News

Fresno Man Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison for Child Exploitation Offenses

FRESNO - Monico Erich Gastelo, 44, of Fresno, was sentenced Monday 40 years in prison for sexual exploitation of a child and receipt and distribution of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

The sentence will be followed by 15 years of supervised release, during which time Gastelo’s access to children, computers, and the internet will be restricted. He was also ordered to pay $40,000 in monetary penalties, and he will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from custody.

Updated Jewelry Store Robbery Investigation

MADERA - On Thursday, November 13, 2025, at approximately 7:10 p.m., the Madera Police Department received a 911 call reporting a robbery in progress at Oliva’s Fine Jewelry, located at 1119 Country Club Drive. According to the caller, several male suspects entered the business brandishing what appeared to be a firearm at the owner and employees.

The suspects immediately began smashing glass jewelry cases and removing jewelry. During the incident, the father of the store owner retrieved a firearm and fired rounds toward the suspects inside the store. At the same time, a female juvenile family member of the store owner jumped onto the back of one of the assailants as he was stealing items from a display case. As gunfire erupted, the suspects grabbed the jewelry they could and fled the store to a vehicle parked outside.

Newsom's Former Chief of Staff Charged with Conspiracy to Commit Fraud and Obstruct Justice, False Statements, and Tax Crimes

SACRAMENTO - Political consultant Dana Williamson, 53, of Carmichael, was charged by a federal grand jury with conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstruct justice, subscribing to false tax returns, and making false statements, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced. The 23-count indictment was unsealed following Williamson’s arrest this morning.

“This is a crucial step in an ongoing political corruption investigation that began more than three years ago,” said U.S. Attorney Grant. “As it always has, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to protect the people of California from political corruption.”

Violent Extremist Group “764” Member Charged with Animal Crushing, Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Cyberstalking, and Making Interstate Threats

FRESNO - A federal grand jury returned a six-count indictment against Tony Christopher Long, also known as Inactive, Inactivee0, and inactivecvx, 19, of Porterville, charging him with animal crushing (two counts), sexual exploitation of a minor, possession of material involving the sexual exploitation of a minor, cyberstalking, and transmitting an interstate threat.

“This defendant allegedly engaged in acts of extreme cruelty by exploiting a child, abusing animals, and threatening violence — his conduct reflects the depravity of ‘764,’” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “These networks seek to terrorize and destabilize our communities by preying on the most vulnerable, and the Justice Department will stop at nothing to dismantle this network and bring offenders to justice.”

Arrests Aimed at Dismantling a Transnational Fraud Organization in “Operation Silver Shores”

SACRAMENTO - Arrests were made across the United States, in California, Texas, and Florida, following the indictment of more than 20 members of a transnational criminal organization charged with conspiring to commit wire fraud and money laundering, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, Operation Silver Shores, an investigation into a sophisticated transnational fraud organization operating out of the United States and several countries in Latin America, resulted in the arrests of 15 individuals responsible for stealing more than $30 million from mostly elderly American victims.

The Stage is Set: Hard Rock Casino Tejon Opens This Weekend

BAKERSFIELD - Hard Rock International, in partnership with the Tejon Indian Tribe, opens its doors to the Hard Rock Casino Tejon in Kern County today. The entertainment destination is located less than 15 miles south of Bakersfield on Tejon Indian Tribal land and will be the first of its kind in Kern County and a landmark development for the region. The Tejon Indian Tribe owns the all-new entertainment facility and will be managed by Hard Rock International.

Nestled at the base of the historic Grapevine Mountain Pass at the southernmost tip of the San Joaquin Valley, the new property is poised to serve both Southern California and Central Valley markets. The destination will be the second closest full casino experience to Los Angeles, with an easy highway drive. The opening represents not only a world-class hospitality and entertainment experience but also a transformational cultural and economic moment for the Tejon Indian Tribe and the broader Kern County community.

Arrest of Local Coarsegold Youth Pastor in Sexual Assault of Minor Case

COARSEGOLD - The Madera County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division has concluded a months-long investigation into allegations of sexual abuse involving a 15-year-old female victim and a local pastor identified as Joshua David Kemper, 47, of Coarsegold.

The investigation began on July 28, 2025, after church officials in Coarsegold filed a report. Detectives learned that Kemper, who served as a pastor at the church, had been engaging in inappropriate communication and sexual conduct with the juvenile victim.