Just before sentencing a man involved in a March alcohol-related beating on Garnet Avenue, a judge on Thursday, Aug. 30 lectured about what he called “an epidemic of violence” in Pacific Beach where there are so many court cases filed that involve people drinking alcohol too much and committing crimes.

“What is quickly turning into the Wild West is Pacific Beach,” said San Diego Superior Court Judge David Danielsen.

“There is an epidemic of violence in the Pacific Beach area…an appalling number of cases in which young men are under the influence of alcohol,” the judge said.

Danielsen made his remarks while ordering Patrick John Barreiro, 25, of Oceanside, to perform 20 days of public service works under terms of three year’s probation. He ordered Barreiro to abstain from alcohol for three years and pay a fine of $360.

He suspended a 180-day jail term which Barreiro won’t have to serve if he abides by all of his probation conditions. He was given credit for one day in jail. No further jail time was sought by the prosecutor.
Barreiro pleaded no contest to felony assault of Clifford Riek, who was allegedly stabbed 17 times by Barreiro’s co-defendant, Matthew David Thornton, 26, on March 9 outside Bub’s Dive Bar & Grill, 1030 Garnet Ave. The charge Barreiro pleaded no contest to specifically said he did not use a weapon to injure Riek.

“Mr. Barreiro kicked [Riek] at least twice,” said Deputy District Attorney Allen Brown.

Riek testified at the preliminary hearing that he was so drunk he could not identify who injured him. An off-duty El Cajon police officer was the only witness who was able to identify Thornton and Barreiro as the attackers.

Barreiro’s attorney, Tom Warwick, asked the charge be reduced to a misdemeanor, which was granted by the judge over the objection of the prosecutor.

Thornton has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and faces an Oct. 10 trial. Thornton remains in county jail on $250,000 bail.