| For Immediate Release Case # 10CF1403
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TRANSIENT ARRAIGNED FOR MAILING DEATH THREATS TO SANTA ANA POLICE OFFICERS
SANTA ANA – A transient was arraigned today on charges of mailing death threats to Santa Ana police officers. Tony Diep, 47, Santa Ana, is charged with one felony count of sending a threatening extortion letter, two felony counts of resisting and deterring an executive officer, and two felony counts of criminal threats. If convicted, Diep faces a maximum sentence of five years and four months in state prison. He is being held on $50,000 bail and is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing June 15, 2010, at 8:30 a.m. in Department C-55, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
On July 30, 2008, feces were spread on the outside wall of the Santa Ana Public Library. That morning, Diep is accused of leaving a threatening letter addressed to the persons in charge of the library and the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) in the book-drop box complaining about the Santa Ana police officer who provided security for the library and stating that the library would be vandalized 50 times worse if the Santa Ana officer was not removed.
On April 15, 2009, Diep is accused of sending a letter to the Santa Ana Police Chief Paul Walters, threatening to kill the police officer stationed at the Santa Ana Public Library. He is accused of having detailed knowledge of the officer’s work hours and stating that he had purchased guns and bullets.
On Feb. 17, 2010, Diep is accused of sending a letter to SAPD Chief Walters threatening to kill any police officer he sees between 4:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. in the Santa Ana Civic Center Plaza. He is accused of stating that it would be easy to kill any officer and specifically mentions two SAPD officers. The defendant is accused of signing all three letters with a Hispanic sounding name.
The defendant was linked to the letters by the Orange County Crime Lab who analyzed the defendant’s DNA sample.
Deputy District Attorney Brock Zimmon of the Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting this case.
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