News

Central Valley Man Pleads Guilty to Participating in $10 Million Real Estate Fraud Scheme

FRESNO - Gilberto Barron, 26, formerly of Delano and Las Vegas, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and aggravated identity theft relating to his participation in a nearly $10 million real estate fraud scheme, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced today.

According to court records, in 2021 and 2022, Barron and others conspired with federal inmate Seth Depiano, 44, formerly of Clovis, to commit the fraud charged in this case. At the time, Depiano was serving a 12-year prison sentence for a prior, multimillion-dollar fraud (Case No. 1:17-cr-172 DAD).

Former Bullard High School Students Appear in Federal Court for Conspiracy to Traffic Firearms Across State Lines

FRESNO —- On June 25, 2026, a federal grand jury returned a four‑count indictment charging Harman Pahal, 21, Cameron Chouanmasay, 20, Colton Malone, 21, Julian Calderon, 20, and Jaskarn Batth, 20, all of Fresno, with participating in a years‑long firearms trafficking conspiracy, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

The defendants were arraigned on Monday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Erin Guy Castillo and entered pleas of not guilty. A status conference is scheduled for Oct. 28, 2026.

Operation Round Up Nets Four in Valley Ag Crime Investigation

MADERA COUNTY -- On June 4, 2026, the Madera County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division and Fresno County Sheriff’s Office Agricultural Crimes Detectives successfully completed Operation Round Up, a coordinated enforcement operation targeting suspects involved in a series of agricultural chemical burglaries throughout Madera County.

As part of Operation Round Up, investigators served three search warrants and two arrest warrants at locations in Mendota, Firebaugh, and the Riverdale area. As a result of the operation, investigators recovered approximately $150,000 worth of stolen agricultural chemicals, along with a firearm and a flare gun.

Madera Police Traffuc Enforcement

MADERA - Last night, Madera Police were on patrol when they observed a vehicle performing "donuts" and driving recklessly in the area of Merced Street and Kennedy Street. The driver was arrested for reckless driving and booked into the Madera County Jail. The vehicle was impounded for 30 days.

Reckless driving creates a significant risk for everyone on the roadway, including other drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and nearby residents. These actions can quickly lead to serious traffic collisions, injuries, property damage, and even loss of life.

Multi-Agency Operation Deeply Disrupts Gang Activity Across Central Valley

FRESNO COUNTY - On Thursday, May 28th, local, state, and federal law enforcement officers teamed up for a large-scale takedown operation in which 43 search warrants were served at various locations throughout the San Joaquin Valley.

This marked the culmination of a two-month undercover investigation known as “Operation Hands Down.” It focused on Mexican Mafia and Sureño gang members committing various crimes. This included: Homicides, firearms trafficking, narcotics trafficking, shootings, robberies, assaults, sex offenses against minors, and organized violence within custodial facilities.

Suspect Arrested for Multiple Vehicle Burglaries

FRESNO - Fifty-eight-year-old Rayford Eaton of Fresno has been booked into the Fresno County Jail. He is facing felony charges of repetitive theft, vehicle burglary, identity theft, and possession of stolen property.

He is not eligible for bail due to the repetitive theft charge. This repetitive theft charge was established after California voters passed Proposition 36 in 2024.

Forestiere Lapse of Judgement: Troubling Past Haunts Candidate For Madera CountyAuditor

MADERA – Public records have surfaced in the last few weeks showing a serious lapse of judgment from Anthony Forestiere, a candidate on this year's primary ballot for Madera County Auditor, involving his grandchild and a former girlfriend of his son. Forestiere currently serves as the Financial Services Manager for the City of Madera, but the troubles that have resurfaced stem from his nearly four-year stint as the controller at Fresno State University in 2014.

Forestiere’s son Joseph Forestiere, as well as his son’s 22-year-old girlfriend, were living with the candidate and his wife in their Clovis area home. His son’s girlfriend, whom we will not identify in this story, gave birth to Forestiere’s granddaughter in May of 2014, around the time the couple broke up and she moved out of the grandparents’ home.