Big Valley News
Central Valley's Independent News Source
FRESNO. — A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment today against Daniel Battenfield, 40, of Visalia, alleging the unlawful dealing of firearms without a license, making materially false statements to a federal agent, and lying on a federal firearms form.
According to court documents, Battenfield has purchased and resold hundreds of firearms since at least 2016, purchasing the firearms below market price because of his law enforcement status and then reselling them for a profit.
|
Throughout her three-decade career, Chief Casto has risen through the ranks from Police Explorer to Interim Chief of Police, demonstrating a deep commitment to public safety, community policing, and department modernization. She has held leadership positions across multiple divisions, including Patrol, Investigations, Internal Affairs, and Support Services, overseeing critical crime reduction efforts, officer training programs, and major department initiatives. To Catch a Predator” Operation Nets 5 Arrests in Madera County
Agents and officers used undercover identities to pose as minors online who adults solicited to commit sexual acts. During the operation, agents were contacted by nearly 100 different online predators. As the agents communicated with the suspects, they were directed to an area where they were eventually apprehended and arrested. Five subjects were arrested for charges of arranging to meet with a minor for sexual purposes and meeting with a minor for sexual purposes.
Former Sanger Police Officer Convicted on Eight Counts of Sexually Assault
The announcement was made by Deputy Assistant Attorney General Kathleen Wolfe of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith for the Eastern District of California, and Special Agent in Charge Siddartha Patel of the FBI Sacramento Field Office. Fresno Man Pleads Guilty to Throwing Methamphetamine into Federal Prison Yard
According to court documents, on May 1, 2024, Wheelen arrived at the Federal Correctional Institution Mendota wearing a facemask, baseball cap, and hoodie to conceal his identity. In broad daylight, Wheelen ran to the prison fence and tossed four packages into the prison’s recreation yard. He was quickly apprehended after attempting to flee. The packages contained more than 3 pounds of methamphetamine. Wheelen was on supervised release from a prior federal felony charge at the time. More Articles ...
YOUR AD HERE
YOUR AD HERE
|
MADERA COUNTY - 
FRESNO - On Wednesday, a federal jury in Fresno convicted former Sanger Police Department Officer J. DeShawn Torrence, 42, of eight counts of deprivation of constitutional rights under color of law for sexually assaulting four women whom he encountered during his official duties. The jury found that the offenses included kidnapping, aggravated sexual abuse, and attempted aggravated sexual abuse, and also caused bodily injury.
FRESNO - Garrett Scott Wheelen, 33, of Fresno, pleaded guilty today to possessing more than 500 grams of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced. 
