News

Oakhurst OIS: Madera County Sheriff K9 Shot: Suspect Nabbed

OAKHURST - Yesterday in the mid-afternoon, the Madera County Sheriff’s Communications Center received a report of multiple hit-and-runs with a vehicle in the area of Highway 49 and State Route 41 in Oakhurst. The suspect was driving a stolen vehicle, and the owner recognized it. The victim then called 9-1-1 and stayed on the phone with Dispatch, updating the location. During the call, the suspect also rammed the reporting party’s car.

Deputies set up a perimeter in the area to spike and disable the vehicle; however, before the suspect made it to that point, he drove the vehicle off the road and ran. Deputies then gave chase down a long driveway. During the foot chase, the suspect shot our K9 Obie with a shotgun, and an exchange of gunfire occurred. K9 Obie and the suspect were both struck.

Repeat Impaired Driver Sentenced to Fifteen Years to Life in DUI Murder Case

FRESNO - Yesterday, Joey Barron (35, of Fresno) was sentenced to fifteen years to life in state prison for the crime of murder for his role as the driver in a fatal crash on January 2, 2021. The crash claimed the life of 30-year-old Andres Adrian Romero. The sentence was handed down by Judge Jonathan Conklin of the Fresno County Superior Court after he pled to the charge on August 6, 2024.

Barron was driving his vehicle westbound on Highway 168 just after midnight when he approached the Shields Avenue offramp. He lost control of his vehicle while driving at a high speed, causing it to go up the shoulder embankment and roll. The crash killed Barron’s passenger, Romero.

Investigation into Car Shooting Nabs Two Suspects

MADERA - Early last Thursday evening, Madera Police Officers were dispatched to the 900 block of S. Gateway Dr. regarding an assault with a deadly weapon. Officers contacted a female victim who reported she was driving into the alleyway of her apartment complex with her two young children when gunfire erupted and struck her vehicle.

She fled the area in her vehicle and contacted police. During the investigation, it was discovered the victim’s vehicle was stuck several times by gunfire, nearly impacting a child in the rear seat.

Sheriff Shooting Investigation in Chowchilla

CHOWCHILLA -In the early afternoon of 11/16/24, the Madera County Sheriff’s Emergency Communications Center received a 9-1-1 call reporting a shooting in the area of Road 22 and Santa Fe Drive in Chowchilla. Deputies arrived on scene and discovered an adult female victim, who was airlifted to a regional hospital for treatment.

MCSO Investigations Bureau determined a shooting took place at a residence in the area and served a search warrant at a home in the 26000 block of Road 22. The circumstances surrounding this incident are still under investigation, and the suspect(s) is outstanding.

Federal Correctional Officer Charged with Assault and Falsifying Report to Obstruct an Investigation

FRESNO - Sandra Munagay, 42, of Atwater, a Senior Correctional Officer at the United States Penitentiary, Atwater, appeared in federal court today for arraignment on a two-count indictment charging her with assaulting an inmate and obstruction of justice, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to the indictment, on Nov. 2, 2023, Munagay allegedly struck an inmate housed at the federal prison in Atwater. The same day, she falsified a report about the incident.

Merced County Man Indicted for Receiving and Distributing Child Pornography

FRESNO - On Oct. 31, 2024, a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment against Joel Damian Ortega, 35, of Merced, charging him with receipt and distribution of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. The indictment was unsealed following Ortega’s arrest yesterday.

According to court documents, between Jan. 26, 2024, and July 7, 2024, Ortega used a Samsung Galaxy smartphone to receive and distribute at least one visual depiction of a child engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Ortega also used an iPhone to receive at least one visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct on April 2, 2024.

Son of Fresno State Legend Pleads Guilty to Committing $144,000 in COVID-19 Fraud

FRESNO - Henry Ellard Jr., 39, of Fresno, pleaded guilty today to stealing $144,000 in COVID-19 relief money, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court records, in July 2020, Ellard created Baptiste Ellard LLC. He then caused Baptiste Ellard LLC to apply for and receive $144,000 in COVID-19 relief money from the Small Business Administration (SBA).

Ellard falsely represented to the SBA that Baptiste Ellard LLC had ten employees and an annual payroll of more than $695,000 and that he would use the loan proceeds for business expenses. However, Ellard knew the company had no employees, no annual payroll, and no real operations, and as such, it was ineligible for PPP loans. Ellard subsequently used $144,000 of the relief money for personal expenses, including restaurants, bars, airfare, hotels, clothing, and golf.