News

Three Charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Narcotics in Prison Following the Death of USP Atwater Staff

FRESNO - An investigation into the death of a correctional officer led to the arrests of three defendants today who are charged by criminal complaint with conspiring to distribute controlled substances and introducing narcotic drugs to an inmate at the U.S. Penitentiary in Atwater, California, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, between July 15, 2024, and Aug. 9, 2024, Jamar Jones, 35, an inmate at USP Atwater; Stephanie Ferreira, 35, of Evansville, Indiana; and Jermen Rudd III, 37, of Wentzville, Missouri, conspired to introduce narcotics into USP Atwater for Jones to sell. As part of that scheme, Jones and Ferreira had Rudd mail a letter laced with narcotics to Jones that was fraudulently labeled as legal mail.

Conspiracy and Fraud Charges Added Against Illegal Bio-Lab in Connection with Sale of Millions of Dollars in COVID-19 Test Kits

FRESNO - The operator of a Reedley lab, indicted in November 2023, faces additional charges of conspiracy and wire fraud after a federal grand jury returned a 12-count superseding indictment today, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

Jia Bei Zhu, 62, a citizen of China, was previously indicted for distributing adulterated and misbranded COVID-19 test kits in violation of the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and making false statements to authorities about his identity and involvement with the biolabs. The superseding indictment also charges Zhu’s romantic and business partner, Zhaoyan Wang, 38, a citizen of China, who operated the Biolabs Universal Meditech Inc. (UMI) and Prestige Biotech Inc. (PBI) in Fresno and Reedley along with Zhu. UMI and PBI distributed COVID-19, pregnancy, and other types of test kits.

Child Attacked and Raped by Parolee in Chowchilla

CHOWCHILLA – On August 1, 2024, officers from the Chowchilla Police Department responded to a call for a sexual assault in the city. Upon arrival, officers contacted the juvenile, who had suffered injuries from the assault. Immediately, the victim was taken to Valley Children’s Hospital for treatment and underwent surgery due to the injuries sustained during this violent crime.

Through the investigation, CPD identified the suspect in this case. With the assistance of the Madera Sheriff’s Office, they had detectives watch the residence in Chowchilla, where the suspect resides. The suspect in the case, 40-year-old Arthur Dean Knapp of Chowchilla, was seen leaving the residence and was arrested by the detectives. He was interviewed and booked into the Madera County Jail for attempted murder and rape. He has a long history of violence and arrests. He is currently in the Madera County Jail for this violent and horrible crime.

Vehicle Pursuit Ends in Arrest in Chowchilla

CHOWCHILLA— On August 13, 2024, Madera County Narcotic Enforcement Team (MADNET) detectives attempted to locate and arrest wanted subject Edward Torres. He had an active felony warrant for violating the terms of his PRCS (Post Release Community Supervision) following felony convictions for evading and possession of a stolen vehicle.

During their investigation, detectives observed Torres, a 28-year-old Madera resident, driving a stolen vehicle in the city of Chowchilla. When detectives attempted to make contact, he fled in the stolen vehicle. Marked Madera County Sheriff’s units initiated a brief pursuit but terminated it after Torres began driving into oncoming traffic and nearly collided with multiple vehicles.

Aryan Brotherhood Prison Gang Member Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murder in Aid of Racketeering

SACRAMENTO - Pat Brady, 53, of Lake Forest, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller to life in prison for murder in aid of racketeering, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, between 2011 and 2016, Aryan Brotherhood (AB) members and associates engaged in racketeering activity, committing multiple acts involving murder, conspiracies to murder, and drug trafficking crimes. AB members oversaw a significant heroin and methamphetamine trafficking operation from their California prison cells using smuggled cellphones to direct drug trafficking activities, order murders, and oversee other criminal activities inside and outside of the prisons.

Prison Officials Investigating the Death of a Merced Man as a Homicide

DELANO – California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation officials are investigating the Aug. 9, 2024, death of an incarcerated person at Kern Valley State Prison (KVSP) as a homicide. At 10:43 a.m., two incarcerated persons, Raymond Rojas and Tyler Ostertag, allegedly attacked another incarcerated person, Johnny Victor.

Staff quickly stopped the incident and immediately called for medical assistance and 911. Both incarcerated individuals were restrained without further incident. No staff or additional incarcerated individuals were injured. Victor was taken to the prison’s triage and treatment area for injuries he sustained during the attack. Responding paramedics pronounced Victor deceased at 11:22 a.m.

Arrest Made In String of River Trail Assaults

MADERA - The Madera Police Department and the Madera County Sheriff’s Office have made an arrest following a string of violent assaults against women using our river trail over the past several months. The suspect, 36-year-old Victor Hugo Valencia Reyes, has been booked into the Madera County Jail on multiple felony charges including Kidnapping, Attempted Kidnapping, False Imprisonment, Robbery, Criminal Threats, Illegal Use of Tear Gas, Possession of Tear Gas by Prohibited Person, Possession of Firearm by Prohibited Person, Possession of Ammunition by Prohibited Person, Child Endangerment, and Battery.

The River Trail Investigation was launched following an incident on June 15, 2024, when the Madera County Sheriff’s Office received a reported attempted kidnapping from a female who had been exercising on the Fresno River Trail around 8:45 am. The female reported that she had been approached by a Hispanic male adult who brandished an unknown weapon at her, claiming he had a gun. The male forced the victim to walk towards the orchards near the Fresno River and bound her wrists. She was able to escape and ran through the orchards towards Road 23, where she was able to call 9-1-1 to alert the Sheriff’s Office.