In Custody:
Kimberley Renee Griffin, age 39 of Exeter
Eric Jayson Walker, age 49 of Exeter

On 09-02-10 the Inter Agency Narcotic Enforcement Team (I.N.E.T.) consisting of personnel from Exeter Police Department, Visalia Police Department, Lindsay Police Department, Farmersville Police Department, Tulare County Probation and the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department concluded a three week narcotic investigation by serving a search warrant in the 300 Block of South Crispi Street, Exeter.
Detectives searched the residence and located methamphetamine, prescription pills and drug paraphernalia. Suspect Griffen, Kimberly Renee was arrested for possession of a controlled substance,  under the influence of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Suspect Walker, Eric Jayson was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of prescription pills, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Suspect Griffen was booked into the Tulare County Bob Wiley Detention Facility and Suspect Walker was booked into the Tulare County Main Jail with their bail set at
$ 10,000.00.
 

This Case is still under investigation.

SUSPECT: Carbajal, Miguel Angel 18 Yrs old

While conducting gang suppression in the Traver Area, Tulare County Sheriff Gang Detectives contacted (S) Miguel Angel Carbajal at the above listed location. Carbajal was carrying a concealed weapon in his shorts pockets. He was taken into custody and booked at the main jail.

The case is currently under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department

On the above date and time Deputies were contacted by the victim on Ave 416 and Rd. 104, Sultana. The victim stated an unknown person(s) entered her residence while she was sleeping and took miscellaneous items and cash.

Case is still currently under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff's Department.  Anyone with any further information, contact the North End Property Detectives at (559) 735-1877.

On Friday, 8-27-10 at 1130hours, Detectives from the Tulare County Sheriff's Tactical Enforcement Personnel were at a residence in the 37400 block of Road 156, Visalia investigating the cultivation of marijuana. Detectives came in contact with the suspect identified as Abel Murillo Morales, who was tending to 68 marijuana plants. The suspect was taken into custody and booked at the Tulare County Main Jail.

On Saturday 8-28-10 at approximately 0240 hours, Tulare County Sheriff Deputies responded to the 36300 block of Burke Street in Traver regarding a report of a shooting. Upon arrival Deputies contacted Mary Agurrie who advised she observed an unknown male suspect in her back yard who fled the scene. She advised moments later, she heard approximately 3 gunshots which struck her residence causing no injuries.

Case remains active with TCSO Gang Unit.

Detectives with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Departments South County Gang Violence Suppression Unit, Tulare County Sheriff’s Department Community Base Officers, Tulare County Probation, Visalia Police Department, California Highway Patrol, Dinuba Police Department, College of Sequoias Police Department, Tulare County District Attorney Investigative unit and US Marshals conducted a series of warrant service, probation, parole searches and high profile suppression operation in the South county towns of Pixley, Earlimart, and Tipton area. As a result of the gang operation conducted, approximately twenty six gang members identified, ten people were taken into custody, on the below listed charges.

They also issued four citations and towed three vehicles. Detectives also seized several items of gang indicia during the operation.

Taken into custody were:

1) Saul Esparza 26Yrs. Earlimart resident

Charges: Outstanding warrants

2) Maria Ruiz 40Yrs. Tipton resident

Charges: Outstanding warrants

3) Armando Padilla 29 Yrs. Earlimart resident

Charges:14601 VC/suspended license

4) Christopher Reeder 19 Yrs. Pixley resident

Charges: 11550 H&S/ under the influence

5) Carlos Eudave 19 Yrs. Tipton resident

Charges: 647(f)PC/ under the influence

6) Male Juvenile 17 Yrs. Pixley resident

Charges: 11550 H&S/ under the influence

7) Pedro Soto 22Yrs. Pixley resident

Charges: Outstanding warrants

8)Ambruce Sierra 29Yrs. Tipton resident

Charges: 148/273A, PC / resisting arrest/ child endangerment/ Outstanding warrants

9) Jamone Williams 31Yrs. Pixley resident

Charges: Outstanding warrants

10) Danny Rodriguez 21 Yrs. Earlimart resident

Charges:14601 VC/suspended license

This case remains under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department’s - Gang Violence Suppression Unit.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation or any type of gang activity in Tulare County is urged to contact the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department’s - Gang Violence Suppression Unit at the toll free number of :

1-888-END-GANG (1-888-363-4264).

Persons giving information can remain anonymous.

Detectives with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Gang Violence Suppression Unit patrolled the towns of Orosi, Cutler, Ivanhoe, Traver and London. Detectives arrested 9 people for various Penal Code, Vehicle Code and Health & Safety Cade violations. Detectives also seized an undisclosed amount of methamphetamine and three handguns. They also towed 4 vehicles and served a felony and misdemeanor arrest warrant. All arrested subjects were booked at the Tulare County Main Jail or the Bob Wiley Detention Facility.

AS PREVIOUSLY REPORTED:

On 08/22/10 at 0255 hrs Deputies from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department Pixley Substation were dispatched to the area of McNeely and Church for a report of a man down. Upon their arrival the deputies found the victim bleeding from a wound from the upper torso area. The victim was airlifted to a local hospital where he was admitted for treatment of his injuries. The Sheriff’s Departments Violent Crimes Unit was called to investigate the incident.

NEW INFORMATION

The victim died of his injuries and was pronounced dead on Tuesday, 08/24/2010. He has been identified as Francisco Campana Zazueta, 20 years old, from Alpaugh.

During the investigation, it was discovered the victim and suspect Humberto “Junior” Vasquez had been at a party together in Alpaugh earlier in the evening. They left together with several other subjects. At one point they got out of the vehicle and Vasquez shot Zazueta because of a disagreement.

On 08/26/10 at approximately 0900 hours, Detectives located Vasquez at his residence in Alpaugh and detained him without incident for investigation of murder. 3 search warrants were then served in the Alpaugh area and evidence was seized that was related to the case.

Vasquez was booked into the Tulare County Main Jail on the above listed charges.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Det. Francisco Zaragoza or Sgt. Gary Hunt at (800) 808-0488 or (559) 735-1898

Autopsy results:
On Friday, August 27, 2010, an autopsy was conducted. The cause of death was determined exanguination due to penetrating gun shot wound to the head.

On 8-23-10, detectives from the Tulare County South End Investigation Unit were assigned a case involving Assault with a Deadly Weapon. During the investigation, it was determined unknown suspects shot a gun from a moving vehicle and struck the victim. He was transported to the hospital with non life threatening wounds.

The case is currently under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department South End Investigation Unit. Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact Detective Polk with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department at 733-6218.

On 8-23-10, detectives from the Tulare County South End Investigation Unit were assigned a case involving Possession of Illegal Firearms. During the investigation, a search warrant  was served in the 17000 block of Lynch Road in Porterville.  Detectives assisted patrol deputies with the recovery of several illegal firearms. 

Daniel Jose Arias was arrested for 12020 PC and later booked into Tulare County Jail.

The case is currently under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department. Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact Tulare County Sheriff’s Department.

Suspect Information:
Daniel Jose Arias (51 Years old)
Porterville

NEWS ITEM

Case Number-10-80257 to 10-80269

Crime- Possession of a Controlled Substance/ Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sale/Transportation of a Controlled Substance/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia/Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance/Driving Under The Influence/Resisting a Peace Officer by Force/Resisting Arrest/ False Information to a Peace Officer/Public Intoxication

Date and Time Occurred- 8-19-10 to 8-22-10

Victim-State of California

 Narrative:

In-Custody:

1. Aguirre, Alberto 19 years Orosi 11550 HS, 11364 HS

2. Pinedo, Pedro 28 years Yettem Felony Warrant, Misdemeanor Warrant

3. Ploneda, Rosa 32 years Yettem Misdemeanor Warrant

4. Barajas, Lorenzo 27 years Orosi 11377 HS

5. Cerda, Armando 27 years Cutler 11378 HS, 11377 HS

6. Martinez, Guadalupe 19 years Ivanhoe 23152 CVC

7. Ramirez, Maria Ritchie 52 years Ivanhoe Misdemeanor Warrant

8. Parra-Martinez, Antonio 22 years Orosi 23152 CVC

9. Martinez, Maria 41 years Orosi 69 PC

10. Racicot, James 51 years Cutler 11377 HS

11. Ledesma-Amezquita, Jose 20 years Orosi 647 (f) PC

12. Ceballos-Martinez, Leonel 24 years Orosi 647 (f) PC

13. Razo, David 20 years Orosi 647 (f) PC

14. Hernandez de la Cruz, Silverio 21 years Orosi 647 (f) PC

15. Garza, Desiree Monique 22 years Sultana Misdemeanor Warrant

16. Villagomez, Armando 40 years Orosi 11378 HS, 11379 HS

17. Moreno, Miguel 35 years Cutler 11550 HS, 11364 HS

18. Wilson, Emilia 51 years Woodlake 11377 HS & Misdemeanor Warrant

19. Ramos, George 44 years Woodlake 3056 PC, 148 PC, 148.9 PC

20. Whited, Christina 28 years Visalia Misdemeanor Warrant

21. Florez, Sylvia 28 years Woodlake 6 Misdemeanor Warrants

22. McDaniels, Lewis 60 years Ivanhoe 2 Misdemeanor Warrants

 This case remains under investigation by the Tulare County sheriff’ departments Gang Violence Suppression Unit.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation or any type of gang activity in Tulare County is urged to contact the Tulare County Sheriff’ Department’s Gang Violence Suppression Unit at the toll free number of :

1-888-END-GANG (1-888-363-4264).

On 08/22/10 at 0255 hrs Deputies from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department Pixley Substation were dispatched to the area of McNeely and Church for a report of a man down. Upon their arrival at 0300 hrs the deputies found the victim bleeding from a wound from the upper torso area. The victim was airlifted to a local hospital where he was admitted for treatment of his injuries. The Sheriff’s Departments Violent Crimes Unit were called to investigate the incident.

The ensuing investigation determined the victim had sustained a gunshot wound to his upper torso area. The victim is in critical condition at the undisclosed hospital. The victims name is not being release pending contact with his relatives. The investigation is continuing, no suspects are in custody and no other information is being released at this time.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Det. Francisco Zaragoza at (800) 808-0488 or (559) 735-1898

Narrative:

On 8/20/10 at 1700 hrs. detectives of the Sheriff’s Tactical Enforcement Personnel (S.T.E.P.) Team completed a month long investigation of illegal marijuana gardens located in wilderness areas near Three Rivers, Posey and in the Giant Sequoia National Monument near Kennedy Meadows These cases were tied to ongoing investigations from Operation Trident. Operation Trident is a three county, multi-agency operation, aimed at investigation and eradication of marijuana from public lands

No suspects were located at the scenes, the cases are under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt. Franks of the STEP Unit. 559-713-2990

Plants counts are

Posey Garden - 2,661 plants eradicated

Three Rivers Garden - 3,603 plants eradicated

9 mile Rd/Kennedy Meadows - 9,963 plants eradicated

UPDATE:  An autopsy has been conducted on the in custody death of Louis Morales Ramirez.  Cause of death was determined to be stroke due to hypertension.

Prior Update:
Updated information from the previous new release. Notification to the next of kin was made on 08/17/10. The male inmate has been identified as Louis Morales Ramirez 59 year old of Visalia. The cause of death is pending the autopsy.

Prior Release:
On 08/17/10 at 1200hrs, Deputies were alerted of male inmate who collapsed while in his cell. Deputies rendered first aid until emergency services arrived. A local ambulance transported the subject to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased. The Sheriff’s Violent Crimes Unit responded and conducted the investigation.

The investigation is on going and the male subject’s name is being withheld until notification to the next of kin. No trauma was observed on the subject and the cause of death is pending the autopsy.

Update:
The Tulare County Sheriff's Office has concluded the search warrant served at a home on the 200 block of North B in Exeter.  The home's interior and exterior were searched for any items that may be of interest in the investigation.  This investigation is of a sensitive nature and victims are confidential per 293 P.C.  T.C.S.O. Requested the assistance of the FBI Evidence Response Team and the Santa Clara Sheriff's Office Canine Specialized Search Team due to the resources they had available for this type of search.  Heavy equipment was also utilized in the back yard area to assist in the search.  Various items were collected from the location and will need to be processed to determine their evidentiary value.  The investigation is still ongoing.  No one is in custody at this time.  When the investigation is completed a report will be filed with the District Attorneys Office for review.  Anyone with information regarding this case should contact the Tulare County Sheriff's Office at (800) 808-0488.

Prior Release:
The Tulare County Sheriff's Office is currently serving a search warrant at a home on the 200 block of North B in Exeter.  An adult male has been detained for questioning and resources have been called in to assist in the possible collection of evidence located during the search warrant.  The type of crime is of a sensitive nature and vicitms are confidential per 293 PC.  When additional information is obtained an update will be issued.  PIO Sgt. Chris Douglass is on scene and may also be available through e-mail cdouglass@co.tulare.ca.us