Jan 29, 2026 | Press Releases
MAN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER OF SAN FRANCISCO POLICE OFFICER
Charges Include Multiple Sentencing Enhancements
January 29, 2026
Oakland, CA — Today, District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson announced that the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office has charged Joseph C Willis II (26) with attempted murder of a San Francisco Police Officer and multiple counts of assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer engaged in the performance of duty.
Mr. Willis is charged with multiple felonies, including attempted murder, three counts of assault upon a police officer with a deadly weapon, attempted carjacking, illegal possession of a gun, and ammunition. The charges also include sentencing enhancements for using a deadly weapon, inflicting great bodily injury, and committing this offence while being released on bail or on his own recognizance in an unrelated felony case.
The complaint alleges that on January 27, 2026, Mr. Willis did unlawfully attempt to murder an on-duty San Francisco Police Officer in the city of Oakland. The complaint further alleges that Mr. Willis attempted to carjack a vehicle while he resisted efforts by the police to arrest him.
Joseph C Willis II is scheduled for arraignment on January 29, in Department 112 of the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse in Oakland.
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Contact: damedia@acgov.org
Jan 29, 2026 | Press Releases
CHARGES FILED FOR DEADLY SHOOTING AT A GROCERY STORE IN OAKLAND
Each defendant faces multiple felony charges
and the prospect of life in prison
January 29, 2026
Oakland, CA — Today, District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson announced that the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office has filed multiple felony charges against Darrell Tatmon (40) and Angelo Lemelle Pharr (37) in connection with the January 3, 2026, deadly shooting of three victims inside a neighborhood market in East Oakland.
Mr. Tatmon is charged with three counts of murder, possession of a firearm by a felon, and felony possession of ammunition. The charges against Mr. Tatmon include sentencing enhancements for causing multiple murders, use of a gun, and committing an offense while out on bail or released on his own recognizance on two separate felony cases. If convicted, he faces the possibility of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Mr. Pharr has been charged with assault with a semiautomatic gun and possession of a firearm by a felon. Mr. Pharr’s charges include multiple sentencing enhancements, including prior convictions that qualify as strikes under the three strikes law. It is further alleged that at the time of the shooting, Mr. Pharr used a firearm and was out of custody on bail or released on his own recognizance on a separate felony case.
If convicted as charged, Darrell Tatmon could serve a life term in state prison without the possibility of parole.
If convicted of all charges, Angelo Lemelle Pharr could serve a term of 25 years to life in state prison.
“The gunning down of three innocent men — including two brothers — at a neighborhood grocery store sent a shock wave that was felt through our community. I want to thank the Oakland Police Department for their swift investigation, which led to the identification and prosecution of the defendants,” said DA Ursula Jones Dickson.
Angelo Lemelle Pharr is scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday, January 29, 2026, in Department 112 at Wiley W. Manuel in Oakland. Darrell Tatmon has a plea hearing on Friday, January 30, 2026, in Department 112 at Wiley W. Manuel.
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Contact: damedia@acgov.org
Jan 27, 2026 | Media Releases
Proclamation
Alameda County Board of Supervisors
National Human Trafficking Prevention Month
January 2026
WHEREAS, human trafficking is a grave human rights violation and a form of modern-day slavery that strips adults and children of autonomy, safety, and dignity through force, fraud, or coercion; and
WHEREAS, Alameda County remains a hot spot for human trafficking in the United States, requiring a coordinated countywide response that is firm in accountability, unwavering in compassion, and centered on survivor autonomy; and
WHEREAS, in 2024, the National Human Trafficking Hotline received 3,378 signals from California, identifying 1,733 potential cases and 3,603 potential victims, and received 32,309 signals nationwide, identifying 11,999 potential cases and 21,865 potential victims—demonstrating the pervasive and ongoing harm of human trafficking and the urgent need for survivor-centered, prevention-driven responses; and
WHEREAS, survivors of human trafficking are not defined by their exploitation, but by their strength, resilience, and inherent right to live free from violence, exploitation, and control. Human trafficking disproportionately targets and harms historically marginalized communities, including Black, Indigenous, Latino, and other people of color; Asian American and Pacific Islander communities; women and girls; LGBTQIA+ individuals—particularly transgender individuals; and those living at the intersections of poverty, racism, xenophobia, and gender-based violence; and
WHEREAS, Alameda County data demonstrates that survivors are disproportionately Black, Indigenous, and people of color, and that more than half have experienced foster care, while Asian American survivors remain undercounted due to systemic barriers and limited access to trusted reporting pathways; and
WHEREAS, survivors from immigrant communities—including, but not limited to, Asian American and Pacific Islander and Latino communities—are frequently underrepresented in trafficking data due to language barriers, immigration-related fears, cultural stigma, labor exploitation in informal or isolated workplaces, and limited access to culturally and linguistically appropriate services; and
WHEREAS, traffickers exploit survivors in industries such as agriculture, hospitality, construction, domestic work, personal services, and online platforms by weaponizing unmet needs for housing, safety, employment, and belonging. The continued existence of human trafficking in California demands a comprehensive, prevention-driven response and recognizing that trafficking is a preventable form of violence; and
WHEREAS, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office works in sustained partnership with survivor-led and community-based organizations to provide holistic, survivor-centered support that advances healing, restoration, and access to resources; and
WHEREAS, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office Victim Witness Assistance Division includes highly trained advocates with specialized expertise in supporting survivors of human trafficking through trauma-informed, culturally responsive, language-accessible, and immigration-sensitive advocacy, in close coordination with community-based organizations to prevent re-trafficking and promote long-term stability and self-determination; and
WHEREAS, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office in conjunction with the Alameda County Board of Supervisors and community partners have broken the silence surrounding human trafficking and prevented countless incidences of abuse and exploitation, and remain dedicated to treating trafficking survivors with compassion and dignity and provide wrap-around services to support their journey of healing and empowerment
THEREFORE, that this Board of Supervisors, County of Alameda, does hereby recognize January 2026 as National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and reaffirms its commitment to a survivor-centered, prevention-driven approach that advances dignity, safety, healing, and long-term stability for all individuals impacted by human trafficking.
Jan 21, 2026 | Press Releases
January 21, 2026
Oakland, CA —District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson announced that Victor Dawson (52) has been charged with multiple felonies, including wage theft, tax evasion, and embezzlement from teachers and parents of students of New Horizons (K-8) School in Newark and Mission Hills Middle School in Castro Valley. Mr. Dawson was the principal of both schools and the owner of New Horizons.
Mr. Dawson is charged with 2 counts of felony wage theft, 2 counts of felony tax evasion, 1 count of misdemeanor tax evasion, and 1 count of felony embezzlement.
The criminal complaint alleges that in 2024, Mr. Dawson committed wage theft against 47 teachers and other staff members, the victims. The complaint further alleges that Mr. Dawson embezzled retirement contributions from six teachers, deducting money for the victims’ retirement savings from their paychecks and allegedly using those deductions for his own benefit. Finally, the complaint alleges that Mr. Dawson evaded paying state taxes and payroll taxes by failing to file the necessary tax returns, while allegedly deducting payroll taxes from the teachers’ paychecks and using those deductions for his own benefit.
“Parents trust that school owners will use tuition funds to educate their children and to compensate teachers for their hard work, not to enrich themselves,” said DA Jones Dickson. “This case represents a breach of that trust. My office’s Worker Protection Division is committed to prosecuting cases when workers are fraudulently denied their earned income.”
“Teachers and school staff are often underpaid for the vital work they do. Stealing from their paychecks or retirement accounts is illegal and a profound betrayal of trust that harms workers and destabilizes schools, putting students at risk,” said California Labor Commissioner Lilia García-Brower. “After teachers came forward with wage theft complaints, my office conducted a thorough investigation and referred the case for criminal prosecution. We are committed to robust enforcement of our labor laws and will continue to aggressively investigate wage theft, protect workers who speak up, and work closely with our law enforcement partners to hold employers fully accountable.”
A civil judgment against Mr. Dawson includes wages owed to employees, labor law penalties, and civil penalties totaling $687,986.42.
Victor Dawson was arraigned on January 20, 2026, in Department 112 at the Wiley Manuel Courthouse in Oakland.
If you believe that you or someone you know may be a victim of wage theft, fraud, or other economic crimes, contact the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office’s Consumer, Environmental & Worker Protection Division: 510-383-8600 or Fax: 510-383-8615
Contact: damedia@acgov.org
Jan 13, 2026 | Media Releases
January 13, 2026
The death of Renee Nicole Good is a tragedy that we all mourn. We pray for her family and friends as they move through this season of grief.
The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office evaluates every case on the strength of the evidence and whether, or not, the case can be prosecuted.
We are guided by the principle that no one is above the law, including federal agents.
-DA Ursula Jones Dickson
