MADERA - John Oliveira, the tribal police chief for the Tex McDonald Faction of the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians, turned himself in to authorities Wednesday morning at the Madera County Superior Court. Oliveira was the alleged mastermind of the October 9th armed raid of Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino
Oliveira, who was wanted on an $800,000 warrant, was quoted in a Fresno Bee article last week that he would turn himself at court this morning. He claimed to need time to find evidence for this case that would protect his family while he was in jail. His bail has been increased to $1.25 million. Along with Tex McDonald and Vernon King, the three were in court for a hearing on the case.
Last week, Tex McDonald (64), of Madera, and Vernon James King (59), both agreed to turn themselves in at 1PM. They arrived at the Sheriff’s main office in Madera at approximately 2:30 PM.
Tex McDonald, wanted for Kidnapping, False Imprisonment, Assault with a Firearm, Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Battery Causing Serious Injury and Assault with a stun gun, was booked into Madera County Department of Corrections, with bail set at 1-million dollars.
Vernon King, who was wanted for Kidnapping, False Imprisonment, Assault with a Firearm, Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Battery Causing Serious Injury, and Assault with a stun gun, was also booked into Madera County Department of Corrections, with bail set at $800,000
Miguel Ramos (23), of Chowchilla, and Tribal Security for the McDonald Faction; and Tyrone Mark Twain Bishop (29), of Fresno, and Guard Supervisor for the McDonald Faction hired security, both voluntarily turned themselves in to the Madera County Sheriff’s Office late Monday afternoon.
Both Ramos and Bishop were wanted for Kidnapping, False Imprisonment, and Assault with a Firearm, Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Battery Causing Serious Injury, and Assault with a Stun Gun. They were booked into Madera County Department of Corrections on those charges. Bail set at $800,000 each.
On November 3rd, 2014 the Tulare County Sheriff’s Deputies took Eric Domingo Flores Suniga (30) of Cutler, CA into custody. He posted bail that night. According to MDOC records, Suniga is expected to make his first court appearance in Madera Superior Court on November 24 at 8:30 AM.
On Friday October 31, 2014, after the Madera County District Attorney’s Office filed charges on 15 suspects, warrants were issued for their arrest. Following the raid the state of California's Attorney General’s Office and the National Indian Gaming Commission closed the casino and hotel Oct. 10, citing a danger to customers. The resort and casino have remained closed ever since.
