Local News

Income Tax Preparer Pleads Guilty to Preparing and Filing False Tax Returns

FRESNO - Chris Donell Smith, 56, of Stockton, pleaded guilty today to aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, Smith owned and operated New Covenant Tax & Accounting, a tax preparation business in Modesto. Between 2012 and 2015, Smith prepared income tax returns that reported false items and dollar amounts for a number of his clients without their knowledge or consent. He falsified charitable contributions, unreimbursed employee expenses, and capital losses and wage income on some of his clients’ tax returns.

Chevron Powers Innovation with $450,000 Gift to Fresno State STEM

FRESNO - Thanks to generous support from Chevron, several Fresno State programs will benefit, improving STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education for current and future students.

“Chevron is proud to continue our support of Fresno State in these endeavors, which benefit not only students but the entire community and region,” said Megan Lopez, Chevron’s public affairs representative. “We are committed to raising the quality of life for underserved students from Fresno-area communities.”

Kern Valley State Prison Officials Investigating Inmate Death as a Homicide

DELANO ― Kern Valley State Prison (KVSP) officials are investigating the death of Noah Rutherford, 50, as a homicide after he died from injuries he sustained on November 29, 2019, attack by his cellmate in KVSP’s Short-Term Restricted Housing Unit. He was transported to an outside hospital on that day and succumbed to his injuries on Feb. 2 at 7:10 p.m.

Rutherford was admitted from Los Angeles County on Jan. 4, 2018, to serve a 30-year sentence for 18 counts of lewd or lascivious acts with a minor under 14 with force/violence/fear.

Reedley Man Sentenced to 19 Years in Prison for Drug and Gun Charges

FRESNO - Netzahualcoyotl Cerna, 40, of Reedley, was sentenced Monday by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd to 19 years in prison for carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it, and being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to evidence presented at trial, Cerna was apprehended in Reedley on April 8, 2019. Cerna, a convicted felon, was wanted for violations of parole at the time of his arrest. Officers located a loaded firearm and approximately 121 grams of methamphetamine on his person.

Madera County Sheriff’s Log for Jan. 21-27

MADERA COUNTY – The following are details from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office reports taken locally from January 21-27, 2020.

Case #: 20000310 Case Type: AGG ASSLT Report Type: AGG ASSLT Date/Time: 01/21/2020 02:41 Location: MADERA, CA Agency: MCSO Loc. Zone: 2F Disposition: Officer: 160385 Event No: 2001210012 Synopsis: Deputies were dispatched to the 13000 block of Road 28 1/2 regarding a possible disturbance. Upon arrival it was determined a female at the residence had been bit by the home owners dog. Later the female came forward and advised that the homeowner had sent his dog on her and stated she had been choked, hit and kicked by the subject who she identified as her boyfriend. Case to be forwarded to the Madera County District Attorney Office for charges to be filed.