Two mothers. Same charges. Same county. Both jailed for speaking out about family court corruption in San Diego County, California.
Last updated: May 22, 2026 | Guardian Forge
Two women are currently detained in San Diego County jails. Both are mothers fighting for their children. Both were jailed on the exact same charges for speaking publicly about corruption in the courts. A nonprofit documented 13 categories of violations in this same court system in 2022. Nothing changed. They started jailing the mothers who kept talking.
| Andrea Ebbing | Dina Sarkisova | |
|---|---|---|
| Charge 1 | PC 166(A)(4) | PC 166(A)(4) |
| Charge 2 | PC 166(C)(1) | PC 166(C)(1) |
| Class | Misdemeanor | Misdemeanor |
| Age | 46 | 46 |
| Mother | Yes — 3 daughters | Yes — 1 son |
| Advocate | Yes | Yes |
| Bail | $0 — NO BAIL | $0 + $10,000 |
| County | San Diego | San Diego |
| Court Date | ~June 3, 2026 | June 15, 2026 (SD122) |
Jailed for reporting crimes against the District Attorney
| Code | Description | Class | Bail |
|---|---|---|---|
| PC 166(A)(4) | Contempt: Disobey Court Order | MISD | $0 |
| PC 166(C)(1) | Contempt: Violate Protective Order | MISD | $0 |
Andrea Ebbing has been in a custody battle since at least 2021 when James Connors relocated their children to Massachusetts. She obtained a DV restraining order, but custody was ultimately awarded to Connors (affirmed on appeal, Jan 2024). She has been a vocal public critic of DA Summer Stephan — including on the OB Rag community blog — and alleges connections between Stephan's office and her ex's drug rehabilitation business through the DA's diversion program. On March 26, 2025, she survived a ruptured brain aneurysm requiring emergency brain surgery. She was subsequently arrested and held with no bail on two misdemeanor contempt charges. The judge who ordered her detained — Jihan Maloney — spent 14 years as a prosecutor in the same DA office Andrea was reporting crimes against, and stepped in when the originally assigned judge did not appear.
Licensed professional, business owner, federal plaintiff — jailed for speaking
| Case # | Code | Description | Class | Bail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S318401DV | PC 166(A)(4) | Contempt: Disobey Court Order | MISD | $0 |
| 26CM002710S | PC 166(C)(1) | Contempt: Violate Protective Order | MISD | $10,000 |
She exhausted every federal avenue available. District court, appeals court, Supreme Court. All denied. The state proceedings continued, and she was jailed.
Dina Sarkisova (also known as Dina Haines) has been fighting for custody of her son in San Diego family court (DN168909, Judge Powazek) against Marvin P. Haines. She sued her own attorneys for malpractice. She became a public advocate for family court reform, speaking about corruption among San Diego family court lawyers. When the state brought criminal charges (likely contempt), she attempted to remove the case to federal court on civil rights grounds — the district court remanded it in two days. She appealed to the 9th Circuit (dismissed), then petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court (denied). On May 4, 2026, journalist Dale Richardson of The Karis Project interviewed her live FROM INSIDE Las Colinas for Episode 64 of "America Rising: Commiefornia." She spoke about due process breakdowns, unclear court orders, questionable warrants, and the impossibility of defending herself while detained.
San Diego Superior Court, Dept 3, South County — Misdemeanor Arraignment
14 years as Deputy DA in the San Diego DA's office (2011-2025). Worked directly under DA Summer Stephan for 8 years. Appointed by Governor Newsom on May 7, 2025 — has been a judge for barely one year. Zero prior judicial experience. Never served as a defense attorney. Graduated magna cum laude from California Western School of Law, 2011. Filled the vacancy left by Judge David Gill's retirement. Registered as "No Party Preference." Salary: $244,727. Facing election challenge in 2026 from Laurie Hauf. Stepped in when the originally assigned judge did not appear for Andrea Ebbing's hearing. Ordered no-bail detention on misdemeanor charges — three weeks after the CA Supreme Court ruled this unconstitutional.
San Diego County District Attorney — President of National District Attorneys Association
30+ years in the DA's office. Married to federal Judge Dana Sabraw. Became DA through appointment (not election) in 2017 — criticized as an insider "anointing." Now serves as NDAA president. KPBS investigation (Feb 2026) found racial disparities in charging grew under her tenure. Lost a $97,500 lawsuit for refusing to release sexual harassment records (First Amendment Coalition, 2019). Selective prosecution allegations — charged only anti-fascist protesters, not Proud Boys, in 2021 Pacific Beach brawl. Refused to prosecute police shootings despite multiple protests demanding "prosecute or resign." Andrea Ebbing alleges a connection between Stephan's office and her ex's drug rehab business, which reportedly works with the DA's diversion program. Runs multiple diversion/treatment court programs.
Andrea Ebbing's ex — Party in Ebbing v. Connors (21FL004748C & 21FDV01613C)
Andrea alleges he operates a drug rehabilitation business that works directly with DA Stephan's diversion program — creating a financial relationship between the DA's office and a party in her family court case. Relocated the three children to Massachusetts — Andrea describes this as interstate child abduction. Custody was affirmed to Connors by the 4th District Court of Appeal (D080537) in January 2024.
Dina Sarkisova's opposing party — Haines v. Sarkisova (DN168909)
Party in the custody dispute over Dina's son. Trial judge: Harry Powazek. Dina describes her son as "kidnapped" on her professional LinkedIn profile. The custody case has been ongoing since at least 2021.
San Diego Superior Court — Presided over Haines v. Sarkisova
Trial judge in Dina Sarkisova's custody case. Further details on potential conflicts pending research.
In re Kowalczyk, S277910 (Cal. Supreme Court, April 30, 2026)
Unanimous decision by Chief Justice Guerrero. The court held that Article I, Section 12 of the California Constitution defines the exclusive circumstances under which bail may be denied: (1) capital crimes, (2) felony offenses involving violence or sexual assault, and (3) felonies involving threats of great bodily harm. Misdemeanors are categorically excluded. Courts cannot use "artificially high or objectively unattainable bail as an end run to effectuate pretrial detention where such detention is not authorized." Public defender offices statewide are now filing motions to release individuals under this ruling.
Full opinion: courts.ca.gov/opinions/documents/S277910.PDF
First Amendment Precedent: Bridges v. California, 314 U.S. 252 (1941)
The U.S. Supreme Court overturned contempt convictions for criticizing judicial proceedings, establishing that the First and Fourteenth Amendments limit a court's power to punish for contempt based on speech. Contempt punishment for speech is only constitutional if it creates a "clear and present danger" to the administration of justice. Extended by Pennekamp v. Florida (1946) and Craig v. Harney (1947) — even unfair criticism of a judge does not justify contempt unless it poses a clear and present danger.
PC 166(A)(4) — Contempt: Willful Disobedience of Court Order
"Every person guilty of any contempt of court, of the following kinds, is guilty of a misdemeanor: ... (4) Willful disobedience of the terms as written of a process or court order..."
Always a misdemeanor. Cannot be elevated to a felony. Maximum: 6 months county jail, $1,000 fine. Requires proof the defendant knew about the order, had the ability to follow it, and willfully disobeyed. Typical bail: $300-$30,000 depending on county. Bail is never denied for this charge.
PC 166(C)(1) — Contempt: Violation of Protective Order
"A willful and knowing violation of a protective order or stay-away court order... shall constitute contempt of court, a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than one year..."
Misdemeanor on first offense. Maximum: 1 year county jail, $1,000 fine ($2,000 if injury). Can become a "wobbler" (felony possible) only on second+ offense within 7 years involving violence or credible threat of violence. Typical bail: $5,000-$30,000. Bail is set, not denied.
Bottom line: Both charges are misdemeanors with standard bail. Under In re Kowalczyk, pretrial detention is categorically prohibited for misdemeanors. Denying bail on these charges is unconstitutional as of April 30, 2026.
KidsMatter (501(c)(3), Carlsbad, CA) — founded by Mark Fidelman — represents 25+ parents, attorneys, and former judges in San Diego. On June 15, 2022, they published 13 categories of violations:
KidsMatter called on four officials to investigate: DA Summer Stephan, CA AG Rob Bonta, County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher, and FBI SAC Stacey Moy. None responded.
This pattern has been independently documented by multiple organizations:
This 2022 report produced zero reforms. Three years later, the same system is jailing the mothers who kept talking.
These women need commissary funds for phone calls, hygiene, and food.
DINA SARKISOVA
Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility
451 Riverview Parkway, Santee, CA 92071
Go to accesscorrections.com and search for Las Colinas.
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