News

Madera County Woman Pleads Guilty to Aiding and Abetting Production of Child Pornography

FRESNO - A Madera County woman pleaded guilty today to sexual exploitation of children, announced Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott. Ashley Maddox, 32, pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting the production of child pornography before U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd.

According to court documents, in June 2017, Maddox came to the attention of law enforcement during a child pornography investigation of a man in Florida. An examination of the Florida man’s electronic devices revealed that between November 2015 and April 2016, he and Maddox had communicated, via the internet and on their cellphones, about their mutual sexual interest in minors.

Tulare County Man Indicted On Methamphetamine Trafficking Charges

FRESNO - A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment today against Alejandro Cabrera-Gallegos, 37, of Porterville, charging him with distribution of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, on May 2, 2019, Cabrera distributed one pound of methamphetamine to an individual in Tulare County. On May 14, 2019, Cabrera was arrested in Tulare County attempting to distribute five pounds of methamphetamine. An additional one pound of methamphetamine was seized during a search warrant executed at Cabrera’s residence in Porterville on May 14, 2019.

Clovis Man Sentenced to Almost 3 Years in Prison for Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft

FRESNO - Johnny Kajitani Jr., 47, of Clovis, was sentenced Monday to two years and 10 months in prison for bank fraud and aggravated identity theft, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. In addition, U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd ordered Kajitani to pay almost $44,000 in restitution to his various victims.

According to court documents, Kajitani obtained the social security number of an individual without her knowledge. In October 2012, he used that social security number to apply for membership with a local credit union. Kajitani then used that social security number to apply for and obtain from the credit union a $30,000 vehicle loan and a Platinum Visa credit card with a $7,500 limit. The credit union ultimately suffered a loss of over $30,000.

Former Fresno Resident Charged with Illegally Brokering the Sale of Military Arms to a Foreign Government and Money Laundering

FRESNO - Ara Dolarian, 58, was arrested on Wednesday, May 15, in Fresno on a criminal complaint charging him with illegally brokering the sale of military-grade arms and munitions, money laundering, and conspiracy, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, Dolarian was the owner and president of Dolarian Capital Inc. (DCI), an arms brokering company operating in Fresno; Washington, DC; and Sophia, Bulgaria. Dolarian is a United States citizen residing in Sophia, Bulgaria. Beginning in 2013 and continuing through 2014, the U.S. Department of State denied DCI licenses to broker international arms deals.

Madera Community College Has First On Campus President

MADERA - A new and exciting chapter has begun at Madera and Oakhurst Community College Centers, as Angel Reyna takes over as president of both campuses today. Mr. Reyna comes to MCCC from Renton Technical College, where he served as vice president of instruction in Washington state since December of 2015.

Prior to that, he served as dean of workforce education at Walla Walla Community College and director for workforce education, interim industry coordinator, and ESL adjunct instructor at Yakima Valley Community College. Angel Reyna is the first on-campus president in school history.

Three Plead Guilty to Tax Fraud Conspiracy that Sought Nearly $1 Million in Fraudulent Tax Refunds

ACRAMENTO - Sequoiya D. Harris, 35, former resident of Sacramento and Stockton; John A. Owens Jr., 32, of Sacramento; and Dionne Thomas, 53, of Galt, pleaded guilty today to participating in a federal tax refund fraud conspiracy, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. According to court documents, from at least February 2009 through April 2013, Harris, Owens, Thomas, and co-defendant Joe E. Rodriguez Jr. conspired to submit false tax returns in the names of themselves and others to obtain tax refunds from the Internal Revenue Service based on false documents and information.

The defendants used hundreds of fraudulent W-2 forms from multiple purported employers to make it appear as if the people listed on the returns worked at those companies and had portions of their wages withheld by the employers for federal tax purposes, but the W-2s, wages, and withholdings were false. The W-2s were used to seek tax refunds of the supposedly withheld wages, and as a basis to seek further tax credits.

Madera City Councilman Santos Garcia Fails to File State Financial Disclosure Forms: Four Months Late - Fine Pending

MADERA – One of Madera’s newest politicians has failed to file his financial disclosures since January of this year. As Big Valley News first reported in March of 2019, Madera City Councilman Santos Garcia has failed to file his California Form 460 despite receiving several late notices from Madera County Clerk Rebecca Martinez.

Madera County Elections Division Manager Stephanie Sibley indicated a $100 fine is in the process of being generated if the candidate does not file his disclosures and if that is also ignored the California Fair Political Practices Commission would step in with fines ranging from $2000 to $5000.