Alan Elizalde, a 19-year-old accused armed robber, faced a significant turning point just a day before he was set to complete the first phase of his substance-use treatment program in San Francisco.
His attorney received a concise four-sentence letter informing that Elizalde was being dismissed from the program due to “behaviors detrimental to the program” and “non-compliance with program rules and expectations.”
The letter further clarified that Elizalde was not being discharged for substance use, raising questions about the nature of his infractions.
Court records show that throughout his six-month stay in the residential treatment program, Elizalde consistently attended his status hearings as mandated by the plea deal he had accepted amidst serious felony charges.
Those charges stemmed from a crime spree on January 8, 2024, where Elizalde allegedly committed a series of crimes, including stealing an iPhone, attempting to carjack a Lexus from a 70-year-old, and buying a stolen vehicle while armed with a semi-automatic pistol.
During the time leading up to the plea deal, Elizalde struggled with addiction.
Judge Patrick Thompson acknowledged in a hearing in late June that Elizalde had begun to “make progress” towards sobriety.
However, Elizalde admitted to violating the treatment program’s rules twice, mainly related to the use of a cell phone, which was prohibited.
The first instance occurred when he used a phone to contact family and check on his pregnant partner.
The second infraction, deemed more significant, involved Elizalde delivering notes to a girl from another treatment unit, an act considered “fraternizing” by the program administrators.
These minor infractions had serious repercussions; under the plea agreement, successful completion of the treatment program would reduce his original prison sentence for his robbery charge from 12 years to 5 years.
Failure to adhere to the program guidelines would result in a return straight to prison without a trial.
Elizalde’s case illuminates the ongoing tensions in San Francisco’s approach to crime and rehabilitation, highlighting the difficulties that arise when individuals falter in an already fragile system.
Initially arrested on January 8, 2024, Elizalde was charged with several felonies at a time when public sentiment leaned towards tougher crime policies amidst increasing concerns over safety.
Just a month prior, Elizalde had faced a felony property offense charge in Solano County.
After being released as the police investigated his involvement in the January crimes, the San Francisco District Attorney, Brooke Jenkins, filed seven felony counts against him, including robbery and carrying a firearm.
Community sentiments demanded accountability and enforcement from city officials, leading to increased scrutiny of restorative justice programs that had previously aimed to address addiction and crime holistically.
Using substances from the age of 16, Elizalde expressed that drugs provided a temporary feeling of numbness from a tumultuous upbringing, marked by family instability and frequent relocations.
With his father incarcerated since 2008, and a tragic family history including their house burning down, Elizalde’s environment was fraught with challenges.
At the time of his arrest, his mother was navigating financial struggles while supporting three children, and he was expecting his first child with his partner.
Seizing the opportunity presented by Deputy District Attorney Megan Wang, Elizalde sought an alternative sentencing reference, conveying a desire for change and recovery.
A treatment plan was developed, though this promise was complicated by new legal representatives once the DA’s office underwent personnel changes, leading to additional restrictions on the offered program.
As Elizalde’s case transitioned in October 2024, he ultimately agreed to a new deal: pleading guilty to second-degree robbery, which carried a default 12-year sentence.
If he successfully completed the alternative program while avoiding further legal trouble, this sentence could be reduced to just five years, presenting an additional motivation for him to adhere to the guidelines.
Elizalde began his recovery journey at Billie Holiday, a transitional center in SoMa, before moving to Harbor Lights on December 6, 2024.
His days became filled with therapy sessions, support group meetings, and consistent urine analysis tests, though both he and the DA’s office identified setbacks during his treatment.
In February 2025, Elizalde faced allegations of improper conduct again, being reported for possessing an unauthorized cell phone.
The director of Harbor Lights made it clear to the DA’s office that this was the young man’s “last opportunity,” while also understanding Elizalde’s need to reach out to his family during this intensive period of rehabilitation.
Feeling isolated and homesick due to limited family visits, Elizalde sought to remain committed to his recovery until a June 5, 2025 incident culminated in his expulsion from Harbor Lights for a communication breach regarding the notes he had delivered.
Upon receiving the rejection letter, Elizalde returned home but remained determined to continue his recovery process.
The following day, he checked himself back into Billie Holiday and subsequently transitioned to Treatment, Recovery, and Prevention (TRP), a residential program managed by Westside Community Services.
However, the San Francisco DA’s office was not pleased with Elizalde’s situation and filed a motion for his sentencing to be reverted back to 12 years in state prison.
They argued that, despite their previous leniencies, Elizalde had not fulfilled the terms initially established in his plea agreement.
Elizalde’s defense attorney responded, emphasizing that penalizing someone for setbacks during recovery contradicts the essence of treatment and rehabilitation.
On June 26, the day of his scheduled court appearance, tension filled the air outside the courtroom as Elizalde’s family waited for updates.
Elizalde appeared before Judge Thompson, dressed in casual attire, with family members anticipating a critical decision regarding his future.
Judge Thompson ultimately ruled against the DA’s motion, affirming that Elizalde had “materially complied” with the core requirements of his alternative sentencing program and ensuring that he would not be sent back to jail.
However, the initial agreement requiring Elizalde to attend Harbor Lights was revoked.
Now facing the gravity of his situation anew, Elizalde has been released under pretrial supervision, allowing him to stay in treatment while awaiting a potential trial or a new plea agreement.
With the threat of lengthy prison time looming over him if convicted, Elizalde and his family continue to grapple with the implications of the justice system on his recovery journey.
“The system has failed us,” his mother, Vanessa Ferriera, poignantly stated, noting the frustration and confusion resultant from their experiences within a web of legal and social complexities.
image source from：missionlocal
