Local News

Guilty Plea in Multimillion Dollar Movie Studio Construction Scam in Northern California

SACRAMENTO - Carissa Carpenter, 55, formerly of Malibu, pleaded guilty today to two counts of mail fraud and one count of lying to a federal agent, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. According to court documents, from 1997 until October 24, 2014, Carpenter represented to investors and others that she had a project to build a movie studio in Northern California. As a result of the scheme, investors, firms who did work for Carpenter, and municipalities collectively lost millions on the project.

According to the factual basis in support of the plea, Carpenter claimed that her projected movie studio complex was supported by well-connected people in the entertainment industry and that she had invested hundreds of millions of dollars of her own money in the project and that she had arranged financing for the project but needed investment or bridge loans until the alleged financing was complete.

Merced DA Files Charges in March AM/PM Incident

MERCED - William Terrell Colbert, 39, of Merced was charged Friday with two felonies and two misdemeanors stemming from an altercation with Merced police which began late in the evening of March 12th at the AM/PM Mini Mart on G Street and Olive. Merced Police were dispatched to the convenience store after receiving a frantic phone call from the store clerk who said that an irate customer had threatened him with a gun after his credit card had been declined for a purchase. The clerk advised dispatch that he had locked the doors to the business after the customer, identified as Colbert, had gone to his car to retrieve what the clerk believed was a gun. The clerk can be heard on the 911 call telling dispatch that he was hiding in the cooler and to send officers immediately.

Several police units responded to the scene and the clerk then opened the door to let other customers enter the store. Once Colbert saw the door being unlocked, and in the presence of police officers, he charged the clerk who quickly retreated back into the store. Colbert was escorted out of the store by a police officer. When an effort was made to physically detain Colbert while police investigated the incident, Colbert resisted.

Parlier Man Fatally Stabbed During Family Dispute

PARLIER - Around 11:00 pm Sunday, Parlier Police responded to a home on the 800 block of Stanislaus Street in Parlier for a report of a domestic dispute. Officers arrived and were unable to find the man, 21 year old Anthony Gonzalez, who was reportedly causing problems. Officers took a report from Gonzalez’ wife, which included a request for an emergency protective order against Gonzalez.

Shortly after 5:00 am Monday, Parlier Police were called back to the same home. The caller reported Anthony Gonzalez had returned and had broken into the home. He got into an argument with his wife and her parents. As the argument escalated, Gonzalez armed himself with a knife. A struggle took place as the family members tried to get the knife away from Gonzalez. While doing so, he stabbed his wife, his mother-in-law and then went after his father-in-law.

Wanted Subject Taken into Custody After Resisting Arrest & Biting Deputy

OAKHURST - On July 6, 2018, at approximately 8:30pm, Madera County Sheriff’s Sergeant Larry Rich was performing routine patrol duties on a grant funded zero emission electric motorcycle in the mountain area when he identified a wanted subject in the 49000 block of Civic Circle Dr in Oakhurst. The male subject was known to have run from another Madera County Sheriff’s Office Deputy the previous day.

Sgt. Rich made contact with the subject, Kirk Yeterian, a 35 year old Oakhurst resident, and attempted to take him into custody. Yeterian ran from Sgt. Rich and led him on a foot chase towards Oakhurst Park. When Sgt. Rich reached him, Yeterian fought and resisted attempts to take him into custody. During the course of the altercation, Yeterian bit Sgt. Rich on the left bicep.

Fresno Detectives Arrest Man for Murder of Fresno Teenager

FRESNO – Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims announced this morning that detectives have made an arrest for the June 24th shooting in the Old Fig Garden Neighborhood that resulted in the death of 17 year old Nicholas Kauls.

The suspect is Joseph Antonio Espinoza (22) of Fresno. Espinoza was in court Friday morning for a hearing on other charges when new charges of murder, attempted murder and attempted robbery were placed on his record. He is currently in custody in the Fresno County Jail with a bail amount of $4.3 million.