209 Times Founder Believes Family Targeted by Police After Article on Brando Villapudua Published

In 2015, officers of the Stockton Police Department targeted community advocate Motecuzoma Sanchez after he criticized the performance of then police chief Eric Jones. More than one officer conspired to go to Sanchez’s home in the middle of the night on Christmas and issue him an illegal ticket in his own driveway at 3am. One of those officers was suspended then terminated after the evidence was clear Sanchez was targeted.

Such actions contributed to the creation of 209 Times. Fast forward to ten years later, and Sanchez believes it’s happened again. Except this time they involved one of his children.

On Friday February 21, we broke the story that Vice Mayor Jason Lee posted a police log showing Councilmember Brando Villapudua was pulled over for expired registration (2 years expired) and no insurance. He was let go, which many felt was police officers giving him a pass because of his position on council and political connections including to his brother Carlos Villapudua (a former elected official) and his wife Edith Villapudua ( a current assistant for the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors).

Less than 72 hours from publishing that article, a vehicle registered at one of Sanchez’s homes was issued a hand written ticket for $195 and a separate 72 hour notice that the brand new car would be towed. It was issued from the “Stockton Police Department, Abandoned Auto Detail.”

While the ticket states it’s a “Notice of Parking Violation”, security cameras caught the officer driving straight up to the car, placing the papers on the windshield, then driving off while ignoring another vehicle parked directly in front of it with expired tags. In a residential neighborhood.

Almost exactly the same scenario as what occurred in 2015.

Sanchez has since notified the mayor, city council, and police chief, requesting another full investigation into the officer, possible additional officers, and possible involvement from councilmembers Villapudua and Michael Blower.

This is a developing story.