News

Traffic Stops Nets Two Bulldog Gang Members for Guns & Narcotics

FRESNO - On Sunday, March 11, 2018, at 6:20am, a member of the Fresno Area Express (FAX) policing unit was patrolling the transit corridors in downtown Fresno. The FAX officer initiated a traffic stop on a silver Dodge Charger for swerving in the roadway. He contacted the driver, Javier Macias, 23 of Fresno and the passenger Marcos Amezcua, 24 also of Fresno.

Macias did not have a driver’s license. Since the vehicle was going to be impounded, an inventory search was conducted. Inside the vehicle next to where the driver was sitting, less than an ounce of suspected methamphetamine was found.

Kmart Corporation Pays $525,000 to Settle False Claims Act Allegations of Improper Medi-Cal Billings

SACRAMENTO - Kmart Corporation has paid $525,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the federal False Claims Act when it knowingly submitted claims for reimbursement to California’s Medi‑Cal program that were not supported by applicable diagnosis and documentation requirements, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today.

Kmart is an Illinois corporation that provides pharmacy services in several states with approximately a half dozen locations in California over the relevant time period. The Medi-Cal program is administered by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and relies on both federal and state funding to provide health care to millions of Californians, including those with low incomes and disabilities.

Fresno Man Pleads Guilty to Laser Strike on Police Helicopter

FRESNO — Michael Vincent Alvarez, 32, of Fresno, pleaded guilty today to striking Air-1, a Fresno Police Department helicopter, with a green laser beam, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. According to court documents, on October 22, 2017, Alvarez struck a Fresno Police helicopter several times with a powerful green laser.

The laser caused visual interference of the Tactical Flight Officer and disrupted an air support response to a domestic violence call. Alvarez was driving a vehicle on Highway 99 when he allegedly pointed the laser at the helicopter and tracked and struck it. When ground units were called to apprehend Alvarez, he drove through the streets of Fresno at a high rate of speed, eluding officers for several miles until he crashed into the center divider at First Street and Floradora Avenue.

Madera County DA Linn Set to Run or Re-Election

MADERA - Madera County District Attorney David A. Linn announced today that he is a candidate for re-election as Madera County District Attorney in the June 5, 2018 election. Linn stated that although he said when he was first elected he was not sure if he would seek re-election, he has now decided to.

All necessary documents and filing fees were provided to the Madera County Clerk’s Office/Elections Division earlier this week. Linn stated that his candidacy will be a working campaign so that he can continue to efficiently run the District Attorney’s office and to continue his ongoing investigation of all Madera County Supervisors and the County Administration.

Inspiration for California "3 Strikes Law" Sentenced to Life for Domestic Violence

FRESNO - Douglas David Walker (53) (53, of Fresno, one of the inspirations for California’s Three Strikes Law after his participation in the murder of Kimber Reynolds, was sentenced to a term of nineteen (19) years plus twentyfive (25) years to life in prison, the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office has announced. Mr. Walker also has three (3) prior “strike” convictions (Robbery, Attempted Robbery, and Attempted Robbery), as well as four (4) prior commitments to State Prison.

In December 2017, Fresno County Superior Court Judge Kent Hamlin found Douglas Walker guilty of a charge of Felony Corporal Injury to a Spouse or Cohabitant and three Felony counts of Dissuading a Witness from Prosecuting a Crime. Plus three Misdemeanor Contempt of Court.

One Fresno Man Sentenced for Illegal Possession of Firearms; Another Pleads Guilty to Being an Armed Career Criminal

FRESNO - Troy Franklin, 34, of Fresno, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. O'Neill to seven years and eight months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of an unregistered firearm, and Stephen Walker, 42, of Fresno, pleaded guilty to being an armed career criminal, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents in the first case, Franklin, who is prohibited from possessing firearms due to a prior felony conviction, illegally purchased an AR-15 rifle with a barrel length of less than 16 inches. Police tried to conduct a traffic stop on the black Range Rover Franklin was driving after the purchase, and Franklin fled. He stopped the car and ran, and police found him hiding in a nearby apartment.

FDA Warns of Fraudulent and Unapproved Flu Products

SILVER SPRING, Md. - As part of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's ongoing efforts to protect consumers from health fraud, the agency is reminding consumers to be wary of unapproved products claiming to prevent, treat or cure influenza, or flu. This year's severe flu season raises new concerns about the potential for consumers to be lured into buying unproven flu treatments, and even worse, buying counterfeit antivirals online from websites that appear to be legitimate online pharmacies.

"This year the flu has been widespread, impacting millions of patients across the country, and leading to a new record number of flu-related hospitalizations," said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. "We understand the toll this year's flu season has taken on peoples' lives. As the flu continues to make people sick — and even cause deaths — unscrupulous actors may also be taking advantage of unsuspecting consumers by promoting their fraudulent products that have not been reviewed by the FDA to be safe and effective.