SACRAMENTO - After a two–day trial, a federal jury found William Lamar Blessett, 39, of North Highlands, guilty Wednesday of one count of possession of child pornography, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. According to evidence presented at trial, between mid-2016 and October 2017, Blessett possessed multiple electronic images of child pornography in a Dropbox cloud storage account and on devices including a laptop computer, two smartphones, and two tablet computers.
Blessett knew these images showed minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Blessett accessed the pornographic images on the internet using links he obtained on the Kik instant messaging application. Blessett viewed the images and downloaded them to a Dropbox account that he owned and operated. Blessett then used the account to organize and view the images and transfer them to his electronic devices.
Inmate That Escaped from California Men’s Colony Apprehended
SAN LUIS OBISPO — California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) agents apprehended an inmate who escaped from California Men’s Colony (CMC) on Oct. 30 was apprehended today in the Los Angeles area.
Inmate David Gray Hall, was located in a park in the southwest area of Los Angeles, and was placed into custody without incident at 10:55 a.m. by CDCR’s Special Service Unit Rancho Cucamonga special agents. The vehicle he stole from CMC’s garage was also found nearby. He is being transported to California Institution for Men and his case will be referred to the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office for consideration of escape charges.
Three High School Students Locked Up Following Attack & Murder of Madera Homeless Man
MADERA - The Madera County Sheriff’s Department is seeking the public’s help in locating the next of kin of a homeless man killed on the streets of Madera at the hands of three high school students in a robbery gone tragically wrong.
On the evening of October 28th three juveniles attacked Antonio Hernandez (40) on South C Street in Madera in order to rob him. During the attack Hernandez was body slammed by one of the juveniles’ causing the man to strike his head on the concrete suffering blunt force trauma to his brain. Five days later the victim succame to his injuries and died at a local hospital.
Madera South Student in Critical Condition Following Being Struck by Van Waiting for School Bus
MADERA – A Madera South student is in a local hospital in critical condition following being hit by a van while waiting for a school bus earlier Monday morning. The incident took place near Avenue 10 and Road 25 in rural Madera County three miles from the Madera City Limits.
The van was possibly traveling at a high rate of speeds south on Road 25 at about 6:30 a.m. Monday morning when the vehicle reportedly hit a large area of water that extended into the middle of the road and hydroplaned according to Madera CHP Officer Gregorio Rodriguez.
McClatchy Promotes Tim Ritchey to Publisher of Fresno Bee, Merced Sun-Star and SLO Tribune
SACRAMENTO - McClatchy (NYSE American: MNI) announced today the promotion of Tim Ritchey to Publisher of three of McClatchy's California media companies, The Fresno Bee, Merced Sun-Star and The Tribune in San Luis Obispo. He will also continue to oversee The Modesto Bee for the near future. This promotion is in addition to Ritchey's current role as Vice President of Advertising Operations for McClatchy's West region. In his new publishing role, Ritchey succeeds Ken Riddick who is stepping down at the end of the year after two decades at McClatchy.
"We are grateful to Ken for his strong leadership and vision," said Gary Wortel, McClatchy's Publisher, West Region. "From his start as photo editor at The Fresno Bee in 1995, Ken's professional trajectory at McClatchy has been inspiring -- he has led our Central Valley media companies through a time of disruption and digital transition and has consistently delivered digital growth. And on a personal level, his humility, sense of humor and passion for our mission will be missed by everyone who has had the privilege of working with him."
Neighbors Pull Guns During Fresno Argument
FRESNO - Early Sunday morning officers with the Fresno Police Department’s Southeast Policing District were dispatched to the 3200 block of East McKenzie Ave regarding a disturbance between neighbors. The victim involved in this incident called police and advised Fresno Police Dispatch that he was confronted by two neighbors and they were both armed with handguns.
When officers arrived they contacted the victim and discovered the victim had gone to the neighbor’s house in an attempt to get a key that belonged to a mutual friend. During this contact an argument ensured and the two neighbors pulled out handguns. The suspects threatened to shoot the victim if he did not leave the property. The victim immediately left and called police to report it.
Tulare County Man Indicted for Theft of Social Security Income Benefit Funds
FRESNO - A federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment today against Reynaldo Villalobos, 37, of Tulare, charging him with theft of public money and making false statements regarding right to Social Security benefits, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. According to court documents, Reynaldo Villalobos applied for Social Security Income benefits for his son in 2002.
In 2007, his son moved out of the country and has lived in Mexico ever since, making him ineligible for Social Security Income benefits. Nonetheless, Reynaldo Villalobos, as his son’s designated representative payee, never informed the Social Security Administration about the move and continued to fraudulently represent to that agency that his son was still living in the United States in order to continue to collect the Social Security Income benefits. Between August 2007 and September 2017, Reynaldo Villalobos collected at least $80,872 in Social Security Income to which he and his son were not entitled.