News

FRESNO -  On Thursday, a federal jury found Filiberto “Beto” Chavez, 37, of Fresno, guilty of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, conspiracy to engage in interstate travel for prostitution and two counts of use of a facility of interstate commerce to promote prostitution, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

U.S. Attorney Scott stated: “This verdict is the result of law enforcement partners at the federal, state and local level working as one to pursue criminal gangs and their associates. We will continue to work tirelessly together to protect our communities and to hold accountable those who threaten our safety.”

FRESNO -  On Tuesday, after a four-day trial, a federal jury found Jonathan Mota, 37, guilty of attempting to kill a federal officer and found Dominic Adams, 27, guilty of assault on a federal officer, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, on October 6, 2017, Mota, Adams and four other inmates brutally attacked a Federal Bureau of Prisons officer who was a teacher working at the federal penitentiary in Atwater. The officer was repeatedly stabbed with homemade knives and kicked and beaten by the inmates.

According to court documents, on the day of the attack, Mota and Eric Chiago, 28, entered the copy room where the officer was making copies and repeatedly stabbed him. William Roe Acevedo, 33; Michael Martin, 30; Joey Thomas, 26; and Adams stationed themselves outside the room. When the victim was able to free himself and escape down the hallway, the six defendants tackled him and wrestled him to the floor where they repeatedly kicked, punched and stabbed him. Adams and Thomas also assaulted an officer who was responding to the attack.

ATWATER - After nearly eight weeks of investigation the Atwater Police Department has identified its prime suspect in the homicide of the former Merced Couny District Attorney’s son Ethan Morse. Surveillance cameras captured video the suspect Dagoberto Franco Penaloza (26) near the crime scene the day of the murder. 

Atwater Detectives say he did not attempt to make a quick getaway. In fact, Atwater's police chief thinks he may have actually passed him. "He did walk out of the area, and he walked through town. If we'd had a better description, I might have caught him," said police chief Michael Salvador. "He walked right by my position as I was driving to the homicide scene."

MADERA - On May 6^th, 2019 at about 8:45 pm officers from the Madera Police Department were dispatched to the 800 block of South D Street regarding a large pool of blood located in a family’s driveway.  When the officers arrived and contacted the residents of the property they were informed a cousin to the family, identified as Ambrocio Hernandez, was standing near their fence line when they arrived home.

Hernandez was not allowed at the property due to his extensive drug use and aggressive demeanor. After Hernandez was told to leave the property (which he did), law enforcement was contacted regarding the blood found on scene. Officers investigated the scene and followed the blood trail to a garbage can. Inside the garbage can they found the family dog, deceased, with extensive blunt force trauma. It was believed Hernandez may have killed the animal and an investigation was started to attempt to locate him. 

HILMAR – A former Madera resident was killed in Merced County in a collision with a big rig just south of Hilmar on Highway 165. Fred Gleason (82), now a resident of Stevinson was driving a 2008 Lexus sedan when the driver of a big rig hauling milk pulled into an intersection at Crane Avenue where the two vehicles collided.

Gleason’s identity was confirmed by Deputy Daryl Allen with the Merced County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office. The crash happened Saturday March 2, 2019 around 6:40 p.m. The driver of the 2013 Peterbilt big rig truck was identified by the California Highway Patrol as Aurelio Barajas-Zapien (43) of Turlock.

FRESNO -  On Thursday, May 2, 2019, at approximately 1950 hours, Northeast Patrol Officers from the Fresno Police Department were dispatched to 4300 block of East Buckingham Way regarding a victim of a shooting.  The 911 call was placed from the Buckingham address and when officers arrived they discovered a deceased male inside the residence.  The male was identified as 42 year old Elden Baker III.  Officers contacted the mother and stepfather who both stated that the stepfather shot Baker in self-defense. 

Detectives learned that during the disturbance, Baker become enraged and began hitting himself in the face and slamming his head into the refrigerator.  Baker turned his anger towards his mother and began assaulting her while forcing her to the floor.  It should be noted; the mother has a medical condition which could become life threatening if attacked in such a manner.