FRESNO - Joseph D. Sanford, 74, of Ceres, aka “Chicken Joe,” was sentenced today to 16 months in prison and a fined $25,000 for conspiring to sell, buy, possess, train, transport, deliver and receive game fowl intended to be used in animal fighting ventures, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, Sanford was the owner and operator of Joe Sanford Gamefarm in Ceres, where he bred and sold gamecocks for cockfighting. Cockfighting is illegal under federal law and in all 50 states. Sanford also fought his own roosters.
FRESNO - A federal grand jury returned four indictments today against six Fresno residents as a result of Operation No Fly Zone that sought to address a rise in the number of shootings and homicides in Fresno, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. The multi-agency, months-long investigation resulted in the arrests of over 40 individuals, including six federal defendants.
FRESNO - Six people were arrested in Kern County today following a year-long investigation of a Bakersfield-based drug trafficking organization that distributed methamphetamine and heroin, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. The defendants are scheduled to make an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sheila K. Oberto on Wednesday, April 27, at 2:00 p.m.
FRESNO - On April 22nd a federal grand jury returned an eight-count indictment against Vincent Elliot Porter, 73, of Oakdale, charging him with wire fraud, United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
MADERA - Thursday evening, the Madera County Sheriff’s Communications Center received a 9-1-1 call for a report of shots fired at a residence in the 23000 block of Road 15 3/4 in Chowchilla. When deputies arrived on the scene, they discovered an adult male at a location on the property suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Deputies immediately performed CPR and first aid until relieved by EMS, however, the victim, later identified as 33-year-old Abraham Barajas-Cedillo, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
