News

Two Modesto Men Charged with Illegal Weapons Possession

FRESNO — A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Cesar Castro, 41, of Modesto, charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm, and a one‑count indictment against Juan Dimas, 31, of Modesto, charging him with being a felon in possession of ammunition, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on June 1, Castro was arrested in Modesto in possession of a loaded firearm. On May 20, Dimas was arrested in Modesto after discarding a loaded firearm during a police chase. Both men are convicted felons prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition, and both men were serving terms of post-release community supervision following firearms convictions at the time of their arrest on these charges.

Two Sentenced to over 5 Years in Prison for COVID-19 Unemployment Benefits Fraud Scheme in Chowchilla

FRESNO - Jason Vertz, 51, of Fresno, and Alana Powers, 45, an inmate at the Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) in Chowchilla, were each sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd to five years and one month in prison for conspiracy to commit mail fraud and aggravated identity theft, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Vertz and Powers submitted several fraudulent unemployment insurance claims in Powers’ and other CCWF inmates’ names to the California Employment Development Department (EDD). Recorded jail calls and emails show that Powers and other inmates provided names, dates of birth, and social security numbers for inmates at CCWF to Vertz to submit the fraudulent claims. Shortly thereafter, the benefits were loaded onto debit cards that were mailed to the addresses the defendants provided.

Fresno Man Indicted for Assaulting a Court Security Officer

FRESNO - A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Carlos Perez, 45, of Fresno, charging him with assault on a federal contractor, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, on June 21, 2021, Perez assaulted a Court Security Officer inside the U.S. Federal Courthouse in Fresno by striking the officer in the face.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Protective Services, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Fresno Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine E. Schuh is prosecuting the case.

Madera Resident Arrested Following Child Molestation Investigation

MADERA -Jesse Harley Davis, a 30-year-old Madera resident, was arrested following an investigation by Madera County Sheriff’s Detectives. MCSO Deputies took a report of a sexual assault on a minor.

Following that report, Detective M. Chavez initiated an investigation, which revealed a juvenile male had been the victim of ongoing sexual assault by the suspect over the period of several years.

Sheriff’s Detectives Arrest Sanger Police Officer for Sexual Battery, Unlawful Detainment

SANGER - Fresno County Sheriff’s detectives have booked 37-year-old J.D. Torrence of Corcoran into the Fresno County Jail on charges of sexual battery and unlawfully detaining a person. He has since made his bail that was set at $250,000.

On June 24th, a citizen reported an allegation of misconduct to the Sanger Police Department. The complaint was made against Sanger Police Officer J.D. Torrence. Sanger Police requested the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office handle the investigation, which they accepted.

Property Detectives Arrest Four Teenagers on Burglary and Weapons Charges

FRESNO - On June 24th, a burglary took place at a home on the 4300 block of N. Arthur Ave. in Fresno. Stolen items included: A laptop computer, cell phone, smartwatches, and a wallet containing credit cards and a driver’s license. Detectives obtained surveillance video from the house and identified the suspects involved.

On July 2nd, detectives served a search warrant at a home on the 900 block of B Street in Fresno. There they found thousands of rounds of ammunition in various calibers, four military-grade gas masks, ski masks, and two scopes for firearms. One of the 17-year-old boys had a loaded 9mm handgun, which had a magazine containing 30 rounds.

Former Sheriff Correctional Officer Sentenced to Seven Months in Jail For Sex with Inmates

FRESNO - Last Tuesday, a Fresno County judge sentenced former Correctional Officer, 27-year-old Tina Gonzalez, to two years of formal probation and 210 days in Fresno County Jail.

In May of 2020, detectives with the Fresno County Sheriff's Office Vice Unit arrested then 26-year-old Tina Gonzalez of Lemoore. She faced felony charges of sexual activity with an inmate and possession of a controlled substance (alcohol) in a jail and a misdemeanor charge of possession of a cell phone with the intent to deliver to an inmate.