Local News

Ficklin Vineyards Invited to US Embassy in London - Wine Produced in Madera Requested for Embassy Dinners

MADERA - Ficklin Vineyards, America's oldest Port winery established in 1946, recently received a request from the US Embassy in London for their award-winning Port to serve at upcoming Embassy dinners. From Ficklin Vineyard's remote location in Madera County, Winemaker and President, Peter Ficklin, was happy to hear his Ports are drawing interest from across the pond. "The UK has a long and valued history in the development and traditions of Port wine," said Peter Ficklin, Winemaker, and President. "We consider this a special acknowledgment of our premium quality."

Ficklin Vineyards received the request from Gerry Kaufmann, of the Embassy's cultural division, expressing the desire of the US Embassy in London to serve Ficklin Port at their dinners. Then the hard work began to meet regulations to ship Ficklin Vineyards Old Vine Tinta and Aged 10 Years Tawny Port to the Embassy. In addition to the US Embassy, the process also involved the USDA, Foreign Agricultural Service, the California Wine Institute, and the Culinary Diplomacy Project.

Two Convicted for Aiding the Flight of Accused Killer of Newman Police Corporal

FRESNO - Monday, a federal jury in Fresno convicted two defendants for assisting in an effort to help Paulo Virgen Mendoza’s escape from California to Mexico after he allegedly killed Newman Police Corporal Ronil Singh during a traffic stop, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

Virgen Mendoza’s brother, Conrado Virgen Mendoza, 34, an illegal alien from Colima, Mexico, residing in Chowchilla; and friend, Erik Quiroz Razo, 28, an illegal alien from Michoacán, Mexico residing in Merced, were found guilty of conspiring to aid and abet Paulo Virgen Mendoza’s flight to avoid prosecution for murder. The jury acquitted other family members, Erasmo Villegas Suarez, 36, and Maria Luisa Moreno, 57, both of the Bakersfield-Lamont area.

Former Fresno Resident Pleads Guilty to Investment Fraud Scheme

FRESNO - Gary John Koval, 76, formerly of Fresno, pleaded guilty today to one count of wire fraud in connection with an investment fraud scheme, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, from 2012 to approximately Nov. 2014, Koval executed an investment fraud scheme, where he falsely represented himself to potential investors as an experienced and successful businessperson and investor with significant relationships and contacts in the banking and investment community.

Bakersfield Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Receipt of Child Porn

FRESNO - Augustine Amon Reyes, 33, of Bakersfield, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd to 15 years in prison for receiving child pornography, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, between Oct. 28, 2016, and Nov. 27, 2016, in Kern County, Reyes was found to have received or distributed through the internet between 10 and 150 images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The images also included depictions of prepubescent minors. Reyes also engaged in a pattern of activity involving the sexual abuse of minors.

Kings County Woman Pleads Guilty to Drug and Firearms Trafficking Charges

FRESNO -- Alexis Sanchez, 20, of Kettleman City, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute narcotics and conspiring to traffic in firearms by an unlicensed person, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, between April 2016 and March 2018, Sanchez participated in a conspiracy to purchase and ship firearms from Tennessee to California. Sanchez assisted in sending firearms that were purchased by co-conspirators in Tennessee to California.