Local News

Fresno Man on Federal Supervised Release Indicted on Drug and Firearms Charges

FRESNO - A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment today against Elias Muhammad, 23, of Fresno, charging him with attempted possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute and two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, Muhammad was arrested after a vehicle stop on May 5. He was in possession of a firearm and .40 caliber ammunition after having suffered two prior felony convictions. He posted bail on that offense on May 10 and was released from custody.

Three Gang Members Charged Federally with Conspiracy to Commit Murder in Aid of Racketeering for Shooting in November that Killed Four

FRESNO - A federal grand jury returned an indictment today against three members of the Mongolian Boys Society, charging them with conspiring to commit murder in aid of racketeering for acting as lookouts for a gang shooting that killed four, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, Fresno residents Pao Vang, 30; Jhovanny Delgado, 19; and Johnny Xiong, 25, were members of the Mongolian Boys Society (MBS), a criminal organization active in Fresno and Visalia.

Former Fresno Businessman Charged with Wire Fraud and Money Laundering for Classic Car Restoration Scheme

FRESNO - A Fresno business owner was arraigned today for a scheme to defraud the customers of his classic car business, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. On July 23, a federal grand jury returned a 22-count indictment against Jeffrey Scott Hedges, 48, currently residing in Irvine, charging him with wire fraud and money laundering.

According to court documents, Hedges owned and operated West Coast Chassis LLC. Between November 2015 and January 2019, Hedges advertised his business online as one dedicated to the restoration of classic cars like Corvettes, Camaros, and others. However, instead of providing the promised chassis and modifications to the vehicle frames that his customers sent him, Hedges kept the money and failed to provide the promised product. Hedges allegedly defrauded his customers out of more than $600,000.

Fresno Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Distributing Fentanyl Resulting in Two Overdose Deaths in Fresno and Madera Counties

FRESNO - U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd sentenced Darnell Pearson, 42, of Fresno, today to 30 years in prison for two counts of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death and serious bodily injury, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

“This defendant sold what his customers thought was cocaine that was, in fact, fentanyl and caused the deaths of two people and serious injury to two others,” U.S. Attorney Scott stated. “These two deaths were the first reported fentanyl overdose deaths in Fresno and Madera Counties. As they demonstrate, fentanyl is extremely dangerous and is a serious public health threat in our area and the nation as a whole. Even trace amounts of this drug can be lethal, and it poses serious risks to those who come into contact with it, including first responders. We will continue to work with our state and federal partners to target those who distribute this poison in our communities.”

Fresno Escapee Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison for Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm

FRESNO - Samuel Delacruz, 38, of Fresno, was sentenced today to eight years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, in 2017, Delacruz was serving the remainder of his federal sentence for a 2013 conviction at Turning Point Fresno Residential Reentry Center. On Oct. 15, 2017, he failed to return to the center as required following a day pass. A U.S. Marshals Service warrant was issued, but his whereabouts remained unknown for over five months.