Prosecutors charge 2 more people with posing as San Bruno blast victims

2 charged with posing as San Bruno blast victims

SAN BRUNO, Calif. — Two more people have been charged with posing as victims of the San Bruno gas pipeline explosion in order to get gift cards and other aid.

Prosecutors say Deonte Bennett of San Leandro and Niesha Taylor of Fairfield were each charged this week with numerous felony counts, including commercial burglary, perjury and identity theft.

Bennett’s attorney, Joe O’Sullivan, has said he believes his client will be absolved of any wrongdoing.

The San Mateo Daily Journal reports that the women, both 25, remain free on $25,000 bail.

Authorities say Bennet, Taylor and two other people, 44-year-old Sonya Smith and 42-year-old Lisa Justin, went to the disaster assistance center and submitted false addresses of homes affected by the explosion to obtain the aid.

Information from: SAN MATEO DAILY JOURNAL, www.smdailyjournal.com/