News

FRESNO -  A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment today against Nikko Adolfo Perez, 26, of Atwater, charging him with one count of sexual exploitation of children, one count of coercion or enticement of a minor, and one count of receipt of child pornography, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, Perez, using the Instagram screen name captainamerica272018, victimized two boys, ages 8 and 10, in Utah by coercing them into creating and then sending to him images of them engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Perez offered to pay the boys with Google Play credits if they engaged in requested sexual acts or poses. When one of the victims said he would “call 911,” Perez threatened to disseminate images of the victims engaged in sexually explicit conduct. He also threatened to harm family members of the victims. Perez used Omegle, Instagram, Snapchat, Kik, and other social media apps.

SACRAMENTO -  A federal jury has found Rodney Flucas, 49, of Stockton, guilty of transportation of minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and one count of transporting an adult daughter across state lines with intent to engage in incest, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

“Cases like these are difficult to investigate. We must ask the victims to relive trauma and face a person they would rather forget. Rodney Flucas underestimated the strength and grace of his victims, and we thank them for their courage,” said Special Agent in Charge Sean Ragan of the FBI Sacramento Field Office. “We are grateful for opportunities to investigate crimes against minors-often in concert with local, state, and federal partners — to ensure those who exploit their naiveté and innocence face justice.”

FRESNO -  As part the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California’s strategy to reduce violent crime, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced the following cases involving illegal firearms and gang-related offenses. A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment on September 6, 2018, against Miguel Rodriguez, 37, of Fresno, charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents, on July 17, 2018, Rodriguez was found to be in possession of a .357 revolver in Reedley.

Rodriguez had multiple previous felony convictions, and is prohibited from possessing a firearm. This case is the product of an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Reedley Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark J. McKeon is prosecuting the case. The charges against Rodriguez are only allegations; he is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

MADERA - The ballots for the 2018 general election on November 6th are being mailed out to registered voters on Monday October 8^th.  Voters will have nearly a month to vote then mail or drop the ballots off at several locations throughout the county.

Unlike in years past when voters were assigned neighborhood precincts where they would cast their votes, before last June’s primary election every registered voter in Madera County was mailed a ballot that voters can mail back, drop off or vote at several locations through-out the county on accessible devices. For the general election, the Madera County Elections Department is paying for the return postage for the ballots. So now there is no excuse the not vote this November.

HANFORD - On Friday, September 14, Kern Valley State Prison (KVSP) correctional officer Armando Gallegos, died unexpectedly in a Hanford hospital. Gallegos, 56, had worked at KVSP since graduating from the Basic Correctional Officer Academy in 2005. He remained at the prison until April 21, 2018 when he, along with a second officer, sustained injuries during an attack by inmates.

“Our hearts are heavy from the passing of Officer Armando Gallegos. Correctional officers like Armando put their lives on the line every day to keep our prisons and communities safe. We extend our deepest condolences to his wife Irma, his family and friends, as well as our CDCR community, during this difficult time,” said CDCR Secretary Ralph Diaz.

SACRAMENTO - A superseding indictment was unsealed today, adding four defendants and additional charges to a case involving an illegal gambling business operating in Sacramento and elsewhere in California, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. Yaniv Gohar, 35, of Berkeley; Orel Gohar, 28, of San Francisco; and Eran Buhbut 33, of Oakland were indicted in December 2017, charged with conducting an illegal gambling business.

According to court documents, from September 2015 through November 2017, Yaniv Gohar, Orel Gohar, and Buhbut operated a gambling business that installed and maintained video slot machines at smoke shops and convenience stores throughout Northern California, including in Sacramento, in violation of California laws prohibiting such machines.