Drug dealer sentenced for fentanyl death

A drug dealer who made deliveries of a drug laced with fentanyl to a Downtown man who later died from an overdose has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison. Saul Caro, 33, pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl when he sold counterfeit oxycodone pills that were laced with fentanyl that he delivered to a 35-year-old man identified only as M.S. in court records on April 11, 2021. Caro visited M.S.’ apartment at 3:49 a.m., according to federal records, and the man is estimated to have died at approximately 9:30 p.m. Police found a needle sticking out of M.S.’s left big toe on April 15 and he was slumped over his coffee table with drug paraphernalia scattered around. U.S. District Court Judge Gonzalo Curiel ordered Caro to pay $13,180.34 to the victim’s family for funeral and burial expenses. “Dealers beware…If you provide the fatal pill or powder, you will be held responsible for the victim’s death,” said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman in a statement. The proof of the drug contact between Caro and M.S. came from text messages between both men on their phones. The U.S. Attorney’s office released some of the text messages in court records. M.S. complained to Caro that he should warn people about the potency of some drugs he had received in the past. Caro replied he had warned people. M.S. then texted: “Yeah thanks otherwise would have been bad news for me lol” After his death, police officers impersonated M.S. in text messages to Caro on July 22, 2021 and negotiated a sale for more drugs. “Dude, where have u been” asked Caro to the impersonator of M.S., but the undercover officer did not elaborate. Caro, who also lived Downtown, agreed to make a sale and was seen leaving his apartment on a bicycle. He rode to a restaurant in the 900 block of E Street and texted the officer he was there at 9:14 p.m. Caro was then arrested. Court records say he was found with heroin and cocaine laced with fenantyl. Police obtained a search warrant to seize items in Caro’s studio apartment. Officers found a ghost gun with no serial numbers, 40 rounds of ammunition that included bullets for other guns, digital scales, packaging materials, and drug paraphernalia, according to records. “The defendant chose to disregard the significant risk associated with selling fentanyl and other drugs,” said Grossman. “His choices had severe consequences for a family that lost a beloved son and brother,” said Grossman. “The driving factor for all of us in law enforcement is the human toll that fentanyl is taking.” “We see the grief and destruction in person every day. We will continue to seek justice for every victim,” concluded Grossman. “There is no place to hide,” said Drug Enforcement Administration special agent in charge Shelly Howe. “The DEA and its partners will continue to track down, arrest, and prosecute those who are driving addiction.” “Abusing drugs these days will likely kill you,” said Chad Plantz, special agent in charge for Homeland Security investigations San Diego. Caro will receive credit for one-and-a-half years he spent incarcerated awaiting sentencing.The post Drug dealer sentenced for fentanyl death appeared first on SDNews.com.

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Murder conviction for slaying unhoused Hillcrest man

A jury has convicted a man of first-degree murder in the slaying of an unhoused man in Hillcrest and he faces a sentence of 56 years to life in prison. Darcell Marquise Moore, 42, will be sentenced Feb. 23 by San Diego Superior Court Judge Jeff Fraser for the 2020 fatal stabbing of Shawn Timothy Puzzo, 60. The jury also convicted Moore of robbing Puzzo on April 15, 2020, in the area of Front Street and West Washington Street. Puzzo had injuries to his head and torso and was taken to a hospital where he died. Deputy District Attorney Philippa Cunningham said Moore faces a sentence of 50 years to life in prison plus a possible six year term on top of that. The victim was robbed of gift cards, some of which were for restaurants. Cunningham said he was stabbed 10 times in the face, neck, torso, and leg. A second man, Willie Gray, 67, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, and faces up to five years in prison. Gray will be sentenced on April 24. Gray’s attorney, Jordan Furrow, argued that Gray didn’t participate in the stabbing and “happened to be present” when Moore assaulted him. Furrow said Gray had “no bone to pick with” the victim and did not rob him. Both Moore and Gray remain in jail without bail.The post Murder conviction for slaying unhoused Hillcrest man appeared first on SDNews.com.

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Two more Chinatown treasures

By 1881, 800 Chinese immigrants were living in San Diego, most of them men who had come to work on the railroad at the request of Ah Quin. As they were far from home, marginalized and relatively poor, they needed resources by which they could have their basic needs met and also find individuals for friendship and camaraderie. Such places were available in the downtown Stingaree district.The former school building where Chinese immigrants learned English. (Photos by Tim Trevaskis)The Chinese Mission Building(1927)404 Third AvenueArchitectural Style: Spanish Mission RevivalArchitect: Louis J. GillThe first Chinese Mission School started in 1885 and served as social and religious center for Chinese immigrants. Until 1927, it moved around throughout the Downtown area wherever a building was available. The first site was on 13th St. and F. It was inspired by Lee Hong, a young Chinese resident who had come from San Francisco, and was familiar with the mission schools there. San Franciscans had learned early on that for the Chinese and Americans to conduct business they had to be able to communicate. The mission schools provided both religious training and English instruction.The F Street location was too far from Third Avenue, where most of the Chinese lived. Consequently, in 1901, the Mission moved to 663 First Street between Market and G Streets. In 1907, they moved to a building next door on property owned by George W. Marston, a prominent San Diego merchant and philanthropist. He was also a lifelong friend of Ah Quin, the unofficial Mayor of Chinatown. Marston donated the land at 645 First Avenue, which also had a long dormitory building in the rear of the Mission. One of the first teachers at this Mission was Mrs. Margaret Fanton, who not only taught English and religious studies, but also served as the area’s first social worker to the community.A thriving Chinese community congregation remained there until 1925. By this time, the Mission building was in a sad state with a leaky roof and crowded conditions. Many people zealously raised money for a new building, which was designed by Louis J. Gill, nephew of Irving Gill. The Spanish Mission Revival building was completed and dedicated on November 22, 1927. It remained an active part of the community until the 1960s, when redevelopment services threatened to raze the building to make way for a Ralph’s market. The Chinese Historical Society and CCDC had the structure moved to a vacant lot on Third Avenue, close to its present site, where it remained for two years, while funds were raised for its renovation. It was rededicated as the Chinese Historical Museum on January 13, 1996. It still stands there today flanked by two massive stone lions— a testament to hardworking immigrants who became pillars of their community and of San Diego.The staircase leads to the second story of the Quong Building which was initially full of the bedrooms sex workers and their clients used at the brothel.Quong Building(Stingaree Bordello Building)1913418 Third AvenueArchitectural Style: Chinese/CommercialArchitect: UnknownDue to severe economic and political instability in China, many young Chinese men emigrated to the United States in the hope of finding work during the Gold Rush. Their initial plan was to send funds to aid their families back home and later to return to China. After the Gold Rush wound down, the majority found jobs in the railroad industry. Ah Quin, an educated and successful businessman who had settled in San Diego, recruited many of these Chinese workers to help build the Transcontinental Railroad, the pet project of Alonzo Horton. These extremely hardworking young men had little time for diversion or relaxation, but as most lived in the infamous Stingaree district, this is where they found their recreation. The area had a profusion of saloons, opium dens and illicit drugs, gambling and, of course, prostitution. Possibly the most popular and well known of these pleasure palaces was the Quong Building or the “Chinese Bordello building.” The structure was named after Mow Yuen Quong, a merchant and the proprietor of a store at the site from 1889 until 1928. In 1889, the City Directory also lists an “Opium Den” on the property. Its claim to fame, however, was as a bordello.The building itself is rather unpretentious. It consists of two stories, the upper level being 416 and the street level being 418. The entire building is brick with stucco plastering on the outside. The upper level is accessed through a door opening onto an elegant staircase topped by a lightwell over the second-floor landing. There are bay windows upstairs facing east. The floors are hardwood, as are the doors to the numerous private rooms, all featuring inside doorbells. It has been rumored that these rooms were also equipped with locks operable only from the inside allowing for more privacy. Currently, some have brass plates over the keyholes on the interior and key holes on the outside.An historic stripper pole still stands at the Quong Building.Since 1850, there have been a series of individuals owning the site/building, with Alonzo Horton acquiring it on October 4, 1869. Sometime between 1887-88, Ah Quin came into possession of the site and established a building from which he ran a Chinese and Japanese Fancy Goods store. Mow Yuen Quong opened a Chinese restaurant on the premises in 1889, and eventually also sold Chinese and Japanese goods. Throughout the years, the site has also been the home of a garage, a bakery, a transfer and storage company, and an appliance repair store.During the Great Raid of 1912 led by Police Chief Keno Wilson, the bordello operating upstairs called the Oasis was his first stop. Various entities including the Ladies Purity League and the Door of Hope had banded together calling for a cleanup of the infamous Stingaree before the Panama-California Exposition opened in 1915. The raid culminated in front of the Yuma Building where the ladies were gathered and marched down 5th Avenue to the railroad station, where they could be “helped” to leave town.Another well-known madam at the Jewel Rooms, the newer bordello at 416 Third Avenue was Mary Smith. Ms. Smith operated during the late 1920s and early 1930s. She was a little too well known, as she was sued by the city for running a house of ill repute.Those days are past, and the Quong Building is now home to Brows of a Feather, micro-blading, and the Lazy Hippo, a popular breakfast restaurant. An additional tenant is the world-famous Whiskey House, listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as having the most whiskeys in the world at over 4,000. For those interested, they also serve food!Since 1974, this enduring building has been owned by Mr. Fritz Ahearn, who was kind enough to share his historic knowledge and resources with the Davis-Horton House Museum. Many, many thanks, sir.The post Two more Chinatown treasures appeared first on SDNews.com.

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