OCDA Todd Spitzer

As we mark National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, our hearts are heavy as we stand with those who have an empty seat at their table, and those who managed to survive. Crime is not a single act. It is thousands of traumas, some small, some big, some physical, some emotional – all painful, and never-ending. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office will always stand with victims of crime, from the moment a crime is committing through prosecution and the parole process. This week, and every week, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that victims are heard, supported, and never left to face the justice process alone. Service is not just a single act. It is an unyielding to fight for good to triumph over evil. A reminder that the faces of the victims will never be forgotten, and the voices of victims will be heard louder and stronger than the criminals. This year’s theme for National Crime Victims’ Rights Week : Listen. Act. Advocate. Protect victims, serve communities. While we cannot erase the trauma, we as prosecutors, as investigators, and as crime victim advocates, are a shoulder to cry on in the courthouse hallway, and warriors in the courtroom in the never-ending fight for justice.

Orange County District Attorney’s Office had a blast attending this year’s Taste of Orange, enjoying the incredible flavors, live music, and vibrant community spirit! Events like this are possible because Orange County is safe thanks to the tireless work of our law enforcement partners and our commitment at the District Attorney’s Office to protecting our community every single day. That safety is exactly why families and neighbors get to gather freely, celebrate, and create memories without worry. From savory bites by local chefs to sweet treats that had everyone smiling, it was the perfect reminder of why we love serving (and tasting) right here in Orange County. Huge thanks to all the vendors and organizers for an unforgettable day here’s to more events that bring our community together! #TasteOfOrange

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office proudly wore denim in honor of Denim Day, standing together as one to challenge harmful myths about sexual violence and to show support for survivors. By wearing denim, we reaffirm our commitment to awareness, education, and creating a community where survivors are believed and supported. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office remains committed to always supporting survivors and keeping Orange County Safe.

Viva Tustin was a blast! The Orange County District Attorney’s Office loved meeting the community, sharing resources, and celebrating Tustin’s amazing energy! Thank you @CityofTustin for inviting us to Frontier Park and showcasing the product of public safety: a community where life and culture thrives.

Charges Upgraded to Involuntary Manslaughter Against Aliso Viejo Mother Whose 14-year-old Son Killed Vietnam Veteran While Child was Illegally Riding an E-motorcycle 16 Times More Powerful than an e-Bike Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer warns parents he will prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law when they allow their children to ride illegal motor vehicles and endanger their safety and the safety of others Full press release: bit.ly/4tNVpTn SANTA ANA, Calif. – An Aliso Viejo mother repeatedly warned of the dangers of continuing to allow her 14-year-old son to illegally ride an E-motorcycle has had her charges of child endangerment upgraded to include involuntary manslaughter after the 81-year-old Vietnam veteran critically injured when he was hit by the boy doing wheelies on an E-motorcycle in Lake Forest died. Eighty-one-year-old Ed Ashman died yesterday afternoon, a week after being hit by the E-motorcycle while walking home from his job as a substitute teacher at El Toro High School. Since January, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office has filed child endangerment charges against three parents for allowing their children to illegally ride E-motorcycles, including against a Yorba Linda father whose 12-year-old son was critically injured after he ran a red light and was hit by a car while riding an E-motorcycle which had been modified to go up to 60 miles per hour, after the boy and his father had been warned about the dangers of children riding E-motorcycles illegally. He faces a maximum sentence of six years in state prison if convicted on all counts. Tommi Jo Mejer, 50, of Aliso Viejo, was previously been charged with one felony count of child endangerment, one felony count of accessory after the fact to a crime, one misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, one misdemeanor count of loaning a motor vehicle to an unlicensed driver, and one misdemeanor count of providing false information to a peace officer. Today, in an amended complaint, Mejer is now charged with one felony count of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of Ed Ashman, one felony count of child endangerment, one felony count of accessory after the fact to a crime, one misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, one misdemeanor count of providing false information to a peace officer, and an infraction for permitting an unlicensed minor under the age of 18 to drive a motor vehicle. She faces a maximum sentence of seven years and eight months in state prison if convicted on all counts. She is scheduled to be arraigned on May 21, 2026, at the Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach in Department H1. Mejer was arrested by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department on April 21, 2026, at the Lamoreaux Justice Center in Orange. On Thursday, April 16, 2026, around 4 p.m., Orange County Sheriff’s deputies were called to respond to Toledo Way and Ridge Route Drive, which borders El Toro High School, for a pedestrian hit by an E-motorcycle. The victim, later identified as Ed Ashman, an 81-year-old substitute teacher and captain in the United States Marine Corps who flew combat missions in Vietnam, was critically injured after being hit by a teenage boy doing wheelies in the middle of the street. The rider of the Surron E-motorcycle left the scene of the collision. In June 2025, Mejer called the Orange County Sheriff’s Department to complain that someone was posting pictures of her then-13-year-old son riding an E-motorcycle. During a 28-minute interaction with two Orange County Sheriff’s deputies captured on body worn camera, Mejer admitted that she purchased her son a Surron E-motorcycle and knew that he drove it recklessly. The deputies warned her that she could face potential criminal charges if she continued to allow him to ride the E-motorcycle which he could not legally ride. Riders of E-motorcycles must be 16 years of age and possess a motorcycle license. A law enforcement inspection of the 2025 Surron Ultra Bee, the vehicle involved in last week’s collision, revealed the vehicle is classified as a motor-driven cycle under CVC section 405 or a motorcycle under CVC section 400. Both classifications require a valid motorcycle license for street operation, as well as DMV registration, license plate, insurance and full motorcycle equipment. Without complying with these requirements, the only approved use of this E-motorcycle is either on private property or properly registered as Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) areas. The Surron Ultra Bee is marketed as an off-road E-motorcycle capable of going up to speeds of 58 miles per hour and accelerating from 0-31 miles per hour in 2.3 seconds. With a peak power of 12.5kW, the output of a Surron Ultra Bee is 16 times more powerful than what is legally allowed for an e-Bike. Hours after the collision, Mejer is seen on body worn camera repeatedly telling Orange County Sheriff’s deputies investigating the injury crash that neither she nor her teenage son own a Surron or have access to one. California law distinguishes between e-Bikes and E-motorcycles based on three main features: the power limit of its motor, its maximum speed limit, and whether it is equipped with operable pedals. Electric bicycles with Class 1 or Class 2 designations do not have rider age or licensing restrictions; e-Bikes with Class 3 designations require riders to be aged 16 or older. Generally, an electric bike that does not qualify as Class 1, 2 or 3, will be classified as an electric motorcycle. That means either that the bike has an electric motor that exceeds 750 watts of power or can reach speeds higher than 20-mph on motor power alone. Additionally, if the bike is not equipped with fully operable pedals, or if it has been modified to reach speeds higher than 20-mph or to attain power higher than 750 watts, the bike cannot be designated an electric bike and instead would be considered an E-motorcycle. Per Welfare and Institutions Code Sections 827 and 828, the District Attorney’s Office is prohibited from disclosing the name of juveniles involved in criminal investigations or discussing juvenile investigations. “An American hero who survived flying combat missions in Vietnam could not survive walking across the street in Lake Forest because of a 14-year-old child who was allowed to ride an E-Motorcycle that he should have never been riding,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “This mother essentially handed her 14-year-old son a deadly weapon, and despite multiple warnings of the dangers, continued to let him illegally ride an E-Motorcycle until he finally killed someone. This is a tragedy for the family of Ed Ashman and for everyone who loved a man who committed himself to his country and his community, and it is a tragedy for our society that we have gotten to a point where parents are refusing to hold their children – and themselves – accountable for endangering the lives of other people. If parents aren’t going to hold their children accountable, then I am going to hold parents accountable for hurting and killing innocent people while riding illegal motor vehicles.” Senior Deputy District Attorney Noor Hasan of the Family Protection Unit is prosecuting this case.

Happy National Law Day! Established in 1958, National Law Day celebrates our nation’s commitment to the rule of law and the principles that guide our legal system. This year’s theme, The Rule of Law, highlights the importance of fairness, justice, and accountability in ensuring a safe and orderly society. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office is proud to recognize Law Day and reaffirm our dedication to upholding the rule of law, protecting our communities, and ensuring justice for all.

It’s never “just fentanyl.” Teens are often exposed to illegal pills that look harmless but may be secretly laced with this deadly opioid. One pill — even taken once — can be enough to take a life. April 29th marks the fifth annual Fentanyl Awareness Day, shining a light on the epidemic that has taken too many young lives in Orange County. Teen overdose deaths involving fentanyl remain a serious threat, but the county is now seeing its lowest fentanyl‑related death rate in five years thanks to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office’s targeted efforts to stop the flow of counterfeit pills. In 2024, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office charged nearly 600 fentanyl dealers. Each prosecution removes a dangerous source of fake pills that often reach teens through social media and at parties, reducing the risk of another preventable tragedy. You can’t tell if a pill contains fentanyl. Seventy percent of teen drug deaths involve it, and any pill not prescribed directly to you by a medical professional carries extreme and potentially fatal risk. Visit fentanylawarenessday.org to learn how to protect yourself or a loved one and recognize the warning signs of fentanyl danger.

This Denim Day, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office wears denim to support sexual assault survivors, challenge misconceptions about consent, and take a stand against sexual violence. Denim Day began after a 1990s Italian court ruling overturned a rape conviction because the victim wore tight jeans, suggesting that she must have helped remove them and therefore implied consent. This ruling sparked international outrage and inspired people around the world to wear denim as a visible statement of solidarity with survivors and a protest against attitudes that excuse or dismiss sexual violence. Today, denim isn’t just a fabric—it’s a symbol of strength, solidarity, and support for survivors of sexual assault. From the mailroom to the courtroom, and everything in between, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office stands against sexual violence – and stands up for survivors.

The strength of Orange County comes from its diversity. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office was proud to join residents in celebrating the diversity of La Palma at this weekend’s Festival of Nations. We enjoyed connecting with the community, sharing public safety resources, and providing information about hate crime prevention and reporting. Thank you to the La Palma Police Department for your partnership and continued commitment to public safety. Thank you to the City of La Palma for hosting another outstanding Festival of Nations. We look forward to coming back next year!

Congratulations to Senior Deputy District Attorney Bethel Cope‑Vega on receiving the Blue Ribbon Award from The Raise Foundation! The Blue Ribbon Award honors Orange County professionals who go above and beyond in their service to children and families. As a member of the Orange County District Attorney’s Family Protection Unit, Senior DDA Cope‑Vega is a dedicated advocate for children in child abuse prosecutions and works tirelessly to ensure their voices are heard in the courtroom. She was previously recognized as the California District Attorneys Association’s Prosecutor of the Year in 2024 for her exceptional work in stopping child abuse by holding offenders accountable and protecting the children harmed by their actions. Known for her unwavering dedication, she excels in handling complex and emotionally challenging cases, often dedicating countless hours to ensuring victims and their families receive the support, attention, and justice they deserve. Her tenacity and compassion make her a fierce advocate for children and reflect our office’s commitment to ensuring that child abuse is never tolerated in Orange County. Congratulations to Senior Deputy District Attorney Bethel Cope‑Vega for receiving this well‑deserved honor! @raisefoundation

Serving the public as a prosecutor isn’t just limited to advocacy in the courtroom. Orange County Deputy District Attorney Jimmy Voge is helping lead the next generation of attorneys through his mentoring of the Brea Olinda High School Mock Trial Team through the Constitutional Rights Foundation of Orange County (CRF-OC). Lawyering isn’t easy, but long nights, weekends, and countless hours of coaching help to shape the lawyers of the future. And Deputy District Attorney Voge, who helps keep Orange County – and victims – safe through prosecuting human trafficking cases is the best of the best, having just been named Coach of the Year by the Constitutional Rights Foundation of Orange County (CRF-OC). Leading with skill, integrity, and a huge heart, Deputy District Attorney Voge helped guide the Brea Olinda High School Mock Trial Team to its most successful season ever, advancing to the Elite 8 out of more than 60 mock trial teams. And he kept coaching them through the spring competition, leading them into the playoffs. Competitive greatness comes from within – but a great coach knows how to challenge you to dig deep – and unleash your greatness. Congratulations to Deputy District Attorney Jimmy Voge for being named Constitutional Rights Foundation of Orange County’s Coach of the Year – and for helping our future lawyers unleash their greatness! #mocktrial #competitivegreatness #futureprosecutors

Hate has no place in Orange County, and hate has no place in our schools. It harms students, disrupts learning, and limits the potential of our most vulnerable members of society. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office is honored to partner with the Orange County Department of Education and @OCDeptofEd Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean to bring educators and prosecutors together to discuss how to effectively combat hate crimes and hate incidents in Orange County schools. Last week, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer and Dr. Stefan Bean welcomed school administrators and staff to a workshop that included a comprehensive overview of how hate incidents and hate crimes are investigated, how hate crimes are prosecuted, and how educators can proactively identify potential hate-related issues. Attendees also heard from a victim panel focusing on how hate has impacted their lives and what needs to be done to address it. District Attorney Spitzer has made prosecuting hate crimes a cornerstone of his administration, including creating a Hate Crimes Unit in 2021 and successfully being awarded a $1.4 million hate crimes grant from the United States Department of Justice. Learning how to recognize and respond to hate incidents and hate crimes is essential to ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for all students, which is critical for allowing them to thrive while getting their education. It is never too early to teach that hate will never be tolerated – and together we can be part of creating a more loving society. #hatehasnohomeinorangecounty #knowhate #nohate

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office laced up for the Crime Survivors Superhero 5K Run—where every step honors the resilience, healing, and hope of crime survivors. Thank you @crimesurvivors for uplifting survivors and ensuring the voices of victims are heard.

Know the law before you ride. Understanding e‑bike and E-motorcycle classifications — and knowing the difference between an e‑bike and an E‑motorcycle — is critical before you hit the road to make sure you - or your children - aren’t breaking the law. #ebike #emotorcycle #safetyfirst

Parents who allow their children to illegally ride e-motorcycles or modified e-bikes can face criminal charges, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer warned this week. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office has filed three child-endangerment cases this year against parents who allowed their children to illegally operate these high-speed vehicles, some capable of reaching 60 mph. In March, our office charged a Yorba Linda father, who had been repeatedly warned about the dangers, after his 12-year-old son—riding a modified e-motorcycle—ran a red light and was critically injured in a crash. He faces up to six years in state prison if convicted on all counts. This week, Tommi Jo Mejer of Aliso Viejo was charged after her 14-year-old son, illegally riding an e-motorcycle, critically injured an 81-year-old Vietnam veteran in Lake Forest. The victim remains in a medically induced coma. Mejer had been repeatedly warned by law enforcement about the dangers but ignored those warnings and later lied to officers. She faces a maximum sentence of six years and eight months in state prison if convicted. Orange County District Attorney Spitzer joined CBS Morning this week to discuss why parents who allow their children to illegally ride these motor vehicles can face criminal charges.

Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer is warning parents they could be charged with crimes if they allow their children to illegally ride e-Motorcycles and e-Bikes. Since January, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office has filed child endangerment charges against three parents for allowing their children to illegally ride E-motorcycles, including against a Yorba Linda father whose 12-year-old son was critically injured after he ran a red light and was hit by a car while riding an E-motorcycle which had been modified to go up to 60 miles per hour, after the boy and his father had been warned about the dangers of children riding E-motorcycles illegally. He faces a maximum sentence of six years in state prison if convicted on all counts. Tommi Jo Mejer, 50, of Aliso Viejo, has been charged in connection with a crash involving her 14-year-old son who was illegally riding an E-motorcycle when he hit and critically injured an 81-year-old Vietnam veteran in Lake Forest last week. Mejer has been charged with one felony count of child endangerment, one felony count of accessory after the fact to a crime, one misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, one misdemeanor count of loaning a motor vehicle to an unlicensed driver, and one misdemeanor count of providing false information to a peace officer. She faces a maximum sentence of six years and eight months in state prison if convicted on all counts. District Attorney Spitzer joined @KTLA's @ChipYost to talk about holding parents accountable when they allow their child to illegally ride e-bikes and E-motorcycles.

Last night, Newport Mesa Unified School District became the first school district in Orange County to ban e-Bikes and E-motorcycles for K- 8 graders starting next school year. Elementary and middle school students (grades TK–8) will not be permitted to bring e-bikes or other motorized vehicles on campus. Students in these grades may ride non-motorized bicycles with required safety training, according to district officials. High school students may bring e-bikes to campus and must complete safety training and follow all district requirements. Their parents will not be required to sign a liability waiver acknowledging their child rides an e-bike to school…” Read the full article at: ktla.com/news/orange-co…

Happy Earth Day from the Orange County District Attorney’s Office! From coastline to canyons, Orange County is home to some of the most diverse natural landscapes in the nation — including 42 miles of coastline, 7 state parks and state beaches, 25 county parks, a national forest, and hundreds of miles of trails. Our Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit works year round to protect these precious spaces by investigating and prosecuting violations that threaten our environment — including illegal dumping, water contamination, hazardous waste, and other unsafe conditions that put our community and ecosystems at risk. Today, we encourage everyone to get outside, enjoy the beauty of Orange County, and join us in keeping it clean, safe, and healthy for future generations.

Aliso Viejo Mother Charged with Felony Child Endangerment After Vietnam Veteran Critically Injured When He Was Hit by Woman’s 14-Year-old Son Illegally Riding an E-Motorcycle 16 Times More Powerful than E-Bike Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer warns parents he will prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law when they allow their children to ride illegal motor vehicles and endanger their safety and the safety of others. For full release: bit.ly/4mK2G3P SANTA ANA, Calif. – An Aliso Viejo mother who had been repeatedly warned of the dangers of continuing to allow her middle school son to illegally ride an E-motorcycle has been charged with felony child endangerment and felony accessory after the fact of a crime after her 14-year-old son hit and critically injured an 81-year-old Vietnam veteran while the boy was doing wheelies on an E-motorcycle in Lake Forest. The victim remains hospitalized in critical condition. Since January, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office has filed child endangerment charges against three parents for allowing their children to illegally ride E-motorcycles, including against a Yorba Linda father whose 12-year-old son was critically injured after he ran a red light and was hit by a car while riding an E-motorcycle which had been modified to go up to 60 miles per hour, after the boy and his father had been warned about the dangers of children riding E-motorcycles illegally. He faces a maximum sentence of six years in state prison if convicted on all counts. Tommi Jo Mejer, 50, of Aliso Viejo, has been charged with one felony count of child endangerment, one felony count of accessory after the fact to a crime, one misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, one misdemeanor count of loaning a motor vehicle to an unlicensed driver, and one misdemeanor count of providing false information to a peace officer. She faces a maximum sentence of six years and eight months in state prison if convicted on all counts. Mejer was arrested by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department on Tuesday at the Lamoreaux Justice Center in Orange. On Thursday, April 16, 2026, around 4 p.m., Orange County Sheriff’s deputies were called to respond to Toledo Way and Ridge Route Drive, which borders El Toro High School, for a pedestrian hit by an E-motorcycle. The victim, later identified as an 81-year-old substitute teacher and captain in the United States Marine Corps who flew combat missions in Vietnam, was critically injured after being hit by a teenage boy doing wheelies in the middle of the street. The rider of the Surron E-motorcycle left the scene of the collision. In June 2025, Mejer called the Orange County Sheriff’s Department to complain that someone was posting pictures of her then-13-year-old son riding an E-motorcycle. During a 28-minute interaction with two Orange County Sheriff’s deputies captured on body worn camera, Mejer admitted that she purchased her son a Surron E-motorcycle and knew that he drove it recklessly. The deputies warned her that she could face potential criminal charges if she continued to allow him to ride the E-motorcycle which he could not legally ride. Riders of Class 3 E-motorcycles must be 16 years of age and possess a motorcycle license. A law enforcement inspection of the 2025 Surron Ultra Bee, the vehicle involved in last week’s collision, revealed the vehicle is classified as a motor-driven cycle under CVC section 405 or a motorcycle under CVC section 400. Both classifications require a valid motorcycle license for street operation, as well as DMV registration, license plate, insurance and full motorcycle equipment. Without complying with these requirements, the only approved use of this E-motorcycle is either on private property or properly registered as Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) areas. The Surron Ultra Bee is marketed as an off-road E-motorcycle capable of going up to speeds of 58 miles per hour and accelerating from 0-31 miles per hour in 2.3 seconds. With a peak power of 12.5kW, the output of a Surron Ultra Bee is 16 times more powerful than what is legally allowed for an E-bike. Hours after the collision, Mejer is seen on body worn camera repeatedly telling Orange County Sheriff’s deputies investigating the injury crash that neither she nor her teenage son own a Surron or have access to one. California law distinguishes between e-bikes and E-motorcycles based on three main features: the power limit of its motor, its maximum speed limit, and whether it is equipped with operable pedals. Electric bicycles with Class 1 or Class 2 designations do not have rider age or licensing restrictions; e-bikes with Class 3 designations require riders to be aged 16 or older. Generally, an electric bike that does not qualify as Class 1, 2 or 3, will be classified as an electric motorcycle. That means either that the bike has an electric motor that exceeds 750 watts of power or can reach speeds higher than 20-mph on motor power alone. Additionally, if the bike is not equipped with fully operable pedals, or if it has been modified to reach speeds higher than 20-mph or to attain power higher than 750 watts, the bike cannot be designated an electric bike and instead would be considered an E-motorcycle. Per Welfare and Institutions Code Sections 827 and 828, the District Attorney’s Office is prohibited from disclosing the name of juveniles involved in criminal investigations or discussing juvenile investigations. “Parents who buy their child an E-motorcycle and let them ride them illegally or help modify e-Bikes to transform them into E-motorcycles are handing their children a loaded weapon – and those parents are going to be prosecuted. That is not a threat. That is a promise,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “This 81-year-old man survived flying combat missions in Vietnam protecting freedom and now he is clinging to life because a mother refused to parent her child and he was run over in the street by a vehicle that should have never been on the road. There is absolutely no reason that an unlicensed, untrained child with no concept of the rules of the road should be riding a motorcycle that can go up to nearly 60 miles per hour next to cars on a public street and think that by some miracle they are going to be safe. The state Legislature has made it virtually impossible for prosecutors to hold juveniles accountable for committing serious crimes, and the only way to stop the carnage E-Bikes and E-motorcycles are causing across Orange County is to hold parents accountable for the crimes they allow their children to commit.” Senior Deputy District Attorney Noor Hasan of the Family Protection Unit is prosecuting this case.