FRESNO - A federal grand jury has indicted George Thomas, 70, of Clovis, for selling thousands of stolen catalytic converters to a company in Oregon for over $2.5 million and then withdrawing the proceeds from his bank accounts in increments under $10,000 to avoid federal reporting requirements, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. The indictment was unsealed today following Thomas’s arrest.
According to court records, between January 2021 and November 2022, Thomas purchased stolen catalytic converters from thieves in the Fresno area who cut the converters off people’s vehicles. The thieves called or texted Thomas to arrange the sales in parking lots and behind buildings during all hours of the day and night. Thomas paid the thieves significantly below market rates and paid them in cash to conceal the source of the converters.
Bakersfield Man Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Illegal Cockfighting
FRESNO - Horacio Ortega-Martinez, 36, a citizen of Mexico residing in Bakersfield, was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for possessing roosters to use them in an animal fighting venture, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. In addition, the forfeiture of the fighting roosters and 49 breeding hens was ordered. On Nov. 10, 2022, Ortega pleaded guilty to an Animal Welfare Act crime involving the possession of 250 roosters for use in an animal fighting venture.
According to court documents, law enforcement agents became aware of Ortega’s involvement in breeding, fighting, and selling roosters in January 2022 through recorded conversations obtained from a court-authorized wiretap of a phone used by Jorge Calderon-Campos, 42, of Bakersfield. Ortega and Calderon had various telephone conversations about buying, selling, and fighting roosters.
Four Indicted in Scheme to Deliver Drugs into State Prisons by Drone
FRESNO - An indictment, brought on Feb. 16, 2023, has been unsealed, charging four defendants in a scheme to use drones to deliver drugs and other contraband into state prisons, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
Michael Ray Acosta, 48, an inmate at Pleasant Valley State Prison, is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and marijuana, conspiracy to own and operate an unregistered drone, and serving or attempting to serve as an airman without an airman’s certificate and using a cellphone in aid of racketeering.
Prison Officials Investigating Death of an Incarcerated Person as a Homicide
COALINGA – Pleasant Valley State Prison (PVSP) officials are investigating the death of Richard Derderian as a homicide. At 10:43 a.m. on Friday, March 10, 2023, an officer found Derderian lying unresponsive in a recreation yard with what appeared to be injuries.
An inmate-manufactured weapon was recovered at the scene. Staff quickly initiated life-saving measures and summoned emergency services to transport him to an on-site medical facility for treatment, where he was pronounced deceased at 11:13 a.m.
Deputies Cite Rafters for Floating on Closed San Joaquin River
FRESNO - Fresno County Sheriff's deputies responded to a report of five people and a dog floating in a raft down the San Joaquin River. The group launched its raft in the town of Friant and began traveling south through the Lost Lake area. There, a crew aboard EAGLE One flew overhead and made announcements over a speaker system for the crew to exit the river. The group floated another mile downstream before finally safely reaching the shore.
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