Local News

Brother Sentenced for Conspiring to Assist Flight of Brother Following Murdering Police Officer

FRESNO - Conrado Virgen Mendoza, 37, a native and citizen of Mexico residing in Chowchilla, was sentenced today to 21 months in prison for conspiring with others to assist his brother in fleeing to Mexico to avoid prosecution for the murder of Newman Police Corporal Ronil Singh during a traffic stop and for possessing false immigration documents, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

In September 2019, a jury found Conrado Virgen Mendoza guilty, along with Erik Quiroz Razo, 30, an illegal alien residing in Merced. The evidence at trial established that Virgen and Quiroz helped Paulo Virgen Mendoza conceal the truck that he was driving at the time he shot and killed Corporal Singh, transported him to various locations in the Central Valley in an effort to find a safe harbor with relatives before Paulo attempted to flee to Mexico.

Plot to Smuggle Drugs into Fresno County Jail Results in Multiple Charges

FRESNO - A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment today against Alfredo Garcia Jr., 27; Eva Romero, 53; and Leo Torres, 30, of Fresno, charging them with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin and at least 5 grams of methamphetamine, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. Torres and Romero were also charged with the distribution of controlled substances.

According to court documents, between January 19 and January 26, 2021, Garcia, Romero, and Torres conspired to smuggle heroin and methamphetamine into the Fresno County Jail for further distribution among inmates. Investigators uncovered the plan by listening to recorded jail calls, including calls between inmate Garcia and his mother, Romero.

Man Charged in Yosemite National Park Sexual Assault

FRESNO - A five‑count indictment was unsealed today charging Charles Porter, 30, formerly of Chino Hills, charging him with assault with intent to commit aggravated sexual abuse, assault with the intent to commit abusive sexual contact, attempted aggravated sexual abuse, abusive sexual contact, and assault by striking, beating or wounding, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on April 14, 2020, in Yosemite National Park, Porter assaulted the victim while making non-consensual sexual contact with him in an attempt to sexually assault the victim. This case is the product of an investigation by the National Park Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine E. Schuh and Laura Jean Berger are prosecuting the case.

Merced Police Department Seeks Help in Locating Homicide Suspect

MERCED - The Merced Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating Carlos Maldonado-Pizarro (21, Stevinson, CA) and his vehicle a Red 4 door Honda Accord with license plate 6FNJ333. On March 8, 2021, at 1253 hours the Merced Police Department was dispatched to a call of shots fired in the 1100 block of P Street.

As officers arrived, they found the 14-year-old victim suffering from life-threatening gunshot wounds. Emergency medical aid was provided, but those efforts were unsuccessful, and the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Maldonado-Pizarro has been identified as the suspect in this case and has an active warrant for his arrest.

Fresno County Woman Arrested for over $790,000 in Crop Insurance Fraud

FRESNO - On March 10, 2021, Jatinderieet “Jyoti” Sihota, 34, of Selma, was arrested on a federal indictment charging her with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and mail fraud for the submission of over $790,000 in fraudulent crop insurance claims, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. The indictment was unsealed today following her arrest.

According to court records, from at least November 2013 through September 2016, Sihota controlled her family’s farms in Fresno and Tulare Counties that produced table grapes, plums, and other crops. The crops were sold through fruit brokers in California’s Central Valley to supermarket chains and other third-party buyers.