Placer County District Attorney's Office

06/22/2026

𝘽𝙍𝙀𝘼𝙆𝙄𝙉𝙂: 𝘾𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙖 𝙇𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙋𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝘼𝘽 46; 𝙉𝙤𝙬 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙤𝙧’𝙨 𝘿𝙚𝙨𝙠

Today marks a major step forward in reforming loopholes in California’s mental health diversion system.

Over the past year, district attorneys, survivors, community leaders, and concerned residents from across California have sounded the alarm about loopholes in the current law that have allowed dangerous offenders to receive diversion in cases involving domestic violence, home invasions, repeat offending, and other serious crimes.

AB 46 is a balanced, common-sense reform that restores judicial discretion and allows judges to make individualized public safety decisions while preserving access to treatment for those who truly need it.

“Diversion should be a pathway to treatment for those who truly need help, not a loophole that allows dangerous offenders to get a pass,” said Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire. “We thank the Legislature for seizing this opportunity to meaningfully reform this program, and we look forward to the Governor’s signature on this important legislation.”

"AB 46 restores appropriate judicial discretion, allowing judges to rely on their experience and informed judgment when evaluating a defendant's dangerousness," said Greg Totten, CDAA Chief Executive Officer. "It ensures mental health diversion remains focused on its intended purpose-connecting appropriate individuals to treatment while protecting public safety."

This legislation was never about eliminating mental health treatment. It was about ensuring the system works as intended — providing meaningful treatment, protecting public safety, supporting victims, and preserving confidence in California’s diversion programs.

We thank the California Legislature for recognizing the need for meaningful and responsible reform. We are also grateful to the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office for sponsoring this important bill, the California District Attorneys Association for its statewide leadership, the many district attorneys’ offices that cosponsored and helped educate their communities, and the victims and survivors who courageously shared their stories.

Their voices made a difference. AB 46 now heads to Governor Gavin Newsom's desk for consideration.

Now, California — we need YOUR help. If you believe judges should have the discretion to make common-sense public safety decisions for their communities while ensuring treatment resources are directed toward those who truly need them, please take a moment to contact Governor Newsom and respectfully urge him to sign AB 46.

Click on the bill number, add a line or two about AB 46, and consider how restoring judicial discretion could help make your community safer while preventing dangerous offenders from exploiting loopholes in the law. Then, respectfully contact Governor Newsom and ask him to sign AB 46 into law. You can submit your request for his signature here:
https://www.gov.ca.gov/contact/

Thank you in advance for your help on this important issue. Learn more about the loopholes in this program at www.placer.ca.gov/MHD

06/21/2026

Happy Father’s Day to all of the fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, mentors, and father figures who help shape the next generation of Placer County.

Today, we celebrate the dads who lead with strength, sacrifice, patience, and love. Whether you're coaching from the sidelines, helping with homework, protecting your family, or simply showing up day after day, your impact is immeasurable.

We also want to recognize our angel dads. To those who have lost a child, a father, or who are carrying an empty chair in their hearts today, please know that you are in our thoughts. Your love endures, and your strength continues to inspire us.

Thank you to every man who steps up to guide, support, and invest in the next generation. You are helping build stronger families, stronger communities, and a brighter future for Placer County.

Happy Father’s Day from all of us at the Placer County District Attorney’s Office.

06/20/2026

This week, the California Board of Parole Hearings conducted an en banc review of convicted murderer, rapist, and torturer James Dennis Lynch.

Rather than uphold the original parole grant, the Board ordered a rescission hearing, where concerns raised by the victim's family, community members and San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office will be further examined before any release can occur.

We want to thank the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office for their continued advocacy on behalf of victims, survivors, and public safety. Their office remained actively engaged throughout this process, including submitting a formal objection to Governor Gavin Newsom that helped prompt the full Board review.

We also want to thank our regional partners at the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office, Sacramento County District Attorney's Office, Crime Victims United, and the many community members who took the time to learn about this case, submit comments, attend the hearing, and make their voices heard.

According to information shared during the process, this case generated more public feedback than any other item on the Board's agenda. That level of community engagement sends a powerful message that victims matter, transparency matters, and public safety matters.

This case also serves as a reminder that parole decisions can have regional impacts. According to prior parole hearing records, Lynch indicated plans to relocate to the Sacramento region if released.

We will continue to follow this case closely and provide updates as additional information regarding the rescission hearing becomes available.

Thank you to everyone who participated, spoke up, and stood with victims and survivors.

Parole Board Orders Rescission Hearing for Convicted Murderer James Dennis Lynch

The California Board of Parole Hearings has ordered a rescission hearing for James Dennis Lynch, the convicted murderer, rapist, and torturer responsible for the 1996 killing of 75-year-old Stockton resident Hilda Armanino Boggiano.

Lynch was convicted in connection with the brutal attack that shocked the Stockton community and has remained incarcerated for nearly three decades. Earlier this year, a parole panel voted to grant Lynch parole. In response, San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas submitted a formal objection to Governor Gavin Newsom, urging intervention based on the nature of the crime and ongoing public safety concerns.

Governor Newsom subsequently referred the matter back to the Board of Parole Hearings for an en banc review, requiring the full Board to reconsider the parole grant before a final decision could be made.

At yesterday’s en banc hearing, the Board could have upheld the original decision granting parole. Instead, the Board directed that Lynch receive a rescission hearing, where concerns raised by the victim’s family and District Attorney Freitas will be further examined. During that hearing, the Board will determine whether there is good cause to postpone or cancel Lynch’s parole date.

According to prior parole hearing records, Lynch has indicated plans to relocate to the Sacramento region if released.

“The brutal depravity of James Dennis Lynch’s crimes can never be undone, and his release would pose an immediate, unacceptable and very dangerous threat to every neighborhood in California. I’m proud that my regional partners are standing shoulder-to-shoulder with my office, alongside the victim’s family, to demand that the Parole Board keep this dangerous offender behind bars. The safety of our communities must outweigh any argument for release.”

District Attorney Freitas and his office remain committed to advocating for the rights of crime victims and ensuring that public safety remains the paramount consideration in parole decisions involving violent offenders.

Additional information regarding the date and time of the rescission hearing will be shared as it becomes available.

Lynch remains in custody.

Placer County District Attorney's Office Sacramento County District Attorney's Office Crime Victims United-CA

06/19/2026

𝙊𝙣𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙪𝙣𝙨𝙪𝙣𝙜 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙤𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙑𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙢 𝙎𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙐𝙣𝙞𝙩.

They are the comforting hand on your shoulder when you're facing your abuser in court. They are the phone call that helps make the criminal justice process feel a little less sterile and a little more human. They are the friendly reminder that you are stronger than you know.

Every day, our victim advocates quietly and gracefully show up with dignity, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to those they serve. They stand beside victims and survivors during some of the most difficult moments of their lives, helping them navigate the court process, access critical resources, understand their rights, and begin the path toward healing.

Whether it's accompanying someone to court, helping secure emergency assistance, connecting families to counseling services, or simply being there to listen, their impact extends far beyond the courtroom.

We are continually in awe of this incredible team and grateful for the compassion, professionalism, and heart they bring to our office and the Placer County community every single day.

To our victim advocates: thank you for the difference you make.

Learn more about our Victim Services Unit at www.placer.ca.gov/VictimServices

06/16/2026

[𝙍𝙀𝙂𝙄𝙊𝙉𝘼𝙇 𝙋𝘼𝙍𝙊𝙇𝙀 𝘼𝙇𝙀𝙍𝙏] 𝙉𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙣 𝘾𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙖 𝘿𝘼’𝙨 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙣 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙅𝙪𝙣𝙚 17 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙤𝙡𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙪𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙞𝙨𝙩
𝘎𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘰𝘳 𝘕𝘦𝘸𝘴𝘰𝘮 𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘳 𝘑𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘰𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸; 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘷𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office is conducting the primary opposition at tomorrow's hearing and is being joined by the Sacramento and Placer County District Attorney Offices in a regional alert calling on residents to participate in the California Board of Parole Hearings en banc review involving convicted murderer and rapist James Dennis Lynch. As the agency that originally prosecuted the case, the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office is handling the presentation and leading the formal effort to stop Lynch's release.

The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, June 17, 2026, in Sacramento at 9:00 a.m. before the full California Board of Parole Hearings.

Lynch was convicted in connection with the violent 1996 murder, rape, and torture of 75-year-old Stockton resident Hilda Armanino Boggiano. Earlier this year, the Board voted to grant parole. However, San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas personally sent a formal letter of objection to the Governor. Following this, Governor Gavin Newsom subsequently referred the matter back to the Board for an en banc review, requiring the full Board to reconsider the case before a final decision is made.

According to prior parole hearing records, Lynch has indicated plans to relocate to the Sacramento region if released.

“The brutal depravity of James Dennis Lynch’s crimes can never be undone, and his release would pose an immediate, unacceptable threat to every neighborhood in Northern California. I’m proud that my regional partners are standing shoulder-to-shoulder with my office, alongside the victim’s family, to demand that the Parole Board keep this dangerous offender behind bars. This en banc review is the community’s final line of defense, and I urge every concerned resident to call in, speak out, and make it clear that public safety must come first.”


HOW TO PARTICIPATE
Community feedback is critical to ensuring the board understands the impact of its decisions. Residents and media can participate through the following channels:
➡️Tune in by telephone: Call (916) 701-9994 | Conference ID: 627 008 582 #
➡️Participate in person: Attend at the Board of Parole Hearings, 1515 K Street, Suite 550, Sacramento, CA 95814
➡️Request speaking time: Call (916) 267-0857 and leave a message including:
-Your name, pseudonym, or the last four digits of your telephone number
-The last four digits of your phone number if participating by telephone
-The name of the case you wish to comment on (James Dennis Lynch)
-Whether you are speaking in support of or opposition to parole
➡️Submit written comments: Email [email protected] with the Subject Line: Opposition to the Parole of James D. Lynch, CDC # K52257

The parole process provides victims, survivors, family members, public safety advocates, and community residents an opportunity to share their perspectives directly with decision-makers. Resident feedback is critical to this process and ensuring the board understands the impact of the decisions they make every day.

For additional information regarding the Board of Parole Hearings and public participation procedures, visit https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/bph/

06/16/2026

[𝘽𝙍𝙀𝘼𝙆𝙄𝙉𝙂] 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚𝙧 𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙮 𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙘𝙖𝙨𝙚 𝙢𝙪𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙙𝙚𝙛𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙅𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙇𝙖𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙅𝙧. 𝙖𝙙𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙜𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 34-𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧-𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙠𝙞𝙙𝙣𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙪𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙘𝙖𝙨𝙚

ROSEVILLE, Calif. -- On June 16, 2026, James Lawhead Jr. entered a plea of guilty to the murder and kidnapping of a local woman and admitted the special circumstance allegations that the murder occurred during the commission of a kidnapping and a rape. As part of the resolution, Lawhead also admitted an independent count of kidnapping, agreed to waive his appellate rights, and accepted a term of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The conviction brings a measure of accountability to one of the most notorious cold cases in Placer County history.

On Nov. 25, 1991, the victim was abducted from a Granite Bay residence while caring for her 11-month-old. Her child was left behind in a highchair, while the victim was forcibly taken from the home. Three weeks later, her body was discovered in a remote area near Foresthill. The case remained unsolved for more than three decades despite extensive investigative efforts.

This swift conviction is the result of dedicated investigative work by the Placer County Sheriff's Office Cold Case Unit, a partnership that includes a dedicated investigator from the Placer County District Attorney’s Office.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 14 in Department 20 at 8:30 a.m.

06/15/2026

𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚𝙧 𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙮 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙨 𝙛𝙞𝙛𝙩𝙝 𝙛𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙡 𝙢𝙪𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣, 𝙧𝙚-𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙪𝙚𝙙 𝙛𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙡 𝙘𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙨

AUBURN, Calif. -- On June 15, 2026, the Placer County Superior Court's Honorable Judge Horst sentenced James Scott Teahan Jr., 35, to 15 years to life in state prison, plus an additional six years, for the murder of local resident Stephan Windham.

On April 24, 2024, Placer County Sheriff's deputies responded to a reported fentanyl poisoning at a residence in Placer County. The victim was transported to a local hospital but later died from the toxic effects of fentanyl. Investigators determined that Teahan had supplied the victim with the fentanyl that ultimately caused his death.

The investigation revealed that Teahan was actively engaged in narcotics sales and possessed substantial quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine, along with a loaded firearm. Digital evidence further demonstrated an ongoing narcotics trafficking operation involving multiple dangerous controlled substances.

Perhaps most troubling, investigators found that the defendant was well aware of the deadly nature of fentanyl. During the investigation, Teahan acknowledged that fentanyl was a "drug that kills" and that “one hit can kill,” he further discussed having witnessed numerous overdose deaths among people he knew. Despite this knowledge, he continued distributing the drug.

The victim's death left a family devastated. In a statement to probation, the victim's mother described the profound impact of the loss, noting that her son left behind two children and that the tragedy had completely upended her family's life.

At sentencing, the Court imposed a sentence of 15 years to life for murder, along with an additional six years for related narcotics offenses. The sentence reflects the seriousness of supplying a deadly drug that results in the loss of human life and the defendant's continued involvement in narcotics trafficking despite a lengthy criminal history.

The sentencing occurred before a full courtroom of supporters for the victim and his family. Among those in attendance were members of the Placer County DA's Empower + Resilience Project, a survivor-led peer support group that includes angel parents who have lost children to fentanyl, domestic violence homicide, and other acts of violence.

This case was prosecuted by Senior DDA Devan Portillo of the Placer County District Attorney's Office Special Prosecutions Unit with investigative support from the Placer County Sheriff's Office. The victim’s family received support from the offices esteemed Victim Services Unit. This is the first murder charge investigated by the Placer County Sheriff's Opioid Response Team. The team was founded in April of 2024, the same month this case occurred. Sheriff Woo and the Board of Supervisors expedited the creation of this team as fentanyl poisonings continued to rise in Placer County. The Placer Opioid Response team is here to combat the opioid epidemic by holding dealers accountable.

This marks the fifth fentanyl murder conviction secured by the Placer County District Attorney's Office. Through proactive investigations, strong partnerships with law enforcement, and a commitment to pur@followersuntability, Placer County continues to lead the state in addressing the fentanyl crisis.

Learn more at www.placer.ca.gov/fightingfentanyl.

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