Two Ramona cases delayed until January

Several Ramona cases winding their way through the court system have been delayed until after the Christmas and New Year’s Day holidays.

Among them, the sentencing for Jeremy Turney, 29, of Ramona, was delayed until Jan. 26 in El Cajon Superior Court. Turney pleaded guilty to commaitting unlawful sexual intercourse with a 17-year-old girl. The girl’s mother said her daughter is developmentally disabled and Turney took advantage of her disability.

Turney faces up to one year in county jail. His attorney could not be reached for comment. Turney remains free on his own recognizance.

Lawrence Steven Monterastelli, 42, of Ramona, is charged with domestic violence, assault with a firearm, making a criminal threat, and trying to dissuade a witness from reporting a crime in an Oct. 12 incident that followed a 7-1/2 hour standoff with SWAT officers.

Monterastelli has hired a new attorney, Paul Pfingst, who served two terms as district attorney. Pfingst sought a delay since he was just retained, and a preliminary hearing was set for Jan. 28 in El Cajon Superior Court.

Sheriff’s deputies say they received a report from Monterastelli’s girlfriend who said he tried to choke her during an altercation with him in his residence in the 2700 block of Luelf Street.

He reportedly threatened to shoot her. The 38-year-old woman escaped, as did her two children.

Deputy District Attorney Timothy Campen said a restraining order is in effect that bars Monterastelli from contacting the victim.

Monterastelli has pleaded not guilty to all charges and remains free on $250,000 bond.