BRIEFLY.

Pedophile seeks to appeal order

Self-proclaimed pedophile Jack McClellan has filed a notice of appeal of a three-year order barring him from coming within 30 feet of areas where children gather, an attorney said Wednesday.

Anthony D. Zinnanti, the Valencia lawyer who won the order that applies statewide, said he's now ready to go to trial against McClellan, who has posted locations on his Web site of where children gather.

It is unclear if, or when, a trial would take place.

"I have a lot of questions for Mr. McClellan," Zinnanti said.

On documents filed Thursday in Chatsworth Superior Court, McClellan listed Portland, Ore., as his new city of residence. He could not be reached for comment.

-- Daily News

Alarcon wants report on fires

Los Angeles City Councilman Richard Alarcon on Wednesday asked the Los Angeles Fire Department and city Planning Department to report in 30 days on what the city can learn from the Southern California wildfires this week and any steps needed to avoid future problems.

"Disasters of this scope must be used as learning experiences for all cities, not just those hit with the fires," Alarcon said.

Los Angeles has been at the forefront of many fire-prevention issues, including banning wood-shingle roofs and requiring brush clearance within 200 feet of homes.

-- Daily News

Council backing bill on genocide

Despite a threatened presidential veto, the Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday went on record urging Congress to recognize the Armenian Genocide of 1915.

With Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's support, the council voted 13-0 to back legislation that calls on Turkey to acknowledge the killings as genocide. The measure has passed a House subcommittee and is waiting for a final vote.

"Remember this, the Armenian Genocide resulted in the holocaust for Jews, the killings in Cambodia and now in Darfur," Villaraigosa said. "When we don't speak up, we continue the cycle of violence."

Councilwoman Wendy Greuel and Council President Eric Garcetti authored the proposal.

"It is important for us to stand up and recognize this atrocity," Greuel said.

President George W. Bush has urged Congress to reject the proposal amid concern it will damage relations with Turkey.

-- Daily News

Suspected gang leader arrested

A suspected gang member accused of controlling the distribution of crack cocaine in an L.A. neighborhood was among a dozen people arrested Wednesday on drugs and conspiracy charges, authorities said.

Sergio Pantoja, 31, led a gang that used violence and intimidation to control the area around MacArthur Park, according to an indictment returned last week by a federal grand jury.

Drug suppliers and dealers paid a fee to the gang in exchange for permission to sell drugs in the group's territory and protection from rivals, the indictment said.

"A new generation of gang members has risen to fill the power vacuum created after we successfully prosecuted the prior leadership of the (gang)," U.S. Attorney Thomas O'Brien said. "Today, we have again cut off the head of this organization and dismantled its narcotics distribution operations."

Pantoja, who is accused of running the operation out of a tattoo shop, was taken into custody along with his 34-year-old wife, Ingrid Tercero.

In all, some two dozen defendants were named in several indictments charging conspiracy, narcotics distribution, firearms trafficking, illegal firearm possession and immigration violations, prosecutors said.

Twelve people were arrested Wednesday, five others were already in custody on other charges and eight are fugitives.

Pantoja and Tercero, who face additional counts involving the distribution of crack cocaine, face potential life sentences if convicted.

It wasn't immediately known whether they have retained attorneys.

-- Associated Press

City treasurer held in theft

REDLANDS -- The Redlands city treasurer has been arrested and accused of taking about $37,000 from a petty cash fund.

Jon Michael Reynolds was arrested in San Bernardino on Wednesday and charged with one count each of misappropriation of public funds, keeping a false record and falsifying documents.

If convicted of all counts, he could face a jail sentence between six and 12 years. Reynolds is being held on $100,000 bail.

Deputy District Attorney John Goritz said Reynolds has served several terms as the city treasurer of Redlands.

-- Associated Press