Local News

Mendota Man Faces Life in Prison After Federal Jury Finds Him Guilty of Violent Attacks in Aid of MS-13

FRESNO - After an 11-day trial, a federal jury today convicted Oscar Armando Orellana Guevara, 28, of Mendota, of conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise and attempted murder for his ongoing involvement in MS-13, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

For nearly a decade, members of the Mara Salvatrucha (MS‑13) gang terrorized Mendota through violence, extortion, drug trafficking, and enforcement of gang rules. A federal grand jury ultimately charged multiple members, including Orellana, with conspiring to participate in a racketeering enterprise aimed at protecting MS‑13 territory, enhancing its reputation, disciplining members, and raising money for the gang.

Deputy Arrests D.U.I. Suspect Who Nearly Hit Pedestrian

FRESNO - Fresno County Sheriff's Deputies have booked 25-year-old Lewis Alvarado of Madera into the Fresno County Jail.

He faces charges of Driving Under the Influence (D.U.I.), evading police and driving on a suspended license for D.U.I. He has since posted bond and been released from jail with a future court date scheduled.

Central Valley Man Pleads Guilty to Participating in $10 Million Real Estate Fraud Scheme

FRESNO - Gilberto Barron, 26, formerly of Delano and Las Vegas, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and aggravated identity theft relating to his participation in a nearly $10 million real estate fraud scheme, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced today.

According to court records, in 2021 and 2022, Barron and others conspired with federal inmate Seth Depiano, 44, formerly of Clovis, to commit the fraud charged in this case. At the time, Depiano was serving a 12-year prison sentence for a prior, multimillion-dollar fraud (Case No. 1:17-cr-172 DAD).

Former Bullard High School Students Appear in Federal Court for Conspiracy to Traffic Firearms Across State Lines

FRESNO —- On June 25, 2026, a federal grand jury returned a four‑count indictment charging Harman Pahal, 21, Cameron Chouanmasay, 20, Colton Malone, 21, Julian Calderon, 20, and Jaskarn Batth, 20, all of Fresno, with participating in a years‑long firearms trafficking conspiracy, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

The defendants were arraigned on Monday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Erin Guy Castillo and entered pleas of not guilty. A status conference is scheduled for Oct. 28, 2026.

Operation Round Up Nets Four in Valley Ag Crime Investigation

MADERA COUNTY -- On June 4, 2026, the Madera County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division and Fresno County Sheriff’s Office Agricultural Crimes Detectives successfully completed Operation Round Up, a coordinated enforcement operation targeting suspects involved in a series of agricultural chemical burglaries throughout Madera County.

As part of Operation Round Up, investigators served three search warrants and two arrest warrants at locations in Mendota, Firebaugh, and the Riverdale area. As a result of the operation, investigators recovered approximately $150,000 worth of stolen agricultural chemicals, along with a firearm and a flare gun.