News

FRESNO  -  Francisco Fernandez, 26, of Earlimart, was sentenced today to two and a half years in prison for possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine and possession of an unregistered firearm, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, a search warrant was executed at Fernandez’s residence in April 2019. During the search, federal agents found and seized scales, drug paraphernalia, and cocaine. Fernandez admitted to possessing cocaine for sale to others.

FRESNO -  A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment on Thursday, Dec. 12 against Joseph D. Sanford, 72, of Ceres, charging him with offenses involving cockfighting, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. Sanford was arrested at his place of business this morning and will be arraigned in Fresno at 2:00 p.m. today.

According to court documents, Sanford is charged with conspiring to violate the Animal Welfare Act, unlawfully possessing animals for an animal fighting venture, and unlawfully selling animals for an animal fighting venture. The indictment seeks the forfeiture of thousands of game fowl at his business, Joe Sanford Gamefarm.

FRESNO -  On Thursday, a federal jury convicted Marcela Heredia, 46, of Riverside, of seven counts of wire fraud, four counts of aggravated identity theft, and one count of making a false tax return, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents and evidence introduced at trial, Heredia worked at the Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission’s Transitional Living Center, which houses at-risk youth, until 2014. Heredia also worked at the IRS as a Tax Examiner between 2008 and 2014.

MADERA — At a special closed session meeting of the Madera County Board of Supervisors held on Friday the Thirteenth, the Board accepted the immediate resignation of County Administrative Officer, Eric Fleming. 

Fleming had offered the Board his resignation last Friday when an illegally recorded audio-taped phone call came to light following a brief sexual affair with an ex-wife of a Madera County Correctional Officer. Fleming had asked the Board to not only keep him in their employ well into the 2020 year but to also consider keeping the former CAO with the county under part-time status in a position related to economic development.

MADERA  –  Earlier today, California State Treasurer Fiona Ma visited Valley Children’s Hospital and presented the organization with a resolution recognizing the outstanding care it provides to children in California.

During her visit, Treasurer Ma toured the hospital to see firsthand the significant impact the Children’s Hospital Bond Act funding has had on Valley Children’s programs and services.

SACRAMENTO  -   On Dec. 5, a federal grand jury brought a 14-count indictment against a physician, Edmund Kemprud, of Dublin, charging him with prescribing opioids to patients outside the usual course of professional practice and not for legitimate medical purpose, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, Kemprud was a physician licensed to practice medicine in California and maintained a medical practice in Dublin and Tracy. On 14 occasions between Sept. 6, 2018, and March 13, 2019, Kemprud allegedly prescribed highly addictive, commonly abused prescription drugs, including Hydrocodone, Alprazolam, and Oxycodone – outside the usual course of professional practice and not for legitimate medical purpose.