News

FRESNO -  A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment today against Michael Erin Vandeventer, 21, of Sparks, Nevada, charging him with interference with commerce by robbery, known as Hobbs Act Robbery, and conspiracy to commit interference with commerce by robbery, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, on April 19, Vandeventer and others robbed a CVS Pharmacy in Madera. The additional currently unidentified suspects, one armed with a handgun, entered the pharmacy and breached the barrier to enter the employee-only area. Using the firearm as intimidation, the robbers then demanded controlled substances — “oxy,” “promethazine,” and others — and after obtaining them, fled to a getaway car, alleged to have been operated by Vandeventer. A search of Vandeventer’s phone revealed conversations and web searches showing knowledge of and preparation for the robbery.

FRESNO -  A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Angelo Frank Salaz, 31, of Los Banos, charging him with being a felon in possession of ammunition, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, on May 19, officers attempted to stop Salaz for traffic violations, including no front license plate and expired registration tags. Salas fled, however, running stop signs and driving on the wrong side of the street. Once the vehicle came to a stop, Salaz ran from the vehicle but was apprehended by the officers. When Salaz was searched, officers found .40‑caliber ammunition in his pockets and a loaded .40‑caliber handgun in the car under the driver’s seat. Salaz had been convicted of burglary in 2014, and in 2019, was convicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

FRESNO -  As part of an ongoing concerted effort by local, state, and federal law enforcement to address the significant uptick in violent crime in the City of Fresno, a federal grand jury returned indictments today against four Fresno County residents with various firearms and drug offenses, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

“These defendants were all on active parole for a prior gun or drug charges— three had ties to criminal gangs, and when arrested, three were in possession of guns and the fourth was in possession of drugs,” said U.S. Attorney Scott. “The U.S. Attorney’s office has focused enforcement efforts against the most violent criminals in our district and will continue to work with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and community partners to reduce crime, save lives, and restore safety to our communities. The bloodshed must stop.”

SACRAMENTO - Following his wife’s sentencing, Satish Kartan, 46, currently residing in Sacramento, was sentenced today to 15 years and eight months in prison for forced labor violations. In addition, U.S. District Judge Morrison C. England Jr. ordered $15,657 to be paid in restitution to three victims, in part to cover their back wages and other losses.

On March 14, 2019, after an 11-day trial, a federal jury found Kartan and his wife, Sharmistha Barai, 40, guilty of conspiracy to obtain forced labor and two counts of obtaining forced labor. Kartan was also found guilty of one count of fraud in foreign labor contracting. On Oct. 2, Barai was sentenced to 15 years and eight months in prison for forced labor violations.

MADERA – Firefighters on eight fire trucks from Madera County’s Cal-Fire responded Thursday evening to the former Madera Athletic Club building as flames ripped through the roof of the sixty-year-old, block long-abandoned structure located at Orchard and Sunset Avenues.

Fire Battalion Chief Christian Trindade said he is unsure what caused the fire said he believes the fire's point of origin was the lobby of the gym which spread north and south down the hallways to engulf most of the roof of the structure.

FRESNO  -  Oscar Reyes, 31, of Mendota, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd to three years in prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, Reyes was a member of La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), a violent criminal street gang that engages in racketeering activity, including murder, kidnapping, extortion, and drug trafficking. Reyes pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute controlled substances on behalf of the MS-13 gang, the proceeds of which were the lifeblood of an extremely violent gang.