1. it was an American with military experience.
2. California law

Proposition 47 was a ballot initiative created in response to a 2011 Supreme Court ruling.

Under Proposition 47, shoplifters with prior serious or violent convictions would face county jail rather than state prison sentences. People convicted of misdemeanor shoplifting can still face consequences of up to six months in jail and fines up to $1,000. 

47's threshold is lower than the amount set by more than half the states.