News

FRESNO -  U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced today the first in-person convening of the Greater Fresno Hate Crimes Task Force, which seeks to directly connect federal, state, and local law enforcement with diverse communities in order to build trust and encourage the reporting of hate crimes and hate incidents.

One of the most valuable and sustained efforts undertaken by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California is the Greater Sacramento Hate Crimes Task Force, which was first convened in 1999 following the “Summer of Hate” crimes that included the murder of a gay couple in Shasta County and arson attacks on Jewish synagogues in Sacramento. In April 2021, using the Sacramento-based Hate Crimes Task Force as a model, the U.S. Attorney’s Office launched the Greater Fresno Hate Crimes Task Force to serve the southern part of the district.

FRESNO -  A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Fernando Corrales, 23, of Modesto, charging him with escape from custody, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on Jan. 19, 2022, Corrales was ordered confined at the Turning Point Residential Re-Entry Center in Fresno after a conviction in the District of Oregon for conspiracy to possess and distribute heroin. While Corrales was allowed to be on home confinement, on Feb. 20, 2022, he cut off his ankle monitor and absconded. His whereabouts were unknown until his arrest.

MADERA – Fire crews responded to a vegetation fire early Tuesday evening that turned into multiple structure fires within minutes. The Fresno River’s overgrown vegetation, which has been on the radar of local officials because of the California Department of Fish and Game’s delays in issuing permits to clean out dangerous flammable vegetation, erupted into flames that quickly spread to a subdivision destroying two homes and damaging two others.

The fire ignited in the Fresno River behind the homes on Riverview Drive between Central Place and Orchard Avenue and consisted of primarily dry brush. This area is also used by many of the city’s local homeless individuals. Cal Fire has not released a cause of the start of the fire, but 15-20 mph winds carried smoldering embers up to the neighborhood above.

MADERA - Madera Police are investigating the second homicide of the year that took place early Sunday evening. A 38-year-old man was stabbed and killed in Central Madera following an altercation with an unknown subject..

At about 6:30 P.M. officers responded to an assault scene at Nebraska Avenue and Riverside Drive. The victim, 38-year-old Andres Espejo of Madera, was walking on Riverside Drive near the Fresno River when he was approached by a vehicle. A male suspect exited the vehicle, approached the victim and a verbal confrontation took place. During the argument, the suspect used a weapon to stab the victim.

FRESNO -  Joseph D. Sanford, 74, of Ceres, aka “Chicken Joe,” was sentenced today to 16 months in prison and a fined $25,000 for conspiring to sell, buy, possess, train, transport, deliver and receive game fowl intended to be used in animal fighting ventures, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Sanford was the owner and operator of Joe Sanford Gamefarm in Ceres, where he bred and sold gamecocks for cockfighting. Cockfighting is illegal under federal law and in all 50 states. Sanford also fought his own roosters.

FRESNO  -   A federal grand jury returned four indictments today against six Fresno residents as a result of Operation No Fly Zone that sought to address a rise in the number of shootings and homicides in Fresno, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. The multi-agency, months-long investigation resulted in the arrests of over 40 individuals, including six federal defendants.

Fresno residents Patrick Anthony Feaster, 23, and Marcus Rashad Newton, 24, are charged in one indictment with one count each of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Both have prior felony convictions and are prohibited from possessing firearms.