News

Bakersfield Man Charged with Offenses Involving the Sexual Exploitation of Minors

FRESNO - A federal grand jury returned an indictment against Rafael Omero Plata Guerrero, 34, of Bakersfield, today, charging him with two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of receipt of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, between April 15, 2024, and Aug. 26, 2024, Guerrero produced visual depictions of two minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Using the internet and a laptop, Guerrero also received child pornography between June 1, 2024, and Aug. 27, 2024.

Voters Beware: Unauthorized Drop Boxes May Not Be Safe or Secure

MADERA- Madera County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters Rebecca Martinez sent an urgent message to voters today regarding their vote by mail ballot.

“Voting by mail is safe. Dropping your ballot in an official Madera County Drop Box is safe, and returning them to a Vote Center is safe too,” explained Martinez. “What voters should question is handing their ballots over to someone they do not know, like a stranger that comes to their door. I also warn voters to be cautious of boxes that are not official ballot boxes.”

Former Madera High History Teacher Passes at 93: Frank Brunolli

MADERA - Frank Brunolli passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Saturday, October 12, 2024. He spent 93 joyful years on earth, during which time he was a Valley Pole Vaulting Champion and served in the Coast Guard in South Korea and Japan.

Born in Madera, California, you may have had him as your high school history teacher or coach at Madera High School, saw him working the ICF salami booth at the Harvest Festival, or listened to his voice in the St. Joachim's choir. He loved singing, gardening, woodworking, and praying daily for his loved ones.

Former Arvin High School Employee Sentenced for Explosives Conspiracy and Making False Statements To FBI

FRESNO - Angelo Jackson Mendiver, 27, of Bakersfield, a former campus security supervisor at Arvin High School, was sentenced today to two years in prison for conspiring to engage in the manufacturing and dealing of explosive materials and for mailing explosive devices, as well as making false statements to FBI agents, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Mendiver used an Instagram account to sell explosives and explosive materials and worked closely with a male juvenile Bakersfield high school student to fulfill transactions and send explosives in the mail to residents of other states.

Mexican National Gets 6 Years in Prison for Leading $25 Million Tax Fraud Scheme

FRESNO - Miguel Martinez, 39, a Mexican national residing in Bakersfield, was sentenced today to six years in prison for leading a $25 million fraud against the IRS, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

“Martinez sought to steal millions in taxpayer funds meant to provide services for us all,” said U.S. Attorney Talbert. “Today’s sentence is fitting for someone who embodies reckless disregard for the law. This office will continue our efforts to bring to justice those who would organize and lead such schemes.”

Federal Jury Finds Fresno Woman Tied to M30 King of Fresno Guilty of Trafficking Fentanyl, Cocaine, and Methamphetamine

FRESNO - On Friday, Sept. 27, after a four-day trial, a federal jury found Alma Lucia Garza, 23, of Fresno, guilty of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine as well as possession with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to the evidence presented at trial, Garza was a trusted assistant of the self-proclaimed M30 King of Fresno, Horacio Torrecillas Urias Jr. Between Nov. 2, 2021, and March 31, 2022, Garza conspired with Torrecillas Urias and others to obtain, directly from sources in Mexico, tens of thousands of counterfeit M30 fentanyl pills and large quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine. The conspiracy included the distribution of these illicit drugs to drug dealers inside and outside of California.

Commercial Burglary Results in Multiple Felony Arrests

MADERA - On Sunday, shortly before 5 a.m., the Madera County Sheriff's Office received a call for service for an alarm at Pedal Forward Bikes & Adventure, located in the 40000 block of Highway 41 in Oakhurst. The alarm company reported two males with their faces covered inside the store stealing bicycles and loading them into a white van. Sergeant Hernandez arrived within 5 minutes and confirmed a burglary had occurred, but the van was nowhere in sight.

Deputy Eichman was in the Coarsegold area and noticed a white Ford E-350 van pass him as it was traveling southbound on Highway 41. When he attempted to initiate a traffic stop, the van failed to yield and led Deputies on an 11-mile pursuit. After Deputy Cox successfully deployed spike strips at Highway 41 and Highway 145, the van continued driving with flat tires, ultimately crashing into the barrier near the Madera Canal south of Avenue 15.