Author: KESQ

Kendall Flynn

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Wearing jeans with a purpose. Denim Day is recognized on the last Wednesday of April for Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

College of the Desert’s Office of Student life is partnering with Partners Against Violence to bring awareness to Denim Day and sexual violence prevention.

During the awareness day, people wear denim in solidarity with sexual violence victims. It was started in 1999 in Italy after the Italian Supreme Court ruling overturned a rape conviction claiming the victim had to have helped the rapist remove her jeans, implying she consented.

In response to the ruling, women in the Italian Parliament wore jeans in solidarity with the victim. After this, the act was picked up by international media and inspired Peace Over Violence to create Denim Day.

Since then, Denim Day has become the longest-running sexual violence prevention campaign worldwide. The denim has become a symbol of protest against sexual assault misconceptions as a visual demonstration of support for survivors.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from COD, Partners Against Violence and students on the importance of Denim Day.

Resources available for sexual assault/violence victims

College of the Desert

COD Public Safety – 760-341-2111

Student Health and Wellness – 760-776-7211 or Studenthealth@collegeofthedesert.edu

Cravens Student Services Center, Room 133

Monday through Thursday: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Friday: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Partners Against Violence

https://www.partnersagainstviolence.org/

Coachella Valley: 78370 Hwy 111, Suite 130 La Quinta, CA 92253

(760) 568-9071

24/7 Crisis Hotline: (909) 885-8884

info@partnersav.org

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Julia Castro

Update – 5/1/25

Stephen Spurlock worked as a guest teacher/certificated specialist in the Desert Sands Unified School District, officials confirmed to News Channel 3. This is before his tenure at Palm Valley School in Rancho Mirage.

Spurlock served continuously as a guest teacher/certificated specialist at DSUSD from August 2013 to June 2022, records show.

Spurlock was charged Thursday with 21 felony counts of sexual abuse, including 19 counts of rape. He is scheduled to be arraigned in court Friday in Rancho Cucamonga.

Original Report – 4/30/25

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. – A teacher and coach from the Coachella Valley is under arrest, facing multiple felony charges for allegedly molesting a teenager for over two years.

According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Stephen Spurlock, 43, was taken into custody after a 911 call reporting ongoing abuse. Investigators say the victim was just 14 when the alleged molestation began.

Spurlock, who teaches and coaches at Palm Valley School, a private school in Rancho Mirage. School officials told News Channel 3 the incident did not involve a Palm Valley student, nor did it occur on school property.

Spurlock was arrested after detectives served a search warrant at his Yucca Valley home. Deputies say they recovered evidence linked to the case during the search. He faces several serious charges, including sodomy, lewd acts with a child, and continuous sexual abuse.

He is being held without bail and is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.

The sheriff’s department believes there may be additional victims in both San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the Morongo Basin Sheriff’s Station at 760-366-4175.

Statement from Palm Valley School:

Yesterday afternoon, the Interim Head of School PVS was notified by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office (Morongo Basin Station) that Stephen Spurlock, a Palm Valley School third grade teacher, was arrested in San Bernardino County and charged with sex against a child.

The Sheriff’s office confirmed the incident did not involve a Palm Valley Student, nor did it occur on Palm Valley School property.

Stephen Spurlock was immediately placed on indefinite leave. In adherence to our commitment to child protection and accreditation standards, Palm Valley School maintains a stringent policy mandating background checks for all individuals working in proximity to students. We emphasize our steadfast dedication to the safety of children, and this commitment remains unwavering.

We extend our gratitude to law enforcement authorities for their diligence in this matter. The well-being and safety of our students are paramount. We are focused on supporting our students, families, faculty, and staff at this time. We will continue to take all necessary measures to support our community and cooperate with law enforcement.

Stay with New Channel 3 for any new developments.

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Jesus Reyes

Update 4/30/25

Jeff Sperbeck has died, according to the coroner’s office.

Sperbeck was pronounced dead Tuesday just after 1 a.m. at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs.

Elway was reportedly driving the golf cart at the time of the accident, witnesses told News Channel 3 Sports Director Blake Arthur.

Elway released a statement after Sperbeck’s death Wednesday afternoon, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

“I am absolutely devastated and heartbroken by the passing of my close friend, business partner and agent Jeff Sperbeck. There are no words to truly express the profound sadness I feel with the sudden loss of someone who has meant so much to me. My heart and deepest sympathies go out to Jeff’s wife, Cori; his children Carly, Sam and Jackson; and everyone who knew and loved him. Jeff will be deeply missed for the loyalty, wisdom, friendship and love he brought into my life and the lives of so many others.”

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office told News Channel 3 that they launched an investigation into the accident on Monday.

“The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office is committed to conducting a thorough investigation into the death of Sperbeck and will take appropriate action based on the outcome,” reads an RSO press release.

Original Report 4/29/25

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) – Jeff Sperbeck, longtime agent for NFL legend John Elway, is reportedly on life support after a golf cart accident involving the Hall of Fame quarterback at the Madison Club in La Quinta.

News Channel 3 Sports Director Blake Arthur spoke exclusively with a witness to the aftermath of the incident.

EXCLUSIVE: Eyewitness details events of golf cart accident over the weekend in La Quinta involving NFL legend John Elway and longtime agent/business partner Jeff Sperbeck who is in critical care at this time. @KESQ pic.twitter.com/iU17lX18Md

— Blake Arthur (@BlakeArthur24) April 30, 2025

CAL FIRE confirmed its crews responded to a golf cart collision on Saturday at the 53200 block of Humboldt Boulevard.

“It was a reported fall from a golf cart and the patient was transported to a local area trauma center in unknown condition,” a CAL FIRE spokesperson told News Channel 3.

TMZ reports that Sperbeck was rushed to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, where he is being kept on life support.

“Although Jeff’s not clinically dead, we’re told doctors have informed his family there’s no hope he will recover … and he’s being kept on life support while docs prepare to harvest his organs for donation,” reads the TMZ report.

TMZ also reports, citing unnamed law enforcement sources, that Elway was on the golf cart during the accident. Elway immediately called 911. They are also reporting that Elway may have been the driver, but were unable to fully confirm it.

John Elway

We reached out to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office for information on this incident, however, a spokesperson said the agency did not receive any calls for service in that area on Saturday.

The Sheriff’s Office confirmed to News Channel 3 that they were made aware of the accident on Monday and have launched an investigation.

Sperbeck has represented over 100 NFL players throughout his 30-year career as a football agent and business advisor. He became John Elway’s manager in 1990.

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Jesus Reyes

Update – 4/30/25

Police announced that a shooting that left a woman and her five-year-old son in critical condition stemmed from an altercation between two men.

The victims were in a pickup truck driven by Jesus Delarosa, 25, police said. Delarosa stopped at the residence of Ricardo Mercado, 29. During the meeting, Delarosa got into an altercation with an unidentified man. Delarosa then allegedly shot the unidentified man, leaving him with non-life-threatening injuries.

During the altercation, Mercado fired multiple rounds at Delarosa’s pickup truck, critically injuring the woman and her child.

Delarosa fled the scene and stopped on Deglet Noor Street to seek help, where officers located them.

Mercado and Delarosa have been arrested and are being held on $1 million bail.

Original Report – 4/29/25

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A woman and her five-year-old son are in critical but stable condition after being shot in Indio Tuesday afternoon.

Indio Police detectives quickly located a suspect involved in the shooting, who was arrested without incident at a home in Indio after a search warrant was served. The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office Gang Impact Team (G.I.T.) and East Post-Release Accountability Compliance Team (P.A.C.T.) assisted with locating the suspect.

Police report the shooting happened just before 1:00 p.m. in the area of Deglet Noor and Avenue 44. Due to the injury of the boy, officers made an emergency transport to JFK Hospital in Indio, and the child was flown to Loma Linda Medical Center in Murrieta from there.

The mother was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center, where she underwent surgery.

Police say this is still an active investigation, although there are no outstanding suspects and there is no threat to the community.

They ask that if anyone has any further information regarding this case, please contact the Indio Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit at (760) 391-4051 or call anonymous information through Valley Crime Stoppers at (760) 341- STOP(7867).

Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.

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City News Service

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – A public forum was held Thursday night for students and staff at College of the Desert Palm Desert campus involving the four semi-finalists competing for the role of superintendent/president.

“College of the Desert is seeking an individual with the right combination of experience, knowledge, skill and abilities to lead the district and stakeholders towards increased student success and overall institutional effectiveness,” according to a statement on the college’s website.

The candidates appeared in the following order:   — Kimberlee S. Messina, president of Spokane Falls Community College;   — Don Moya-Miller, vice president and assistant superintendent of Rio Hondo College;   — Val Martinez Garcia, acting superintendent and president of College of the Desert;   — Monica Chahal, interim president of Clovis Community College.   

They were asked a series of questions submitted by the public from a prior event.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/_8zaNo4h3co?si=PDlJ88DTMbm_JkSI

The forum was broadcast at youtube.com/live/_8zaNo4h3co.

According to the college, the board will name the new President/Superintendent on either May 16 or June 12.

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Jesus Reyes

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – A woman was taken into custody after an ambulance was stolen Monday night in Coachella.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department confirmed the woman is facing charges of grand theft and vehicle theft involving an ambulance.

The theft was reported at around 10:20 p.m. on the 49600 block of Cesar Chavez Street, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies searched the area but did not locate the ambulance.

Authorities said the ambulance was found just before 12:30 p.m. on the 72000 block of Varner Road in Thousand Palms. A person told authorities that they saw a women in an ambulance in a parking lot.

Deputies arrived and determined it was the stolen ambulance and took the woman into custody.

Lieutenant Stephen Davis with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department credited the tipster who spotted the ambulance.

“The public definitely aided in this endeavor for sure,” Davis said.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any new developments.

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Jesus Reyes

Update – 5/1/25

After numerous years of delays, the bribery case involving former Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet and developer John Wessman will go to trial.

Jury selection is set to get underway on May 6 at the Banning Justice Center.

News Channel 3’s Garrett Hottle spoke with Pougnet. We’ll have the latest on the case live at Noon.

Original – 4/29/25

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Former Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet and local developer John Wessman are set to return to court Thursday in a bribery case that dates back nearly a decade.

Pougnet and Wessman are scheduled to learn whether their trial will begin. The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office confirmed to News Channel 3 that after many delays, they are ready to go to trial on Thursday.

Wessman and developer Richard Meaney were accused of paying Pougnet at least $375,000 to buy votes and influence projects in Palm Springs between 2012 and 2014. Projects include the Kimpton hotel and the surrounding downtown re-development project.

Steve Pougnet and John Wessman (2012)

The case drew national attention after the FBI raided Palm Springs City Hall in 2015.

Charges were officially filed in 2017. The trio were indicted on Aug. 2019 after the case was presented to a grand jury by the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office.

The case went through several years of delays.

Check Out Our ‘Scandal at City Hall’ Section for More Coverage on this Case

10 of 11 charges were eventually dropped against Meaney in 2023. He pled guilty to a misdemeanor charge of Conflict of Interest and is set to be sentenced on June 9, according to court records.

Wessman is charged with numerous counts of bribery.

Pougnet was charged with 9 counts of Bribery and 8 counts of Contract w/Financial Intent, three counts of Perjury and one count of Conspiracy to Commit Crime. If convicted as charged, Pougnet could face more than 19 years in prison and would be barred from ever holding public office again. Meaney could face 12 years behind bars.

Pougnet and Meaney pleaded not guilty to all charges in Sept. 2019.

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