Author: KESQ

Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – An ex-Riverside County sheriff’s deputy who behaved like a “cowboy” during a deadly arrest targeting a man with whom he was at odds over a woman was convicted today of voluntary manslaughter and other offenses.

An Indio jury deliberated less than two days before finding Oscar Rodriguez, 44, guilty of the lesser felony count. Rodriguez had been charged with first-degree murder for the 2014 slaying of 39-year-old Luis Carlos Morin of Coachella. Jurors also convicted the defendant of a sentence-enhancing gun use allegation.

After the verdicts were read Thursday afternoon, Superior Court Judge Otis Sterling ordered Rodriguez remanded into custody without bail, pending his sentencing hearing on Aug. 18 at the Larson Justice Center. The defendant had been free on a $1 million bond.

Rodriguez is facing 21 years in state prison.

Oscar Rodriguez in court as the verdict is read (6/26/25)

“Mr. Rodriguez is a liar and a deceitful person,” Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Garcia told jurors in her closing statement Tuesday. “He employed cowboy tactics.”

At the time of the shooting, the defendant was romantically involved with Diana Perez, the mother of Morin’s two children. She and the then-deputy originally met in the winter of 2013, when he responded to 911 calls from her complaining about Morin, whom she didn’t want around her home because he had a criminal past and active warrants connected to alleged auto theft and narcotics sales.

“Diana had the motive, and Rodriguez had the ability,” Garcia said.   

She recalled how the defendant and Perez were regularly together from early March to early December 2013, reflected by the numerous credit card receipts for one-night stays at a Motel 6.

“He was taking advantage of her for sex,” the prosecutor said.

Rodriguez became emotionally involved in the woman’s ongoing conflicts with Morin, developing animosity toward the victim, Garcia said, adding it culminated in “reckless” behavior that caused him to ignore all of his training and protocols.  

Rodriguez decided to act independently in apprehending Morin. On the night of Jan. 27, 2014, the defendant learned the suspect had joined family members for a birthday celebration in Palm Desert and would be returning to his mother’s home in the 48-800 block of Camino Real in Coachella.

The prosecution said Rodriguez went to the neighborhood alone in a patrol unit, without informing his supervisors, parking out of sight and placing Maria Gomez’s house under surveillance.

At 9:40 p.m., Morin and his mother arrived home, and the suspect got out to direct Gomez as she backed her vehicle into a tight parking space. The prosecution said Rodriguez sneaked up behind Morin, but the suspect tried to bolt, at which point the deputy swept his legs to stop him, causing both of them to fall down, Rodriguez landing on his back.  

Gomez was heard shouting, “Don’t do it!” Rodriguez then pulled his sidearm and opened fire, fatally wounding Morin in the chest. An autopsy also confirmed bruises to his neck and left hip. The defendant wasn’t hurt.   

“Mr. Rodriguez had no right to self-defense,” Garcia told jurors. “He created this situation.”

She said he then fabricated a story, engaging in “lies and cover-ups” that included deleting evidence from electronic devices.   

Defense attorney Mark Frederick asked jurors to remember his client’s own testimony, in which he asserted, “I feared he was going to use a weapon,” prompting him to shoot to protect himself.”

“(Pepper) spray and a baton were not feasible at an arm’s-length struggle,” Frederick said.

He reminded jurors Rodriguez was an experienced peace officer “known to make felony arrests.”  

Morin was notorious for fleeing from law enforcement, so Rodriguez didn’t want to take any chances by giving the man an opportunity to run, Frederick said.

He questioned the reliability of Morin’s mother’s testimony, saying she was unclear about the position of her son’s hands during the botched arrest.

The attorney referred to Morin as a “career criminal,” angry about the relationship between his ex-girlfriend and Rodriguez. At the start of the monthlong trial, he noted that several months before the deadly shooting, Perez received a message from Morin, stating, “Cop lover … Tell him to bring his A-game, because no matter what he does, he’s going to lose.”  

The ensuing investigation culminated in a grand jury indictment in 2017.   

Morin’s family sued the sheriff’s department and county for wrongful death, netting a $7 million payout.    Perez was indicted along with Rodriguez, charged as being an accessory

Stay with News Channel 3 for any new developments.

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Jesus Reyes

LOS ANGELES (KESQ) – The man suspected of helping in the Palm Springs bombing jumped to his death in prison, TMZ reports, citing federal sources.

Daniel Park, 32, of Kent, Washington, was pronounced dead Tuesday morning after being found unresponsive at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles, the Department of Justice announced.

According to TMZ, Park “stepped up on a table on an upper tier of the facility and jumped … plummeting to the ground floor.”

Authorities have not officially released the cause of death.

Park was accused of helping supply the explosive materials used in the May 17 attack on American Reproductive Centers in Palm Springs. Federal officials labeled it an act of domestic terrorism.

In new video obtained by ABC News, dash cam footage also shows Park was stopped and ticketed by the California Highway Patrol in February for speeding in Joshua Tree.

Authorities believe this lines up with their suspected timeline, that Park had visited Guy Edward Bartkus’s Twentynine Palms home in January and February to plan the attack.

He was arrested as he returned to the United States from Poland, from which he was deported. Authorities said he “left the United States to go to Europe” days after the bombing.

Park was charged with providing and attempting to provide material support to a terrorist.

The primary suspect in the bombing, Guy Edward Bartkus, 25, of Twentynine Palms, was found dead at the scene. Authorities say Park and Bartkus shared anti-natalist extremist views — a belief system opposing human reproduction — and that Park had been posting such content online since at least 2016.

According to U.S. Attorney in Los Angeles Bill Essayli, Park shipped about 180 pounds of ammonium nitrate, which is “commonly used to construct homemade bombs,” from Seattle to Bartkus’ home in Twentynine Palms and also arranged for another shipment of an additional 90 pounds.

Three days before Park arrived at Bartkus’ house, records from an AI chat app show that Bartkus researched how to make powerful explosions using ammonium nitrate and fuel, federal prosecutors said.

FBI Assistant Director in Charge in Los Angeles, Akil Davis, said Park was also in possession of an “explosive recipe” similar to the device used in the deadly 1995 Oklahoma City federal city bombing.

Essayli said Park “shared Bartkus’ extremist beliefs” and he visited Bartkus’s home in Twentynine Palms for about two weeks in late January and early February, “spending time together running experiments in Bartkus’ garage, where the FBI recovered large quantities of chemical precursors and laboratory equipment after the bombing.”

Bartkus’ garage in Twentynine Palms

During the explosion, at least five people were injured, and the blast caused major damage to the clinic as well as 40 other properties, with at least 8 buildings deemed unsafe to occupy. The bombing caused approximately $12 million in damages. 

Thousands of embryos and eggs stored inside the facility were saved due to the quick response of emergency crews.

Officials said local law enforcement had not previously flagged either suspect. Evidence recovered from a phone at the scene showed Bartkus pacing outside the car for over 30 minutes before the explosion and speaking into the phone moments before detonation.

The investigation remains ongoing, and federal officials are asking the public to come forward with any information by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any new developments on this investigation.

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Luis Avila

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A special delivery for families facing hunger. FIND Food Bank, in partnership with Amazon, stepping up to fight food insecurity in the Coachella Valley.

Amazon delivering a $25,000 check that will provide 100,000 meals to local residents. Amazon employees also delivered food collected from sites across Southern California and volunteered to help sort and distribute supplies.

Debbie Espinosa, FIND Food Bank president and CEO, says these donations come at a critical time.

“During the summer months, all of the kids in the Coachella Valley are out of school and we have over 86 percent of our children in our valley qualifying for reduced lunch… Our tourism is down, our growing season is nonexistent in 120 degree weather, our utility bills skyrocket in the summertime.”

Debbie Espinosa, FIND Food Bank president & CEO

For Amazon, it’s not only about giving back but cementing their role within the community.

“From supporting DAP Health, the Center, to the Chase, to One Future Coachella Valley, to the Boys and Girls club of Cathedral City, this is our home, we want to be thriving in our home with colleagues and neighbors… As we grow here in this area, we’re going to only increase what we do to give back.”

David Ambroz, Amazon community engagement

Bringing not just food to people’s doorsteps, but a side of hope.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Kendall Flynn

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Areas of Palm Springs, like the Backstreet Art District and Safari Mobile Home Park saw significant flooding in 2017, prompting Riverside County to make some changes.

Now businesses and homeowners could see flood insurance savings because of the map revisions. The Federal Emergency Management Agency approved a Letter of Map Revision removing 514 structures and approximately 102 acres from the area, which was previously designated as high risk for flooding.

The project called the Palm Springs Line 41 storm drain is a $16 million dollar construction plan for underground storm drain and large flood basin.

For businesses and homeowners, the project helped what could’ve been another detrimental storm with Hurricane Hilary. In summer 2023, construction was 90% complete as the hurricane approached, the Flood Control District authorized emergency work making the project functional.

Now, the updated flood map by FEMA goes into effect July 18, and businesses and homeowners have the opportunity to possibly no longer need flood insurance.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from businesses in the new flood map area on the constructions impact.

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Allie Anthony

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – The Young Creators Program is opening doors for the next generation of filmmakers. This program is part of Palm Springs Unified School District’s Expanded Learning Program, aimed at giving students opportunities they might not get during regularly scheduled school hours.

Over nine days, students have had the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of filmmaking, all spearheaded by Christian Sesma, the founder of the program and a filmmaker himself.

To celebrate the program’s work, the students’ short films were shown at the Mary Pickford Theater. 33 films created by more than 600 students were be screened, showcasing the talent and creativity of students from five local middle schools.

The screenings also had a special appearance by Hollywood action star Lewis Tan, star of Mortal Kombat.

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Cynthia White

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – The Riverside County Department of Animal Services (RCDAS) reports that data released by “Shelter Animals Count” shows the Fourth of July as the busiest weekend for lost pets entering shelters.

RCDAS is offering a free Microchip & Vaccination Clinic ahead of the holiday to help reunite any wayward furry friends with their families.

The free clinic is offered to Riverside County residents and will be held on Sunday, June 29th, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at all four RCDAS locations. Clinic services will be first-come, first-served, with no appointments.

Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez says, “I encourage all Riverside County pet owners to take advantage of this great opportunity… We can all play a part in helping the pets in our County, and keeping lost pets from entering our shelters is a good first step.”

All shelters will be closed on Friday, July 4th, and will reopen Saturday, July 5th. During the closure, Field Services will only respond to emergencies. To reach Emergency Dispatch, call 951-358-7387 only for animals that are injured, aggressive, or blocking traffic.

Starting July 5th, non-emergency shelter intakes will resume and anyone searching for a lost pet may walk through RCDAS kennels or check their Lost Pet Search Page (www.rcdas.org/lost-pets).  RCDAS also recommends searching community-held pets on Petco Love Lost (www.petcolovelost.org) and neighborhood sites like Nextdoor or local Facebook groups.

If anyone finds a pet, RCDAS suggests posting on Petco Love Lost, Nextdoor, and Facebook, then walk the pet around the area it was found – most are recovered within one mile.

RCDAS quick safety tips for the Fourth of July holiday:

Keep pets indoors and secure

Never use fireworks near animals

Avoid table scraps, alcohol, glow sticks, and human bug spray

Use vet-approved calming aids

Confirm microchip and ID tags are current or come get FREE microchips, vaccines, collars, and tags at our clinics at all 4 locations on June 29th.

All reclaim fees are waived at all shelter locations to include waived adoption fees. RCDAS continues to operate in critical overcapacity with the number of dogs in kennels, which is why it is important to reunite lost pets quickly during the Fourth of July weekend.

For more holiday tips visit: www.rcdas.org/tips-4th-july

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Shay Lawson

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ)  – Palm Springs City Council approved the city’s budget for fiscal year 2025-26 and 2026-27 comprehensive budgets at Wednesdays meeting.

It comes after finance officials incorporated recommendations from Mayor Ron deHarte after he raised concerns of potential shortfall at the June 11 meeting.

The mayor recently published a “Resident Guide to the Palm Springs Budget,” detailing his concerns that the city is spending more than it’s making in revenue.

He cited rising labor costs, the end of outside funding for the city’s homeless Navigation Center and revenue flattening.

The proposed budget reflects some adjustments based on deHarte’s calls to rein in spending and prepare for future financial challenges.

Stay with News Channel 3 for updates on this developing story.

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City News Service

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – The 10 highest-paid officials in Riverside County government last year were working in public safety and public health, according to a report released today by the California Controller’s Office.   

The agency published its 2024 “Government Compensation in California” analysis, showing how taxpayer funds were spent in the previous year, and who was receiving what for being on the public payroll.

The data is available at www.publicpay.ca.gov.   

“This report is a vital tool in promoting fiscal transparency and accountability in local government,” Controller Malia Cohen said. “Californians deserve to know how public funds are being spent and who isbeing paid with their tax dollars.”  

The individual who received the largest income in county government was an unnamed staff psychiatrist for the Riverside University Health System’s Department of Behavioral Health. The individual received a total of $540,881, a large part of which may have been related to overtime claims.

In the 2023 report, Sheriff Chad Bianco was identified as the county employee with the largest composite compensation at $593,518. In 2024, the sheriff, who is running for governor on the Republican ticket, did not even land in the top 100, taking a backseat to union-represented master investigators and lieutenants, who grossed salaries well in excess of $400,000.   

Amounts documented by the controller’s office include base pay, overtime and lump sum disbursals, which are often tied to banked vacation and sick leave time that wasn’t used, sometimes for years, but then cashed out.   

The second-highest paid in 2024 was an unnamed District Attorney’s Office bureau commander, whose composite salary last year was $539,539. The D.A.’s office could not immediately confirm the reasons for the significant earnings, though they were possibly bundled into a retirement payout.

Figures showed the next in line was another RUHS psychiatrist, who received $536,644, followed by Director of Behavioral Health Dr. Matthew Chang, whose total intake last year was $522,783. Chang has consistently ranked in the top 10 in the 2020s.

Nos. 5-8 on the list were additional psychiatrists, whose annual earnings ranged from $476,513 to $520,277.   

Riverside University Health System-Medical Center CEO Jennifer Cruikshank, whose total comp last year was $470,253, ranked No. 9, according to the report.

Rounding out the top 10 was an unnamed psychiatrist assigned to Detention Health Services, geared to inmates, for which the doctor was paid $468,619 in 2024.

County CEO Jeff Van Wagenen was at No. 30, with total compensation of $399,214, according to the report.  

The five members of the Board of Supervisors were way down the list for annual comp packages, making less than many deputy district attorneys, deputy public defenders, registered nurses, sheriff’s administrators, pharmacists, assistant medical directors and others. A “senior legislative assistant” for one of the supervisors was even paid well above his or her boss at $341,794 in 2024, according to data.  

The supervisors’ composite pay ranged from $143,042 to $226,359 in 2024, with Supervisor Kevin Jeffries, who retired at the end of December, at the bottom because he consistently declined pay raises. The man elected to fill his seat, Jose Medina, assumed the same salary, vowing to voluntarily freeze his compensation in keeping with the tradition established by his predecessor.   

The controller’s website indicated the average pay for a county employee last year was $65,739. County government is the single largest employer in Riverside County, maintaining more than 25,000 positions. Roughly $2.23 billion in total wages were paid in 2024.

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Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A Palm Desert man known as the former drummer of the indie power-pop group the New Pornographers pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography and recording a minor in a public restroom at a local restaurant.

Joseph Seiders, 44, of Palm Desert, pleaded guilty to multiple charges on Wednesday, according to court records.

Details on his conviction were not immediately available. Seiders was scheduled for a felony settlement conference today before pleading guilty to charges.

He is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 26.

According to sheriff’s Sgt. Daniel Milbrant, deputies from the Palm Desert Station, received a report of a suspicious circumstance in the 73000 block of Dinah Shore Drive on April 7. They interviewed an 11-year-old boy who told them a man allegedly recorded him on a cell phone inside the restroom of a Chick-fil-A.

Two days later, deputies received another report from an employee at a nearby business who said a man was allegedly seen entering and exiting a restroom with several young males, Milbrandt said.

Deputies identified and arrested Seiders at the scene.   

A subsequent search of Seiders’ residence turned up evidence tying him to both incidents, along with possession of child pornography, sheriff’s officials said.

Details about the interaction between the suspect and the juvenile males inside the restroom were not disclosed.   

Earlier this month, authorities said investigators identified more potential victims in the case against Seiders.

Seiders was the drummer of the New Pornographers, fronted by AC Newman and the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Neko Case. He joined the band in 2014.

After the arrest was reported, the New Pornographers issued a statement reading: ”Everyone in the band is absolutely shocked, horrified, and devastated by the news of the charges against Joe Seiders– and we have immediately severed all ties with him. Our hearts go out to everyone who has been impacted by his actions.”  

Seiders has no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates on this case.

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Spencer Blum

The National Weather Service is comprised of 122 Weather Forecast Offices, which work day and night to monitor local weather conditions for every inch of the United States.

This is in addition to 9 additional specialized offices, such as the National Hurricane Center and the Storm Prediction Center, which monitor hurricanes and severe weather, respectively. 

“The main mission of the weather service is to protect lives and property and enhance the national economy.”

First Alert Meteorologist Spencer Blum traveled to the NWS office in San Diego for an inside look at what they do every day to put together their forecast for Southern California. 

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