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FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2024
C ALI FORN IA’S OLDE ST NE W SPAPER
mtdemocrat.com
VOLUME 173 • ISSUE 7 | $1.00
Cunha facing 12 felony counts related to explosives crimes Eric Jaramishian
Benjamin Cunha, 41-year-old convicted arsonist and former firefighter, appears in El Dorado County Superior Court Department 1 for his arraignment Wednesday, Jan. 16. He is suspected of crimes related to use and possession of destructive and explosive devices.
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Staff writer
Mountain Democrat photo by Eric Jaramishian
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Benjamin Cunha, a convicted arsonist and former firefighter accused of using and possessing unlawful destructive devices or explosives, pleaded not guilty to charges during his arraignment Wednesday afternoon. Overseeing the arraignment was Judge Thomas A. Smith in El Dorado County Superior Court Department 1 in downtown Placerville, who determined Cunha, 41, will have a “no bail” hold. “The defendant does have a prior arson felony conviction out of this court,” Smith said while determining the bail. “The complaint (cites) numerous serious felonies that have a lengthy term of imprisonment if convicted of these charges ... up to 640 months.” Smith set Cunha’s pre-preliminary trial for ■ See CUNHA, page A7
Escrow has closed on the old golf course property bisected by Serrano Parkway in El Dorado Hills. The El Dorado Hills Community Services District has purchased 55 acres of the Serrano Associates property with the option to purchase the rest within 18 months.
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Lawsuit alleges man died in jail untreated for meth withdrawal Odin Rasco Staff writer
El Dorado County and the El Dorado County Sheriff ’s Office are facing a lawsuit alleging they are responsible for the death of a former county resident who exhibited symptoms of methamphetamine withdrawal while in custody. Jonathan Madrigal was 31 years old when he died in a holding cell in the El Dorado County Jail Oct. 21, 2022, according to the complaint filed in a Sacramento federal court. The suit is filed by the Estate of Jonathan Madrigal and Luis and Carmen Madrigal, Jonathan’s parents. The plaintiffs claim jail staff knew Jonathan was suffering from withdrawal and overdose while in custody, but failed to provide necessary medical care such as adequate treatment or transportation to an outside facility. The legal complaint claims Jonathan ingested methamphetamine prior to driving a vehicle with his brother as passenger in El Dorado Hills Oct. 18, 2022. While driving, the complaint states Jonathan took ill and his arms and legs started to shake uncontrollably; Madrigal pulled the ■ See LAWSUIT, page A7
Property now public land
New CCW law facing immediate legal challenges
Noel Stack
Odin Rasco
Mountain Democrat file photo by Eric Jaramishian
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Escrow has closed on the El Dorado Hills Community Services District’s purchase of 55 acres of the old Executive Golf Course
and the donation of 11 acres abutting the archery range along El Dorado Hills Boulevard, extending toward Wilson Boulevard. The EDHCSD made the announcement Jan. 12. The board earlier decided it will use cash on hand for the initial $10 million purchase of land and plans to explore local funding options, including a publicly funded bond measure, for acquisition of “option property.” The remaining golf course property on the south side of Serrano Parkway closest to Highway 50 covers 41.5 acres and comes with a $9.96 million price tag ($240,000 per acre). The approved purchase agreement affords the CSD and community 18 months to obtain
funding/financing for the second purchase now that escrow has closed on the first. “Getting to this point would not have been possible without the strong outpouring of support from the El Dorado Hills community,” states a news release posted by the CSD. “To our community members and partners, whether you have been supporting this effort for months or years, thank you for your collaboration and perseverance,” the message continues. “This is a huge milestone achieved by the community. We look forward to engaging with the community on acquiring the remaining acreage of the old Executive Golf
Course and envisioning the future of this parkland.” After years of negotiations, public meetings and plan revisions, the EDHCSD announced a deal with Serrano Associates LLC at the Nov. 20, 2023, board of directors meeting. The purchase also includes language solidifying in-perpetuity current zoning and use of the old Executive Golf Course property that is not purchased, meaning Parker Development can no longer pursue a residential project on the property, which was initially part of its Central El Dorado Hills Specific Plan. Kirk Bone, director of Government Relations ■ See PROPERTY, page A7
Staff writer
A new addition to California’s list of gun safety laws has been temporarily halted as courts consider if the state Legislature has overstepped protections set out by the Second Amendment. Senate Bill 2, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in September and set to go into effect Jan. 1 of this year, alters the licensing system for concealed carry weapons permits in a number of ways, including: • The minimum age to apply for a CCW permit has been raised to 21. • Applicants will have to be recorded by the Department of Justice as the owner of the pistol or other firearm they intend to conceal on their person. • The training requirement, previously set to be no more than 16 hours in length, has been changed to be a minimum of 16 hours and will cover additional subjects, including safe storage and legal transportation of firearms. • If an applicant’s new license or renewal is revoked, the licensing authority will be required to give notice. Additionally, if the application is denied based on the determination the applicant is a “disqualified person,” they will be permitted to request a hearing to challenge the denial or revocation. If the application is denied for any ■ See CCW, page A6
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