Local News

Man Sentenced To 10 Years For Conspiring To Commit Murder In Aid of Racketeering

FRESNO - William Lee, 41, of Fresno, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill to 10 years in prison for conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. According to court documents, the defendant conspired with other members of the Dog Pound Gangsters (“DPG”) enterprise to kill a rival gang member for the purpose of gaining or maintaining status within the DPG organization.

DPG is a criminal street gang based in southwest Fresno. DPG engaged in criminal activities, including conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, prostitution, drug trafficking, and access device fraud. After DPG member and co-defendant Kenneth Wharry was shot by rival gang members, Lee and others conspired to conduct a retaliatory shooting against rival gang members. The conspiracy culminated in an April l7, 2018, shooting at Fink White Park in Fresno, where a DPG member opened fire in the park.

Federal Court Strikes Down Two California Statutes As Unconstitutional

SACRAMENTO - The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California entered orders in two cases during the last two weeks declaring California statutes unconstitutional because they discriminated against the United States in violation of the United States Constitution. The cases are United States v. California, No. 2:18-cv-721, and United States v. Kernen Construction, 2:17-cv-1424.

In United States v. California, decided yesterday, the court struck down California Senate Bill 50 (“SB 50”), enacted in October 2017 for the express purpose of “discourag[ing]” conveyances of federal land. The statute provided that any conveyance of a property interest in federal land would be void unless the State Lands Commission was given a right of first refusal over government proposals to sell federal land.

Following Council Vote, Arnoldo Rodriguez to Return Home as Madera’s Next City Manager

MADERA – Over the last month the city of Madera has been in negotiations with a home grown city manager with over 16 years of urban and community planning experience with the city of Fresno and Yuba City. The city of Madera announced this morning that they have come to an agreement with Arnoldo Rodriguez on his salarey and bennifit package. Following a vote at the next city council meeting, Rodriguez will take the reins of the city.

Rodriguez comes back to Madera after two years in Yuba City as their Development Services Director. Prior to that Rodriguez served the City of Fresno as a professional City Planner with over 13 years of experience. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology, Law, and Society from the University of California at Irvine and a Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from Cal Poly’s Urban Planning Program. Concurrent with his graduate studies, Mr. Rodriguez also worked for several non-profit organizations in and around the central coast.

Arrest of Former Merced Police Officer for Embezzlement Scheme

MERCED – California Attorney General Xavier Becerra today announced the arrest of Joseph Deliman, for allegedly embezzling more than $80,000 from the Merced Police Officers' Association (MPOA) over a three-year period. While serving on the MPOA Board, Deliman allegedly utilized MPOA funds for personal expenses and personal vacations, including trips to Las Vegas and Niagara Falls.

“We have zero tolerance for public officials who abuse their authority to enrich themselves,” said Attorney General Becerra. “The California Department of Justice will continue to hold accountable individuals in positions of trust who betray Californians.”

Inmate Escapes from California Men’s Colony

SAN LUIS OBISPO - California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officials are looking for inmate David Gray Hall, who was found missing this morning during count from California Men’s Colony (CMC) in San Luis Obispo.

Hall, a minimum-security inmate who is assigned as a worker in the CMC garage, was last seen at approximately 10 a.m. When CMC staff members went to check on Hall for the inmate count at about 10:15 a.m., they found that a state vehicle, a white 1997 Ford Aerostar van, California license plate number E431260, was also missing. By 10:35 a.m., CMC implemented escape procedures, deployed search teams, and alerted CDCR’s Special Service Unit, local law enforcement and the California Highway Patrol who is aiding in the search for Hall.