Contra Costa County courts reporter

Nate Gartrell

Nate Gartrell covers crime and corruption in Contra Costa County. He joined the Bay Area News Group in 2014 after a year spent working at a beer supply warehouse. Outside of journalism, he doesn't do much. He endeavors to visit all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums.

Alameda County Sheriff’s Office. (Dylan Bouscher/Bay Area News Group)

California man, known for pro-Nazi ‘patrols’ around town, charged with destroying police surveillance system

January 30, 2026 at 9:50 a.m.

During an interview, the man allegedly admitted to shouting "Heil Hitler" while carrying weapons and "patrolling" his neighborhood, and that he wanted to be a cop "so bad."

Cannabis Social Clubs Gear Up Following Legalization

A pilot allegedly flew marijuana cross-country on his Cessna. Then the person paying for it became a federal informant

June 4, 2024 at 1:42 p.m.

The unnamed informant is described in court records as someone who was putting on clandestine cannabis sales in Virginia.

A pilot allegedly flew marijuana cross-country on his Cessna. Then the person paying for it became a federal informant

October 30, 2025 at 11:37 p.m.

The unnamed informant is described in court records as someone who was putting on clandestine cannabis sales in Virginia.

DEA Special Agent Brian Nehring allegedly ate the two missing donuts. Two other donuts can be seen on top of this bag of heroin. (Eastern California District Court Records)

Will donut-eating DEA agent’s sweet tooth disprove Aryan Brotherhood prosecution? One lawyer thinks it could

March 28, 2024 at 2:36 p.m.

DEA Special Agent Brian Nehring contradicted himself under oath: He told a grand jury he ate some donuts that a drug dealer gave him, but denied it five years later...

Will donut-eating DEA agent’s sweet tooth disprove Aryan Brotherhood prosecution? One lawyer thinks it could

October 31, 2025 at 12:36 a.m.

DEA Special Agent Brian Nehring contradicted himself under oath: He told a grand jury he ate some donuts that a drug dealer gave him, but denied it five years later...

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