| For Immediate Release Case # 08CF1993
August 27, 2009 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
JUDGE GIVES HUSBAND MAXIMUM SENTENCE OF 17 YEARS IN PRISON FOR SEVERAL BOMB AND WEAPONS CHARGES
*The defendant was on probation for domestic violence restraining order when the crime was committed
SANTA ANA – A judge sentenced a husband today to the maximum of 17 years in state prison for bomb and weapons charges after making threats against his estranged wife, the Huntington Beach Police Department (HBPD), and the judge who had been presiding over his family court case. Ronald Gary Turner, 45, Costa Mesa, was on probation for a separate domestic violence case against his wife at the time of this crime. Turner was found guilty by a jury on Aug. 4, 2009, of felonies for two counts of stalking, three counts of possession of a destructive device with the intent to injure, one count of possession of a homemade deadly weapon, and one count each of possession of a loaded firearm in public, receiving a stolen firearm, possession of ammunition by a prohibited person, and dissuading a witness.
On April 4, 2008, Turner was placed on probation after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor domestic violence restraining order charge (07WM09304). On July 1, 2008, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) Judicial Protection Unit received information through HBPD and the Newport Beach Police Department that the defendant may be in possession of bombs and weapons and had made potential threats against his estranged wife, her divorce attorney, a HBPD detective, and the judge who was presiding over his family law matter. The defendant failed to attend the court-ordered batterer’s treatment program, a term of his domestic violence plea, and a bench warrant was issued on the misdemeanor case on July 2, 2008.
Later that day, OCSD deputies conducted a traffic stop on the 22 Freeway. At the traffic stop, Turner had is his possession handcuffs, pepper spray, throwing knives, and a stolen 9mm firearm, which had the serial numbers removed and was loaded with hollow point rounds.
In his Costa Mesa home, Turner possessed three homemade bombs with two timers, two homemade guns, other bomb making materials, tactical equipment, a bullet proof vest, and listening devices. Two children, unrelated to the defendant, were living in the home in an adjacent room. The OCSD bomb squad safely detonated both homemade bombs on July 3, 2008. On July 9, 2008, a third bomb was found in Turner’s home.
Deputy District Attorney Israel Claustro of the Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuted this case.
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