Case of Interest: People v. William Calder and Kevin Westman

District Attorney Jan Scully announced that the defendants William Calder (age 52), and Kevin Westman (age 41) pled no contest to a charge of solicitation to kidnap, a violation of Penal Code section 653f on May 31, 2005.

On April 20, 2005, and April 21, 2005, the defendants spoke to each other and a confidential informant over the telephone about kidnapping an individual whom they believed owed money to them. Law enforcement taped several telephone calls between the defendants in which the defendants specifically discussed plans about the kidnap and possible torture of the victim. The plan called for kidnapping the victim and threatening the person in order to recover the money. A search warrant served on defendant Westman’s residence found indicia of the plot including duct tape, handcuffs, and a video labeled, “Inside the CIA.”

The defendants both face a year in county jail, with prison suspended, and formal probation as a result of their pleas. The defendants will be sentenced on June 30, 2005, at 8:30 a.m. in Department 4 of the Superior Court before the Honorable Judge Bakarich.

Deputy District Attorney Ross Huggins, who prosecuted this case, said, “The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department and Detective Michael Wright’s prompt action and investigation prevented this case from being any more serious than it is.”