Local News

Former Stockton Man Sentenced to Over 6 Years in Prison for Unemployment Benefits Fraud and Identity Theft

SACRAMENTO - Robert Joseph Maher, 42, formerly of Stockton, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez to six years and three months in prison for mail fraud and aggravated identity theft, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, between November 2010 and February 2018, Maher participated in a scheme to defraud the State of California Employment Development Department (EDD) by filing fraudulent claims for unemployment insurance benefits. In furtherance of this scheme, Maher and his co-defendant, Michael Herron II, also of Stockton, created fictitious companies and fictitious employees by using the real identities of persons with and without their knowledge. They then filed claims with EDD, falsely stating that the employees had been laid-off or fired. The unemployment benefits were deposited onto debit cards that were mailed to addresses controlled by Maher, Herron, or their associates.

Kaweah Delta is Now Kaweah Health as Part of Rebranding Initiative

VISALIA - To better reflect the breadth of services it offers to elevate the health and well-being of the Central Valley, the largest district hospital in the state and the only California affiliate of the Cleveland Clinic Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute, has completed an extensive rebranding initiative.

The largest acute care hospital and the only trauma center between Bakersfield and Fresno is now Kaweah Health following a rebranding initiative that includes a new name, a new logo, and an updated website.

Fresno Gang Member Faces Federal Firearms Charge

FRESNO - A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Keith Breazell, 31, of Fresno, charging him with being a felon in possession of ammunition, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, on May 25, 2021, detectives arrested Breazell for unlawfully possessing a semi‑automatic, .40-caliber pistol with no serial number.

These guns are often referred to as “ghost guns” because the lack of a serial number on the firearm renders them untraceable. Breazell’s ghost gun was found inside a satchel that he had abandoned after fleeing from the approaching officers. The firearm was loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition. Breazell is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition because of his prior criminal history. In 2014, he was convicted of assaulting a person with a semiautomatic firearm. He also has two prior convictions for illegally possessing firearms.

Parolee Pleads Guilty to Jailhouse COVID-19 Unemployment Benefits Fraud

FRESNO - Christina Smith, 38, who was on parole and had previously been incarcerated at the Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) in Chowchilla, pleaded guilty in federal court today to conspiracy and aggravated identity theft charges for the submission of fraudulent unemployment insurance claims to the California Employment Development Department (EDD) in the names of current CCWF inmates, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Sholanda Thomas, 37, a current CCWF inmate, sent her own and several other inmates’ personal identifying information to Smith to submit the unemployment insurance claims in their names. The underlying applications represented that the inmates had been working various jobs, which was untrue because they were incarcerated and therefore ineligible for benefits. The loss to the EDD and the United States is over $250,000. Smith split the proceeds with her co-conspirators.

Merced Man Charged with Drug Trafficking Offense

FRESNO - A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment Thursday against Richard Charles Thomas Jr., 38, of Merced, charging him with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on Aug. 25, 2020, Thomas led law enforcement officers on a highspeed chase through the city of Merced. While fleeing police, Thomas threw a black bag from the vehicle. Officers recovered the bag, which contained approximately 839 grams of methamphetamine, $3,162 in cash, and personal effects belonging to Thomas.