News

Mexican National Sentenced for Bakersfield-Based Methamphetamine Ring

FRESNO - Alberto Gomez-Santiago, 38, a Mexican national residing in Arvin, was sentenced today to four years and nine months in prison for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, in March 2021, Gomez delivered 26 pounds of methamphetamine to co-defendants Jorge Calderon-Campos, 42, a Mexican national residing in Bakersfield, and Mark Garcia, 23, of Bakersfield. Law enforcement officers later seized the drug from Garcia’s vehicle during a traffic stop. This transaction was one of many transactions involving Calderon-Campos, who was the target of a wiretap investigation that resulted in the seizure of more than 86 pounds of methamphetamine and 1 kilogram of heroin.

Central Valley Corporate Insider Pleads Guilty to Stealing Nearly $5 Million in Livestock Feed Ingredients

FRESNO - Shawn Sawa, 47, formerly of Clovis, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit wire fraud for his role in stealing millions of dollars worth of canola from international food processors. Canola is commonly used to make livestock feed.

According to court documents, from 2015 through 2017, Sawa and Richard Best stole $4.8 million worth of canola from the food processors. They then sold the canola for a windfall. Sawa and Best carried out the scheme through Best’s now-defunct train-to-truck transloading company, Richard Best Transfer Inc. (RBT).

California Man Pleads Guilty to Tax Fraud

SACRAMENTO - Richard Jason Mountford, formerly of Monterey County, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to file false claims against the United States, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert and Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division announced.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to investigating and prosecuting tax fraud,” said U.S. Attorney Talbert. “Fraudulent tax preparation schemes utilizing false and inflated deductions cost the government millions of dollars each year.”

A Look Back at Fentanyl Prosecutions in 2023

SACRAMENTO - U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Brian M. Clark announce the actions taken in 2023 in the Eastern District of California to confront the continuing crisis caused by fentanyl.

In 2023, large amounts of fentanyl were trafficked in or transported across the valley. In total, approximately 86 individuals appeared in federal district courts in Sacramento and Fresno charged with fentanyl distribution offenses. Approximately 28 individuals were sentenced for fentanyl trafficking offenses, with sentences ranging from two to 17 years in prison. Another approximately 29 pleaded guilty to fentanyl-related charges and now await sentencing, with additional cases still pending.

Aryan Brotherhood Prison Gang Member Pleads Guilty to Murder in Aid of Racketeering

SACRAMENTO - Brant Daniel, 49, of Sacramento, pleaded guilty Wednesday to murder in aid of racketeering as part of a long-running investigation into the California Aryan Brotherhood prison gang, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller immediately sentenced Daniel after his guilty plea to the mandatory sentence of a life term in federal prison.

“This guilty plea and sentence represents a significant setback for one of California’s most notorious white supremacist prison gangs,” said U.S. Attorney Talbert. “We will continue to use every law enforcement tool to protect the communities plagued by the violence and criminal activities of the Aryan Brotherhood.”

Make This a Holiday Season to Remember: Celebrate Responsibly with a “Go Safely” Game Plan - Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

MADERA – The holiday season can be dangerous for people on the roads. In December 2021 alone, 1,013 people were killed in the U.S. in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Madera PD wants to remind the public of the dangers of driving impaired and celebrate the holiday season responsibly by not driving under the influence.

Madera PD will have additional officers on patrol looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The high-visibility enforcement effort is part of a national campaign, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, with the goal of stopping suspected impaired drivers who put others on the road at risk.

Xmas Day Shooting at Madera Shopping Center Hospitalizes One

MADERA - One person was injured after an afternoon shooting at the Vallarta Shopping Center parking lot in Madera on Christmas Day. Both the gunshot victim and male suspect shooter fled the scene in different directions prior to officers’ arrival.

The male victim later returned to the scene and was found to have sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a Fresno hospital. The wounded man is expected to survive his wounds.