News

Leader of MS-13 Gang in Mendota Sentenced to More Than 10 Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking and Assault with a Deadly Weapon

FRESNO - Denis Barrera-Palma, 27, of Mendota, was sentenced Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022, to 10 years and one month in prison for assault with a deadly weapon in aid of racketeering and conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Barrera-Palma was the leader in Mendota of La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), a violent criminal street gang that engages in racketeering activity, including murder, kidnapping, extortion, and drug trafficking. On May 14, 2018, Barrera-Palma, along with others, assaulted another individual with a pipe in front of an elementary school in Mendota in order to gain entrance to, or maintain or increase his status within MS-13. On Feb. 28, 2020, Barrera‑Palma pleaded guilty to the charges.

First Defendant in $25 Million, Prison-Based Unemployment Insurance Fraud Scheme Pleads Guilty

FRESNO - Daryol Richmond, 31, a Kern Valley State Prison inmate pleaded guilty today to conspiracy and aggravated identity theft charges for his role in a $25 million unemployment insurance fraud scheme during the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to the plea agreement, Richmond obtained the personal identifying information for other individuals, including inmates and non-inmates, without their authorization. He then provided this information to his co-conspirators inside and outside of prison through emails and jail calls.

Former Members of Tribal Leadership Sentenced for Multimillion Dollar Embezzlement Scheme

SACRAMENTO - Three former leaders of the Paskenta Tribe of Nomlaki Indians were sentenced today for a conspiracy to embezzle or steal from a tribal organization, as well as tax fraud and tax evasion offenses, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez sentenced John A. Crosby, 56, of Redding, to four years and nine months in prison and to pay a $10,000 fine; Ines S. Crosby, 76, of Orland, to four years and nine months years in prison; and Leslie A. Lohse, 67, of Glenn, to three years and five months in prison. Lohse has paid $902,208 in restitution prior to today’s sentencing hearing. A hearing will be held on April 19, 2022, to determine the amount of restitution John Crosby and Ines Crosby will pay.

MCSO Celebrates Completion of Oakhurst River Parkway Road (Midtown Connector Project)

MADERA COUNTY - Madera County Sheriff Tyson Pogue joined Supervisor Tom Wheeler, mountain area residents, allied first responders, and other local dignitaries to celebrate completion of the long awaited River Parkway Road (Midtown Connector) on February 18, 2022.

The project broke ground in November of 2020 and serves as a new access route for the community of Indian Springs, several area churches, Oakhurst Elementary School, Oak Creek Intermediate, and Yosemite High School.

Justice Department Resolves Lawsuits with Bakersfield Doctors to Ensure Equal Access to Health Care for People with HIV

FRESNO - The Justice Department today announced that it has filed proposed consent decrees with two obstetrician-gynecologist (OB/GYN) doctors in Bakersfield, California. The consent decrees, which are subject to approval by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, resolve the department’s lawsuits against the doctors, Umaima Jamaluddin, MD, and Chibuike Enyereibe Anucha, MD, PC, under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The department sued Dr. Jamaluddin and Dr. Anucha alleging violations of the ADA based on their refusal to provide routine medical care to a patient because the patient has HIV. Title III of the ADA prohibits doctors and other health care providers from discriminating against people with disabilities, including HIV.

One lawsuit alleged that Dr. Anucha told the patient that she needed a Pap smear and refused to perform it because the patient has HIV. The other lawsuit alleged that Dr. Jamaluddin refused to allow the same patient to make an appointment for routine preventative care because the patient has HIV.

Vice President of Modesto Hells Angels Motorcycle Club Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking Charges

FRESNO - Michael Shafer, 34, of Modesto, was sentenced Friday to five years in prison for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin and conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Shafer was the vice president of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club in Modesto in 2019. As part of a years-long investigation into the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club, investigators obtained a court-authorized wiretap for Shafer’s phone. The wiretapped calls and messages showed that Shafer was conspiring to distribute marijuana and heroin. Specifically, in April 2019, Shafer conspired with a former Hells Angels member who was incarcerated in Pleasant Valley State Prison to smuggle heroin into prison.

Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims Announces Retirement; Will Finish Out 2022

FRESNO - Margaret Mims, Sheriff for Fresno County has announced she will not seek re-election this year as she plans on retiring from law enforcement. Mims said in a press release Friday, “After much thought and reflection, I have decided to retire at the end of my current term as Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner – Public Administrator. This decision does not come easily as I still get such satisfaction out of public service, but after 42 years, the time is right for me to retire while I am still healthy and can be active with my family.”

The sheriff began her law enforcement career in January 1980 as a police officer for the City of Kerman, then was hired in August 1983 as a Deputy Sheriff for the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office. She was promoted through the ranks of Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Assistant Sheriff, and then serving as the elected Sheriff for 16 years by the end of my current term.