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Jessica York
Jessica A. York covers Santa Cruz County public safety, courts and homelessness for the Sentinel. She has been a working journalist, on both coasts, since 2004.
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![Reyes-Palacios was arrested on suspicion of human sex trafficking of a minor, contacting a minor with intent to commit certain felonies and lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14. Reyes-Palacios was arrested on suspicion of human sex trafficking of a minor, contacting a minor with intent to commit certain felonies and lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14.](https://www.eastbaytimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/generic-arrest-crime-scene-08-1-11-1.jpg?w=132)
Santa Cruz County track coach suspected of child sex abuse arrested
Reyes-Palacios was arrested on suspicion of human sex trafficking of a minor, contacting a minor with intent to commit certain felonies and lewd or lascivious acts with a child under...
![The Santa Cruz County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office has identified a man and a woman who drowned last week on Santa Cruz’s Westside after being swept off the rocks and into Monterey Bay. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office has identified a man and a woman who drowned last week on Santa Cruz’s Westside after being swept off the rocks and into Monterey Bay.](https://www.eastbaytimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/NEWS_150829665_EP_-1_HYJAGKUHKIDY.jpg?w=130)
Authorities ID San Jose duo fatally swept into water off West Cliff Drive
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office has identified a man and a woman who drowned last week on Santa Cruz’s Westside after being swept off the rocks and into Monterey...
![Adrian Jerry Gonzalez, now 24, was found guilty in 2021 of murdering neighbor Madyson “Maddy” Middleton. After serving his maximum sentence in juvenile detention, Gonzalez is scheduled for release by his 25th birthday in October, per state law. Adrian Jerry Gonzalez, now 24, was found guilty in 2021 of murdering neighbor Madyson “Maddy” Middleton. After serving his maximum sentence in juvenile detention, Gonzalez is scheduled for release by his 25th birthday in October, per state law.](https://www.eastbaytimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/STC-L-JYYIRAJ-12xx-01_91514284.jpg?w=132)
Santa Cruz County prosecutors seek to block release of man convicted of 2015 assault, murder of 8-year-old “Maddy” Middleton
Adrian Jerry Gonzalez, now 24, was found guilty in 2021 of murdering neighbor Madyson “Maddy” Middleton. After serving his maximum sentence in juvenile detention, Gonzalez is scheduled for release by...
![Prosecutors have charged three men with federal crimes related to drug possession and distribution amid what the county sheriff is calling a local fentanyl health crisis. Prosecutors have charged three men with federal crimes related to drug possession and distribution amid what the county sheriff is calling a local fentanyl health crisis.](https://www.eastbaytimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/DEA_Corruption_42908.jpg?w=132)
Santa Cruz drug busts taken over as federal fentanyl trafficking cases
Prosecutors have charged three men with federal crimes related to drug possession and distribution amid what the county sheriff is calling a local fentanyl health crisis.
![Rescue swimmers from the Santa Cruz Fire Department and Santa Cruz City Lifeguards pulled the victims out of the water, but lifesaving efforts were unsuccessful. Rescue swimmers from the Santa Cruz Fire Department and Santa Cruz City Lifeguards pulled the victims out of the water, but lifesaving efforts were unsuccessful.](https://www.eastbaytimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/STC-L-JYWAVES-0718-01_200185874-rotated-1.jpg?w=140)
Two people die after getting swept into the water along Santa Cruz coast
Rescue swimmers from the Santa Cruz Fire Department and Santa Cruz City Lifeguards pulled the victims out of the water, but lifesaving efforts were unsuccessful.
![Matthew Madriz Alcaraz, 20, who had been jailed in a separate Watsonville murder case since 2022, has been charged with seriously injuring a fellow inmate in jailhouse shanking. Matthew Madriz Alcaraz, 20, who had been jailed in a separate Watsonville murder case since 2022, has been charged with seriously injuring a fellow inmate in jailhouse shanking.](https://www.eastbaytimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/0530-bus-l-gavel-1-42-1.jpg?w=135)
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South Bay man to stand trial for attempted murder
Matthew Madriz Alcaraz, 20, who had been jailed in a separate Watsonville murder case since 2022, has been charged with seriously injuring a fellow inmate in jailhouse shanking.
![Having been convicted and sentenced in the deaths of eight women, including six college coeds, his mother and her friend in less than a year, Kemper is currently serving his sentence at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville. Having been convicted and sentenced in the deaths of eight women, including six college coeds, his mother and her friend in less than a year, Kemper is currently serving his sentence at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville.](https://www.eastbaytimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/20111011_105823_kemper.jpg?w=115)
Notorious Santa Cruz serial killer Ed Kemper denied parole in latest hearing
Having been convicted and sentenced in the deaths of eight women, including six college coeds, his mother and her friend in less than a year, Kemper is currently serving his...
![The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office has uncovered what officials say was a cockfighting ring with some 200 roosters mutilated with attached knives. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office has uncovered what officials say was a cockfighting ring with some 200 roosters mutilated with attached knives.](https://www.eastbaytimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/STC-L-JYFIGHT-0711-01.jpg?w=132)
Illegal cockfighting ring uncovered in Santa Cruz Mountains
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office has uncovered what officials say was a cockfighting ring with some 200 roosters mutilated with attached knives.
![A Santa Cruz judge erred in not ensuring individual Spanish-language interpreters were provided for each of three co-defendants during their 2020 homicide preliminary hearing, a San Jose-based state appellate court panel ruled last week. A Santa Cruz judge erred in not ensuring individual Spanish-language interpreters were provided for each of three co-defendants during their 2020 homicide preliminary hearing, a San Jose-based state appellate court panel ruled last week.](https://www.eastbaytimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/court_gavel.jpg?w=140)
Court: Santa Cruz to dismiss homicide charge against San Jose man for 2018 slaying
A Santa Cruz judge erred in not ensuring individual Spanish-language interpreters were provided for each of three co-defendants during their 2020 homicide preliminary hearing, a San Jose-based state appellate court...
![A 42-year-old high school math teacher is facing arraignment this week on allegations of "grooming" a 17-year-old student with alleged intention of child sexual exploitation, police said Monday. A 42-year-old high school math teacher is facing arraignment this week on allegations of "grooming" a 17-year-old student with alleged intention of child sexual exploitation, police said Monday.](https://www.eastbaytimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/US-NEWS-CRIME-VICTIMS-SERVICES-DMT-1.jpg?w=140)
Bay Area math teacher faces child sex crime charges
A 42-year-old high school math teacher is facing arraignment this week on allegations of "grooming" a 17-year-old student with alleged intention of child sexual exploitation, police said Monday.