LAKEPORT, LAKE COUNTY – A dispute over some apparent bad marijuana led to the beating and robbery of a woman by family and friends of a man in the tribal reservation area south of Lakeport.
The victim reported to Sheriff’s Deputies that she was walking on Mission Way in the area of the Konocti Vista Indian Casino and the Big Valley Rancheria Tribal office of the Pomo Tribe on Saturday at 6:45 in the evening. According to the Lake Sheriff’s Office, she was addressed by 42-year-old Leonso Paul Rangel, who invited her to come into the house and speak with him. The woman, who apparently knew Rangel well enough to agree to come in, said that Rangel closed the door and accused her of giving him a chemical that was “messing with his body”. The victim told the investigators that a friend of hers had given Rangel some marijuana that he must have thought had some adverse affect beyond the normal intoxication of cannabis.
The victim went on to state that Rangel appeared to be under the influence of a drug that must have caused his violent behavior, and that he had grabbed her by the neck and slammed her against the wall. She also said that Rangel threatened to kill her is she did not leave the reservation. The Big Valley band of Pomo Indians has a reservation near Lakeport and Finley, on the west shore of Clear Lake, where Rangel resides on Soda Bay Road. The woman said she feared for her life, believing Rangel would carry out the threat against her.
Leonso Rangel has been in trouble with the law before, dating back as far as 1991 when he was picked up for petty theft in Ukiah. His most recent incident was an October 2013 arrest in Clearlake Oaks, across the lake from his home, when he was charged with possession and sales of marijuana and/or hashish, along with a probation violation.
Leonso “Leo” Rangel and Teena Marie Rangel (Facebook)
The victim told investigators that she left Rangel with the intent to get out of the area, and had contacted a friend for a ride. While she waited, she was approached by three women, 26-year-old Teena Marie Rangel and Deena Tess Chavez, and 42-year-old Andrea Melanie McCloud. She said Deena Chavez punched her in the face, and shoved her towards Teena Rangel, who knocked her to the ground and began kicking her. Andrea McCloud grabbed her hair, and Teena Rangel took a diamond ring from her finger, and her purse. She stated that all three continued to search her pockets and steal personal property from her. She says she was kicked at least ten times in the head during the assault, and that all three women participated.
The victim was treated by responding paramedics from station 55 in nearby Kelseyville. She was taken to Sutter Lakeside Hospital for further treatment of her injuries. Leonso Rangel was arrested and charged with battery and criminal threats. Teena Rangel, Deena Chavez and Andrea McCloud were all booked for battery and robbery.
