Local News

United States Reaches $9 Million Settlement for Damages Caused by Forest Fire

SACRAMENTO - Kernen Construction Co. and Bundy & Sons Logging have collectively agreed to pay $9 million to settle a lawsuit brought by the United States for damages resulting from a 2012 wildfire that burned more than 1,600 acres of national forest land, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today.

The fire, known as the “Flat Fire,” ignited on July 11, 2012, along the side of Highway 299 west of Weaverville, California. Logging equipment owned by Bundy & Sons was being hauled by Kernen Construction when it became unsecured and dragged along the highway, causing sparks that ignited dry vegetation. By the time the fire was suppressed, 1,688 acres had been burned, almost all of which was located within the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. The fire cost more than $4.6 million to suppress and damaged environmental resources, including habitat for sensitive species such as the Northern Spotted Owl.

December is National Impaird Driver Prevention Month

FRESNO - The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office is asking the residents of Fresno County to take a stand against Impaired Driving during National Impaired Driving Prevention month. Every day, millions of people use America’s roadways to drive to and from work, school, and social events. Every day, millions of Americans depend on these roadways being safe so they may arrive at their destination. Every day, lives are needlessly lost and irreparably altered by crashes involving drugs or alcohol.

Tragically, in 2017, more than 10,000 people died in alcohol-related crashes in the United States, accounting for 29 percent of all traffic fatalities. In Fresno County, 4,294 felony and misdemeanor DUI cases involving alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both were filed by the District Attorney’s Office last year.

Madera & Fresno Residents Indicted for Drug Trafficking Conspiracy; 134 Pounds of Meth Seized

FRESNO - A federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment today against Diblaim Alan Valdez-Araux, 31, of Madera, and Fresno residents Erick Lizarraga, 28; Perla Ramos, 29; Brittany Martinez, 26; David Martinez, 66; Rosemarie Martinez, 64; Jesus Bueno, 27; Noyra Gonzalez, 41; and Maricela Castellanos, 54, charging them with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, the defendants were involved in trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine in the Fresno – Madera area, as well as sending methamphetamine to Denver, Colorado. Lizarraga allegedly arranged two shipments to Denver that were seized by law enforcement. On October 13, 2018, David and Rosemarie Martinez had 30 pounds of methamphetamine with them that they were taking to Denver via Amtrak.

North Highlands Man Convicted of Possessing Child Pornography

SACRAMENTO - After a two–day trial, a federal jury found William Lamar Blessett, 39, of North Highlands, guilty Wednesday of one count of possession of child pornography, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. According to evidence presented at trial, between mid-2016 and October 2017, Blessett possessed multiple electronic images of child pornography in a Dropbox cloud storage account and on devices including a laptop computer, two smartphones, and two tablet computers.

Blessett knew these images showed minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Blessett accessed the pornographic images on the internet using links he obtained on the Kik instant messaging application. Blessett viewed the images and downloaded them to a Dropbox account that he owned and operated. Blessett then used the account to organize and view the images and transfer them to his electronic devices.

Inmate That Escaped from California Men’s Colony Apprehended

SAN LUIS OBISPO — California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) agents apprehended an inmate who escaped from California Men’s Colony (CMC) on Oct. 30 was apprehended today in the Los Angeles area.

Inmate David Gray Hall, was located in a park in the southwest area of Los Angeles, and was placed into custody without incident at 10:55 a.m. by CDCR’s Special Service Unit Rancho Cucamonga special agents. The vehicle he stole from CMC’s garage was also found nearby. He is being transported to California Institution for Men and his case will be referred to the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office for consideration of escape charges.