Local News

Kern County Man Charged with Production, Distribution and Receipt of Child Pornograph

FRESNO - A federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment today against Andrew James Sarnowski, 22, of Rosamond, charging him with separate counts of production of child pornography and distribution of child pornography, and two additional counts of receipt of child pornography, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, Sarnowski produced multiple videos depicting the sexual abuse of a minor less than a year of age and shared them online through an encrypted social media application. Pursuant to a search of his residence, additional electronic devices belonging to Sarnowski were identified and found to contain hundreds of additional child pornography files, including those depicting pre-pubescent boys and girls being sexually abused.

Joseph Castro Leaves Fresno State to be Appointed Eighth CSU Chancellor

FRESNO - The California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees has appointed Joseph I. Castro, Ph.D., to serve as the eighth chancellor of the California State University. Castro has served as the eighth president of California State University, Fresno since 2013. He is the first California native and first Mexican American to be appointed to oversee the 23-campus university. Castro will succeed Timothy P. White who is retiring after leading the university since late 2012.

“The California State University provides unprecedented and transformational opportunities for students from all backgrounds to earn a high-quality college degree and to better their families, their communities and the industries in which they become leaders. There is no other institution that makes this great of an impact on the entire state – the CSU is key to a growing and thriving California," said Castro. “I am truly grateful for and excited about this unique and wonderful opportunity, and I look forward to working with the talented faculty, staff and presidents of the 23 campuses as well the Board of Trustees and executives and staff at the Chancellor's Office to further increase achievement for our 482,000 students."

Former Clovis Pastor Defrauded Church Congregants of Over $2 Million - Pleads Guilty to Real Estate Development Fraud

FRESNO - Sherman Smith, 74, of Monterey, pleaded guilty today to wire fraud, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. According to court documents, Smith was the executive pastor of Sonrise Church of Clovis.

Smith induced investors, including church congregants, to give money to the church by representing that the money would be used to finance a real estate development project for the benefit of the church. Smith made appeals from the pulpit, via email, and in-person for monies to pay off the church’s mortgage and fund an income-generating development.

Teenager Killed in Central Madera Shooting (UPDATE)

MADERA – Madera Police are investigating the homicide of a teenager in Central Madera. Officers responded to a residence in the 500 block of West 4th Street around 9:30 PM Wednesday evening regarding a man who had been shot. The 19-year-old victim was transported to Madera Community Hospital where he died from his wounds.

While detectives are still at the beginning stages of the investigation, the murder may have been gang-related. .Detectives and officers are still working the scene and gathering evidence. At this time Madera Police have no further information but stay tuned to BVN for updates throughout the day.

Former California EDD Employee Sentenced for Disability Benefits Fraud and Identity Theft

SACRAMENTO - Katherine Decker, 49, of Fresno, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller to three years and seven months in prison for a disability benefits fraud and identity theft scheme, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, between June 14, 2013, and May 1, 2017, Decker and co‑defendant Angela Stubblefield, 49, of Tacoma, Washington, formerly of Martinez, participated in a scheme to defraud the State of California by filing fraudulent claims for disability insurance benefits with the California Employment Development Department (EDD).