KPIX-TV

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained Ho Yin Mo, a field representative for California Assemblymember Catherine Stefani, D-San Francisco, on September 17 while he was traveling through Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. Mo, a former Bay Area TV reporter from Hong Kong who previously anchored Chinese-language newscasts at KTSF and studied at UC Berkeley, remains held at ICE's Nevada Southern Detention Center in Pahrump.

The Department of Homeland Security said Mo entered the U.S. legally through Los Angeles International Airport in January 2020 but overstayed his visa, and was arrested during a "targeted enforcement operation," adding that pending work authorization does not confer legal status. Stefani disputed the characterization, calling Mo a legal employee and "selfless public servant" who helps constituents access health care, childcare and food assistance, and urged his release. U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli publicized the case on social media, saying no one is exempt from immigration law.

The arrest is part of a broader escalation in airport-based ICE enforcement targeting travelers with visa or status complications, coinciding with record monthly arrest totals under the Trump administration.

Former Santa Clara County undersheriff Rick Sung pleaded guilty Monday to two felony bribery counts as part of a plea deal ahead of a scheduled retrial, the county District Attorney's Office announced. A previous trial ended in a mistrial after a hung jury. Sung, who was second in command under former Sheriff Laurie Smith, was accused of leveraging rarely issued concealed weapon permits in exchange for benefits including a promise of 200 Apple iPads and access to a luxury suite and tickets at SAP Center, home of the San Jose Sharks. A related bribery charge against businessman Harpreet Chadha, who held the suite license, was dismissed at the hearing.

The plea closes out an eight-year investigation that began after a tip about an unusually large contribution to a committee backing Smith's 2018 re-election. The probe produced six convictions, including former Captain James Jensen, and led to Smith's 2022 resignation. Sung must permanently surrender his California peace officer certification and complete 400 hours of community service.

The California legislature has approved Senate Bill 1330, sending it to Gov. Gavin Newsom for signature. Authored by State Sen. Jesse Arreguín (D-Oakland) and passed in a bipartisan vote, the bill would classify utility workers alongside other protected public service professionals, including peace officers, health care workers, nurses and lifeguards. If signed into law, assault or battery against a utility worker would carry penalties of up to one year in county jail, a $2,000 fine, or both.

The measure follows a string of violent attacks on crews from major utilities. In March, PG&E contract workers in El Dorado County were shot at while replacing a power pole, injuring one worker and two sheriff's deputies. Last month, a Southern California Edison crew came under fire in San Bernardino County's Mentone community. Arreguín's office reports at least 450 violent incidents or threats against California utility workers since 2024, prompting the push for stronger legal protections.