News

Madera County Woman Sentenced for Dealing Heroin that Caused Overdose Death

FRESNO - Ashley Michelle Hill, 33, of Coarsegold, was sentenced today to 11 years and three months in prison for selling heroin that resulted in the overdose death of another Coarsegold resident, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on Aug. 22, 2019, Hill and Georgia Nicole Dean, 38, of Coarsegold, drove to the victim’s residence because he had contacted Dean asking for heroin. They arrived after midnight and met with the victim outside his residence on the street. Hill gave approximately .3 grams of heroin and a syringe to Dean, who then gave it to the victim. The victim died later that day as a result of using that heroin.

Former Fresno Resident Charged with Sending Interstate Threats with Intent to Extort Money

FRESNO - William Lee Robinson, 40, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, was arrested today after a federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment charging him with sending interstate threats with intent to extort, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to the indictment brought on Aug. 12, 2021, Robinson worked at a business in Fresno from June to November in 2017. After the business fired him, Robinson began sending threatening messages to his former supervisor and other coworkers in an attempt to extort them for money. These threats included graphic statements threatening to physically harm the supervisor’s daughter. Robinson made the threats because he wanted the company to pay him between $10,000 and $20,000.

MCC President Chosen for Aspen Institute’s Fellowship to Advance Student Success

ASPEN, CO - The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program today announced that Dr. Ángel Reyna, president at Madera Community College, is one of 25 leaders selected for the 2021-22 class of the Aspen New Presidents Fellowship. This program supports community college presidents in the early years of their tenure as they aim to achieve higher and more equitable levels of student success.

The 25 Aspen Fellows, who lead colleges that collectively serve more than 280,000 students, were selected through a highly competitive process. Starting later this year, the Fellows will engage over nine months in residential sessions and virtual learning to develop strategies to meet their goals for student success and equity with data to assess challenges and progress.

Fresno Men Indicted for Being Previously Convicted of Violent Crimes in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition

FRESNO - A federal grand jury returned an indictment today against two Fresno residents, Edward Page, 32, and Trayvon Smith, 31, charging each with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, in the late-night hours of June 24, 2021, police officers received a tip that two individuals in a parked car were in possession of a firearm. The officers responded to the parking lot and found Smith and Page in the car. Page was quickly detained, but Smith fled, was chased, and eventually was caught and arrested.

Valley Woman Sentenced to 21 Years in Prison for Multi-State Drug Trafficking Operation

FRESNO - Alecia Trapps, 58, of Manteca, was sentenced Sept. 17, 2021, by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd to 21 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Trapps was the leader of a drug trafficking organization that was sending multiple pounds of methamphetamine and heroin to Juneau, Alaska, where the profits were much greater. The drugs were sourced in the Modesto area then transported to Alaska at Trapps’ direction utilizing numerous couriers as well as various methods and modes of transportation. In at least one instance, drugs from Modesto destined for Juneau were seized in Washington state as the courier tried to board the ferry.

Madera Fair Kicks Off 2021 Season After a Year Closed

MADERA – Day one of the 2021 Madera District Fair is in the books, and we have a photographic record of it on our Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/BigValleyNews). The first day kicked off with the raising of the American Flag, which had been at half staff after the loss of thirteen American warriors in Afghanistan last month.

This is the first fair in Madera County since the outbreak of the Covid pandemic in 2020. The Madera County Fair has been shut down for two years, and last year's Madera District Fair and many others throughout the state, were canceled over health concerns. So this year's fair is being run with safety at the forefront. Hand washing stations have been placed all over the grounds, and guests are asked to social distance and wear masks if guests feel uncomfortable.

Charges Added in Eastern District of California for Madera Man Previously Charged in Washington D.C. District Court Related to Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

FRESNO - Benjamin Martin, 43, of Madera, was charged today by criminal complaint for being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, on Sept. 2, 2021, Martin was arrested at his residence in Madera on a criminal complaint issued by the District Court for the District of Columbia for charges related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

The FBI also executed federal search warrants at Martin’s residence and found that he possessed several firearms, including a Benelli 12-gauge shotgun and Kimber 1911 pistol. Martin has a prior conviction for a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence and is therefore prohibited from possessing firearms.