Machine Gun Felon with Multiple Gun Convictions Arrested Yet Again, Released by Judge

You may have seen this SF Chronicle story about the SF DA's first use of a new law that no longer requires proof that the doors of a car were locked in order to prosecute for auto burglary.  Good news, sure.  The complaint describes the defendant as having broken into and stolen from a rental car and fleeing from SFPD in another car. He then allegedly caused two hit-and-runs and was arrested while in possession of burglary tools and stolen goods.  He's been released pending trial but ordered to return to court, undertake drug treatment, and not drive a car without a license. 

The more you dig, the more maddening this situation becomes.  In 2023, defendant Josef Atchan was sentenced to 31 months in federal prison for brandishing a machine gun on Instagram and possessing automatic weapons. He was a felon forbidden to own guns because of multiple gun convictions in 2015, 2017 and 2019.   Thanks to SF Public Safety News (see photo), we know these details and that at the time of his federal sentencing, the judge questioned the leniency of the U.S. Attorney and public defender plea deal.  

Despite this background, SF judge Kenneth Wine released the defendant to roam around town (except not drive without a license and get drug treatment) until his January 28 preliminary hearing.  But as of 1/17/25, he is in custody for reasons unknown. This case is another example of how much work we all have ahead of us to watch the SF courts at https://www.stopcrimesf.com/court-watch-sf Please help us continue our work by making a financial gift.