Briefly in the criminal courts

Here’s a look ahead to local criminal court proceedings that relate to some notable cases:

A Newport Beach woman’s preliminary hearing for allegedly ripping off a local salon out of nearly $250,000 has been tentatively scheduled for Wednesday.

Bethany Brady, 43, is accused of using her role as the accountant for Newport Beach hair salon, Hampton Salon, to rip off $245,000 from the business. She’s accused of using it for pay personal bills and various other personal expenses.

John Phillip Lloyd, 42, had his next pre-trial hearing scheduled for Feb. 26. Lloyd, of Costa Mesa, is one of several men still facing charges related to a biker brawl between the Hells Angels and Set Free Soldiers in a Newport Beach bar in 2008. Lloyd is charged with being a member of the Hells Angels and carrying a concealed gun in his car.

Police said he was in the bar when one man was stabbed and another had a billiard ball smashed into his head. Seven people were charged.

The trial for a Costa Mesa man accused of stabbing another person to death in 2008 is approaching. Scott Santana, 25, has a pre-trial hearing scheduled for Friday with a jury trial not far behind. Police said in a gang-related attack, Santana killed a local teenager in the El Metate Market parking lot in January 2008.

Juan Carlos Martinez Quintas, 29, has a pre-trial hearing scheduled for Feb. 26. Quintas, of Santa Ana, is accused of picking up a prostitute there and driving her into Costa Mesa, where he tried to rape and kill her. Police said he pulled a knife on her in a motel parking lot and demanded either money or sex.

Prosecutors said that Quintas similarly attacked another prostitute in Santa Ana. He faces up to 80 years in prison if convicted.

— Joseph Serna