News

Former California Social Security Employee Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison for Defrauding the System

SACRAMENTO - Eric Lemoyne Willis, 46, of West Sacramento, was sentenced today to four years in prison for conspiracy to defraud the United States, theft of government property, and aggravated identity theft, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Willis and co-defendants, Darron Dimitri Ross, 36, of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Joshua Bilal George, 39, of San Diego, conspired to steal public money from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Willis worked as an SSA Operations Supervisor in Sacramento and Lodi from 2015 until his departure in January 2018.

Fresno Man Charged with Passport Fraud for Using a Deceased Child’s Identity to Renew a Passport

FRESNO - On May 26, 2022, a federal grand jury indicted Kenneth Laitman, aka John Rodman, 78, of Fresno, for passport fraud, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, in 1984, Laitman left his job as a stockbroker in New York and moved to California where he assumed the identity of John Rodman and worked at an endoscopy practice. The actual John Rodman died in 1950 at the age of four.

City of Madera Fireworks Spectacular Show Canceled: Exhibitor Loses State Fire Marshall Permits

MADERA - The City of Madera is sad to announce that this year's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular event scheduled to take place at the Madera District Fairgrounds has been canceled. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the fireworks contractor responsible for the display at the main event has had their California State Fire Marshall permits revoked for nineteen shows around the state, including the one for Madera.

Event partners have worked incredibly hard on bringing this valued family event back to the community of Madera. During an emergency meeting late Tuesday afternoon with event stakeholders, the Madera Kiwanis were forced to officially call the event off after unsuccessful attempts to secure an alternate vendor on such a short timeline.

Solar Owner Sentenced to Over 11 Years in Prison for Billion Dollar Ponzi Scheme

SACRAMENTO - U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez sentenced Paulette Carpoff, 51, of Martinez, to 11 years and three months in prison for her role in the biggest criminal fraud scheme in the history of the Eastern District of California, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

On Nov. 9, 2021, Paulette Carpoff pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States and money laundering. According to court documents, Carpoff played a key role in the fraud as Chief Operating Officer of DC Solar and the owner and operator of its so-called distribution arm.

Fresno County Man Indicted for Attempted Fentanyl Trafficking

FRESNO - A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Isidro Zuriel Cruz-Vizcarra, 23, of Sanger, charging him with attempting to illegally traffic fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Cruz-Vizcarra mailed a parcel from a post office in Parlier to a residence in Iowa. The parcel was seized from the mail stream and searched. Inside, postal inspectors found about 1,000 counterfeit oxycodone M30 tablets. Similar to authentic oxycodone M30 tablets, these pills are small, round, and light blue or green in color with “M” stamped on one side and “30” on the other. Instead of oxycodone, however, they contain fentanyl, a potent opioid that can be deadly in small doses.

Federal Inmate and Texas Woman Indicted for Attempt to Smuggle Drugs into a Valley Prison

FRESNO - A federal grand jury returned an indictment today against Anthony Minor, 34, an inmate at the U.S. Penitentiary in Atwater, and Tilisha Morrison, 33, of Irving, Texas, charging them with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, conspiracy to provide contraband in a prison, and conspiracy to commit identity fraud, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

Morrison is also charged with three counts of distribution of a controlled substance, three counts of providing contraband in a prison, and three counts of identity fraud.

MAGEC Investigation Involving Violent Gang Member Leads to SWAT Standoff

FRESNO - On Friday, June 17th, at approximately 7 p.m., members from the Multi Agency Gang Enforcement Consortium (MAGEC) attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Blackstone Avenue near Ashlan Avenue. The driver of the vehicle, later identified as 36-year-old Eddie Serna, failed to yield, and sped off at a high rate of speed.

The Fresno Police Departments Air Support Unit was requested and gained visual of the vehicle. Serna began driving without any due regard for other motorists as the Fresno Police helicopter maintained visual. Due to Serna’s driving actions, MAGEC officers did not pursue the vehicle; however, received updated information from the Air Support Unit.