Placer County Assistant District Attorney Jeffrey Wilson, at the far right, receives congratulations from District Attorney Scott Owens after being named 2010 Prosecutor of the Year. With them are several colleagues from the District Attorney’s Office. In front on the left is Ted Peterson. In back, from left to right, are Clark Gehlbach, Bill Marchi, Suzanne Gazzaniga, Garen Horst, Dave Tellman and Doug Van Breemen.

Placer County Assistant District Attorney Jeffrey Wilson was named the 2010, Prosecutor of the Year by his colleagues. Jeffrey Wilson received his award during Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting in Auburn.

The District Attorney’s Office established the annual Prosecutor of the Year award in memory of Anne-Marie Bourgeois, a Placer County deputy district attorney who died during a tragic fire in her home in 1994. Deputy district attorneys are given an opportunity to vote for the colleague they feel is most deserving of the award. Wilson was chosen for his display of outstanding effort, enthusiasm, excellence and courage in prosecuting cases. “We are fortunate to have such a dedicated individual representing our community,” said District Attorney Scott Owens.

Assistant District Attorney Wilson successfully prosecuted two attempted murder cases in 2010. In 2006, David Allen Virgo, a parolee living in Applegate and wanted on felony assault charges was arrested by the Placer County Special Enforcement Team (S.E.T.). During the arrest, Virgo opened fire on the S.E.T. with two handguns. He was apprehended without injury to the officers or citizens. Virgo was convicted on 22 felony counts, which included 10 charges of attempted murder and was sentenced to 121 years to life in state prison.

Jeffery Wilson also prosecuted the case against Paul Thomas Heintz, a 24-year-old Rocklin resident who, in 2009, stabbed a former friend several times in the abdomen at Sierra College over a relationship with a woman. Heintz was found guilty by a jury of attempted murder and was sentenced to 11 years in state prison.

“Assistant District Attorney Jeff Wilson’s efforts in the Virgo case helped take a dangerous person off of our streets. Mr. Wilson’s commitment to justice is exemplified not only by his outstanding work on that case, but by his efforts everyday in our office,” said District Attorney Scott Owens.
Jeffery Wilson has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Studies from Pitzer College in Claremont. He obtained his Juris Doctorate Degree and Certificate of Governmental Affairs at the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law Sacramento. He has worked for Placer County for more than 13 years.