News

U.S. Attorney to Oversee Complaints of Election Fraud & Voting Rights Abuses in the November 2024 General Election

SACRAMENTO - U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced today that Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin C. Khasigian will serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Eastern District of California in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5 general election. The DEO is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of Election Day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington, DC.

The 34 counties in the Eastern District are Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Fresno, Glenn, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Lassen, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Modoc, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Solano, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tulare, Tuolumne, Yolo, and Yuba.

PG&E May Proactively Shut Off Power for Safety to Approximately 20,000 Customers Across 24 Counties

OAKLAND - Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) meteorologists and operations professionals continue to monitor a potential wind event forecasted to enter parts of its service area around 1 p.m. on Thursday and exit as late as Saturday afternoon in some locations.

Given the forecasted strong northerly winds and current dry vegetation conditions, PG&E has sent advanced notifications to customers—via text, email, and automated phone call—in targeted areas where power may need to be proactively shut off for safety to reduce wildfire risk. The duration and extent of power outages will depend on the weather in each area and not all customers will be affected for the entire period.

Bakersfield Man Charged with Offenses Involving the Sexual Exploitation of Minors

FRESNO - A federal grand jury returned an indictment against Rafael Omero Plata Guerrero, 34, of Bakersfield, today, charging him with two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of receipt of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, between April 15, 2024, and Aug. 26, 2024, Guerrero produced visual depictions of two minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Using the internet and a laptop, Guerrero also received child pornography between June 1, 2024, and Aug. 27, 2024.

Voters Beware: Unauthorized Drop Boxes May Not Be Safe or Secure

MADERA- Madera County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters Rebecca Martinez sent an urgent message to voters today regarding their vote by mail ballot.

“Voting by mail is safe. Dropping your ballot in an official Madera County Drop Box is safe, and returning them to a Vote Center is safe too,” explained Martinez. “What voters should question is handing their ballots over to someone they do not know, like a stranger that comes to their door. I also warn voters to be cautious of boxes that are not official ballot boxes.”

Former Madera High History Teacher Passes at 93: Frank Brunolli

MADERA - Frank Brunolli passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Saturday, October 12, 2024. He spent 93 joyful years on earth, during which time he was a Valley Pole Vaulting Champion and served in the Coast Guard in South Korea and Japan.

Born in Madera, California, you may have had him as your high school history teacher or coach at Madera High School, saw him working the ICF salami booth at the Harvest Festival, or listened to his voice in the St. Joachim's choir. He loved singing, gardening, woodworking, and praying daily for his loved ones.

Former Arvin High School Employee Sentenced for Explosives Conspiracy and Making False Statements To FBI

FRESNO - Angelo Jackson Mendiver, 27, of Bakersfield, a former campus security supervisor at Arvin High School, was sentenced today to two years in prison for conspiring to engage in the manufacturing and dealing of explosive materials and for mailing explosive devices, as well as making false statements to FBI agents, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Mendiver used an Instagram account to sell explosives and explosive materials and worked closely with a male juvenile Bakersfield high school student to fulfill transactions and send explosives in the mail to residents of other states.

Mexican National Gets 6 Years in Prison for Leading $25 Million Tax Fraud Scheme

FRESNO - Miguel Martinez, 39, a Mexican national residing in Bakersfield, was sentenced today to six years in prison for leading a $25 million fraud against the IRS, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

“Martinez sought to steal millions in taxpayer funds meant to provide services for us all,” said U.S. Attorney Talbert. “Today’s sentence is fitting for someone who embodies reckless disregard for the law. This office will continue our efforts to bring to justice those who would organize and lead such schemes.”