SACRAMENTO - A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Tamaran Edward Bontemps, 20, of Granite Bay, charging him with possessing a firearm as a felon, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. According to court documents, on April 18, 2018, law enforcement officers stopped a group of four men in Vallejo after officers noticed a gun-shaped object in one of the men’s clothing. The officers found a 9 mm handgun in the first man’s sweater.
During the encounter, one of the officers also saw an object inside Bontemps’ sweatshirt that the officer believed was a gun. Officers searched Bontemps and located a .40 caliber pistol holstered inside Bontemps’ sweatshirt. Bontemps cannot lawfully possess firearms or ammunition because he has previously been convicted of a felony offense.
High-Speed Rail and Tree Fresno Begin Tree Planting Program at West Fresno Middle School
FRESNO – On Tuesday, May 29, the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) and Tree Fresno began the first phase of tree planting at West Fresno Middle School. Nearly 200 trees were planted by volunteers and students. The trees are the first part of the Authority’s effort to offset greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) associated with high-speed rail construction and achieve the Authority’s goal of zero net direct GHG emissions from construction. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) administers funds for tree planting programs on behalf of the Authority per an Interagency Agreement.
Tree Fresno was awarded a grant to plant as many as 2,400 trees in several phases at West Fresno Middle School, West Fresno Elementary School, Mary Ella Brown Community Center, and parks and schools in the San Joaquin Valley.
Madera Set to Commemorate Robert F. Kennedy’s Visit Before 1968 Assassination
MADERA - In observance of the 50th anniversary of Robert F. Kennedy’s visit to the state’s agricultural heartland, residents and community leaders are teaming up to host a special community event intended to pay tribute to the former presidential hopeful’s legacy and highlight a visit he made to Madera on May 30, 1968.
The free community event will take place on Wednesday, May 30th, 2018, at the Madera County Library, from 5:30 to 7:00pm and will feature a local RFK exhibit, student orators, where participating youth will recite a speech of their choosing made by Kennedy during his tenure as a public servant, reflection and discussion, guest speakers, and more.
Chowchilla Firefighter Killed in Madera Motorcycle Collision
MADERA – Tragedy struck early Thursday morning in the city of Madera when a volunteer firefighter was killed in a motorcycle incident near Howard Road on Pine Street. Marijuana is believed to be a factor in a crash that left one man dead and another in custody at the Madera County Department of Corrections.
Cary Chaffin(67) was arrested and charged with vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence. The crash happened at Pine and Oak streets in Madera around 8 a.m. Madera police say Chaffin was under the influence of marijuana at the time of the crash.
Former Fresno Bank Manager Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Bank Fraud and Embezzlement
FRESNO - Sylvia Ochoa, 35, of Selma, was sentenced Monday by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd to 18 months in prison for embezzlement from a financial institution, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, Ochoa was the branch manager at the Bank of America’s Fresno branch at 4445 E. Tulare Street. On multiple occasions between March 2013 and October 2013, Ochoa prevented other bank employees from counting the cash in the vault located in the branch.