News

Traffic Stop in Fresno County Results in Charges for Washington Residents Traveling with 300,000 Fentanyl Pills

FRESNO - A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment today against Joseph Hill, 40, of Mount Vernon, Washington, and Brigit Marie Bissell, 27, of Bothell, Washington, charging them with conspiracy to possess and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on Jan. 14, 2022, Hill and Bissell were traveling northbound on Interstate 5 in Fresno County, when stopped by police for speeding. When the officer had his narcotics detection dog run a sweep around the car, the dog alerted to the presence of narcotics. A subsequent search revealed three bags containing approximately 75 pounds of fentanyl or over 300,000 fentanyl pills.

Bakersfield Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing and Attempting to Sell Large Amounts of Fentanyl, Cocaine and Methamphetamine

FRESNO - Jose Mario Quintero Beltran, 31, of Bakersfield, pleaded guilty today to possessing with the intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on March 31, Quintero Beltran arranged to meet a customer at a Bakersfield shopping mall and sell him 20,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl for $42,000. During their meeting, Quintero Beltran also offered to sell the customer methamphetamine. Afterward, law enforcement officers searched Quintero Beltran’s vehicle and residence and located a total of 51,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl, approximately 40 pounds of cocaine, and approximately 3 pounds of crystal and liquid methamphetamine, all of which Quintero Beltran intended to distribute to others.

Repeat Impaired Driver Sentenced to Fifteen Years to Life in DUI Murder Case

FRESNO - Yesterday, Joey Barron (35, of Fresno) was sentenced to fifteen years to life in state prison for the crime of murder for his role as the driver in a fatal crash on January 2, 2021. The crash claimed the life of 30-year-old Andres Adrian Romero. The sentence was handed down by Judge Jonathan Conklin of the Fresno County Superior Court after he pled to the charge on August 6, 2024.

Barron was driving his vehicle westbound on Highway 168 just after midnight when he approached the Shields Avenue offramp. He lost control of his vehicle while driving at a high speed, causing it to go up the shoulder embankment and roll. The crash killed Barron’s passenger, Romero.

Investigation into Car Shooting Nabs Two Suspects

MADERA - Early last Thursday evening, Madera Police Officers were dispatched to the 900 block of S. Gateway Dr. regarding an assault with a deadly weapon. Officers contacted a female victim who reported she was driving into the alleyway of her apartment complex with her two young children when gunfire erupted and struck her vehicle.

She fled the area in her vehicle and contacted police. During the investigation, it was discovered the victim’s vehicle was stuck several times by gunfire, nearly impacting a child in the rear seat.

Sheriff Shooting Investigation in Chowchilla

CHOWCHILLA -In the early afternoon of 11/16/24, the Madera County Sheriff’s Emergency Communications Center received a 9-1-1 call reporting a shooting in the area of Road 22 and Santa Fe Drive in Chowchilla. Deputies arrived on scene and discovered an adult female victim, who was airlifted to a regional hospital for treatment.

MCSO Investigations Bureau determined a shooting took place at a residence in the area and served a search warrant at a home in the 26000 block of Road 22. The circumstances surrounding this incident are still under investigation, and the suspect(s) is outstanding.

Federal Correctional Officer Charged with Assault and Falsifying Report to Obstruct an Investigation

FRESNO - Sandra Munagay, 42, of Atwater, a Senior Correctional Officer at the United States Penitentiary, Atwater, appeared in federal court today for arraignment on a two-count indictment charging her with assaulting an inmate and obstruction of justice, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to the indictment, on Nov. 2, 2023, Munagay allegedly struck an inmate housed at the federal prison in Atwater. The same day, she falsified a report about the incident.

Merced County Man Indicted for Receiving and Distributing Child Pornography

FRESNO - On Oct. 31, 2024, a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment against Joel Damian Ortega, 35, of Merced, charging him with receipt and distribution of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. The indictment was unsealed following Ortega’s arrest yesterday.

According to court documents, between Jan. 26, 2024, and July 7, 2024, Ortega used a Samsung Galaxy smartphone to receive and distribute at least one visual depiction of a child engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Ortega also used an iPhone to receive at least one visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct on April 2, 2024.