Mirna Guerrero
Established as a County agency in July 2022, the Public Defender’s Office (PDO) initially lacked structured administrative workflows for budget management, bill payment, and personnel processes, operating for much of its first year without an Administrative Services Manager to oversee these critical functions.
In the summer of 2023, Mirna Guerrero joined PDO as its Administrative Services Manager amid significant administrative challenges, immediately stepping into problem-solving mode to address urgent financial and operational needs. Mirna quickly trained a team of newer administrative professionals, documenting bill payment and personnel workflows to stabilize operations and prevent future disruptions. She also developed and streamlined PDO’s hiring and promotion processes, ensuring employees were onboarded, evaluated, and promoted efficiently, contributing to the hiring of nearly one-third of PDO’s current staff within a year.
Mirna worked closely with County leadership to master the complexities of the County budget process, dedicating long hours to successfully guiding PDO’s executive team through the 23-24 fiscal year budget cycle. Through Mirna’s leadership, PDO completed its first independently proposed budget in the agency’s history, marking a milestone in the department’s development and financial stability.
Mirna Guerrero has exemplified positivity, tenacity, creativity, calm determination, and resilience, making her an invaluable leader in PDO’s growth and success.
Detective Emma Ramponi
In the spring of 2023, Detective Ramponi was tasked with investigating a series of burglaries that had occurred at drying facilities for marijuana companies earlier that year. The burglaries were committed by a large group of individuals, who stole vast amounts of product while recklessly endangering others. Detective Ramponi thoroughly reviewed reports and hours of video surveillance, and conducted interviews, ultimately identifying a key suspect using a parole ankle monitor database, which led to an arrest warrant and the seizure of critical evidence from the suspect’s phone. The evidence revealed multiple other suspects, all of whom had no prior ties to Santa Cruz County, prompting Detective Ramponi to collaborate with law enforcement agencies statewide.
Through continued investigation and intelligence sharing, Detective Ramponi determined that this burglary group was responsible for 14 marijuana-related burglaries across Santa Cruz County, including in the cities of Santa Cruz and Watsonville. Her coordination with the Department of Justice and Oakland Police Department led to “Operation Sticky Fingers” in July 2024, involving over 100 officers and resulting in the arrest of 22 suspects for felony charges related to marijuana burglaries, as well as the seizure of firearms and hard drugs. Detective Ramponi was credited for her leadership in the operation, as her investigation was the catalyst for its success, demonstrating her commitment to public safety. Despite the demands of this extensive investigation, Detective Ramponi managed her regular caseload and assisted other detectives, showcasing exceptional dedication and time management. Her tireless efforts have significantly enhanced the safety of Santa Cruz County and other California communities, making her truly deserving of this recognition for going far beyond the expected in her work.
District Attorney Computer Forensic Unit
Jennifer Bachman, Jeanette Ayala
Not pictured: Jalon Harris
The District Attorney Computer Forensic Unit, composed of Inspector Jalon Harris, Criminalist II Jennifer Bachman, and Investigative Aide Jennifer Ayala, serves as the leading digital forensic resource for all allied law enforcement agencies and justice partners in Santa Cruz County, providing expertise in the acquisition, analysis, and interpretation of digital evidence. Their work plays a critical role in law enforcement investigations and criminal prosecutions by recovering and analyzing digital evidence from computers, mobile devices, and other electronic sources with precision and integrity. They ensure that digital forensic evidence is lawfully and ethically obtained, accurately analyzed, and clearly translated into information that supports just and ethical prosecutions. Managing complex amounts of digital data, the Unit effectively organizes and presents critical forensic evidence in court, supporting the prosecution of criminal cases while also contributing to investigations ranging from crimes against children to high-profile criminal incidents. Additionally, the Unit has provided life-saving geolocation data to search and rescue teams, aiding in time-sensitive operations and reinforcing public safety efforts.
Remaining at the forefront of emerging forensic methodologies and technological advancements, the Unit continuously evaluates and refines their processes to stay ahead of the rapidly evolving digital landscape. The Unit also provides essential training and consultation to County law enforcement agencies, equipping officers and investigators with the knowledge and skills needed to properly preserve and handle digital evidence.