News

Six Arrested for Trafficking Methamphetamine and Heroin in Bakersfield

FRESNO - Six people were arrested in Kern County today following a year-long investigation of a Bakersfield-based drug trafficking organization that distributed methamphetamine and heroin, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. The defendants are scheduled to make an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sheila K. Oberto on Wednesday, April 27, at 2:00 p.m.

Those charged in the federal criminal complaint unsealed today are: Jorge Calderon-Campos, 41; Byron Adilio Alfaro-Sandoval, 45; and Johnathan Benjamin Torres, 30; all citizens of Mexico residing in Bakersfield; Jose Angel Beltran-Chaidez, 66, of Bakersfield; and Alberto Gomez-Santiago, 36; and Mark Garcia, 22, of Arvin.

Former Owner of Chrysler Dealerships in Lodi and Sonora Charged with Wire Fraud for Defrauding Investors

FRESNO - On April 22nd a federal grand jury returned an eight-count indictment against Vincent Elliot Porter, 73, of Oakdale, charging him with wire fraud, United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, between 2013 and 2017, Porter owned and operated two Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealerships: Sonora Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, and Lodi Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. He used his ownership of those businesses to defraud investors of approximately $8 million.

Madera County Sheriff's Detectives Searching for Chowchilla Murder Suspects

MADERA - Thursday evening, the Madera County Sheriff’s Communications Center received a 9-1-1 call for a report of shots fired at a residence in the 23000 block of Road 15 3/4 in Chowchilla. When deputies arrived on the scene, they discovered an adult male at a location on the property suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Deputies immediately performed CPR and first aid until relieved by EMS, however, the victim, later identified as 33-year-old Abraham Barajas-Cedillo, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident remains ongoing. Based on preliminary details, detectives believe this was an isolated incident. The suspects remain outstanding at this time. Madera County Sheriff’s Forensic Technicians are currently reviewing evidence collected from the scene. As part of the ongoing investigation, Detectives are continuing to gather witness statements and surveillance from the surrounding area. Based on witness descriptions of the suspects, Detectives are seeking at least two adult males.

Tulare County Man Sentenced to over 12 Years in Prison for Methamphetamine Trafficking Conspiracy

FRESNO - Roberto Cavazos, 43, of Porterville, was sentenced today to 12 years and seven months in prison for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Cavazos negotiated for the purchase of 1 pound of methamphetamine from Pedro Delgado-Montenegro, 42, a former Porterville resident and native and citizen of Mexico, who supplied the drug to Cavazos through a third party.

Fresno Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Receipt of Child Pornography

FRESNO - Adam Lee Campbell, 43, of Fresno, was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston to 15 years in prison for receipt of material involving the sexual exploitation of minors, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, between Jan. 17, 2019, and Feb. 23, 2021, Campbell received images of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct onto a cellphone while on parole. Campbell has a prior conviction for hands-on contact with minors, along with prior state convictions for possession of child pornography and for failing to register as a sex offender.

Mexican National Indicted for Distribution of Fentanyl and Other Drugs in Fresno County

FRESNO - A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment today against Jesus Ramos, 48, of Sinaloa, Mexico, charging him with distributing and possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl, eutylone, hydrocodone, and ketamine, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on Oct. 13, 2021, after negotiating for the delivery 10,000 “pills” and “one of China”–a street term for synthetic heroin powder usually containing fentanyl–Ramos delivered pills containing fentanyl that weighed approximately 31 grams and approximately 2 pounds of a white powdery substance containing eutylone, hydrocodone, and ketamine. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, 2 milligrams of fentanyl is considered a lethal dose. Ketamine is a schedule III pain reliever commonly used in anesthesia. Hydrocodone is a schedule II opiate used for severe pain. Eutylone is a schedule I stimulant, and is also known as “boot.”

El Dorado Hills Man Indicted for Fraud Against Merchant Cash Advance Companies

SACRAMENTO - A 10-count indictment was unsealed today against Suneet Singal, 43, of El Dorado Hills, charging him with wire fraud and mail fraud, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, between March 2017 and July 2017, Singal engaged in a scheme to make false representations in order to induce financing companies to provide funds to certain companies in the form of merchant cash advances, which are advances of money in exchange for promises to repay greater amounts of money from future receivables. To obtain the cash advances, Singal claimed that he was the owner of a company that operated a chain of fast-food franchises, but he did not actually own that company.