Los Angeles County’s newly appointed District Attorney Nathan Hochman held a press conference at the Olive Crest Survivor Center for Human Trafficking in Bellflower on January 7th. In his interview with the media, Hochman vowed to improve public safety in the county and bring about a series of policy changes.
Having been in office for over a month, Hochman stated, “We have established five task forces to combat human trafficking, fentanyl drug trafficking, organized retail theft, burglary, and offenders, as well as addressing homelessness and hate crimes. We will prioritize public safety and handle matters in a smart, efficient, and sensible manner.”
Hochman mentioned that Los Angeles County is one of the hotspots for sex trafficking in the United States. The era where traffickers roam freely and without consequences is over. “We are sending a clear message that we will pursue them to the fullest extent within the law to protect the vulnerable boys and girls being exploited,” he said. He expressed strong support for law enforcement agencies in the county and organizations like Olive Crest, which help victims rebuild their lives and reintegrate into society.
In the 2024 election, California voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition 36 with a 68.4% approval rate, which came into effect on December 18 last year. Hochman highlighted that it provides additional tools for prosecutors statewide to apprehend repeat offenders. “If a habitual thief is convicted for the third time, even if the theft is below $950, they could still be charged with a felony and face imprisonment,” he explained. Previously, theft below $950 was considered a misdemeanor with no prison sentence.
“Drug offenses are treated the same way. If someone is charged with illegal drug use for the third time involving substances like methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl, they may be required to undergo mandatory rehabilitation or face incarceration,” Hochman stated. He emphasized that the goal is not to overcrowd prisons with thieves or drug users but to prevent further crimes to save numerous victims and help drug users get treatment. The new law also imposes harsh penalties on drug dealers involved in fentanyl-related deaths.
On January 3rd, Hochman’s office announced felony charges against a man who held up a store with a gun. 25-year-old Los Angeles resident Jabril Andrew Metoyer faces charges including three counts of attempted murder, four counts of robbery, and one count of attempted robbery.
On the evening of December 30, Metoyer stole items inside a Target store in downtown LA and when confronted by security, he brandished a gun and fired shots. Not long before, he had shot at a man who refused to give him money on the city streets. With the help of the public, the county sheriff’s department arrested the suspect within 24 hours. The bail was set at $4.1 million. Subsequently, local prosecutors swiftly charged him, and if convicted, he could face life imprisonment.
“Such brazen theft and violence are unacceptable and will not be tolerated in Los Angeles County,” declared Hochman. He emphasized the need for accountability and removal of such individuals from the community. “In these challenging times, my heart goes out to the injured security personnel and their families. I assure them and all residents that we will utilize all available resources to ensure that those committing such heinous acts face consequences.”
In the November 2024 election, Hochman was elected as the 44th District Attorney of Los Angeles County with 61.5% of the vote (over 1.42 million votes). The incumbent George Gascón received 38.5% (about 890,000 votes) and had faced several unsuccessful recall efforts since 2021.
Hochman, a U.S. lawyer, graduated with distinction from Brown University and obtained his Juris Doctor from Stanford Law School. He has served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California and Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Tax Division in the U.S. Department of Justice. With a successful career in the private sector, he is a partner and legal advisor at several national law firms, specializing in tax law, criminal defense, and environmental law.
Upon taking office on December 3rd, Hochman vowed to enhance public safety in Los Angeles County, seek appropriate penalties for violent and repeat offenders while offering counseling and rehabilitation services for those who commit crimes due to addiction or mental illness. He also pledged to establish a consultative committee to bridge the gap for community members to voice their opinions.
Hochman announced a series of policy changes, including revoking Gascón’s special orders that prohibited or severely restricted certain charges and enhanced sentencing. “We will again charge based on the unique circumstances of each case, the crime committed, the defendant’s background, the impact on victims, and legal statutes,” he explained.
“Prosecutors must focus solely on facts and the law,” Hochman stated. “I oppose blanket extreme policies – the prison policy that predetermines certain crimes/offenders won’t be prosecuted and mass incarceration policies not based on facts and the law.”
These policies also involve restoring prosecutors’ ability to seek enhanced penalties for firearm crimes or gang-related offenses and lifting Gascón’s ban on prosecutors attending parole hearings, among others.
“Government makes a solemn and steadfast commitment to each one of you that it will protect you and your families in the most lawful, fair, and just manner possible. We will work alongside the office’s 2,100 employees, tens of thousands of law enforcement, firefighters, emergency responders, and hundreds of community organizations and neighborhood associations, and uphold this commitment,” Hochman concluded.