Marin County Jail Theft Case Dismissed: What You Need to Know
This blog post digs into the recent dismissal of theft charges against two inmates at Marin County Jail. The focus? An alleged theft of commissary funds from another inmate.
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We’ll break down the accusations, peek at why the prosecution dropped the case, and touch on where everyone stands legally. If you live in Marin County—Novato, San Rafael, or nearby—this overview’s for you.
The Allegations Surface: Theft within the Walls of Marin County Jail
The whole thing started with some pretty serious allegations against two men locked up in Marin County Jail. Cristofer Alexander Larreinaga Corea, just 19 and from Novato, and Alexander Alonzo Velasquez, 24, out of San Rafael, got accused of working together to steal from another inmate.
Prosecutors said they targeted 77-year-old Michael Eugene Mullen, who was in jail on a separate murder charge. The charges weren’t minor—misdemeanor counts of theft from an elder, identity theft, and property theft landed on their plates.
Sheriff’s Lt. Brennan Collins explained the theory: Larreinaga Corea and Velasquez supposedly grabbed Mullen’s personal info, especially his jail ID number. They allegedly used it to buy stuff from the commissary, leaving Mullen about $40 short.
A Sudden Turn: The Case Takes an Unexpected Path
The trial was supposed to happen this past Monday. Instead, everything flipped when the prosecution asked to dismiss all charges.
Judge Geoffrey Howard agreed, stopping the case cold in Marin County Superior Court. People around Sausalito and Tiburon started wondering what happened next.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Geoff Iida chose not to explain the reasons for dismissal. That’s not unusual, but it left some folks curious. Defense attorneys, though, had plenty to say.
Defense Attorneys Speak Out: “Never Should Have Been Filed”
The attorneys for the accused felt a wave of relief after the dismissal. Jon Rankin, who represented Alexander Alonzo Velasquez, didn’t hold back—he called the prosecution’s case deeply flawed and insisted it “never could have been proven and never should have been filed.”
Peter Chambers, representing Cristofer Alexander Larreinaga Corea, agreed. He pointed out something basic but important: “accusations are not evidence.” Chambers said they expected this outcome all along, standing firm on their clients’ innocence regarding these charges.
The Current Realities: A Deeper Dive into All Inmates’ Status
Even though the theft charges are gone, all three individuals are still in custody. They’re each being held for different, unrelated legal reasons. Folks across Marin County—from Corte Madera to Belvedere—might want to keep that in mind.
Cristofer Alexander Larreinaga Corea lives in Novato. He just got a pretty hefty two-year sentence for a separate case.
This sentence comes from a vehicular manslaughter charge. The incident involved the tragic death of a 14-year-old girl.
Alexander Alonzo Velasquez, who’s from San Rafael, is still waiting for his trial. The charges against him are serious—he’s accused of sexually assaulting a minor.
Authorities say the minor was allegedly drugged or intoxicated. This case has grabbed a lot of legal attention.
Michael Eugene Mullen, age 77, accused the others in the now-dismissed theft case. He’s also waiting for his own sentencing, which is set for June 10th.
They linked him by DNA evidence to a 1973 murder. The correctional system sure has a way of weaving together some pretty tangled stories.
Here is the source article for this story: Marin jail inmates avoid theft trial
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