February 2, 2024 Oakland, CA - Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price joined a statewide coalition of District Attorneys in announcing Tesla, Inc.’s (“Tesla”) agreement to pay $1,500,000 to settle allegations Tesla violated California’s environmental hazardous waste control laws. The settlement also imposes a five-year injunction on Tesla to ensure its future compliance with those laws. The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office will receive $312,500 from the agreement. The settlement resolves a nearly six-year investigation into Tesla’s alleged illegal disposal of hazardous waste at its electric car service centers, solar energy centers, and its Alameda County electric vehicle factory in Fremont. Tesla, in addition to manufacturing its electric vehicles in Fremont, also owns and operates approximately 57 electric car service centers and 18 solar energy facilities throughout California. “Although Tesla denied any wrongdoing, this settlement and the injunction imposed on it ensures the company will…

Convicted Man to be Sentenced 8 Years in State Prison After Accepting a Plea Deal for Allegations of Human Sex Trafficking in Alameda County  January 29, 2024  Oakland, CA - District Attorney Pamela Price announced that one of her sexual assault prosecution team members secured the conviction of Ricky Levi (31) on a felony charge, human trafficking of an adult.  On January 4, 2024, the defendant accepted an 8-year plea bargain reached by the prosecution and the defense. Mr. Levi is accused of convincing his domestic partner to sell her body for his financial gain. He then trafficked her between Oakland and Los Angeles. The facts of the case include that the defendant physically and sexually assaulted his victim, vandalized her property, and brandished a firearm toward her.  “Our dedicated prosecution team is committed to preventing human trafficking, raising awareness about this form of modern-day slavery,…

Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price’s H.E.A.R.T. Team to Lead Anti-Human Trafficking Event in Oakland January 23, 2024 Oakland, CA - On Wednesday, January 24, 2024, Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price’s Human Exploitation Assistance and Response Team leads a Public Safety March, Rally, and Resource Fair in Oakland’s San Antonio Neighborhood. The Public Safety March starts at 2:00 PM at the intersection of 17th Ave & International Blvd. It will proceed to the Rally and Resource Fair at San Antonio Park, a few blocks away from a frequent human trafficking hub commonly referred to as “the Blade.” “During this month’s two safety walks with the H.E.A.R.T. Team, I saw with my own eyes the realities of human trafficking in our community,” said DA Pamela Price. “I saw adults and young people, many of whom I believe to be children as young as 13, standing…

Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price Secures Guilty Verdict and 24 Year Prison Sentence for Man Found Guilty of Human Sex Trafficking a Minor  January 18, 2024 Oakland, CA - District Attorney Pamela Price announced that her office secured the conviction of Lawrence Johnson (47) on multiple felony charges, including human trafficking of a minor, pimping a minor, and pandering to a minor. Johnson was sentenced on January 5, 2024, to 24 years in state prison following a jury trial. Prosecutors presented evidence that proved Johnson was involved in the sex trafficking of a 16- year-old girl in 2021. The defendant also had a prior “strike” conviction for sex trafficking and threatening a 13-year-old girl in 2006. Three additional Felony counts (human trafficking, pimping, and pandering) were dismissed due to the unavailability of a second 16-year-old victim. “We hope this conviction sends a message to…

Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price’s Office Joins FDMD Settlement with Purity Nutra, a Vitamin Supplement Manufacturer Accused of False Advertising   January 17, 2024   OAKLAND, CA — Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price’s Consumer Justice Bureau joined the California Food, Drug & Medical Devices (FDMD) Task Force in a stipulated $20,000 judgment against vitamin supplement manufacturer Purity Nutra, LLC.   “The evidence gathered suggested that Purity Nutra was making false and deceptive claims about its products to consumers that targeted seniors,” said Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price. “By joining forces with the California Food, Drug & Medical Devices Task Force in this settlement, my office ensures consumers in Alameda County are protected, and Purity Nutra is forced to follow the law moving forward. This settlement reinforces the principle that companies must be held accountable for any false advertisements to consumers.”  The People’s investigation, which is resolved by…