News

Two Convicted for Aiding the Flight of Accused Killer of Newman Police Corporal

FRESNO - Monday, a federal jury in Fresno convicted two defendants for assisting in an effort to help Paulo Virgen Mendoza’s escape from California to Mexico after he allegedly killed Newman Police Corporal Ronil Singh during a traffic stop, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

Virgen Mendoza’s brother, Conrado Virgen Mendoza, 34, an illegal alien from Colima, Mexico, residing in Chowchilla; and friend, Erik Quiroz Razo, 28, an illegal alien from Michoacán, Mexico residing in Merced, were found guilty of conspiring to aid and abet Paulo Virgen Mendoza’s flight to avoid prosecution for murder. The jury acquitted other family members, Erasmo Villegas Suarez, 36, and Maria Luisa Moreno, 57, both of the Bakersfield-Lamont area.

Former Fresno Resident Pleads Guilty to Investment Fraud Scheme

FRESNO - Gary John Koval, 76, formerly of Fresno, pleaded guilty today to one count of wire fraud in connection with an investment fraud scheme, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, from 2012 to approximately Nov. 2014, Koval executed an investment fraud scheme, where he falsely represented himself to potential investors as an experienced and successful businessperson and investor with significant relationships and contacts in the banking and investment community.

Bakersfield Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Receipt of Child Porn

FRESNO - Augustine Amon Reyes, 33, of Bakersfield, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd to 15 years in prison for receiving child pornography, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, between Oct. 28, 2016, and Nov. 27, 2016, in Kern County, Reyes was found to have received or distributed through the internet between 10 and 150 images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The images also included depictions of prepubescent minors. Reyes also engaged in a pattern of activity involving the sexual abuse of minors.

Kings County Woman Pleads Guilty to Drug and Firearms Trafficking Charges

FRESNO -- Alexis Sanchez, 20, of Kettleman City, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute narcotics and conspiring to traffic in firearms by an unlicensed person, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, between April 2016 and March 2018, Sanchez participated in a conspiracy to purchase and ship firearms from Tennessee to California. Sanchez assisted in sending firearms that were purchased by co-conspirators in Tennessee to California.

Fresno Man Stopped for Speeding Found to Be in Possession of Ammunition

FRESNO - A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Jerald Esther Williams, 22, of Fresno, charging him with being a felon in possession of ammunition, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, on Aug. 14, Fresno Police Department officers saw a vehicle driving at a high rate of speed. They determined the vehicle was going in excess of 97 miles per hour. Williams was the sole occupant of the vehicle. During a search of the car, the officers found a loaded gun on the driver’s side floorboard near Williams’ left heel. The gun had eight rounds of 9 mm Luger ammunition in it. As a previously convicted felon, Williams is prohibited from possessing ammunition.

Extradited Israeli Fugitive Pleads Guilty to Northern California Gambling Crimes

SACRAMENTO - Yaniv Gohar, 36, formerly of Berkeley, pleaded guilty today to conducting an illegal gambling business, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and failure to appear, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, Gohar created and led an organization that installed and maintained video slot machines at businesses open to the public across Northern California. Gohar then created a system by which he could launder the proceeds of his lucrative gambling business, involving shell companies and paying cash to employees of a co-defendant’s business in exchange for money transfers from that co-defendant.

North Kern State Prison Officials Investigating Attack on a Correctional Officer by Eight Inmates

DELANO ― A North Kern State Prison (NKSP) correctional officer is recovering from injuries he sustained when he was attacked by eight inmates on Sept. 13.

The incident began last Friday at about 2 p.m. when the officer was conducting his security checks on Facility A and found an inmate with a contraband cell phone. The inmate attacked the officer. Seven other inmates joined in the attack and punched and kicked the officer.