Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 03/20/07

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - 565-3099 District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua - 565-3098

DA TAPS DIANA GOMEZ AS ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY

Sonoma County District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua tapped Chief Deputy Diana Gomez to be his newest Assistant District Attorney. Gomez will be assigned to oversee criminal trial departments.

“Ms. Gomez is an extremely talented and highly respected prosecutor,” said District Attorney Passalacqua. “Our community is fortunate to have her as a dedicated public servant,” said Passalacqua.

Ms. Gomez has been an attorney for more than 20 years. She is a graduate of California State University Fullerton and Santa Clara University School of Law. Before joining this office, she served in the Vallejo City Attorney’s Office and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. She has conducted more than 120 jury trials, including approximately 14 homicide trials and 63 gang-related jury and court trials. Gomez was selected as the 2005 Prosecutor of the Year for her outstanding trial work. Prosecutor of the year award is the highest award given to any prosecutor.

In a recent success, Ms. Gomez prosecuted the homicide of Daniel Camargo. In August of 2005 Mr. Camargo and his two friends were standing in front of his residence when defendants Adan Valdovino and Gabriel Tafolla confronted the three with a sawed off shotgun. After an exchange of words, Tafolla shot and killed Mr. Camargo and attempted to kill a second victim. In February of 2006, Ms. Gomez obtained convictions of first degree murder and premeditated and deliberated attempted murder on each of the defendants.

Ms. Gomez also successfully prosecuted a case involving 13 gang members who were convicted of attempted murder for a vicious attack on three young men in Santa Rosa. Ten defendants received sentences ranging from 14 - 24 years in state prison.

Assistant D.A. Gomez joined the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office in 2003. Gomez served as Team Leader for the Gang Unit, and was promoted to Chief Deputy in 2005. The Assistant vacancy was created by the recent retirement of Assistant D.A. Larry Scoufos. Ms. Gomez will join Assistant D.A. Christine Cook as Mr. Passalacqua’s chief assistant in the office’s organization.