Local News

Modesto Hells Angels Motorcycle Club Prospect Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking

FRESNO - Michael Pack, 35, of Modesto, pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, Pack, a prospect of the Hells Angels Modesto Motorcycle Club, was part of a drug trafficking conspiracy led by Hells Angels President Randy Picchi.

The drug conspiracy involved Picchi’s wife, Tina Picchi, Michael Mize, and Michael Pack. Randy Picchi directed Tina Picchi to regularly deliver drugs to Mize and other individuals in Ceres. Randy Picchi also enlisted Pack to help obtain methamphetamine on at least one occasion. Pack was stopped by law enforcement and found to have 499 grams of methamphetamine in his possession.

Leader of MS-13 Gang in Mendota Sentenced to More Than 10 Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking and Assault with a Deadly Weapon

FRESNO - Denis Barrera-Palma, 27, of Mendota, was sentenced Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022, to 10 years and one month in prison for assault with a deadly weapon in aid of racketeering and conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Barrera-Palma was the leader in Mendota of La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), a violent criminal street gang that engages in racketeering activity, including murder, kidnapping, extortion, and drug trafficking. On May 14, 2018, Barrera-Palma, along with others, assaulted another individual with a pipe in front of an elementary school in Mendota in order to gain entrance to, or maintain or increase his status within MS-13. On Feb. 28, 2020, Barrera‑Palma pleaded guilty to the charges.

First Defendant in $25 Million, Prison-Based Unemployment Insurance Fraud Scheme Pleads Guilty

FRESNO - Daryol Richmond, 31, a Kern Valley State Prison inmate pleaded guilty today to conspiracy and aggravated identity theft charges for his role in a $25 million unemployment insurance fraud scheme during the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to the plea agreement, Richmond obtained the personal identifying information for other individuals, including inmates and non-inmates, without their authorization. He then provided this information to his co-conspirators inside and outside of prison through emails and jail calls.

Former Members of Tribal Leadership Sentenced for Multimillion Dollar Embezzlement Scheme

SACRAMENTO - Three former leaders of the Paskenta Tribe of Nomlaki Indians were sentenced today for a conspiracy to embezzle or steal from a tribal organization, as well as tax fraud and tax evasion offenses, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez sentenced John A. Crosby, 56, of Redding, to four years and nine months in prison and to pay a $10,000 fine; Ines S. Crosby, 76, of Orland, to four years and nine months years in prison; and Leslie A. Lohse, 67, of Glenn, to three years and five months in prison. Lohse has paid $902,208 in restitution prior to today’s sentencing hearing. A hearing will be held on April 19, 2022, to determine the amount of restitution John Crosby and Ines Crosby will pay.

MCSO Celebrates Completion of Oakhurst River Parkway Road (Midtown Connector Project)

MADERA COUNTY - Madera County Sheriff Tyson Pogue joined Supervisor Tom Wheeler, mountain area residents, allied first responders, and other local dignitaries to celebrate completion of the long awaited River Parkway Road (Midtown Connector) on February 18, 2022.

The project broke ground in November of 2020 and serves as a new access route for the community of Indian Springs, several area churches, Oakhurst Elementary School, Oak Creek Intermediate, and Yosemite High School.