Local News

Kings County Norteno Gang Member Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Methamphetamine Sales

FRESNO - Manuel Garcia, 35, of Armona, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd to 15 years in prison for conspiring to sell over 500 grams of methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

Garcia was arrested as part of Operation Red Reaper, a federal, state, and local law enforcement operation targeted at dismantling the criminal activities of the Norteno Street Gang and Nuestra Familia Prison Gang in the counties of Kings and Tulare. The operation resulted in the arrests of over 50 individuals. Federal charges were brought against 23 defendants, including Garcia.

Former California Social Security Employee Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison for Defrauding the System

SACRAMENTO - Eric Lemoyne Willis, 46, of West Sacramento, was sentenced today to four years in prison for conspiracy to defraud the United States, theft of government property, and aggravated identity theft, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Willis and co-defendants, Darron Dimitri Ross, 36, of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Joshua Bilal George, 39, of San Diego, conspired to steal public money from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Willis worked as an SSA Operations Supervisor in Sacramento and Lodi from 2015 until his departure in January 2018.

Fresno Man Charged with Passport Fraud for Using a Deceased Child’s Identity to Renew a Passport

FRESNO - On May 26, 2022, a federal grand jury indicted Kenneth Laitman, aka John Rodman, 78, of Fresno, for passport fraud, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, in 1984, Laitman left his job as a stockbroker in New York and moved to California where he assumed the identity of John Rodman and worked at an endoscopy practice. The actual John Rodman died in 1950 at the age of four.

City of Madera Fireworks Spectacular Show Canceled: Exhibitor Loses State Fire Marshall Permits

MADERA - The City of Madera is sad to announce that this year's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular event scheduled to take place at the Madera District Fairgrounds has been canceled. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the fireworks contractor responsible for the display at the main event has had their California State Fire Marshall permits revoked for nineteen shows around the state, including the one for Madera.

Event partners have worked incredibly hard on bringing this valued family event back to the community of Madera. During an emergency meeting late Tuesday afternoon with event stakeholders, the Madera Kiwanis were forced to officially call the event off after unsuccessful attempts to secure an alternate vendor on such a short timeline.

Solar Owner Sentenced to Over 11 Years in Prison for Billion Dollar Ponzi Scheme

SACRAMENTO - U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez sentenced Paulette Carpoff, 51, of Martinez, to 11 years and three months in prison for her role in the biggest criminal fraud scheme in the history of the Eastern District of California, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

On Nov. 9, 2021, Paulette Carpoff pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States and money laundering. According to court documents, Carpoff played a key role in the fraud as Chief Operating Officer of DC Solar and the owner and operator of its so-called distribution arm.