News

MCC President Chosen for Aspen Institute’s Fellowship to Advance Student Success

ASPEN, CO - The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program today announced that Dr. Ángel Reyna, president at Madera Community College, is one of 25 leaders selected for the 2021-22 class of the Aspen New Presidents Fellowship. This program supports community college presidents in the early years of their tenure as they aim to achieve higher and more equitable levels of student success.

The 25 Aspen Fellows, who lead colleges that collectively serve more than 280,000 students, were selected through a highly competitive process. Starting later this year, the Fellows will engage over nine months in residential sessions and virtual learning to develop strategies to meet their goals for student success and equity with data to assess challenges and progress.

Fresno Men Indicted for Being Previously Convicted of Violent Crimes in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition

FRESNO - A federal grand jury returned an indictment today against two Fresno residents, Edward Page, 32, and Trayvon Smith, 31, charging each with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, in the late-night hours of June 24, 2021, police officers received a tip that two individuals in a parked car were in possession of a firearm. The officers responded to the parking lot and found Smith and Page in the car. Page was quickly detained, but Smith fled, was chased, and eventually was caught and arrested.

Valley Woman Sentenced to 21 Years in Prison for Multi-State Drug Trafficking Operation

FRESNO - Alecia Trapps, 58, of Manteca, was sentenced Sept. 17, 2021, by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd to 21 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Trapps was the leader of a drug trafficking organization that was sending multiple pounds of methamphetamine and heroin to Juneau, Alaska, where the profits were much greater. The drugs were sourced in the Modesto area then transported to Alaska at Trapps’ direction utilizing numerous couriers as well as various methods and modes of transportation. In at least one instance, drugs from Modesto destined for Juneau were seized in Washington state as the courier tried to board the ferry.

Madera Fair Kicks Off 2021 Season After a Year Closed

MADERA – Day one of the 2021 Madera District Fair is in the books, and we have a photographic record of it on our Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/BigValleyNews). The first day kicked off with the raising of the American Flag, which had been at half staff after the loss of thirteen American warriors in Afghanistan last month.

This is the first fair in Madera County since the outbreak of the Covid pandemic in 2020. The Madera County Fair has been shut down for two years, and last year's Madera District Fair and many others throughout the state, were canceled over health concerns. So this year's fair is being run with safety at the forefront. Hand washing stations have been placed all over the grounds, and guests are asked to social distance and wear masks if guests feel uncomfortable.

Charges Added in Eastern District of California for Madera Man Previously Charged in Washington D.C. District Court Related to Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

FRESNO - Benjamin Martin, 43, of Madera, was charged today by criminal complaint for being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, on Sept. 2, 2021, Martin was arrested at his residence in Madera on a criminal complaint issued by the District Court for the District of Columbia for charges related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

The FBI also executed federal search warrants at Martin’s residence and found that he possessed several firearms, including a Benelli 12-gauge shotgun and Kimber 1911 pistol. Martin has a prior conviction for a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence and is therefore prohibited from possessing firearms.

Third Madera Defendant Added in Superseding Indictment for Trafficking Fentanyl and Methamphetamine

FRESNO - A federal grand jury returned a six-count superseding indictment today adding Josue Morales, 23, to April 29, 2021, indictment, that charged Madera residents Emilio Hernandez Yesca, 27, and Jorge Perez, 24, with trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, the charges arose out of a months-long investigation into a drug trafficking organization. Between October 2020 and March 2021, the three conspired to distribute pounds of methamphetamine and thousands of fentanyl pills. These fentanyl pills are clandestinely manufactured pills that are made to resemble pharmaceutical oxycodone pills, but instead contain fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is 100 times stronger than morphine.

Central Valley Optometrist Indicted for Submitting over $1 Million in False Claims to Medicare

FRESNO - A federal grand jury returned a nine-count indictment today against optometrist Carole Sachs, O.D., 76, of Delhi, charging her with health care fraud, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Sachs was an optometrist and practiced out of offices in Turlock and Modesto. Between November 2016 and February 2021, Sachs fraudulently billed Medicare for optometry services she did not provide. Sachs billed over $1 million and received over $700,000 in payments from Medicare from these false and fraudulent claims. The fraudulent claims included claims for performing ultrasounds and for placing amniotic membranes on patients’ eyes despite the fact that Sachs did not perform these procedures.