Hochman announces life sentence for hairdresser murder
LA County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced yesterday Monica Sementilli was sentenced today to life in prison without the possibility of parole for orchestrating the 2017 murder of her husband, renowned hairdresser Fabio Sementilli.
“Monica Sementilli betrayed the person who loved and trusted her most,” said Hochman. “Her calculated scheme to profit from her husband’s death cost a kind and talented man his life and devastated a family. Today’s sentence ensures that she will spend the rest of her life behind bars — where she can no longer deceive or destroy lives. Justice caught up with her.”
A jury previously found Sementilli guilty of first-degree murder with special circumstance allegations of financial gain and lying in wait, as well as conspiracy to commit murder. Evidence presented at trial showed that she conspired with her lover, Robert Louis Baker, to murder 49-year-old Fabio Sementilli to collect millions in life insurance benefits.
On Jan. 23, 2017, Baker fatally stabbed Fabio Sementilli as he sat on his backyard patio in Woodland Hills, then fled the scene in Sementilli’s Porsche, which was later found abandoned. Baker previously pleaded guilty to murder and conspiracy to commit murder and was also sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Pérez introduces No Vigilantes Act
State Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Pasadena, Altadena, Arcadia, Burbank, Claremont, Duarte, Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge, South Pasadena, Upland) announced proposed legislation yesterday dubbed the No Vigilantes Act (SB 805) that will expand police impersonation laws to address the rise in public fear and confusion caused by recent aggressive law enforcement operations and an increase in claims of police impersonation.
“In a normal world, this legislation would be unnecessary and unheard of. But these are extraordinary times and we must protect Californians from fear of police impersonation during these unprecedented times,” said Pérez. “With the rise in impersonation claims and the ensuing fear and confusion being created, there is a clear need for stronger, more consistent standards for law enforcement identification. This legislation is not just raising the issue; it aims to directly address it by reaffirming the state’s role under its policing powers.”
The measure comes as news outlets have reported incidents across the nation of individuals impersonating ICE officers. These reports include a South Carolina man being charged with kidnapping and impersonating an ICE agent after allegedly detaining a group of Latino men. Another report documents a man charged with sexual assault in North Carolina posing an ICE agent and threatening to deport a woman if she didn’t comply with his demands.
While ICE has publicly condemned impersonations, the agency’s use of face coverings and lack of consistent, visible identification creates public confusion and makes it difficult for the public to distinguish between authorized law enforcement personnel and dangerous criminals.
SB 805, the No Vigilantes Act, in addition to expanding the scope of existing impersonation laws, will require law enforcement officers operating in California to clearly display identification that features either their name or badge number.
“We have seen law enforcement operations being conducted in the name of immigration enforcement. But their appearance, tactics and behavior do not look like normal law enforcement practices,” said Pérez. “We’ve seen guns pulled on civilians, and people snatched off the streets and in workplaces by masked people in civilian clothing and unmarked cars. This creates tremendous confusion, fear, and mistrust in communities across the state. We need to protect our residents and that means knowing who is actually conducting law enforcement operations on our streets.”
Long Beach and Unified School District ink joint use deal
The City of Long Beach and Long Beach Unified School District announced yesterday have approved their first updated facility-sharing agreement in nearly 30 years.
The Long Beach City Council approved the new Master Joint Use Agreement on June 3, 2025, with the LBUSD Board following suit on June 16. The five-year agreement includes two five-year renewal options. It aims to create more equitable and efficient use of shared facilities while strengthening the partnership between the city and school district.
“This new Joint Use Agreement is a meaningful step in our continued partnership with Long Beach Unified School District, further enhancing equitable use of our vibrant community spaces,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “This Agreement is proof that collaboration is key when building a stronger, more inclusive system of access to quality spaces and enriching programming for community members to come together and connect.”
Since 1986, the City’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) and LBUSD have maintained an Agreement permitting the reciprocal use of facilities. Over the past several years, the City’s Parks, Recreation and and Marine Administartion (PRM) and LBUSD have been working collaboratively to develop an updated new agreement to enhance this partnership. The last time the agreement was renewed was in 2006.
With the City Council’s favorable 8 to 0 vote, the deal provides permitted reciprocal use of PRM and LBUSD facilities for recreational, educational and civic activities.
This Agreement benefits the community by providing facilities that promote and preserve community health and general welfare while cultivating the development of good citizenship and adequate opportunities for community recreation programs.
For more information about LBUSD, visit lbschools.net or lbschoolbonds.net for information about LBUSD’s Facilities Development and Planning Office.
Barger celebrates Juneteenth in Sun Village
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger joined members of the Jackie Robinson family, community leaders, and Sun Village residents at Jackie Robinson Park in Sun Village on Saturday to honor and celebrate Juneteenth.
Sun Village is a historic Black unincorporated town in Los Angeles’ Antelope Valley. It was established during World War II as Black residents of Los Angeles moved to the valley as its aerospace industry boomed.
Sun Village is home to one of the oldest running community Juneteenth celebrations in the County. The community holds deep historical significance as one of the first communities in Los Angeles County where African American families could own property and build generational wealth.
“Without a doubt, one of the best places to be when celebrating America’s newest national holiday is Sun Village,” said Barger. “For over fifty years, Sun Village commemorated the day and to make sure the public at large knows what it stands for and why it’s an important day to celebrate. It’s an honor to be here today.”
Yaroslavsky, Jurado introduce civil rights motion
Los Angeles City Councilmembers Katy Yaroslavsky (D – Bel Air, Beverly Crest, Beverlywood, Carthay Circle, Century City, Cheviot Hills, Fairfax District, Holmby Hills, Melrose, Palms, Pico-Robertson, Westwood, Westside Village, Encino) and Ysabel Jurado (D – Boyle Heights, Downtown Los Angeles, Northeast Los Angeles) on Friday introduced a motion asking the Los Angeles City Attorney to take legal action against the Trump Administration in response to recent immigration enforcement activity reported across the city.
The motion comes after residents from multiple neighborhoods have reported being stopped, questioned, and detained by individuals claiming to be federal immigration agents, who in many cases are not wearing an official badge or other identification. In some cases, they have presented blank or unsigned warrants, and their actions appear to target people based on race or ethnicity.
“These actions undermine the fundamental civil rights of our residents and threaten the safety of our entire community,” said Yaroslavsky. “We have a responsibility to protect our communities from abuse, and that includes holding the federal government accountable when it crosses the line.”
“These actions further terrorize and traumatize our neighborhoods while tearing communities apart,” said Jurado. “In the face of this, Angelenos are showing courage and solidarity, and we must do everything in our power to protect them.”
The motion calls on the City Attorney to challenge the use of qualified immunity by federal agents who may be violating constitutional rights.
The proposed legal action would represent residents who may not feel safe coming forward on their own, due to fear of retaliation or further targeting. The goal is to stop unlawful detentions, protect civil rights, and restore trust and safety in Los Angeles neighborhoods.
City of Bell addresses misinformation involving Fed Agents
The City of Bell addressed misinformation involving a traffic accident that happened on Friday involving federal agents.
At approximately 2:49 p.m., Friday, June 20, the City of Bell Police Department responded to an emergency call reporting a traffic collision near Atlantic Avenue and Brompton Street. Bell PD was advised that a minor child had been injured in the incident and that emergency medical services might be required.
Upon arrival, officers discovered that a Jeep had rear-ended a US Border Patrol SUV. The front of the Jeep was pinned beneath the government vehicle. Border Patrol agents were outside their vehicle, attempting to separate the two vehicles and assist the minor passenger inside the Jeep. The driver had already been removed from the vehicle prior to Bell PD’s arrival.
Due to heightened tensions surrounding federal immigration enforcement activities, a crowd began to form around the scene. Some individuals breached traffic safety barricades, attacked US Customs and Border Patrol (ICE) agents, and vandalized police vehicles.
Out of concern for officer safety and public order, Bell PD requested mutual aid for crowd control from neighboring cities, including Bell Gardens, Vernon, Huntington Park, and South Gate, along with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Once the scene was resecured and tensions de-escalated, Bell PD officers safely escorted the involved vehicles to a secure location to complete the traffic collision report and facilitate vehicle towing. All passengers involved in the accident received appropriate medical attention for their injuries.
In light of recent concerns in our community, the City of Bell emphasizes that the Bell Police Department is not coordinating with ICE or any federal immigration enforcement agencies. Officers responded solely to a traffic collision and took necessary steps to manage the situation and ensure public safety.
“We urge all residents to remain calm. The safety, trust, and well-being of our community, regardless of background or immigration status, remain our top priorities,” the City of Bell said in a statement.
“We are committed to protecting the rights and dignity of every resident. However, we respectfully ask that community members do not obstruct Bell PD officers, who are called to maintain public safety and protect all members of our community.”
