News

Merced County Man Indicted for Unlawfully Possessing Ammunition

FRESNO - A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Angelo Frank Salaz, 31, of Los Banos, charging him with being a felon in possession of ammunition, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, on May 19, officers attempted to stop Salaz for traffic violations, including no front license plate and expired registration tags. Salas fled, however, running stop signs and driving on the wrong side of the street. Once the vehicle came to a stop, Salaz ran from the vehicle but was apprehended by the officers. When Salaz was searched, officers found .40‑caliber ammunition in his pockets and a loaded .40‑caliber handgun in the car under the driver’s seat. Salaz had been convicted of burglary in 2014, and in 2019, was convicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Fresno Antiviolence Operation Results in 4 Parolees Charged with Firearms and Drug Trafficking Offenses

FRESNO - As part of an ongoing concerted effort by local, state, and federal law enforcement to address the significant uptick in violent crime in the City of Fresno, a federal grand jury returned indictments today against four Fresno County residents with various firearms and drug offenses, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

“These defendants were all on active parole for a prior gun or drug charges— three had ties to criminal gangs, and when arrested, three were in possession of guns and the fourth was in possession of drugs,” said U.S. Attorney Scott. “The U.S. Attorney’s office has focused enforcement efforts against the most violent criminals in our district and will continue to work with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and community partners to reduce crime, save lives, and restore safety to our communities. The bloodshed must stop.”

Husband Sentenced to over 15 Years in Prison for Human Trafficking Convictions Related to Forced Labor of Foreign Nationals

SACRAMENTO - Following his wife’s sentencing, Satish Kartan, 46, currently residing in Sacramento, was sentenced today to 15 years and eight months in prison for forced labor violations. In addition, U.S. District Judge Morrison C. England Jr. ordered $15,657 to be paid in restitution to three victims, in part to cover their back wages and other losses.

On March 14, 2019, after an 11-day trial, a federal jury found Kartan and his wife, Sharmistha Barai, 40, guilty of conspiracy to obtain forced labor and two counts of obtaining forced labor. Kartan was also found guilty of one count of fraud in foreign labor contracting. On Oct. 2, Barai was sentenced to 15 years and eight months in prison for forced labor violations.

Fire Destorys Abandoned Madera Athletic Club

MADERA – Firefighters on eight fire trucks from Madera County’s Cal-Fire responded Thursday evening to the former Madera Athletic Club building as flames ripped through the roof of the sixty-year-old, block long-abandoned structure located at Orchard and Sunset Avenues.

Fire Battalion Chief Christian Trindade said he is unsure what caused the fire said he believes the fire's point of origin was the lobby of the gym which spread north and south down the hallways to engulf most of the roof of the structure.

MS-13 Gang Member Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison for Drug Dealing Conspiracy

FRESNO - Oscar Reyes, 31, of Mendota, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd to three years in prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, Reyes was a member of La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), a violent criminal street gang that engages in racketeering activity, including murder, kidnapping, extortion, and drug trafficking. Reyes pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute controlled substances on behalf of the MS-13 gang, the proceeds of which were the lifeblood of an extremely violent gang.

U.S. Attorney Names District Election Officer to Oversee the Handling of Complaints of Election Fraud and Voting Rights Abuses in November 2020 General Election

SACRAMENTO - U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin 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 Nov. 3 general election. The DEO is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of complaints of election fraud and voting rights abuses in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.

In addition, Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Hemesath will serve as the National Security Cyber Specialist (NSCS) and is tasked with preparing for and responding to digital election threats.

Western States Join California Scientific Safety Review Workgroup to Ensure Safety of COVID-19 Vaccine

SACRAMENTO – Washington, Oregon, and Nevada have joined California’s COVID-19 Scientific Safety Review Workgroup, which will independently review the safety and efficacy of any vaccine approved by the FDA for distribution. Last week, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the panel made up of nationally acclaimed scientists with expertise in immunization and public health.

“California has led with science and data through the COVID pandemic and when a vaccine becomes available, we will leverage our scientific expertise to verify its safety to give everyone the confidence they need to make important decisions regarding the health of their families,” said Governor Newsom. “This virus transcends our borders and we are grateful to partner with our neighboring states through our Scientific Safety Review Workgroup for a healthy and safe path forward for all our communities.”