| For Immediate Release February 21, 2007 |
Contact: Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 |
18-YEAR-OLD MAN FACES CHARGES FOR TRYING TO MURDER 91-YEAR-OLD CONVALESCENT PATIENT BY SUFFOCATING HIM WITH PILLOW
NEWPORT BEACH – Felony charges have been filed against an 18-year-old man for trying to murder a 91-year-old patient at a convalescent home. Joshua Matthew Drougas, Costa Mesa, is charged with attempted murder with premeditation and deliberation, elder abuse, and residential burglary. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 15 years to life in prison. Drougas is being held on $1 million bail and is scheduled to be arraigned today, Wednesday February 21, 2007 at 1:30 p.m. in Department H-2, Harbor Justice Center, Newport Beach.
On February 18, 2007 at approximately 11:20 p.m., Drougas is accused of walking into the Mesa Verde Convalescent Center at 661 Center Street in Costa Mesa. He is accused of walking through the facility past a nurse’s station and patients doors into the room of a sleeping 91-year-old man, Ted Mastos. Drougas is accused of taking a pillow and placing it over the victims face in an attempt to murder him by suffocating him. The victim woke up and was able to fend off the attack and call for help.
Deputy District Attorney Craig Cazares of the Family Protection Unit is prosecuting this case.
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