Prof. Hechler (Golden Gate, USF) in SF Chronicle and NY Times

Adjunct Prof. Richard Hechler (Golden Gate, University of San Francisco) was recently quoted in an article in the  San Francisco Chronicle in connection with an unusual case involving elder abuse and  exploitation by a hard core gang of drug dealers; the story was later picked up by the New York Times.

Here’s an excerpt from the story.

Evenin her 80’s, Ellen Gutierrez made friends easily, her neighbors said. She had aquick smile, a generous spirit and a penchant for welcoming visitors to theMission Street apartment she has called home for 20 years. Her friends said thetidy abode was brimming with photographs of a sister, nephews and the husbandshe buried years ago.

Butsometime in the past year or two, Mrs. Gutierrez, 84, befriended the wrongpeople.

Somesay loneliness led her astray. Others blame possible dementia. The authoritiessuspect that Mrs. Gutierrez was the target of six men and women who moved intoher apartment, even eating her specially delivered meals, and turned it intowhat the authorities call a drug den.

Thepolice entered the second-floor apartment in the city’s Mission District on May18, removed Mrs. Gutierrez and arrested the six suspects, believed to bemembers of a criminal street gang. The police found the place in shambles.

Ganggraffiti covered the walls, and the rooms were littered with drugparaphernalia, the authorities said. A bed pillow was filthy, and a portabletoilet was full. Mrs. Gutierrez, who the police said appeared unharmed, wastaken to San Francisco General Hospital, where she was admitted to a lockedpsychiatric ward. She remains there and was not available for comment.

Thecase has shocked San Francisco and led many residents and elected officials toquestion how it could have been allowed to happen. Advocates for the elderlysaid it was a vivid reminder that crimes against the elderly are increasing.

Sincethe initial arrests, the police have declined to answer questions about thecase. The district attorney filed a complaint on May 19 against the suspects: a17-year-old boy; two women, ages 22 and 23; and three men, ages 21, 22 and 23.They were variously charged with elder abuse, criminal street gang activity,operating a drug den, gun possession, burglary and possession of methamphetamine.

RichardB. Hechler, the assistant district attorney in charge of the case, said:”We believe one or two of the female suspects offered to provide some kindof care. They then were either invited, or insinuated themselves, into theapartment.”