Local News

Law Enforcement Agencies Collaborate to Take Down Major Methamphetamine Suppliers - Seven Federal Defendants Indicted

FRESNO - An eight-month operation by the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has netted numerous arrests and seizures. This announcement was made by U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott, Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims, Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Chris Nielsen, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sean Ragan.

In November 2017, a Fresno County Sheriff’s deputy on patrol made a traffic stop in the area of Fresno Street and Ashlan Avenue. The driver, 55-year-old David Stuard of Fresno, was arrested and booked into the Fresno County Jail after the deputy searched his vehicle and found approximately one pound of methamphetamine, along with heroin and prescription pills.

Woman Wanted for Deadly California Crime Spree is Found Hiding in Attic

RICHMOND, VA - In the early morning hours of June 11th, the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force in Richmond arrested a woman who is wanted for murder and numerous robberies in Sonoma County, California. Amber Hembree, nicknamed ‘Skittles’, was one of five alledged Crips gang members who robbed then shot and killed their victim in Santa Rosa, California. Hembree then fled the state of California to avoid arrest.

After an extensive investigation by the Sonoma County Police Department along with the Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force, the agencies developed information that Hembree was likely hiding out back in Virginia. A request was sent to the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force in Richmond requesting help in locating Hembree.

Superseding Indictment Brought Against Bakersfield Man Who Allegedly Conspired with Police Officers to Sell Methamphetamine and Marijuana

BAKERSFIELD - On Thursday, a superseding indictment was brought against Noel Carter, 45, of Bakersfield, adding charges of bank fraud and making a false statement on a loan application, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. On September 14, 2017, Carter was charged in an indictment for conspiring with Bakersfield Police Department officers Damacio Diaz and Patrick Mara to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana that Diaz and Mara seized in the course of their duties as police officers.

The superseding indictment re-alleges that from April 2012 to August 2015, Carter conspired with Diaz and Mara who deliberately failed to submit the seized drugs into the BPD evidence room, and instead provided the stolen narcotics to Carter so Carter could sell those narcotics for profit. The indictment also alleges that Mara took marijuana and provided it to Carter to process so it was suitable for sale. Finally, the indictment alleges that Carter conspired with Mara to unlawfully manufacture, process, and sell marijuana for profit.

Supreme Court: States Can Collect Sales Tax from Online Retailers without Physical Presence

IRVINE -- In a 5-4 vote on June 21, 2018, the United States Supreme Court narrowly ruled in favor of letting states collect sales tax from online retailers. Prior to the ruling, South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc., et al. (2018), it was necessary to establish a physical presence in a state before requiring businesses to collect and remit sales tax. Proponents say the ruling will help state governments increase revenues, but opponents argue that consumers and online retailers will be harmed, particularly small merchants like sole proprietors.

Continuing, Justice Kennedy noted potential shortcomings in the former system: a product of Quill Corporation v. North Dakota (1992) and National Bellas Hess v. Department of Revenue (1967), which stood as precedent for decades – until Thursday morning. The precedents established by these cases, Kennedy wrote, effectively made "a judicially created tax shelter" – that is, a strategy to minimize tax liabilities – "for businesses that decide to limit their physical presence and still sell their goods and services to a state's consumers." Indicating that small businesses – upon which Justice Roberts warned the "burden [would] fall disproportionately" – could "seek relief" on a case-by-case basis.

City of Madera Aims to Stimulate Local Building Activity with Newly Proposed Incentive Programs

MADERA - – Drafts of three new development incentive programs were released today by city officials intended to bolster interest from developers and investors seeking new opportunities in the City of Madera.

The release of the new programs comes after a City Council subcommittee comprised of councilmembers Will Oliver, Charles Rigby, and Jose Rodriguez organized a series of meetings with community groups to identify ways the City could make it easier for property owners and builders to invest in Madera, describing their desire to allow property owners and developers to invest more dollars into their properties and less into City permit fees, with the intent that the community gains in the long run with increased employment and tax revenues.