Mark Espinoza, a controversial figure in Alviso, California, was arrested for selling large quantities of fireworks across the Bay Area, according to a tweet by journalist Henry Lee. Over 1,000 pounds of pyrotechnics were seized, including some from a Milpitas storage facility, and Espinoza is now held on a $1 million bail.
(SJPD)
Mark Espinoza, 49, arrested for selling large quantities of fireworks across the Bay Area, per @SanJosePD, seizing 1K pound of pyrotechnics, incl. at Milpitas storage facility. $1M bail pic.twitter.com/TMjoxQIWmk
— Henry K. Lee (@henrykleeKTVU) July 6, 2023
In 2017, it seemed that Espinoza was leading the charge in his community, filing lawsuits against developers and the powerful Santos family, as reported by San Jose Inside. Ongoing tensions between Espinoza and former firefighter Dick Santos, a figure with a raucous reputation, played out in public meetings and online. But behind the scenes, Espinoza had a long rap sheet, including multiple convictions of petty theft, felony burglary, grand theft, fraud, and documentation of committing domestic violence against his own family.
His trouble with the law began when he was just 18 years old, when he faced convictions of misdemeanor petty theft, felony burglary, and stealing a car at 19. In 2002, more convictions stacked up against him, including grand theft and petty theft with a prior (San Jose Inside). Over the years, his criminal activity seemed to worsen, culminating in his recent arrest for operating a large-scale fireworks operation.
Despite his criminal past, Espinoza brought lawsuits against various developers, eventually earning a six-figure settlement meant to benefit his small waterfront community, according to San Jose Inside. During his activism years, Espinoza managed to secure settlements meant to help Alviso residents and stood up against powerful families and developers. Espinoza believes that his criminal history shouldn't preclude him from opposing developments harmful to his community, but others have expressed concerns about entrusting community funds to him.
As a polarizing figure, Espinoza's history of lawbreaking and activism begs the question of whether his recent arrest will negatively impact the Alviso community. With the tension between Espinoza and opponents like Santos, their ongoing conflict shows no signs of subsiding. Some residents feel that this tension detracts from efforts to build grassroots involvement and make real, positive changes for the Alviso community.
