News

Man Arrested at Madera Elementary School For Child Porn

MADERA - A Madera man was arrested at a local Madera elementary school regarding a child pornography complaint. The Madera County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division received two CyberTips from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children regarding the suspected possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) occurring in Madera County.

During the investigation, detectives identified 34-year-old Joshua Lee Hefner as the suspect in the case. Hefner is employed by Madera Unified School District and was assigned to Dixieland Elementary School as a part-time cafeteria and playground assistant at the time of the investigation.

Traffic Stop Leads to Seizure of 40 lbs. of Meth and Cash

FRESNO COUNTY - On Saturday afternoon, a Fresno County Sheriff’s deputy working patrol conducted a traffic stop for a violation on Interstate 5, east of Coalinga. During the deputy’s interaction with the driver, K-9 Willow alerted his handler to the odor of narcotics.

The deputy later discovered 40 pounds of methamphetamine and thousands of dollars in cash inside the vehicle. The deputy arrested the driver. He was booked into jail on charges related to narcotics possession and intent to sell narcotics.

Former Central Valley Resident Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Steal Building Materials from a Tulare County Company

FRESNO - David Theron Ross, 64, of Sparks, Nevada, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit wire fraud as part of a two-person scheme to defraud a homebuilding company of building materials worth up to $1.5 million, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, between March 2021 and December 2023, Ross and Eduardo Jara, 37, of Lindsay, conspired to defraud a construction company of building materials. Jara utilized his role as Assistant Purchasing Manager of the company to order building materials. Ross, a forklift driver for the same company during parts of the conspiracy, would pick up the materials to sell to local companies and share the proceeds with Jara.

Fresno County Sheriffs Detectives Recover Stolen Tractors, Arrest Suspect

FRESNO COUNTY - Fresno County Sheriff’s deputies have arrested 29-year-old Austin Medford of Riverdale. He has been booked into the Fresno County Jail on charges of vehicle theft and arson. His bail is set at $125,000. On Wednesday, detectives assigned to the Sheriff’s Ag Task Force followed up on a reported theft of a tractor used for harvesting hay. It went missing in the area of Riverdale and Walnut Avenues.

Detectives eventually found the tractor abandoned less than three miles away near Harlan and Marks Avenues. While at this new location, detectives learned a Caterpillar 950H Wheel Loader had been stolen from the property. Detectives followed the loader’s tire tracks west, towards Chateau Fresno Ave. During this search, dispatchers received phone calls of a vegetation fire near Chateau Fresno and Mount Whitney Avenues. Detectives responded to that area, as did patrol deputies and firefighters with Cal Fire – Fresno County Fire.

California Political Consultant and Former Public Official Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Fraud, Filing a False Tax Return, and Making False Statements

SACRAMENTO - Political consultant Dana Williamson, 53, of Carmichael, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud, subscribing to a false tax return, and making false statements to a federal agent, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

“As part of an investigation that began in 2022, Williamson joins the two others who were charged in the ‘Conduit Scheme’ conspiracy in pleading guilty,” said U.S. Attorney Grant. “These conspirators, three of whom are former public officials, shockingly looted campaign funds for personal benefit. Our office and our law enforcement partners will continue working to protect the integrity of the electoral process and ensure that those who scorn the law are held accountable.”

Former Coyote Goes to The Show: Red Sox Pitcher Alec Gamboa 29

DETROIT, Mi. – Former Madera High School pitcher Alec Gamboa, who has spent the last six years moving through the minor league baseball system, will start for the Boston Red Sox this week in Detroit, Michigan. Originally drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 9^th round and played one season in Korea, the former Coyote was signed by the Red Sox last December.

Before his time in minor league baseball, Gamboa played a season for Fresno State and appeared in 15 games for the Fresno City Rams in 2019, where he was credited with 8 wins and 1 loss. During his college career, he underwent Tommy John Surgery due to an elbow injury. After the success of the surgery, he began his minor league baseball career with the rookie league Arizona League Dodgers, recording a 2.88 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 12 games.

Central Valley Business Owner Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison for Role in Stealing $4.8 Million in Livestock Feed Ingredients

FRESNO - Richard Best, 72, of Fresno, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston to three years in prison and ordered to pay $2 million in restitution for his role in a fraud scheme that stole millions of dollars’ worth of canola (used to make livestock feed) from international food processors, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

“Richard Best treated the agricultural supply chain as his personal inventory, stealing nearly $5 million worth of canola oil for his personal gain,” said U.S. Attorney Grant. “Today’s sentence sends a clear message that those who commit fraud in our agricultural markets will be found and prosecuted. We remain committed to protecting the integrity of our markets and the businesses that play by the rules.”