Napa County DA Newsline For April 2025

Press release from the Napa County Government:

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From Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley

Our community is in mourning over the heartbreaking loss of two young children who died in a crash allegedly caused by a drunk driver.

As motorists in Napa County we all have a choice to do our part to avoid the devastating consequences of driving while impaired.

As District Attorney, I urge every resident to take this moment to reflect and commit to stopping drunk driving in our community.

Driving under the influence isn’t just illegal — it is deadly. It destroys lives in an instant, leaving families shattered and communities grieving. California law imposes severe penalties on those who drive impaired, but the law alone can’t prevent these tragedies.

It takes a collaborative effort.

If you see someone attempting to drive while intoxicated, stop them. Offer an alternative. Call for help. We all have a role in preventing the next senseless loss of life. Start talking to the children and teenagers in your life not just about the dangers of driving while impaired, but also the risk they take being in a car with an impaired driver.

Use and encourage your friends and loved ones to use safer options: designated drivers, rideshare apps, or simply choosing not to drink if you know you will be driving. With so many ways to avoid a DUI, there’s no excuse to get behind the wheel while impaired.

Napa County is a beautiful place with strong community values. Let’s uphold those values by making the responsible choice of never driving while impaired — every time.

Napa County's Evolving Approach to Sexual Assault Prosecution

By Carlos Villatoro, Public Affairs and Media Officer

On the evening of April 28, 2010, a Napa woman went to a local bar to enjoy a couple of beers with a friend. After finishing the drinks, they made their way back to her west Napa home, where they had a glass of wine and ended the night shortly thereafter.

A bit of music piped through her headphones provided a distraction from the silence left behind; She had just lost her dog, and her friend took her out to cheer her up a little and remove the dog bed and other sentimental items from her home to assist in her healing process.

She went to bed shortly after midnight only to be awakened by a stranger who entered her home and climbed into her bed. The man demanded sex from the woman, struck her in the face, and threatened to kill her if she didn’t comply.

She was afraid for her life.

He brutally raped and sexually assaulted her before putting his clothes back on and exiting the home from the same way he entered, through an unlocked back door. The woman immediately called police and officers would eventually catch up to the man and make the arrest.

But that wasn’t the end of her ordeal, it was just the beginning.

Her body violated, her peace of mind shattered – she would have to relay the story several times over to various individuals she sought help from, each time forced to relive the incident and be retraumatized by it.

Imagine being this woman who went through this ordeal and its aftermath and having to relive it over and over again.

The man responsible for these crimes received a life sentence in 2011, but the incident had a lasting impact on the victim and essentially transformed the way that the DA’s Office works with victims of sexual assault in Napa County.

With the help of its partners, the Napa County District Attorney’s Office developed a victim-centered, trauma-informed approach to sexual assault prosecution that’s designed to reduce trauma endured by victims as they navigate through the criminal justice process.

It’s no easy endeavor and one that the Napa DA’s Office approaches collaboratively.

In 2024, the Napa County District Attorney’s Office filed 28 cases involving sexual assault within the county, up by one filing in 2023 and by 3 in 2022 (see chart).

On a national level 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men in the U.S., will have experienced some form of sexual violence in their lifetime according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Sexual Violence Resource Center.

For rape specifically, roughly 1 in 5 women, and 1 in 38 men will experience it in their lifetime, which may be higher due to underreporting of the crime.

It’s the DA Office’s goal to seek justice for victims of sexual assault, while minimizing trauma experienced by victims.

Monarch Justice Center and Courage Center

The Monarch Justice Center is Napa County’s family justice center, which is a centralized multiagency facility where victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse, human trafficking, and other forms of family violence can obtain necessary services under one roof.

Minimizing victim trauma is the mission at the Monarch Justice Center and it accomplishes this by pulling together numerous partner agencies and nonprofits – the Napa County District Attorney’s Office; the Napa Police Department; NEWS Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services; SANE/SART Sexual Assault & Human Trafficking Services; Napa County Adult Protective Services; Molly’s Angels; Bay Area Legal Aid; and International Institute of the Bay Area – to provide services to victims of crime.

Through Monarch Justice Center partners, victims receive legal support and victim advocacy, trauma-informed mental health services, public assistance and crisis services, and many more services – all without having to retell their story and relive their trauma.

Similarly, the District Attorney’s Courage Center works in conjunction with the Monarch Justice Center to offer victim-centered services to child and teenaged victims of sexual assault.

Forensic Interviewer Jessica Solano operates the DA’s Courage Center, housed within the Monarch Justice Center’s northeast Napa office, and interviews youthful victims of sexual assault in a child-friendly, safe and calming, trauma-informed space where their needs come first, and the psychological impact of the experience is reduced.

In using this victim-centered approach, it is our intention to make victims feel empowered and safe to share their stories when it’s time to testify in court.

We hope it encourages victims to come forward, increasing the likelihood of holding offenders accountable and leading to better courtroom outcomes by preemptively addressing inconsistencies that may arise from trauma.

A victim-centered approach also helps to strengthen trust in law enforcement and the courts, by showing that the system treats survivors with the upmost care.

As prosecutors, advocates, and community members, we must continue to support survivors, hold offenders accountable, and educate others on prevention during Sexual Assault Awareness Month, observed in April, and beyond.

Countywide First Responders Train for Mass Casualty Incident

By Carlos Villatoro, Public Affairs & Media Officer

Emergency first responders from all over Napa gathered at Memorial Stadium Friday, March 7 to hone their skills in the event of a local mass casualty incident.

Friday’s scenario involved a high school graduation at the stadium that included the detonation of explosive devices, resulting in multiple simulated injuries and deaths.

Volunteers played the roles of victims and local emergency workers from 16 jurisdictions and emergency response partners throughout Napa County participated in mass casualty response effort.

The Napa County District Attorney’s Office too participated in the full-scale exercise by forming a Joint Information Center with fellow communicators throughout Napa to simulate the flow of information from the incident command to the public. The scenario, coordinated by the Napa County Office of Emergency Services, served to help first responders improve the response should the unthinkable act of a mass casualty incident happen in Napa.

Victims' Rights Week 2025 Takes New Meaning in Face of VOCA Funding Cuts

By Erin Harper, Victims Witness Program Manager

The Napa County District Attorney’s Office celebrates National Crime Victims’ Rights Week every April. This year, it takes place April 6th through April 12th.

While this is always a vital week to honor survivors, raise awareness about victims’ rights, and highlight the crucial services that help with their healing process, it has even greater significance this year. California and the nation face ongoing challenges in supporting crime victims.

Despite the essential role of victim services, essential funding for them from the federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) is at risk of reduction, due in large part to the shrinking pool of money being paid into it by those convicted of federal crimes. This funding reduction could impact programs at the District Attorney’s Office and its community partners.

Victims' Rights Week serves as a call to action, reminding us that all crime victims deserve the opportunity to heal. This week allows us to collectively acknowledge that supporting victims in accessing necessary resources is not only the right thing to do but also essential for fostering a stronger and safer community.

When people receive the assistance they need to overcome trauma, they are more likely to make productive and healthy choices that benefit not just them, but the community as a whole. However, healing from trauma often requires support from vital services, including victim advocacy, specialized medical treatment, shelters, mental health care, and more.

Agencies that provide these services rely on VOCA funding to provide low- or no-cost assistance to victims and survivors.

VOCA provides funding for grants to organizations that provide housing, sexual assault advocates, child abuse intervention professionals, victim witness programs, emergency hotlines, and more. These are all lifelines for people in crisis. Yet, over the past several years, the amount of available VOCA funding has steadily decreased.

The consequences of this smaller amount of available funding means there are fewer resources for survivors, longer wait times for services, and even, in some communities, program closures. These reductions and closures leave survivors with nowhere to turn.

Napa has a strong community whose members care about those around them, particularly the most vulnerable. The strength of this community is partly due to Napa's generous investment in victim services. Because of this support, Napa’s service providers are much more prepared to navigate VOCA cuts than those in other counties.

Still, VOCA reductions can potentially negatively impact services both here and across the state. To prevent this, we must work to sustain existing VOCA funding and find ways to supplement the reductions. At the federal level, VOCA must be strengthened, ensuring that fines and penalties collected from offenders are directed back into victim services. At the state level, California must start exploring ways to make up for the federal funding shortfalls to prevent service disruption throughout the state.

During this year’s Victims’ Rights Week, let’s do more than just acknowledge survivors — let’s take a moment to act. Consider sharing what you know about the importance of funding for crime victim services with your network. Support local community nonprofits that serve victims by volunteering or donating. Remind your legislative representatives of the need for strong, sustainable funding for crime victims.

Crime victims should not have to struggle to find support. By strengthening VOCA funding and honoring the spirit of Victims’ Rights Week, we reaffirm our commitment to justice, healing, and safety for everyone in our community.

Napa DA Case Updates

People v. Yesica Barajas
Yesica Barajas, age 31, of Napa, is charged with two felony counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, a felony count of driving under the influence of alcohol and a drug causing injury, and two felony counts of child abuse in connection with an alleged DUI-related crash that caused the death of her two young children on the morning of March 16, 2025.

Barajas additionally faces allegations that the crimes encompassed serious felonies, great bodily injury, bodily injury to more than one victim, vulnerable victims, that she was in position of trust, and that the crimes constitute an increased level of seriousness from her prior crimes. She is being held at the Napa County Department of Corrections with a bail amount of $1.5 million.

Barajas last appeared in court on March 24 and the case was continued for further arraignment until 8:30 a.m., April 1, 2025, in Department 1 of the Napa County Superior Court. Napa County Deputy District Attorney Katie Susemihl is prosecuting the case on behalf of the People.

People v. Brandon Burks
Brandon Jonathan Burks, age 30, of Benicia, was sentenced to three years, four months in state prison in accordance with a plea agreement in which he pled no contest to two felony counts of grand theft, one misdemeanor count of grand theft, two counts of misdemeanor identity theft, and one misdemeanor count of obstruction of a peace officer.

Burks also admitted to the aggravating factors of having a prior prison term and a prior strike, and that his crimes involved great monetary value and a large amount of contraband.

Burks is responsible for numerous vehicle burglaries that occurred at local wineries throughout July and August 2024. During the vehicle burglaries, Burks broke into the vehicles, took items including cash, credit cards, personal items and identification documents, and would use the credit cards to make fraudulent purchases at local businesses.

In addition to the prison sentence, Burks was ordered to pay restitution to his victims. The case against Burks was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Lauren Kownacki

People v. Gabriel Chavez
Napa County Superior Court Judge Elia Ortiz has held Gabriel James Chavez, age 25, to answer charges of murder, assault with a semiautomatic firearm, and two counts of assault by means to produce great bodily injury for his alleged role in the June 8, 2024, shooting death of Andres Fabian Sandoval, age 39, that occurred at Lake Berryessa.

Chavez also faces allegations of personal and intentional use of a firearm, use of firearm, use of weapon, vulnerable victim, and violent conduct.

Judge Ortiz set an arraignment hearing for Chavez at 8:30 a.m., April 1, 2025, in Department 1 of the Napa County Superior Court.

The case against the defendant is being handled by Napa County Deputy District Attorney Rolando Mazariegos.

People v. Matthew Grant Macaraig
A Napa jury convicted Matthew Grant Macaraig, age 46, of misdemeanor violation of a restraining order following the conclusion of early March a brief trial prosecuted by Napa County Deputy District Attorney Angad Singh. The jury also found the defendant not guilty of a second count of violation of a restraining order.

On May 4, 2023, Macaraig went to the victim’s workplace on the 1500 block of 3rd Street in in violation of a restraining order that prevented him from being there and was taken into custody by Napa Police officers.

Napa County Superior Court Judge Elia Ortiz referred the matter to the Napa County Probation Department for a pre-sentence report.

Macaraig is scheduled to appear for sentencing at 8:30 a.m., April 2, 2025, in Department 4 of the Napa County Superior Court

People v. Eduardo Ledesma
Eduardo Ledesma, age 20, of Napa, is charged with a felony attempted murder and assault with a semiautomatic firearm in connection with his alleged involvement in a March 20, 2025, shooting that occurred in Napa.

Ledesma also faces allegations that the crime involved the personal and intentional discharge of a firearm; use of a firearm; great bodily injury; violence, cruelty, viciousness or callousness; use of a weapon; and violent conduct.

Ledesma last appeared in court on March 28, 2025, for an arraignment hearing. The case against Ledesma is being prosecuted by Napa County Deputy District Attorney Rolando Mazariegos

People v. Jesus Valverde Cruz-Avila
Jesus Valverde Cruz-Avila, age 24, is charged with two counts of felony attempted murder, two counts of assault with a firearm, and two counts of discharge of a firearm with gross negligence.

Cruz-Avila also faces allegations of personal and intentional discharge of a firearm, use of a firearm, great bodily injury, and street terrorism.

On March 18, 2025, Cruz-Avila was taken into custody in Mexico after Mexican officials discovered the defendant had two active warrants for his arrest in Napa County. On March 21, 2025, Napa Police officers traveled to San Francisco International Airport to meet with U.S. Marshals and took Cruz-Avila into their custody.

The defendant last appeared in court on the afternoon of March 24, 2025, in which he was appointed a public defender. The case against Cruz-Avila is being prosecuted by Napa County Deputy District Attorney Rolando Mazariegos.

Cruz-Avila also faces charges of evading an officer, hit-and-run driving, and being an unlicensed driver in connection with a separate incident.

People v. Antonio Botello Verdin
Antonio Botello Verdin, age 68, of Napa, pled no contest to two felony counts of sexual penetration by a foreign object of a person under 14 and admitted the special allegations that the crimes involved a vulnerable victim; violence, cruelty, viciousness or callousness; and were violent sex offenses.

As part of the plea agreement, Verdin will be sentenced to 18 years in state prison. Napa County Superior Court Judge Elia Ortiz referred the matter to the Napa County Probation Department for a presentence report.

Verdin is due for sentencing at 10:15 a.m., April 21, 2025, in Department 1 of the Napa County Superior Court.

Napa County Deputy District Attorneys Kristen Orlando and Michelle Roberts prosecuted the case against Verdin on behalf of the People.

This press release was produced by the Napa County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.