Local News

Fresno Man Found Guilty of Distributing Fentanyl Resulting in First Reported Fentanyl Overdose Deaths in Fresno and Madera Counties

FRESNO - On Friday, a federal jury found Darnell Pearson, 41, of Fresno, guilty of 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 in Madera. 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.”

Bakersfield Man Pleads Guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Heroin

FRESNO - Hacel Alfredo Alvarez, 35, of Bakersfield, pleaded guilty today to possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, Alvarez admitted that he was storing for the purpose of distribution 21 pounds of methamphetamine and over 1 pound of heroin that officers found at his residence in Bakersfield during the execution of a search warrant. The officers also found $8,980 in cash under the mattress in his bedroom.

Two Men Indicted for Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine and Fentanyl in Tulare County: 160 Pounds of Methamphetamine, 300 Fentanyl Pills Seized

FRESNO - A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment today against Saul Giovanni Solis Ontiveros, 24, of Pixley, and Eduardo Garcia, 20, of McFarland, charging them with conspiring to distribute over 160 pounds of methamphetamine and approximately 300 fentanyl pills, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, the defendants were stopped in a routine traffic stop in Pixley. Through the rear windows of the car, officers saw two buckets with a white crystalline substance on the rim of the lids. Eventually, further searches of the car and two residences located over 160 pounds of methamphetamine, over 200 pounds of liquid methamphetamine, and approximately 300 pills containing fentanyl. Inside both residences, law enforcement officers found active methamphetamine conversion laboratories.

Tulare Man Convicted of Methamphetamine Trafficking

FRESNO - A federal jury returned a verdict on Thursday finding Jose Roberto Arreola-Serrato, 31, of Tulare, guilty of a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents and evidence produced at trial, Arreola-Serrato worked with other members of a Tulare County-based conspiracy to supply methamphetamine for a large-scale drug trafficking organization, which was responsible for distributing methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin in California and Washington.

Valley Children’s Opens New Inpatient Unit for Epilepsy Monitoring

MADERA - This week, Valley Children’s Hospital unveiled a new Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. This new facility, located in the Voyager Unit of the Madera hospital, is a designated area for epilepsy patients who need to be monitored over longer periods of time.

This unit includes six rooms with hard-wired beds, nine portable machines, and a play area. There are also video cameras in each room and throughout the hallways, allowing patients more freedom to roam while still being monitored over multiple consecutive days and ensuring no data is lost. This facility creates a more comfortable environment, conducive to optimal seizure monitoring.