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Santa Clarita Teen Sentenced On Valencia Graffiti Charge

A Santa Clarita teen arrested twice, once for a vandalism and again on a burglary charge, in separate incidents, took a plea deal in one case and is due back in court for the other, officials said Wednesday.


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Jake Heffernan, 19, of Santa Clarita, was released from custody Dec. 4 as part of a plea deal, said Jane Robison, spokeswoman for the District Attorney’s Office.

In the terms of the plea, which was to one count of vandalism with damages greater than $400, Heffernan pleaded no contest Dec. 4, and was sentenced the same day, Robison said.

“He was sentenced to 28 days in jail and three years formal probation, and ordered to pay restitution and has to serve between 90 and 100 days in a treatment program as approved by the Probation Department,” she said.

“In exchange for his plea, the remaining counts were dropped,” she added.  

Heffernan was arrested Nov. 20, and released 14 days later, Dec. 4, according to Sheriff’s Department records. He was given credit for time served, Robison said.

Heffernan was initially facing six charges, three misdemeanors and three felonies, stemming from “graphic” graffiti on several cars and homes in the North Park community

“There were three vehicles that were tagged by the defendant, and the damage was at a felony level,” said Mykka Piantanida, deputy district attorney, at the time of his no contest plea Nov. 6. “And so for a felony charge the damage or cost to clean up the vandalism has to be more than $400.”

Heffernan is due back in court May 14, 2014, when he’s scheduled for a preliminary hearing on a burglary charge.

A Valencia resident who lives on the 28000 block of Liana Lane reportedly came home while someone was in his home in Northpark, according to Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station officials.

“Apparently, (the homeowner) came home and saw the suspect with alcohol and (the suspect) took off on foot,” said Lt. Tom Bryski of the Sheriff’s Station.

Sheriff’s Station officials put out a broadcast that they were looking for a suspect matching Heffernan’s approximate description shortly before 4:30 p.m.

The suspect was described as a white male, approximately 18 years old, blonde hair, blue eyes, wearing “a hoodie,” or hooded sweatshirt.

Heffernan was picked up a short time later by deputies who were following up on the residential burglary call. He was in custody as of 6 p.m.

Jake is the son of Charles Heffernan, chair of the Santa Clarita Planning Commission and president of the homeowners association for the neighborhood that was vandalized.

The case was prosecuted by Mark St. Hippolyte, deputy district attorney with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.


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Santa Clarita Teen Sentenced On Valencia Graffiti Charge

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About Perry Smith

Perry Smith is a print and broadcast journalist who has won several awards for his focused, hyperlocal community coverage in several different regions of the country. In addition to five years of experience covering the Santa Clarita Valley, Smith, a San Fernando Valley native, has worked in newspapers and news websites in Los Angeles, the Northwest, the Central Valley and the South, before coming to KHTS in 2012. To contact Smith, email him at Perry@hometownstation.com.