Freddie Lee Davis III, an East Bay man, has been sentenced to a stint of 24 months and a day behind bars on charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, per a statement from U.S. Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey. The sentencing, delivered by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers of the United States District Court, closes a chapter on Davis' admission of guilt that ties back to a violent robbery incident at a Costco in San Leandro. His co-defendant, Sene Malepeai, who also has pleaded guilty to the same charges, awaits her sentencing.
The duo were indicted last year on June 30, with Davis being held in federal custody since August 31, 2023, following a harrowing crime that saw an Asian female victim, referred to in court documents as "Q.D.," being attacked and robbed in broad daylight, dragged across a parking lot as she clung to her purse before being forced to relinquish it to the assailants. A robbery detail which was, in part, captured by surveillance revealing Davis’ vehicle. The fraudulent aftermath involved both Davis and Malepeai making unauthorized purchases with the victim’s credit card, their actions now leading to Davis’ imminent prison term and mandated restitution, whose sum will be later determined in a report by the Justice Department.
U.S. Attorney Ramsey made clear his stance, stating that community members "should be able to live their lives without fear of being robbed and having items stolen from them used fraudulently," and affirmed the commitment to prosecuting such crimes. These sentiments tackle the concerning trend wherein individuals, like the victim Q.D., fall prey to calculated attacks anchored in racial and economic stereotypes.
During her plea, Malepeai shed light on the insidious nature of the crime, revealing discussions among the perpetrators about targeting Asian women who they prejudicially deemed as carrying more money and being less likely to resist. Her hearing is scheduled for November 7, with Judge Gonzalez Rogers presiding, indicating a collective pursuit for justice that extends beyond mere retribution, seeking a restoration of peace among community members unsettled by such targeted acts of aggression. The prosecution of the case is handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Eric Cheng and Molly Priedeman, with the support of investigator Mimi Lam, and represents a concerted effort between the FBI and the San Leandro Police Department.
