Narrative:

S-1 Jose Luis Bustos Reyes Age: 22

Visalia, Ca

V-1 State of California

On the above date and time the suspect was contacted during a traffic stop. Subsequent to investigation a small, clear, plastic bag containing white crystal like substance believed to be methamphetamine was located on the suspect’s person. The suspect was booked at the Tulare County main jail for the above listed charges.

This case is currently under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office

Loss/Damage:   Loss $26,450.00

                       Damages $3,000.00

                       Recovered: $1,479.00

On the above date and time Deputies were dispatched to the above location in regards to a burglary.  Upon arrival, Deputies discovered that unknown suspect(s) forced entry into the business and stole miscellaneous items.  Upon further investigation Deputies located several items which were subsequently returned to the victim. 

Case is currently under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff's Department.  Anyone with any further information should contact Northend Detectives at 559-735-1877.

 On the above date and time deputies responded to the above location in regards to a residential burglary.  Deputies were advised suspects forced entry into the residence and took approximately $15,030.00 worth of jewelry.

This case is under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff's Office.

On 03-25-2010 the Inter Agency Narcotic Enforcement Team (I.N.E.T.) consisting of personnel from Farmersville Police Department, Lindsay Police Department, Exeter Police Department, Visalia Police Department, Tulare County Probation and the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department concluded a four week investigation by serving a search warrant in the 1100 Block of North Matthew in the city of Farmersville.

During the initial search detectives located a moderate amount of methamphetamine and a scale on the premises. Suspect Danny Taff was arrested and booked into the Tulare County Jail for the following charges: Possession of a controlled substance, Possession for sales and Maintaining a location for narcotic use/sales. Suspect Tamura Taff was arrested and booked into the Tulare County Bob Wiley Detention Facility for the following charges: Possession of a controlled substance, Possession for sales, Maintaining a location for narcotic use/sales and Under the influence of a controlled substance. Suspects Chad Taff was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance and Suspect Jeff Proctor was arrested for a warrant, both suspects were also booked into the Tulare County Jail.

This case is still under investigation.

At the above date and time, a civilian noticed damaged to the Village Market and contacted the owners of the property.  The owners determined the business had been burglarized and contacted the Tulare County Sheriff's Office for investigation.  A deputy responded to the scene and determined approximately $2000 of product had been stolen from the business and aproximately $30,000 of property damage had occured.  Detectives from the Property Crimes and Forensic Investigations Units responded and are currently investigating the case.

Anyone with information regarding the case is encouraged to call the Tulare County Sheriff's Office at (559)733-6218.

On 3-23-10 at approx. 0749 hrs. Deputies contacted Robert Espinoza Jr. who was incarcerated at the Adult Pre-Trail Facility. Espinoza had a medical issue and was transported to a local hospital for treatment via ambulance. Espinoza expired while at the hospital. Detectives were called to assist in the investigation. An autopsy has been scheduled to determine the exact cause of death.

Espinoza was arrested on 3-21-2010 by Porterville Police Department for narcotics related charges.

This case is under investigation by TCSO. Anyone with case information is encouraged to contact Det. Molyneux at (559) 735-1965 or (559) 733-6218.

Media requests (559) 735-1825 during business hours, (559) 733-6218 after hours.

Tulare County Sheriff’s Detectives were dispatched to the Orosi area for a report of two male juveniles engaging in various lewd acts with a 9 year old female. During the course of the investigation information and evidence was obtain which led to the arrest of the two male juvenile. Both male juveniles were subsequently booked at the Tulare County Juvenile Detention Facility.

Anybody with additional information is encouraged to contact the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department Crimes Against Children’s Unit Detective Katherine Garcia or Detective Bobby Saldana 559-735-1970.

On March 23, 2010 The Tulare County Sheriff’s Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (SAFE) Team in collaboration with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) Visalia Parole Division, Sex Offender Tracking Unit, conducted a sweep of sex offender registrants that were in violation of their compliance and search conditions. Eight subjects were contacted and arrested without incident and either booked at the Tulare County Main Jail or North Kern State Prison.
 

Arrested:
Frank Gomez, age 62 of Pixley, Ca. (Booked at TCJ)
Gilbert Flores, age 54 of Tulare, Ca. (Booked at TCJ)
Ricardo Martinez, age 30 of Tulare, Ca. (Booked at TCJ)     
Cornado Montoya, age 39 of Porterville, Ca. (Booked at NKSP)
Curtis Peck, age 32 of Tulare, Ca. (Booked at TCJ)
Salvador Solis, age 58 of Earlimart, Ca. (Booked at TCJ)
Jonathan Williams, age 32 of Visalia, Ca. (Booked at TCJ)
Joe Woodward, age 39 of Porterville, Ca. (Booked at NKSP)

Anybody with information is encouraged to contact Sgt. Steve Kennedy at (559) 735-1970 or Supervising Parole Agent Charles Villarreal at (559) 636-7317.

The Tulare County Sheriff’s Departments SAFE Team is funded by a state grant from the  California Emergency Management Agency.

Reminder:  Sheriff to give presentation at board meeting on 3-23-2010 regarding status of COPS Program.

The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce the COPS Hiring Recovery Program is now in full force.

The grant was awarded in July of 2009 and accepted by the Board of Supervisors on September 15, 2009.

On October 12, 2009, 12 officers were sworn in at the Tulare County Board of Supervisors Board Room. Training has been completed for the deputies and the community based positions have now all been filled.

Their assignments are as follows:

• Deputy Jamie Garza, Goshen
• Deputy Yvonne Jaramillo, Ivanhoe
• Deputy David Rhoads, Strathmore Plainview
• Deputy Scott Doyle, Woodville, Poplar, Woodville Labor Camp
• Deputy Jessica Zendejas, Terra Bella, Ducor, Richgrove
• Deputy John Nicholson, East/South Porterville
• Deputy Rick Cerda, Earlimart
• Deputy Tim Johnson, Tipton, Pixley
• Deputy Luis Pineda, Alpaugh, Allensworth
• Deputy James Howell, Orosi, Monson Sultana
• Deputy Jerry Diaz, Cutler, Yettmen, Seville
• Deputy Paul Gilray, Traver, New London

On Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 0900 Sheriff Bill Wittman will also be making a presentation at the Board of
Supervisors Meeting regarding the status of this grant. Sheriff Wittman will be available for comment
following the presentation. Station Commanders and Deputies will also be present.

Narrative

On 03/19/10 at approximately 2047 hrs , deputies from the Tulare County Sheriff's Department responded to the 4500 block of Ave 384 regarding a victim of a car jacking. Upon contacting the victim deputies determined that the car jacking had taken place in the area of Rd 60 and Ave 384. Deputies were able to obtain a positive identification of the suspect identified as Michael Jump (DOB: 11/13/1979).

On 03/20/10 the suspect was located in the city of Fresno by the Fresno Police Department and was subsequently taken into custody without incident. Tulare County Sheriff's Department North End Investigations unit responded to Fresno to make contact with the suspect. Upon arriving Detectives found the suspect to be in possession of the victim's vehicle and property.

The suspect was transported to the Tulare County Main Jail and was booked for possession of stolen property, and car jacking.

Narrative:

Suspect: Confidential Age:24 yoa

On the above date and time Deputies were dispatched to the 1100 block of N. Prospect, Porterville, in regards to Spousal rape and lewd acts upon a child. Upon further investigation suspect was located and taken into custody for the above listed charges and subsequently transported and booked at the Tulare County Main Jail.

Case is still currently under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriffs Department. Anyone with any further information contact Detective F. Cotton (559) 735-1877.

                                                ***Updated News Release***

On 3/18/10, during the investigation three subjects have been arrested, Juan Perez 17 years for Attempted Murder, Discharging a Firearm from a Vehcile and Gang Crime, John Galvan 23 years arrested for Possession of a Stolen Firearm and Antonio Valdez 21 years was arrested for an outstanding Felony Warrnt.

The incident is being investigated by the Tulare County Sheriff's Department.  Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Maria Garcia from the Violent Crimes Unit at (559)733-6218. 

PREVIOUS RELEASE:

On 3/18/10 at approximately 2031 hours, Tulare County Sheriff's Patrol Deputies responded to a drive by shooting and assault report in the town of Earlimart.

Violent Crimes Detectives responded and the investigation revealed a drive by shooting occurred and two victims were injured as a result of the incident.  (V-1) and (V-2) were transported to hospitals in the area for treatment, (V-3) did not sustain any injuries.  (V-1) is in critical condition, (V-2) was treated and released. 

Suspect:  Marroquin, Nicolas 18 years

               Earlimart, CA

On 3-19-10 at 1421 hours, Detectives from the Tulare County Sheriff's Department Gang Violence Suppression Unit responded to an address on N. State in Earlimart to conduct a probation search. 

Upon completion of the search, Detectives found the subject to be in possession of several rounds of live ammunition in violation of PC 12316, Felon in possession of ammunition.  The subject was also found to be in possession of other contraband, in violation of his probation terms and conditions.

The subject was taken into custody and booked at the Tulare County Main Jail without incident.  This case is being filed with the Tulare County DA's Office for further prosecution. 

Media is welcome to come out Friday, March 19, 2010 to get footage of officers practicing for tomorrow's competition.  The raceway will not be open to the public until 3-20-2010.  Some officers will be competing in the evidence search and narcotics phase so please do not provide footage of those officers without their approval.  The agility obstacles are already in place and officers who arrive early may take their canines through that course for practice.  TCSO PIO Sgt. Douglass will be on scene after 1500 hrs.

PRIOR RELEASE:

The Tulare County Sheriff's Department and Visalia Police Department K-9 Units are asking your assistant to advise the community of the 25th Annual Sierra K-9 Trials.  Due to the great turnout we had last year (standing room only) we have moved the event from the softball fields into the Plaza Park Raceway for better public viewing. 

This is a special event as we are celebrating the 25th year of the trials.  The event is open to the public on March 20th, 2010 from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm.  Admission is free.

For more information on the event please visit the Sierra K-9 link on the Sheriff's K-9 web page at www.tularesheriff.info.

25th Annual Sierra K-9 Trials
Saturday, March 20, 2010
7:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Plaza Park Raceway
Visalia, CA
Spectators Welcome
Open to the Public - Free Admission

Flyers are also available upon e-mail request to info@tularesheriff.info