Amador County District Attorney

06/05/2026

Another post-conviction denial of early parole! We continue to represent the community and oppose attempts at early release for individuals with significant offenses and criminal history. While Proposition 57 allows those convicted of non-violent offenses to be released prior to serving their full sentence, they are often unsuitable. We oppose early release in such cases, and we demand that CDCR retain the inmates until completion of their court-ordered terms. Proposition 57 also makes it impossible to advise victims on whether - and when - an offender will actually be released.

Here, we opposed the petition for early release by inmate Danielle Wolfe. This person - who has been convicted under multiple aliases throughout the greater Sacramento region - is a convicted repeat ID thief. In 2024, Wolfe stole a driver's license belonging to an innocent victim and was able to purchase a vehicle in that person's name in Placer County. From there, she was arrested while stealing mail from a community mailbox in our upcountry area. In the course of being arrested, charged, pleading, and being sentenced, she defrauded the court, the prosecution, and law enforcement - and, most importantly, the innocent victim who continues to untangle the knots with her personal information caused by this ID thief.

Wolfe was brought back to Amador County and found guilty again because of the tremendous work of Amador Sheriff's Detective Dustin MacCaughey and District Attorney Investigator John Foosum. These investigators also worked to help Placer County build and prosecute their case on Wolfe for the fraudulent car purchase.

But because none of the crimes committed by this offender are serious or violent by law, she was eligible for consideration of early release. It remains that these crimes are, indeed, significant to the victim - and ensnare the system throughout different counties. Prosecutors throughout the state must plead with CDCR - which can unilaterally decide whether or not to release an inmate under these circumstances. Because of the fast-track timeline of these petitions, people are often released without having had the benefit of the programming and rehabilitation in prison, which can help turn the tide on recidivism.

Swipe to see the partial listing of this person's criminal conviction history that we outlined for CDCR in our opposition to her release. Continue to speak with your legislators about the impact of Proposition 57 and reforming non-violent parole to exclude recidivists.

County Sheriff's Office
County District Attorney's Office

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we honor the American spirit of our soldiers lost in conflicts - and those who could not be laid to rest at home, especially POW/MIA soldiers. In Amador County, families here lost 22 young men during World War II alone.

Whichever era they fought and served - these were our countrymen, and we are indebted to them and to their families. Thank you also to our community members who work with our veterans to honor and dignify their service upon their return.

05/22/2026

On the final day of 2026, we are working with National Insurance Crime Bureau to equip our followers with the knowledge to stay safe, hire with confidence, and avoid scams.

05/21/2026

We are proud to partner with National Insurance Crime Bureau on day 4 of .

If you or someone you know is a victim of a fraudster, please reach out to our office at (209)223-6444 or email us at [email protected]. Our Fraud Team is here to assist you.

Visit https://www.nicb.org/prevent-disaster-fraud

05/20/2026

This week we are partnering with National Insurance Crime Bureau for Contractor Fraud Awareness Week to expose the deceptive schemes and dangerous realities of contractor fraud. Every year, thousands of vulnerable homeowners — especially those facing home damage — are targeted by bad actors looking to exploit their misfortune.

⚠️Be warry of contractors: ⚠️

🔧Claim to be approved by FEMA or other agencies
🔨Come from out of state, especially after a catastrophic event
🔧Require upfront payment to schedule work
🔨 Pressure to quickly sign electronic documents

If you or someone you know have been a victim of a fraudulent contractor, contact our office at (209) 223-6444 or [email protected] or NICB at 800-TEL-NICB

Contractor fraud is an ongoing problem and the NICB relies on your ...

05/19/2026

This , we want to empower you to hire with confidence. Remember: Honest contractors won't pressure you into quick decisions or dodge your questions. Get helpful fraud resources from National Insurance Crime Bureau

When Michiganders were faced with downed trees following storms, they turned to professional tree companies for help. While most tree companies in Michigan a...

05/18/2026

We are proud to partner with National Insurance Crime Bureau for Contractor Fraud Awareness Week. Together, we are empowering our community to recognize contractor fraud before it starts.

05/15/2026

The Amador County District Attorney's Office salutes the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our communities. Your courage, dedication, and service will never be forgotten.

05/14/2026

During Police Week, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our DA Investigators who work tirelessly behind the scenes to seek truth, uphold justice, and protect our community. Your dedication, attention to detail, and unwavering commitment to fairness make a profound difference in the lives of so many. Thank you for your integrity, professionalism, and the sacrifices you make each day to ensure justice is served.

05/12/2026

Defendant Joseph Stephens-Jenkins was sentenced to Life Without the Possibility of Parole (LWOP) today by Judge Renee C. Day, who called his violence "deliberate, evil, and brutal acts." Stephens-Jenkins pled 'guilty' in April to the special-circumstances murder of Lori Owens and the attempted murders of Shane Billows and George Orozco. He waived all rights to appeal his conviction and sentence, and restitution orders.

During the sentencing hearing, the victims and their family members were supported by District Attorney Todd Riebe and Victim Witness Director Amy Drake as they came before the court to speak about their horrific losses. These victim impact statements, a critical part of sentencing, were made part of the court record. Shane Billows, explaining that he had been stabbed thirteen times, told the court that among the lasting physical, financial, and mental impacts of the attack, he is affected "every time a dog barks...[and] every time someone gets too close to me." Retired Judge David Richmond also spoke on behalf of his family, as well as the perspective of a unique coincidence: he previously sentenced Stephens-Jenkins in 2002 on a prior violent felony. "This conduct...boggles the mind in terms of its absolute viciousness, callousness, and intent to destroy another person." To Stephens-Jenkins, Judge Richmond added, "You will rot in hell, sir, and good riddance to you."

Lori Owens' daughter spoke tearfully about her mother's brutal murder, and the depth of her loss to an extended family and entire community. "We deserve the certainty of knowing he will never have the opportunity to harm anyone else." Her stepdaughter and daughter-in-law seconded those words, with one stating that "her family was her life. Everything she did was for the people around her." Now, "our lives are now divided into 'before' and 'after'...there's a feeling of vulnerability that we never felt before." But "her memory does not end here...she will never be forgotten. She was loved beyond words."

In pronouncing judgment following the impact statements, Judge Day addressed Stephens-Jenkins, telling him that "I hope that every day for the rest of your life, you acknowledge that what you've taken from these families will be felt for generations...at least the community may rest easier knowing that you'll never be free again."

District Attorney Riebe reflected, "How do you explain the unexplainable? In this case, with one word: evil. Some cannot and should not ever walk freely among us. With this sentence, that line is drawn." He noted that "an even greater tragedy would be if this event defines the victims, their families, and our community - it does not, and will not."

This complex case involved many local and state agencies from the start - from the first responders who provided medical and lifesaving aid to the survivors; to officers, deputies, technicians, and investigators who processed multiple crime scenes with professionalism and skill; to detectives and investigators who conducted critical interviews; to victim witness advocates who guided and supported these families over several years of court proceedings. We thank each of you professionals, and especially City of Ione Police Department (Chief John Alfred), Amador County Sheriff's Office (Sheriff Gary Redman), Sutter Creek Police Department (Chief Jim O'Connell), City of Jackson Police Department (Chief Chris Mynderup), CAL FIRE (Deputy Chief Sam Begovich), California Department of Justice, and our Bureau of Investigations (Chief Brandon Cone).