News

Traffic Stop in Fresno County Results in Charges for Washington Residents Traveling with 300,000 Fentanyl Pills

FRESNO - A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment today against Joseph Hill, 40, of Mount Vernon, Washington, and Brigit Marie Bissell, 27, of Bothell, Washington, charging them with conspiracy to possess and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on Jan. 14, 2022, Hill and Bissell were traveling northbound on Interstate 5 in Fresno County, when stopped by police for speeding. When the officer had his narcotics detection dog run a sweep around the car, the dog alerted to the presence of narcotics. A subsequent search revealed three bags containing approximately 75 pounds of fentanyl or over 300,000 fentanyl pills.

Bakersfield Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing and Attempting to Sell Large Amounts of Fentanyl, Cocaine and Methamphetamine

FRESNO - Jose Mario Quintero Beltran, 31, of Bakersfield, pleaded guilty today to possessing with the intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on March 31, Quintero Beltran arranged to meet a customer at a Bakersfield shopping mall and sell him 20,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl for $42,000. During their meeting, Quintero Beltran also offered to sell the customer methamphetamine. Afterward, law enforcement officers searched Quintero Beltran’s vehicle and residence and located a total of 51,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl, approximately 40 pounds of cocaine, and approximately 3 pounds of crystal and liquid methamphetamine, all of which Quintero Beltran intended to distribute to others.

City of Fresno Responds to CFPEA Strike Vote

FRESNO - The City of Fresno has been notified that the City of Fresno Professional Employees Association (CFPEA) membership has voted to strike following the rejection of the City’s Last, Best, and Final Offer (LBFO) presented during ongoing labor negotiations.

Negotiations for a successor Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and CFPEA began on November 7, 2023, prior to the expiration of the previous agreement on December 31, 2023. Throughout 14 negotiation sessions, the City of Fresno proposed multiple offers designed to provide fair and competitive compensation to CFPEA members while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

New Oakhurst Government Center Provides One-Stop Shop Services for Mountain Community

OAKHURST - Today, Madera County Supervisors past and present, its employees, along with thousands of residents in the Mountain Communities celebrated the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony of the remodeled Oakhurst Government Center

This long-awaited facility, located at 40232 Junction Drive in Oakhurst, will enhance local services, providing residents access to Public Health, Social Services, Community and Economic Development, Public Works, Water and Natural Resources and additional Madera County departments without the necessity to travel more than an hour to the Valley floor to receive services.

Fresno Man Sentenced for Embezzling Over $1.5 Million from His Employer in Nearly Decade-Long Scheme

FRESNO - Gabriel Ruiz De Chavez, 47, of Fresno, was sentenced Monday by U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley to two years and nine months in prison for a multiyear embezzlement scheme and ordered to pay over $1.5 million in restitution, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

In July 2024, Ruiz De Chavez pleaded guilty to wire fraud. According to court documents, from 2004 to 2020, he worked as an operations manager for a Fresno-based trucking company. Between 2012 and 2019, he used his position to generate fake invoices, purportedly created by genuine vendors for goods and services. He presented these fake invoices and corresponding checks made out to the real vendors with his employer’s signature. He would then deposit the checks into his own personal bank account.

Prisoner Escaped During Transport to Kern County Courthouse

DELANO - California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officials are searching for an incarcerated person who escaped today shortly after arriving at the Kern County Superior Courthouse in Delano.

At about 10:45 a.m., officials were transporting incarcerated person Cesar M. Hernandez to a court appearance. Upon arrival, Hernandez evaded staff custody, jumped out of the van, and is currently at large.

Oakhurst OIS: Madera County Sheriff K9 Shot: Suspect Nabbed

OAKHURST - Yesterday in the mid-afternoon, the Madera County Sheriff’s Communications Center received a report of multiple hit-and-runs with a vehicle in the area of Highway 49 and State Route 41 in Oakhurst. The suspect was driving a stolen vehicle, and the owner recognized it. The victim then called 9-1-1 and stayed on the phone with Dispatch, updating the location. During the call, the suspect also rammed the reporting party’s car.

Deputies set up a perimeter in the area to spike and disable the vehicle; however, before the suspect made it to that point, he drove the vehicle off the road and ran. Deputies then gave chase down a long driveway. During the foot chase, the suspect shot our K9 Obie with a shotgun, and an exchange of gunfire occurred. K9 Obie and the suspect were both struck.