:14:38.759 --> 00:14:40.200 going through it right about now. 235 00:14:42.840 --> 00:14:46.840 Well, I think it is because I feel like it's 236 00:14:46.879 --> 00:14:54.120 a huge opportunity. You know, I remember all the devastation 237 00:14:54.240 --> 00:14:58.120 that happened during Katrina, and then all of the devastation 238 00:14:58.240 --> 00:15:02.080 that happened after Katrina. I think with our firm being 239 00:15:02.200 --> 00:15:05.919 involved in this process at such an early state, we 240 00:15:06.039 --> 00:15:11.720 can help protect the community from those that from scavengers, 241 00:15:12.639 --> 00:15:16.000 and we can help people make the best decisions for 242 00:15:16.120 --> 00:15:23.240 themselves to make sure they maintain and so make sure 243 00:15:23.279 --> 00:15:26.120 that it gets a justice that they deserve and the 244 00:15:26.159 --> 00:15:28.039 resources that they need to rebuild. 245 00:15:28.960 --> 00:15:33.720 She is Attorney Latsia Johnson, managing partner of Singleton Schreiber 246 00:15:33.759 --> 00:15:38.279 for their Southeastern region, the nation's preeminent wildfire litigation firm, 247 00:15:38.360 --> 00:15:41.799 having represented over twenty six thousand victims of wildfires. They're 248 00:15:41.799 --> 00:15:45.639 having an exclusive virtual town hall meeting tomorrow where you 249 00:15:45.679 --> 00:15:48.440 have the opportunity to ask key questions about the Eton 250 00:15:48.480 --> 00:15:52.759 and hearstfires and have your concerns addressed by their experience attorneys. 251 00:15:52.919 --> 00:15:55.799 You can register right now. It's tomorrow at six pm, 252 00:15:55.879 --> 00:16:00.320 but you can register right now at Singleton Shreiber dot com. 253 00:16:00.399 --> 00:16:02.399 Attorney Johnson, thank you so much for coming on tonight 254 00:16:02.440 --> 00:16:03.919 and thank you for sharing your expertise. 255 00:16:05.080 --> 00:16:06.240 Thank you so much for having me. 256 00:16:06.720 --> 00:16:10.320 You're listening to later with Moe Kelly on demand from 257 00:16:10.399 --> 00:16:12.120 KFI AM six forty. 258 00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:13.639 And over the course of day, you might have seen 259 00:16:13.679 --> 00:16:15.519 a couple of press conferences. 260 00:16:15.639 --> 00:16:17.080 Want to get into them both right now. 261 00:16:17.120 --> 00:16:19.279 I want to take to my time and slow down 262 00:16:19.320 --> 00:16:21.879 so we can listen to some really good information which 263 00:16:21.960 --> 00:16:25.679 was passed along by not only our civic leaders but 264 00:16:25.720 --> 00:16:28.279 also our elected leaders. First I want to get into 265 00:16:28.639 --> 00:16:31.879 and I'm doing this in reverse chronological order. There was 266 00:16:32.080 --> 00:16:35.360 a press conference by our new La County DA Nathan 267 00:16:35.399 --> 00:16:40.159 Hoffman about two o'clock today where he's from where I'm sitting, 268 00:16:40.240 --> 00:16:44.600 delivering on a promise to be tougher on crime, making 269 00:16:44.639 --> 00:16:48.600 sure that criminals are prosecuted to the fullest extent of 270 00:16:48.679 --> 00:16:52.720 the laws, something that we were not getting under George Gascone, 271 00:16:52.919 --> 00:16:57.159 and also serving notice to any would be criminals that, 272 00:16:57.360 --> 00:17:01.039 as they say, the proverbial news share is in town. 273 00:17:01.559 --> 00:17:05.240 And this is Nathan Hockman earlier today talking about those 274 00:17:05.279 --> 00:17:07.920 who've been arrested for looting an arson. 275 00:17:08.440 --> 00:17:10.839 There have been certain people that we have given a 276 00:17:10.839 --> 00:17:14.880 warning to because we anticipated that this was going to happen. 277 00:17:15.599 --> 00:17:16.759 And these are the criminals. 278 00:17:17.240 --> 00:17:20.519 These are the people who are seeking to exploit this 279 00:17:20.680 --> 00:17:23.880 tragedy for their own benefit. These are people who have 280 00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:30.480 engaged in looting arson. We've also investigated price gouging, will 281 00:17:30.519 --> 00:17:32.640 be investigating internet scams. 282 00:17:33.599 --> 00:17:34.160 And the like. 283 00:17:35.079 --> 00:17:37.799 Today, we're here to announce that the promise that we 284 00:17:37.960 --> 00:17:42.240 made when we started this that these criminals would be arrested, 285 00:17:42.519 --> 00:17:46.279 they would be prosecuted, and they will be maximally punished, 286 00:17:46.799 --> 00:17:50.079 is a promise we are keeping. As we announced today, 287 00:17:50.200 --> 00:17:54.400 the charges being filed on ten different individuals, nine of 288 00:17:54.440 --> 00:17:58.680 them for looting in both the Palisades and the Eden fires, 289 00:17:59.200 --> 00:18:01.759 and one for arson and arson, by the way, not 290 00:18:01.839 --> 00:18:05.200 connected with the origination of the major fires, but an 291 00:18:05.319 --> 00:18:10.240 arson that occurred in Azusa. These felony charges are the 292 00:18:10.319 --> 00:18:16.039 result of a multi agency collaboration. There's been nothing short 293 00:18:16.119 --> 00:18:19.519 of incredibly impressive to be able to bring these charges 294 00:18:19.599 --> 00:18:25.279 this quickly. This collaboration includes the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, 295 00:18:25.799 --> 00:18:29.559 the Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles County Fire 296 00:18:29.720 --> 00:18:34.440 Arson Unit, the US Attorney's Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 297 00:18:35.119 --> 00:18:39.440 the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the ATF, 298 00:18:40.480 --> 00:18:44.759 the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office, and all our related 299 00:18:44.799 --> 00:18:48.519 cities that you'll hear about that have done incredible work 300 00:18:48.640 --> 00:18:53.640 under enormously stressful times in order to bring these culprits 301 00:18:53.680 --> 00:18:57.160 to justice. I'll go through the various charges that have 302 00:18:57.279 --> 00:19:05.039 been filed to date. The first set of charges are 303 00:19:05.079 --> 00:19:10.440 against two individuals. They should be three individuals, Martrell Peoples, 304 00:19:11.119 --> 00:19:16.960 Damari Bell, and Travin Coleman. What two of these individuals 305 00:19:17.000 --> 00:19:21.160 did is on the night of both January eighth and 306 00:19:21.200 --> 00:19:25.160 the early morning hours of January ninth, they went ahead 307 00:19:25.240 --> 00:19:30.880 and committed residential first degree residential burglary and looting during 308 00:19:30.920 --> 00:19:36.079 an emergency and evacuation situation in a house in Mandeville Canyon. 309 00:19:36.920 --> 00:19:41.119 They've been charged with first degree residential burglary. They've been 310 00:19:41.200 --> 00:19:45.319 charged with looting. They've been charged with grand theft. They 311 00:19:45.359 --> 00:19:49.440 stole over two hundred thousand dollars has been alleged by 312 00:19:49.480 --> 00:19:52.599 the charging documents. And by the way, with respect to 313 00:19:52.640 --> 00:19:56.000 the charges I'm going to announce, please know this, the 314 00:19:56.119 --> 00:20:00.079 charges themselves are not evidence. Everyone that I'm going to 315 00:20:00.079 --> 00:20:04.160 to describe today is presumed guilty until and orless they 316 00:20:04.200 --> 00:20:07.880 are proven guilt. Their guilt is proven by the government 317 00:20:08.240 --> 00:20:09.640 beyond a reasonable doubt. 318 00:20:12.200 --> 00:20:14.400 Sure presumed insign excuse me. 319 00:20:14.519 --> 00:20:18.039 Presumed innocent, Thank you for they change presumed innocent until 320 00:20:18.039 --> 00:20:21.319 and aless their guilt is proven beyond a reasonable doubt, 321 00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:25.680 so back with mister Peoples and mister Bell. They went 322 00:20:25.720 --> 00:20:29.519 ahead and committed these crimes. And when they committed these crimes, 323 00:20:29.559 --> 00:20:32.039 as you're going to see on this TV screen right 324 00:20:32.039 --> 00:20:35.480 here to my left, it was caught on a ring 325 00:20:35.640 --> 00:20:43.839 camera if you can play that as we're speaking, and 326 00:20:43.880 --> 00:20:50.279 the lapd through again. Such impressive investigation worked with various 327 00:20:50.440 --> 00:20:54.440 leads and tracked mister Peoples and mister Bell to an 328 00:20:54.440 --> 00:20:59.880 apartment in Koreatown. Surveillance was then conducted. When they attempted 329 00:20:59.920 --> 00:21:04.240 to leave, they were then apprehended and items of a 330 00:21:04.319 --> 00:21:08.079 number of these stolen items from that residence was found 331 00:21:08.519 --> 00:21:10.319 with mister Peoples and mister Bell. 332 00:21:11.400 --> 00:21:13.000 Mister Peoples is a. 333 00:21:14.480 --> 00:21:19.480 Second is committed to prior violent or serious felonies. This 334 00:21:19.680 --> 00:21:23.039 is his third as a three strike. As a potential 335 00:21:23.480 --> 00:21:27.480 three strike person, he is looking at life life in 336 00:21:27.559 --> 00:21:34.200 prison and mister Bell, as a second strike individual, will 337 00:21:34.240 --> 00:21:36.799 be looking at twenty two years and eight months in 338 00:21:36.880 --> 00:21:43.160 prison if convicted. Mister Coleman accompanied mister Bell and mister 339 00:21:43.200 --> 00:21:47.359 Peoples out of that apartment building in Koreatown, went into 340 00:21:47.400 --> 00:21:52.920 a second car, and when mister Peoples and mister Bell 341 00:21:53.240 --> 00:21:57.759 were stopped that second car driven by mister Coleman kept going, 342 00:21:58.319 --> 00:22:02.119 it went through a light a crash into another vehicle. 343 00:22:02.240 --> 00:22:05.839 That innocent person in the other vehicle suffered a concussion. 344 00:22:06.519 --> 00:22:09.960 So mister Coleman has been charged with one count felony 345 00:22:10.079 --> 00:22:14.319 hit and run causing great bodily injury as also a 346 00:22:14.319 --> 00:22:18.000 potential third strike case. He is looking at a maximum 347 00:22:18.079 --> 00:22:23.839 sentence of life in prison. The second case that we'll 348 00:22:23.880 --> 00:22:28.799 talk about involves Rudy Salazar and Lucia Hilara Perez. 349 00:22:29.480 --> 00:22:30.759 They have been charged with. 350 00:22:30.839 --> 00:22:35.640 Two counts of each of first degree residential burglary in 351 00:22:35.680 --> 00:22:41.039 connection with an Altadena looting incident. On the night of 352 00:22:41.160 --> 00:22:47.599 again January eighth, they went ahead and entered two different 353 00:22:47.599 --> 00:22:53.400 houses in the Altadena area, stealing property in each of 354 00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:58.720 the houses, and they were apprehended by the police. And 355 00:22:58.759 --> 00:23:02.559 they are looking at six years maximum on each one 356 00:23:02.599 --> 00:23:07.519 of the residential burglary counts. The third set of charges 357 00:23:07.680 --> 00:23:12.839 is against Roy Simms, Ryan Simms, Nikwan Dewey Reddicks, and 358 00:23:12.920 --> 00:23:16.920 Pieri Obannon. They are each charged with one count of 359 00:23:17.039 --> 00:23:22.920 first degree residential burglary in connection with their crimes where 360 00:23:22.960 --> 00:23:26.160 they went into a house in Altadena in the early 361 00:23:26.240 --> 00:23:30.920 morning hours and stole a number of a variety of 362 00:23:30.960 --> 00:23:35.039 different personal property from the owners of that house. If 363 00:23:35.039 --> 00:23:37.960 we can show some of that property and the resident 364 00:23:38.039 --> 00:23:40.839 and the burglary tools that were seized, we do not 365 00:23:40.880 --> 00:23:47.839 have that. Among the property that you'll see that was 366 00:23:47.839 --> 00:23:52.960 stolen in that particular incident was actually the Emmy award 367 00:23:53.240 --> 00:23:57.920 of the resident who lived there was the police worked 368 00:23:57.920 --> 00:24:03.680 incredibly quickly in that situation, stopped these individuals and were 369 00:24:03.720 --> 00:24:07.279 able to apprehend them and recover most of the stolen property. 370 00:24:08.279 --> 00:24:09.720 The fourth incident. 371 00:24:10.920 --> 00:24:14.640 Is an arson incident in which Jose Harado Escobar has 372 00:24:14.680 --> 00:24:15.319 been charged. 373 00:24:15.759 --> 00:24:17.200 We have that ready. 374 00:24:17.799 --> 00:24:22.839 This is an incident that occurred in Azusa where mister 375 00:24:22.960 --> 00:24:29.559 Escobar has been charged with three different arson charges. He 376 00:24:29.640 --> 00:24:33.359 is looking at nine years in state prison. This is 377 00:24:33.559 --> 00:24:37.799 arson that occurred at Pioneer Park in the city of Azusa. 378 00:24:38.480 --> 00:24:42.480 It was investigated by the Azuza Police Department, who acted 379 00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:47.359 very effectively and very efficiently in apprehending mister Escobar. 380 00:24:48.799 --> 00:24:51.599 Mister Escobar as well has been. 381 00:24:53.000 --> 00:24:56.759 Now he's been charged, but he has set for arraiment today. 382 00:24:58.119 --> 00:25:01.960 So again with respect to all these charges, as I 383 00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:04.920 said before, these charges are not evidence and they are 384 00:25:04.960 --> 00:25:09.680 presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. But 385 00:25:10.000 --> 00:25:14.559 this shows the effectiveness of law enforcement. So when I said, 386 00:25:14.759 --> 00:25:17.359 and I have been saying over the that past couple days, 387 00:25:17.400 --> 00:25:20.559 the question is not if, but when you will be 388 00:25:20.680 --> 00:25:24.559 caught if you engage in these crimes. The ten charges 389 00:25:24.839 --> 00:25:28.119 or ten different individuals that have been charged today are 390 00:25:28.200 --> 00:25:33.039 evidence of that fact, and the warning shot remains. Do 391 00:25:33.200 --> 00:25:38.599 not go ahead and engage in looting, engage in internet scams, 392 00:25:39.000 --> 00:25:44.480 engage in price gouging, do not violate evacuation orders, and 393 00:25:44.960 --> 00:25:48.000 do not commit any of these crimes in which people 394 00:25:48.079 --> 00:25:51.400 are trying to profit from the tragedy of the people 395 00:25:51.440 --> 00:25:54.000 who have suffered from these various fires. 396 00:25:54.680 --> 00:25:58.240 You're listening too later with Moe Kelly on Demand from 397 00:25:58.359 --> 00:25:59.880 KFI AM six forty. 398 00:26:00.400 --> 00:26:02.880 Something that Da Hawkman said at the end. 399 00:26:02.920 --> 00:26:04.039 I don't know if you caught it, when he was 400 00:26:04.079 --> 00:26:08.079 talking about do not engage in price gouging, and that 401 00:26:08.079 --> 00:26:12.359