| For Immediate Release Case # 08CF1993
August 4, 2009 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
JURY CONVICTS HUSBAND ON SEVERAL BOMB AND WEAPONS CHARGES WHILE ON PROBATION FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESTRAINING ORDER
SANTA ANA – A husband on probation for domestic violence against his estranged wife was convicted of bomb and weapons charges after making threats against his 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 convicted 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. The defendant faces a maximum sentence of 15 years and four months in state prison at his sentencing on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2009, in Department N-2, North Justice Center, Fullerton.
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 prosecuting this case.
###