News

Stockton and Modesto Methamphetamine and Cocaine Traffickers Charged

SACRAMENTO - A federal grand jury returned an 11-count indictment today against Heidy Isabel Torres Lopez, 40, of Stockton; Cesar Mag Rodriguez Hernandez, 23, of Stockton; and Marco Antonio Sanchez Garcia, 37, of Modesto, charging them with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of cocaine, distribution of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, cocaine base, and marijuana, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Lopez, Hernandez, and Garcia distributed methamphetamine and cocaine to a confidential informant working for law enforcement. In total, the group attempted to sell over 13 pounds of methamphetamine and 3.7 pounds of cocaine.

Atwater PD Announces an Arrest on a Recent Homicide

ATWATER - Early Monday morning officers from the Atwater, Merced, Turlock, Modesto police departments, State Parole and the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s office cooperated on a multi jurisdictional operation that lead to the arrest of Adrian Hernandez, Hispanic Male, 21 years of age, a resident of Merced as a suspect in the June 29^th,2022 homicide that occurred in the parking lot of Buhach Colony High School.

With the assistance of these agencies and federal partners, officers were able to identify Hernandez as the primary subject in this investigation. Hernandez was taken into custody without incident. Merced PD GSVU served a search warrant in the 3600 block of Swan Court in the City of Merced as part of the operation. Investigators collected evidence at the location to assist in the prosecution of the case. Hernandez was booked into the Merced County Jail on a first degree murder charge.

Drugs and Guns off of Madera Streets Thanks to Two Weeks of Special Investigations

MADERA - Over the last two weeks the Madera Police Department with the department's Special Investigations Unit and Detective Unit have been hard at work.Weapons and drugs have been removed from the street to make Madera a safer city to live in. Below are a few notable arrests, which have undoubtedly made a positive impact within our community.

Kings County Norteno Gang Member Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Methamphetamine Sales

FRESNO - Manuel Garcia, 35, of Armona, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd to 15 years in prison for conspiring to sell over 500 grams of methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

Garcia was arrested as part of Operation Red Reaper, a federal, state, and local law enforcement operation targeted at dismantling the criminal activities of the Norteno Street Gang and Nuestra Familia Prison Gang in the counties of Kings and Tulare. The operation resulted in the arrests of over 50 individuals. Federal charges were brought against 23 defendants, including Garcia.

Former California Social Security Employee Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison for Defrauding the System

SACRAMENTO - Eric Lemoyne Willis, 46, of West Sacramento, was sentenced today to four years in prison for conspiracy to defraud the United States, theft of government property, and aggravated identity theft, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Willis and co-defendants, Darron Dimitri Ross, 36, of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Joshua Bilal George, 39, of San Diego, conspired to steal public money from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Willis worked as an SSA Operations Supervisor in Sacramento and Lodi from 2015 until his departure in January 2018.

Fresno Man Charged with Passport Fraud for Using a Deceased Child’s Identity to Renew a Passport

FRESNO - On May 26, 2022, a federal grand jury indicted Kenneth Laitman, aka John Rodman, 78, of Fresno, for passport fraud, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, in 1984, Laitman left his job as a stockbroker in New York and moved to California where he assumed the identity of John Rodman and worked at an endoscopy practice. The actual John Rodman died in 1950 at the age of four.

City of Madera Fireworks Spectacular Show Canceled: Exhibitor Loses State Fire Marshall Permits

MADERA - The City of Madera is sad to announce that this year's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular event scheduled to take place at the Madera District Fairgrounds has been canceled. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the fireworks contractor responsible for the display at the main event has had their California State Fire Marshall permits revoked for nineteen shows around the state, including the one for Madera.

Event partners have worked incredibly hard on bringing this valued family event back to the community of Madera. During an emergency meeting late Tuesday afternoon with event stakeholders, the Madera Kiwanis were forced to officially call the event off after unsuccessful attempts to secure an alternate vendor on such a short timeline.