Big Valley News
Central Valley's Independent News Source
FRESNO - The Fresno Police Department arrested sixteen subjects for driving under the influence while conducting a DUI/Driver’s License checkpoint on November 16, 2019. The checkpoint was at Wishon and Hedges Streets between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m.
In addition, 17 drivers were cited/arrested for operating a vehicle unlicensed or with a suspended/revoked license, 1 Arrested on other Criminal Charges, 32 Citations issued, and 28 vehicles towed.
FRESNO - A federal grand jury returned a 13-count indictment today against Fresno residents Isaias Herrera-Ortiz, 29, and Lucas Lara Portillo, 38, charging them with conspiracy, production of false identification documents, transfer of false identification documents, and fraud and misuse of visas and related documents, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, in February and March 2018 and in July and September 2019, the defendants engaged in transactions in which they manufactured and sold false identification documents to buyers. These documents included social security cards and green cards.
FRESNO - A federal grand jury returned a 13-count superseding indictment today against 12 Nuestra Familia gang members and associates, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
The individuals charged today were originally charged in June, along with about 40 others, as part of a multi-agency investigation into the prison-based gang’s criminal activities. The superseding indictment adds three additional federal drug charges, including a charge for conspiracy to distribute over 500 grams of cocaine. The defendants are:
SACRAMENTO - The founder and former CEO of a chain of Central Valley rural health clinics will sell 13 properties, remitting proceeds to the United States and the state of California, to resolve allegations that she submitted millions of dollars in false claims to Medi‑Cal, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today.
The Civil and Criminal Divisions of the U.S. Attorney’s Office conducted parallel investigations of Sandra Haar, the founder and chief executive officer of Horisons Unlimited. As a result of the criminal investigation, on Aug. 13, 2018, Haar pleaded guilty to defrauding Medi-Cal and on Nov. 4, 2019, was sentenced to five years in prison.
MADERA - On Monday, November 11th, Madera Police responded to a deceased person in the Fresno River-bed near the area of Cleveland Avenue and Raymond Road. The Madera County Coroner has identified the deceased male as 38-year-old Lasaro Macedo.
An autopsy was conducted and ruled that Macedo died as a result of injuries he sustained during a dog attack. Macedo was observed to have obvious bite marks to his legs, arms, and face, police said.
SACRAMENTO - Jason Solomon, 44, of Stockton, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley to nine years in prison for distributing child pornography, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. According to court documents, in July 2016, Solomon used social media to send images of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct to a then-15-year-old girl.
Law enforcement later became aware of Solomon’s sexually explicit chats with the 15-year-old victim. In January 2018, federal agents found Solomon possessing additional images of child pornography, some of which depict the sexual molestation of infants.
CHOWCHILLA – Last Friday evening at approximately 8:40 pm, officers from the Chowchilla Police Department responded to a report of a traffic collision at North 5th Street/Ventura Avenue. Upon arrival, officers observed two vehicles involved in a motor vehicle collision, a Chevy truck and a Suzuki Forenza.
Several of the subjects in the Suzuki sustained moderate to severe injuries. One of the passengers, a female juvenile, later succumbed to the injuries she sustained from the traffic collision.
