Local News

Porter Found Guilty in Yosemite National Park Sexual Assault

FRESNO - After a three-day trial, a jury found Charles Porter, 31, a resident of Yosemite National Park and Pomona, guilty today of attempted aggravated sexual abuse, abusive sexual contact, assault with intent to commit aggravated sexual abuse, assault with intent to commit abusive sexual contact, and assault by striking or wounding, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to evidence presented at trial, on April 14, 2020, in Yosemite National Park, Porter, an Aramark employee working and residing in Yosemite Valley, entered the victim’s cabin in employee housing at night while the victim was asleep and began to sexually assault the victim. The victim fought back, and during the struggle, Porter attempted to penetrate the victim. The victim was able to reach the door of his one-room cabin to call for help. Nearby neighbors heard his call for help, and they responded and physically removed Porter.

“M30 King of Fresno” and 17 Members of His Drug Trafficking Ring Charged with Federal Offenses Following Investigation into a String of Overdoses

FRESNO - U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert and Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Tatum King announced the results of an investigation into fentanyl-related overdoses in the Fresno area, which resulted in charges against of a total of 18 drug traffickers, charging them with trafficking fentanyl powder, fentanyl pills, cocaine, and methamphetamine.

“Many of the deaths and near deaths in drug overdoses are caused by counterfeit pills that look like prescription pills, but are not and actually contain fentanyl. The user may be unaware that the pills contain fentanyl and can be deadly,” said U.S. Attorney Talbert. “The charges announced today and the seizure of illicit drugs demonstrate our combined commitment to prevent the flow of these dangerous drugs into our communities.”

Bakersfield Resident Sentenced to over 3 Years in Prison for Transporting over 100 Pounds of Methamphetamine

FRESNO - Randal Jason Newell, 42, of Bakersfield, was sentenced today to three years and three months in prison for possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, on Dec. 5, 2020, Newell drove from Bakersfield to Mexico to obtain and smuggle narcotics from Mexico to Bakersfield, which he agreed to do for $7,000. On Dec. 7, 2020, Newell drove to the San Ysidro port of entry crossing from Mexico into the United States.

Law enforcement officers inspected Newell’s vehicle at the border crossing and discovered approximately 98 packages containing approximately 111 pounds of methamphetamine concealed in the vehicle’s gas tank, the rear compartment wall, the driver- and passenger-side exterior frame pillars, and underneath the floor.

Modesto Man Pleads Guilty to Burglarizing Post Office in Calaveras County

FRESNO - Thomas Patrick Day, 41, of Modesto, pleaded guilty today to burglarizing a post office, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on the night of July 2, 2020, Day broke into the post office at 8271 Camanche Parkway South in Wallace, a town in Calaveras County. He used a glass breaker tool to shatter the glass on the door to the lobby area of the post office and then stole packages and keys to post office boxes belonging to other people and businesses.

Former Chowchilla Mayor and Madera County Supervisor Passes: Vern Moss (82)

CHOWCHILLA – Former Chowchilla Mayor and Madera County Supervisor Vernon Donald Moss (82) passed away Friday morning. Moss, a longtime resident of the City of Chowchilla, was active in many community service organizations and events.

Moss was born on September 2, 1939. He was the first child of hard-working parents who would set an example Vern would follow his entire life. He grew up on his uncle’s dairy farm in Madera and picked cotton and cut grapes in the fields of Madera County. He attended Pershing Elementary School and was a member of the first graduating class of Thomas Jefferson Junior High School. At age 17, he moved to San Jose to live with family and graduated from San Jose High School in 1958. After graduation, he moved to Visalia, where he briefly attended College of the Sequoias and worked for the Visalia Times-Delta.