Local News

Sexually Violent Predator Jeffrey Snyder Ordered Released from Coalinga State Hospital

FRESNO - Sexually Violent Predator Jeffrey Snyder was ordered conditionally released from Coalinga State Hospital. After a contested hearing in March 2016, the Fresno County Superior Court found that Mr. Snyder continued to meet the criteria as a Sexually Violent Predator (SVP), but also found that he qualified for the next stage of his treatment of outpatient conditional release.

The Department of State Hospitals and Liberty Healthcare researched 1,749 homes within the County of Fresno for the potential placement of Mr. Snyder. None of them were suitable to house Mr. Snyder.

Pedro Montoyaof of Madera Convicted of Sexual Abuse of Children

MADERA – Madera County District Attorney, David A. Linn, announced that Pedro Montoya, of Madera, was convicted by a Madera Superior Court jury on June 29, 2017, of five counts of sexual abuse against children, along with the finding of “true” that the defendant committed the acts against multiple victims.

District Attorney Linn commended the Madera Police Department (Detective Brent Cederquist) for their thorough investigation of this case. Linn also commended the young victims who bravely disclosed the abuse that they suffered; and expressed thanks to the Victim’s Services / Community Action Partnership Advocates who supported the children throughout the court process. The case was tried by Senior Deputy District Attorney, Traci Wise.

Todd Lile Named the Superintendent for Madera Unified School District

MADERA - Interim Superintendent Todd Lile has been named the Superintendent of Madera Unified School District. Mr. Lile was Interim Superintendent for four months before being officially named the new Superintendent. Superintendent Lile is the first Superintendent of the district to be a Madera native.

Superintendent Lile attended elementary, middle and high school in Madera Unified. Upon graduation from Madera Unified in 1992, Mr. Lile was admitted to California State University, Fresno where he graduated in 1996 with a Bachelor's in History.

Madera Woman Found Dead in West-side Apartment Complex

MADERA - Early Monday morning the Madera Police Department received a call of possible shots fired and a female down at the apartments located at 701 N. Granada in the City of Madera.

When officers arrived at the scene, they located one victim identified as 37 yr. old Latisha Logan, who was suffering from an apparent gun shot. Paramedics arrived and the victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Sheriff's Investigate Death in County Jail

FRESNO - On the night of June 24th, Fresno County Sheriff’s correctional officers were performing routine checks of inmates in the jail when they noticed a man who was unresponsive inside his cell.

Officers entered the cell and immediately requested medical attention for 21 year old Augustin Angel Chavez. He was transported to Community Regional Medical Center where he later died.