News

Twenty-One Drug Traffickers Associated With Nuestra Familia Arrested On Federal Charges In Kings And Tulare Counties

FRESNO - As part of a multi-agency operation, over 50 individuals were arrested in California on federal and state charges in connection with their drug-trafficking activities after investigation into the criminal activities of individuals associated with the Nuestra Familia prison gang.

The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, Special Agent in Charge Sean Ragan of the FBI’s Sacramento Field Office, Kings County District Attorney Keith Fagundes, Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward, Kings County Sheriff David Robinson, and Hanford Police Chief Parker Sever.

Felony Arrest of Madera County Man Illegally Discharging a Firearm

MADERA COUNTY - On June 10, 2019 at approximately 10:38am, the Madera County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call in the 17000 block of Avenue 12 regarding a man who was outside of his home shooting a gun into the air. Corporal Matt Kutz and Detective Richard Gutierrez arrived at the scene and contacted witnesses who reported the subject had been indiscriminately firing a small semi-automatic handgun into the air less than 20 feet from where they had been sitting. The subject, later identified as Liverato Zavala, went inside the home when deputies arrived.

Sergeant Mark Stritzel and Deputy Marcos Plascencia arrived on scene and established a perimeter outside the residence. Numerous announcements, in English and Spanish, were made requesting that Zavala exit the residence.

“Drfrosty” Indicted for Distribution of Methamphetamine from Modesto Using the Darknet

SACRAMENTO - On June 6, 2019, a federal grand jury returned a five-count indictment against Modesto resident Omar Isho, 37, charging him with distributing methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, Isho allegedly sold methamphetamine on darknet marketplaces such as the Dream Market, Empire Market, and Silk Road 3.1 using the vendor name “DrFrosty.” Federal agents conducted undercover purchases of methamphetamine from his accounts. Surveillance and postal records linked Isho to the parcels, which contained methamphetamine hidden inside jigsaw puzzle boxes.

Madera Man Arrest on Felony Charges of Animal Cruelty.

MADERA COUNTY - On June 9, 2019, around 1:45pm, the Madera County Sheriff’s Office received a call to assist California Department of Fish and Wildlife on an animal abuse call. Deputy Ian Roth met Game Warden Watkins of CA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife at a residence in the 10000 block of Avenue 14 in Madera County. Game Warden Watkins informed Deputy Roth that during a routine patrol of the San Joaquin River that day, he had observed a horse, believed to be deceased, lying in tall weeds near a dirt road in the area.

Game Warden Watkins drove Deputy Roth to the location of the horse, who was found lying on its side, unable to move despite attempts to lift its head upon hearing the two men approach. The horse’s condition was immediately recognized as dire- the frame of the horse, along with its hips, legs, ribs and spine, were visible. The horse was covered in flies in every orifice, including its mouth and nose. The horse had labored breathing and was looking around out of desperation.

Madera South Class of 2019 Steps into Their Future

MADERA - The Madera South High School Class of 2019 takes its final bow as high school seniors last Thursday evening. The weather couldn't have been any better as the class of over 580 students received their diplomas in front of a sold out Memorial Stadium.

Following graduations the former Stallions returned to the gyms of their old school for Sober Graduation party sponsored by the California Highway Patrol and the senior class where over $10,000 in prizes were given away as well as a car from GT Auto Sales of Madera.

Mexican National Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Marijuana Cultivation in Wilderness Area in the Sequoia National Forest

FRESNO - Felipe Angeles Valdez-Colima (Valdez), 36, of Michoacán, Mexico was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for conspiring to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute marijuana in the Kiavah Wilderness area of the Sequoia National Forest, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd ordered Valdez to pay $7,620 in restitution to the U.S. Forest Service for the damage he caused to the National Forest.

Tulare County Man Charged with Unlawfully Possessing a Machinegun and Cocaine

FRESNO - A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment on Thursday against Francisco Fernandez, 26, of Earlimart, charging him with possessing cocaine for distribution, unlawfully possessing a machinegun, and possession of an unregistered firearm, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, on April 19, 2019, agents searched Fernandez’s residence and storage unit and found cocaine, several assault rifles, a Glock pistol that was converted into a machinegun, and several auto sears. An auto sear is a part that is used to convert a semi‑automatic pistol into a fully automatic machinegun. Fernandez is prohibited from possessing firearms because he is an unlawful user of cocaine.