TORRANCE, Calif. — A judge at the Torrance Courthouse on Monday sided with the prosecution over a request by private counsel Vincent Scott Hughes to limit the accused Fred Sayegh’s probation period after defense counsel said he had not previously been informed of restrictions related to the accused’s probation.
During a preliminary reset hearing, Deputy District Attorney Taylor Cusumano stated that the accused would face two counts under Penal Code section 245(a)(1), assault with a deadly weapon or by means of force likely to cause great bodily injury, and Penal Code section 969f, governing how the court may allege the defendant committed a serious felony. The accused denied that these events occurred without providing further context.
Hughes disputed the two counts, noting that he had only been informed about them 48 hours before the hearing.
Judge Thomas Sokolov requested that the accused be subject to two years of probation and two years of anger management classes if he admitted to the allegations.
Cusumano asked the accused whether he would like to admit to the allegations regarding Penal Code section 245(a)(1). The accused stated, “No contest.” Cusumano then asked the accused whether he would plead guilty under Penal Code section 969f. The accused stated, “Guilty.”
Hughes interrupted Cusumano and claimed that the allegations were “not true,” despite the accused’s answers to her questions. Referencing the following week, Cusumano stated that “after the official Preliminary hearing, he will most likely be convicted for 2 counts instead of 1.”
Sokolov requested information from the DDA regarding the victims’ bodily injuries. Cusumano stated that one victim was experiencing numbness in her foot, was scheduled for a neurological referral and was experiencing severe shoulder and back pain and loss of bladder control.
Sokolov said he would permit “the people” to proceed with the allegations because individuals were hurt in the process.
Cusumano reminded the judge that the accused had personally used a vehicle as a deadly weapon. Sokolov immediately requested that an arraignment be put in place. After Cusumano asked the accused whether he would surrender under Penal Code section 969f, the accused decided to plead not guilty.
Cusumano stated that the accused would serve two years on probation. Cusumano stated that, while on probation, he would be subject to vehicle searches or seizures at any time by law enforcement, prohibited from possessing or using any firearms or ammunition, and subject to DNA and fingerprint scans at any given time.
Sokolov stated that the accused was “guilty” and would be placed on two years of formal felony probation and serve 90 days in county jail. The accused must report to his probation officer within 48 hours and return to court the following Monday to schedule 28 anger management classes. The accused will have to pay a $300 probation fine, a $300 restitution fine and a $30 court fine.
Cusumano told the court that the accused was friends with both victims, Myla Rivera and Andrew Moralles, and should “stay away from them.” Sokolov ordered the accused to remain at least 100 yards away from both victims and have no contact with them.
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