FRENCH VALLEY - A man who allegedly aimed a rifle at sheriff's deputies during a domestic violence call in French Valley was shot and killed early today by a deputy, a county sheriff's department official said. Gunshots rang out inside a home in the 32000 block of Westport Way where deputies were on their way to investigate a call made at 1:17 a.m. by a woman with two young children, Riverside County sheriff's Sgt. Lisa McConnell said. The woman was telling a dispatcher what was going on when she abruptly put the phone down during the commotion, prompting a flood of 911 calls about the gunfire, McConnell said. Sheriff's deputies pulled up to the house and set a perimeter. Deputies tried coaxing the man identified as Otavis Hall, 35, to come out. Hall refused to answer them as he was seen inside the home walking around with the rifle, McConnell said. At some point Hall entered the garage from the house and walked out through a single garage door with the weapon in is his hands. Hall ignored orders to drop the rifle and was fatally shot when he allegedly raised the rife toward the sheriff's deputies, McConnell said. Hall was pronounced dead at the scene. His killing marked the second time a law enforcement related-shooting was reported in Riverside County in the past three days. The woman and children were not hurt during the ordeal, McConnell said.

LAKE ELSINORE - One person was hurt early today when a vehicle flipped over near a Lake Elsinore shopping center, a fire spokesman said. Firefighters were told the vehicle rolled over at the corner of Canyon Hills and Railroad Canyon roads, near the Canyon Hills Marketplace is located. Firefighters received a 911 call at 2:33 a.m., went to the scene and freed one person from the wreckage, Riverside County Fire Department spokesman Mark Annas said. The person was taken to a hospital for treatment of moderate injuries, Annas said. No reason for the crash was available.

INDIO - A father beat his 10-week-old daughter to death, wrapped duct tape around her head and kept her body inside a trash bag that he and his girlfriend took with them from Desert Hot Springs to Arkansas, a prosecutor said today. Prosecutor Lisa DiMaria told jurors that Jason Michael Hann, 38, struck his infant daughter Montana with a closed fist in February 2001, inflicting fatal skull fractures. The infant's lifeless body was placed in a Tupperware container, which was then put in the trash bag and kept inside a trailer for a year at a storage unit in Arkansas, DiMaria said in her opening statement. When Hann and the baby's mother, Krissy Lynn Werntz, stopped making payments, the trailer was auctioned off to an Arkansas man, who discovered the bag in February 2002, DiMaria said. The man inadvertently placed the bag inside a trash bin and saw what looked like a skeletal hand, prompting him to call police, the prosecutor said. Werntz, Hann's ex-girlfriend, is also charged with murder in the case and will be tried separately. Hann was extradited to California from a prison cell in Vermont, where he was prosecuted for killing his 6-week-old son Jason, in 1999. The baby's body was found in an Arizona storage unit, DiMaria said. Hann pleaded no contest in 2006 to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 27 to 30 years in prison. Werntz was not charged in that case. In addition to the latest murder charge, Hann faces a special circumstance allegation of having a previous murder conviction and one count of assault on a child causing great bodily injury. He could face the death penalty if convicted. Hann's third child -- also named Jason -- nearly died at the hands of his father, DiMaria told jurors. But that infant, who was beaten at the age of four weeks, was the ''lucky one'' who survived a series of skull and rib fractures, the prosecutor said, adding that the boy was later adopted and renamed. ''He admitted to killing Jason and Montana'' when being questioned by Arkansas police during the 2002 arrest for Montana's killing, the prosecutor said. Defense attorney Brenda Miller told jurors that her client has suffered from bipolar disorder since early childhood. He endured mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, agitation and has harbored thoughts of suicide ''all his life,'' Miller said in her opening statement. At 19, Hann was placed in a group home for people with psychological problems, and he was less-than-honorably discharged from the Navy, the defense attorney said. Miller said Montana's cries made Hann reach an extreme peak in his severe mood swings, Miller said. ''Welcome to Jason Michael Hann's world,'' the defense attorney said.

LAKE ELSINORE - A Fontana man suffered fatal injuries today when he was flung from his motorcycle in a collision with a sedan in Lake Elsinore, a sheriff's sergeant said. The crash occurred at 7:43 a.m. at Lake Shore Drive and Ohio Street. The motorcyclist, identified by the coroner's office as Jose Garcia, 51, died at a hospital, Riverside County sheriff's Sgt. John Monarrez said. The driver of the sedan, who escaped injury, remained at the scene, the sergeant said. The intersection was shut down as sheriff's deputies investigated the collision, Monarrez said.

MURRIETA - A convicted felon accused of killing his wife and 5- year-old daughter, as well as raping and stabbing his ex-girlfriend, pleaded not guilty today to murder and other charges. Johnny Lopez, 33, of Hemet was arrested Nov. 9 after alleged attacks at two different locations in an unincorporated section of the city. Along with two counts of first-degree murder, Lopez is charged with attempted murder, special circumstance allegations of taking multiple lives in the same crime, rape, burglary, being a convicted felon in possession of a weapon, as well as gun and great bodily injury allegations. He appeared with his public defender before Riverside County Superior Court Judge Judith Clark, who scheduled a felony settlement conference in the case for Jan. 17. Lopez remains held without bail at the Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta. Sheriff's investigators allege that on the night of Nov. 9, Lopez fatally shot his wife, 36-year-old Joanna Angel Barrientos Lopez, and Mia Lopez, the defendant's child from a previous relationship. The victims were killed inside a house in the 26000 block of Girard Street, according to sheriff's officials. A possible motive for the killings has not been disclosed. After the shootings, Lopez went to his ex-girlfriend's home in the 41000 block of Sunset Lane, less than a mile away, according to investigators. The defendant allegedly forced his way onto the property, sexually assaulted the victim, then allegedly used a knife, ax and extension cord in an attempt to kill her, according to a criminal complaint. Witnesses called police, who encountered Lopez standing in the front yard of the house, blood-stained and hostile, a sheriff's sergeant said. The defendant allegedly scuffled with officers before he was taken into custody. The ex-girlfriend, whose identity was not released, was treated for serious injuries and remained hospitalized for several days. Lopez has prior felony convictions for illegal possession of controlled substances and recklessly discharging a firearm. The District Attorney's Office has not announced if prosecutors will seek the death penalty if Lopez is convicted. Otherwise, he could face life in prison without the possibility of parole.

RIVERSIDE - A Moreno Valley man who posed as a booking agent for rapper Lil' Wayne, and defrauded multiple victims seeking to secure the artist for shows in the U.S. and Canada, faces more than 20 years in federal prison when he is sentenced inthree months. Nicholaus Saint James, 30, is slated to be sentenced March 7 by U.S. District Judge Justin Quackenbush in Riverside. James was convicted Thursday on six counts of wire fraud for taking nearly $160,000 from people who paid for performances featuring Wayne, shows that never happened. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, James, who also goes by Semaj Carter, created websites that purported to contain contact information for Lil' Wayne's promoter, via a fictitious company called Loedown Management. Federal prosecutors alleged that at least five individuals representing venues in Arkansas, Canada, Nevada, New Jersey and Rhode Island communicated with James, who entered into contracts arranging to have Lil' Wayne do concerts and other appearances in 2008. The largest contract involved a wire transfer of $100,500 to James's bank account to book Lil' Wayne for a six-city concert tour in Canada, as well as a stop in Las Vegas, according to court papers. When the rapper was a no-show, the tour promoters contacted authorities in Riverside County, spawning an investigation during which sheriff's detectives and U.S. Secret Service agents uncovered other fraudulent activity. James was interviewed by investigators in April 2009 and admitted defrauding multiple individuals, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. ''The defendant said he started out legitimately booking artists, but he got scammed himself and thereafter started defrauding others,'' according to a trial brief filed by Asst. U.S. Attorney Stephen Merrill. According to the memorandum, James used his ill-gotten gains to pay off debts, gamble in Vegas and ''purchase 'pills, coke and marijuana.''' The sometime Hip Hop DJ told investigators that he knew Lil' Wayne and his ''people,'' including the rapper's manager, Cortez Bryant, whom authorities later confirmed handled all of Lil' Wayne's bookings personally. Quackenbush referred the case to the U.S. Department of Probation & Pretrial Services for analysis and to provide a recommended sentence. The judge allowed the defendant to remain free on a $25,000 bond until his sentencing date.

On Monday, December 9, 2013, Menifee Police officers responded to a local restaurant in the Countryside Market Place, Menifee, regarding a report from a customer that an elderly male adult was viewing child pornography on his laptop. Deputies contacted the suspect inside the restaurant and confirmed he was viewing child pornography utilizing the restaurants open Wi-Fi.The subsequent investigation and search of his residence revealed, Charles Turton Cook (72), was in possession of numerous digital photographs depicting young male children on his laptop computer. Cook was booked into the Southwest Detention Center for possession of child pornography and bail was set at $5,000.Anyone with additional information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact Master Investigator John Powers, at the Menifee Police Department by calling (951) 210-1000, or by email to PerrisStation@RiversideSheriff.org

MURRIETA - A woman accused of killing her husband at their San Jacinto home was charged today with murder. Kendra Deone Smith, 54, was arrested Dec. 5 in connection with the death of 64-year-old Matthew Smith and is being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Robert Presley Jail in Riverside. Smith was slated to make her initial court appearance this afternoon at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta on the murder count and a sentence- enhancing weapon allegation. According to Riverside County sheriff's Sgt. Jim Erickson, deputies were called around 3:20 a.m. Wednesday to the 300 block of E. Seventh Street to investigate reports of a man down outside a mobile home. Erickson said deputies found the man lying in the street, seriously injured and unconscious. He died at Hemet Valley Medical Center less than an hour later. ''Further investigation revealed (Matthew) Smith had likely been involved in a violent physical altercation inside of his residence and then made his way onto the street,'' the sergeant said. Several people were detained at the scene for questioning. In the ensuing investigation, detectives identified Kendra Smith as the alleged assailant, according to sheriff's officials. A possible motive for the attack and the type of weapon used were not disclosed.

(SHERIFF PRESS RELEASE) On Tuesday, December 10, 2013, deputies assigned to the Menifee Police Department, Special Enforcement Team conducted a narcotics/marijuana investigation at a residence in the 23900 block of Lucas Drive. During the search, evidence of marijuana sales (approximately 27 kilos of packaged marijuana) and weapons were located resulting in the arrest of three women and three men. Three children ranging from the ages of 2 to 3 years of age were placed into protective custody by Child Protective Services (CPS). Ernesto Santillan (28 years old), Guadalupe Cortez (29 years old), Enedina Santillan (26 years old), Ismael Santillan (22 years old), and Maximo Santillan (24 years old), from Menifee, were arrested for weapons violations, conspiracy, marijuana sales, and child endangerment.Arnulfo Ramirez (37 years old) of Menifee, was arrested for conspiracy and marijuana sales.The investigation led deputies to another residence in the 23600 block of Goetz Drive. During the investigation at that residence, approximately 68 kilos of packaged marijuana and a firearm were located. The owner of the residence has not been located and a warrant for his arrest is pending.All those arrested were booked at the Southwest Detention Center. Anyone with additional information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact the Menifee Special Enforcement Team at the Perris Police Department by calling (951) 210-1000, or by email at PerrisStation@RiversideSheriff.org

MENIFEE - More than 200 pounds of packaged marijuana has been recovered in raids on two residences in Menifee, authorities said today. Tuesday's raids on residences in the 23900 block of Lucas Drive and the 23600 block of Goetz Drive also netted firearms and resulted in the arrest of six people, said Sgt. Robert Novak of the Menifee Police Department. Novak said the first raid, on the 23900 block of Lucas Drive, uncovered 60 pounds of packaged marijuana, as well as weapons. Three children from the residence, aged two and three, were placed into protective custody, he said. The second raid uncovered a further 150 pounds in packaged marijuana, Novak said, along with a firearm. Novak said a warrant is pending for the owner of the second residence, on Goetz Drive. Four men -- 28-year-old Ernesto Santillan, 26-year-old Enedina Santillan, 22-year-old Ismael Santillan and 24-year-old Maximo Santillan -- and a woman, 29-year-old Guadalupe Cortez, all from Menifee, were arrested on suspicion of weapons violations, marijuana sales, conspiracy and child endangerment, Novak said. Another man, 37-year-old Arnulfo Ramirez, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy and marijuana sales.

RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF'S PRESS RELEASE - On Tuesday, December 10, 2013, Lake Elsinore Police Detectives arrested Reynaldo Rodriguez for multiple counts of fraud, totaling over $80,000. Rodriguez committed fraud by posing as a legitimate construction contractor and soliciting work. Once a quote was provided and monies were paid, Rodriguez either completed very little work or no work at all. Rodriguez conducted business under the name R&R Construction or Rays Hardscapes. Rodriguez was ultimately booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center.The Lake Elsinore Police Detective Bureau is continuing to investigate Rodriguez and is searching for any additional victims. If you were victimized by Rodriguez, please contact Investigator McClanahan at (951) 245-3358, or by email at LakeElsinoreStation@RiversideSheriff.org.To report unlicensed contractor activity, or for information on contractor fraud, please visit http://www.cslb.ca.gov/Consumers/ReportUnlicensedActivity/. If you believe you are the victim of contractor fraud, please call the Riverside County Sheriffs Department at (951) 776-1099.

RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF PRESS RELEASE - On Saturday, December 7, 2013, at approximately 2:23 A.M, officers were dispatched to an apartment complex in the 100 block of W. Heald Street reference a home invasion robbery. Officers arrived within minutes of the dispatched call.Preliminary investigation revealed that the homeowner answered the door to someone who he thought he knew. Then a male and female forced their way into the home with a firearm and assaulted the victim. The victim was tied up as the suspects took various items, including the victim's car keys and fled the residence.The victim was able to free himself, and the police were eventually notified. The victim declined medical attention.This is an ongoing investigation and anyone having further knowledge or information is encouraged to contact Detective Cornett at the Lake Elsinore Police Department at 951- 245-3357, or after hours at 951-776-1099 or by email at LakeElsinoreStation@RiversideSheriff.org.

MORENO VALLEY - A suspected car thief led police on a pursuit today that began in Orange County and ended in neighboring Riverside County. The man, whose identity was not immediately available, allegedly stole a white pickup truck and was pursued by Irvine police officers into Riverside County about 1:30 p.m., according to the California Highway Patrol. ''Irvine P.D. turned the pursuit over to us when he crossed into our area,'' CHP Officer Travis Monks said. The chase began about 12:50 p.m. when the suspect, who lives in Orange County, was seen trespassing at a business at 17742 Mitchell Ave., where the owners had obtained a restraining order against him, Irvine police Lt. Julia Engen said. ''He's fixated on that business,'' she said. ''For some reason he's gone there enough that they have a restraining order against him.'' At some point he stole one of the company's vehicles and took off just before police arrived, Engen said. Irvine police were in touch with the man via telephone during the pursuit, Engen said. ''I don't know if that facilitated the end of the pursuit or not,'' she said. It began as a relatively slow-speed chase, Engen said. The suspect went north on Interstate 15 and then east on the Pomona (60) Freeway, briefly going into the city of Jurupa Valley via Valley Way and Rubidoux Boulevard before returning to the freeway and heading into Moreno Valley. The suspect veered off the freeway and stopped under a tree at Gilman Springs Road, where he was taken into custody.

MURRIETA - A man who robbed a Murrieta bank remained at large today, as police sought clues to his identity. The robbery happened around 3 p.m. Wednesday at a Chase bank branch in the 40600 block of California Oaks Road, according to Murrieta police. Sgt. Spencer Parker said the suspect approached a teller and handed her a note demanding cash. After he was given an undisclosed amount of money, the man walked out of the bank and fled in an unknown location. He was described as white, medium height and build, wearing a multi- colored beanie, lightly tinted sunglasses, a gray sweatshirt and blue jeans. Anyone with information was urged to call Murrieta police at (951) 696- 3615.

RIVERSIDE - A Menifee man who snuck into the home of a longtime friend and engaged in sex acts with the man's preteen daughter pleaded guilty today to felony charges and was immediately sentenced to 24 years in prison. Jason Wayne Freeman, who turns 40 Friday, was arrested exactly a year ago after he was caught molesting a girl in her bedroom. The child's name was not released. During a status hearing today at the Riverside Hall of Justice, the prosecution and defense informed Riverside County Superior Court Judge Becky Dugan that a plea agreement had been reached in the case. Under the terms of the agreement, Freeman acknowledged responsibility for three counts of committing lewd acts on a person under duress, and in exchange the District Attorney's Office dropped seven other charges alleging lewd acts on a child under 14 years old. Dugan imposed the sentence specified under the plea deal. Had Freeman been tried and convicted of all 10 charges, he could have faced life in prison. According to sheriff's investigators, around 2 a.m. Dec. 12, 2012, a man residing in the area of Hunter Ridge and Pine Creek drives went to check on his daughter and walked into her room to find Freeman next to her in bed, performing sex acts on her. Freeman, whom prosecutors said has known the family for many years, leaped out a window and fled. The father called 911, and Freeman was located at his residence in the 29000 block of Singing Wood Lane an hour later and arrested without incident, according to the sheriff's department. CNS-12-12-2013 20:51

RIVERSIDE - A total of six motorists were arrested for drunken driving during an overnight driver's license/sobriety checkpoints in Lake Elsinore and La Quinta. Otilio Medina, 50, of Santa Ana, and Edgar Felix, 21, of Wildomar, were arrested at Riverside Drive and Walnut in Lake Elsinore that began at 6 p.m. Friday and ended at 1 a.m, today said Lake Elsinore police Sgt. Peter Giannakakos. Giannakakos said three vehicles were impounded and five unlicensed or drivers with suspended licenses were sent to court. La Quinta police Cpl. Don Olson said four motorists were arrested for suspicion of drunken driving during a checkpoint at Highway 111 and Adams Street that began 7 p.m. Friday and ended today at 3 a.m. Four citations were issued and four drivers were cited or arrested for operating a vehicle unlicensed or while on a suspended or revoked license.

TEMECULA - A man robbed a Citibank branch in Temecula and was later arrested during a traffic stop, a sheriff's sergeant said today.The hold-up was reported at 2:03 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13 in the 26000 block of Ynez Road. The suspect, Dunn Patrick Thompson, 44, of Riverside, walked in and handed a bank teller a note demanding money, Riverside County sheriff's Sgt. Kevin McDonald said.Thompson fled with an undisclosed amount of cash in a Ford F-150 pickup truck with an extended cab. A sheriff's deputy spotted the truck about an hour after the robbery and pulled over the driver for a traffic violation at Winchester and Nicolas roads, McDonald said.Thompson was arrested for suspicion of bank robbery and sheriff's deputies seized evidence allegedly tying Thompson to Friday's hold-up.Thompson was also being investigated for his alleged connection to other bank robberies in the southwest Riverside County, McDonald said.

TEMECULA - On Monday, December 9, 2013, the Temecula Police Department investigated a theft of a custom built nativity scene from a residence in the city of Temecula. On Friday, December 13, 2013, officers assigned to the Temecula Police Department Problem Oriented Policing (POP) Team received information of the possible whereabouts of the nativity scene.POP officers responded to an address in the 22000 block of Sparkle Dr., Canyon Lake. Their investigation revealed the nativity scene at the location belonged to the victim in this case. The property was returned to the victim and additional follow-up investigation is being conducted.Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to call Officer Todd Johnson at the Temecula Police Department by calling (951) 696-3187.

TEMECULA - A routine patrol in a Temecula alleyway netted three people for alleged drug violations that included possessing cocaine, a sheriff's sergeant said today. Members of a sheriff's task force spotted a parked vehicle at 10 p.m. Saturday in the 27700 block of Jefferson Avenue, Riverside County sheriff's Sgt. Chris Gaskins said. Deputies walked up to the vehicle and later arrested Angelo Manos, 29, of San Diego, and David Mongillo, 50, of Connecticut, for suspicion of possessing cocaine, Gaskins said. A third suspect, Shelly Tack, 48, of Temecula, was arrested for suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance, the sergeant said.