News

Plot to Smuggle Drugs into Fresno County Jail Results in Multiple Charges

FRESNO - A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment today against Alfredo Garcia Jr., 27; Eva Romero, 53; and Leo Torres, 30, of Fresno, charging them with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin and at least 5 grams of methamphetamine, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. Torres and Romero were also charged with the distribution of controlled substances.

According to court documents, between January 19 and January 26, 2021, Garcia, Romero, and Torres conspired to smuggle heroin and methamphetamine into the Fresno County Jail for further distribution among inmates. Investigators uncovered the plan by listening to recorded jail calls, including calls between inmate Garcia and his mother, Romero.

Man Charged in Yosemite National Park Sexual Assault

FRESNO - A five‑count indictment was unsealed today charging Charles Porter, 30, formerly of Chino Hills, charging him with assault with intent to commit aggravated sexual abuse, assault with the intent to commit abusive sexual contact, attempted aggravated sexual abuse, abusive sexual contact, and assault by striking, beating or wounding, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on April 14, 2020, in Yosemite National Park, Porter assaulted the victim while making non-consensual sexual contact with him in an attempt to sexually assault the victim. This case is the product of an investigation by the National Park Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine E. Schuh and Laura Jean Berger are prosecuting the case.

Merced Police Department Seeks Help in Locating Homicide Suspect

MERCED - The Merced Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating Carlos Maldonado-Pizarro (21, Stevinson, CA) and his vehicle a Red 4 door Honda Accord with license plate 6FNJ333. On March 8, 2021, at 1253 hours the Merced Police Department was dispatched to a call of shots fired in the 1100 block of P Street.

As officers arrived, they found the 14-year-old victim suffering from life-threatening gunshot wounds. Emergency medical aid was provided, but those efforts were unsuccessful, and the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Maldonado-Pizarro has been identified as the suspect in this case and has an active warrant for his arrest.

Fresno County Woman Arrested for over $790,000 in Crop Insurance Fraud

FRESNO - On March 10, 2021, Jatinderieet “Jyoti” Sihota, 34, of Selma, was arrested on a federal indictment charging her with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and mail fraud for the submission of over $790,000 in fraudulent crop insurance claims, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. The indictment was unsealed today following her arrest.

According to court records, from at least November 2013 through September 2016, Sihota controlled her family’s farms in Fresno and Tulare Counties that produced table grapes, plums, and other crops. The crops were sold through fruit brokers in California’s Central Valley to supermarket chains and other third-party buyers.

Fresno Sheriff’s Detectives Investigating Suspicious Death

FRESNO - Around 9:45 am on Thursday, workers reported finding what appeared to be a deceased body lying in a row of a citrus grove. This orchard is located on the south side of Jensen Avenue, between Minnewawa and Clovis Avenues in Fresno.

Deputies responded to the scene and confirmed it was in fact a man who had died. Homicide detectives arrived and determined the death to be suspicious. They along with our Crime Scene Unit and Drone Unit worked to collect evidence and interview the people who made the discovery.

Madera Police Officer Accused of Accessing State Records for a Friend; Accused of Attendance Fixing at Madera High Nine Years Prior

MADERA – There’s an old saying that ‘The leopard cannot change its spots, nor can the tiger change its stripes’. This week we seem to have been given a recent example of this in a former Coyote football player and now Madera Police officer who has been accused of illegally accessing state computers for the benefit of his friends. Officer Anthony Martinez was suspended from duty and resigned his position with the department following his arrest for the crime of Unauthorized Furnishing of State Criminal History Information in violation of Penal Code section 11142.

According to the criminal complaint filed with the California Superior Court – Madera County, Martinez accessed the Madera Police Departments California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) for a third party that was not authorized to receive such information around January 7^th, 2021.

Governor Newsom Announces Over 200,000 Educators Have Been Vaccinated Last Week

SACRAMENTO - Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that, since the state began dedicating 10 percent of vaccine supply for education workers on March 1, over 200,000 education workers have been vaccinated, far exceeding the state’s goal of 75,000 vaccines per week.

“This is welcome news for teachers, students, and parents as more and more schools reopen safely across the state,” said Governor Newsom. “We will continue working with our local partners to accelerate this effort in communities across the state so that all school staff has access to a vaccine within weeks.”