News

Merced County Man Indicted for Receiving and Distributing Child Pornography

FRESNO - On Oct. 31, 2024, a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment against Joel Damian Ortega, 35, of Merced, charging him with receipt and distribution of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. The indictment was unsealed following Ortega’s arrest yesterday.

According to court documents, between Jan. 26, 2024, and July 7, 2024, Ortega used a Samsung Galaxy smartphone to receive and distribute at least one visual depiction of a child engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Ortega also used an iPhone to receive at least one visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct on April 2, 2024.

Son of Fresno State Legend Pleads Guilty to Committing $144,000 in COVID-19 Fraud

FRESNO - Henry Ellard Jr., 39, of Fresno, pleaded guilty today to stealing $144,000 in COVID-19 relief money, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court records, in July 2020, Ellard created Baptiste Ellard LLC. He then caused Baptiste Ellard LLC to apply for and receive $144,000 in COVID-19 relief money from the Small Business Administration (SBA).

Ellard falsely represented to the SBA that Baptiste Ellard LLC had ten employees and an annual payroll of more than $695,000 and that he would use the loan proceeds for business expenses. However, Ellard knew the company had no employees, no annual payroll, and no real operations, and as such, it was ineligible for PPP loans. Ellard subsequently used $144,000 of the relief money for personal expenses, including restaurants, bars, airfare, hotels, clothing, and golf.

Fresno Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Receipt of Child Sexual Abuse Images

FRESNO - Louie Santiago Seja Jr., 35, of Fresno, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd to 14 years and one month in prison for receipt of visual depictions of minors being sexually abused, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. The prison sentence is to be followed by 10 years of supervised release. During this time, Seja’s access to minors, computers, and the internet will be restricted, and he will be required to register as a sex offender.

According to court documents, in February and March 2019, Seja used a cellphone to receive more than 600 images of children being sexually abused—some of the photos depicted violence and prepubescent minors.

Fifth Member of Bakersfield Drug Ring Sentenced

FRESNO - Jorge Calderon-Campos, aka Americano, 42, a Mexican national residing in Bakersfield, was sentenced today to eight years and one month in prison by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston for his involvement in a drug distribution operation in Bakersfield and for unlawfully possessing animals for cockfighting, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on March 30, 2021, Calderon supplied 26 pounds of methamphetamine to co-defendants Mark Garcia, 24, of Lamont, and Alberto Gomez-Santiago, 38, a Mexican national. On April 7, 2021, Calderon was involved in a 60-pound methamphetamine transaction with co-defendants Byron Adilio Alfaro-Sandoval, 47, of Bakersfield; Francisco Javier Torres Mora, aka Johnathan Benjamin Torres, 31, a Mexican national; and Alberto Gomez-Santiago, 39, a Mexican national.

Madera Mayor Defeated in Four-Way Race: Gallegos Ahead in the Vote

MADERA - While it may be the end of democracy in our Federal government, democracy is alive and well in Madra County. Last night, voters in Madera elected its first female mayor since the city moved to a mayor/council district system. John Adams' teacher and three-term city council member Cecelia Gallegos beat sitting mayor Santos Garcia by more than two hundred votes. Gallegos took an early lead during last night's three-and-a-half-hour count and never looked back.

Incumbent Anita Evans easily defeated former Madera City Councilmember Derek Robinson by 233 votes. Robinson had no financial disclosure papers filed with the county, but Evans showed she raised over $2000 and spent $32 on her campaign. Her first campaign in 2020 ended with a debt of over $7,000. Councilmember Artemio Villega was defeated last night by John Jasper and left a campaign debt of $8,837 with no signs of campaign contributions listed in his financial disclosures.

U.S. Attorney to Oversee Complaints of Election Fraud & Voting Rights Abuses in the November 2024 General Election

SACRAMENTO - U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced today that Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin C. Khasigian will serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Eastern District of California in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5 general election. The DEO is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of Election Day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington, DC.

The 34 counties in the Eastern District are Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Fresno, Glenn, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Lassen, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Modoc, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Solano, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tulare, Tuolumne, Yolo, and Yuba.

PG&E May Proactively Shut Off Power for Safety to Approximately 20,000 Customers Across 24 Counties

OAKLAND - Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) meteorologists and operations professionals continue to monitor a potential wind event forecasted to enter parts of its service area around 1 p.m. on Thursday and exit as late as Saturday afternoon in some locations.

Given the forecasted strong northerly winds and current dry vegetation conditions, PG&E has sent advanced notifications to customers—via text, email, and automated phone call—in targeted areas where power may need to be proactively shut off for safety to reduce wildfire risk. The duration and extent of power outages will depend on the weather in each area and not all customers will be affected for the entire period.