On the above date and time, Tulare County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the above location, during a report of an assault with a deadly weapon. At the scene, Deputies contacted a 55 year old Hispanic male adult victim, who stated he was assaulted by an known person. The victim sustained a minor injury, provided Deputies with a suspect description/possible location and was later transported to a local hospital by ambulance for his non-life threatening injury.

While checking the area, Deputies located a Hispanic male adult, who matched the suspect description provided by the victim. After further investigation, Deputies arrested 69 year old Gonzalo Guerrero for the above charge. Guerrero was later transported to and booked at the Tulare County Main Jail.      

    

 
 
 
 Case under investigation

On Monday, 10-8-12, at approximately 0040 hours, three black male adults entered the Goshen Arco Gas Station and demanded money from the store clerk. One of the suspects was armed with a black handgun. The suspects possibly fled the scene in a light colored vehicle. No one was injured during the incident and the amount of loss is undetermined at this time. The case is currently under investigation.

Sheriff Bill Wittman will be holding a ceremony to promote Detective Frank Zaragoza to the rank of Sergeant on Monday, October 8, 2012 at 10:00 AM. The ceremony will be held at the Tulare County Sheriff's Headquarters Lobby. Friends and family will also be present to show their support.

Sergeant Frank Zaragoza was raised in the Los Angeles area and moved to Tulare County by the age of 18.  He attended College of the Sequoias, where he received an Associate of Science Degree in Administration of Justice and California State University in Fresno where he graduated with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Criminology. 

In June of 1999, he was hired by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office and started his career at the Bob Wiley Detention Facility.  After about 2 years, he transferred to Operations as a patrol deputy assigned to the Porterville Substation.

In 2004 he transferred to the Narcotics Unit where he was part of numerous State and Federal narcotic investigations that resulted in the apprehension of major drug traffickers.  Due to his efforts, he successfully disrupted drug trafficking organizations that were trying to embed themselves in the County.

By 2009, he was transferred to the Violent Crimes Unit where he succeeded in apprehending numerous suspects who were subsequently charged with murder.  While in the Violent Crimes Unit, he held an 80% murder solve rate which is higher than the states average of 60%.

Sergeant Zaragoza has been a part of the SWAT Team, Search and Rescue Team, Asset Forfeiture Unit, and the Clandestine Lab Unit. 

Sergeant Frank Zaragoza is supported in his new career path by his wife and child. Sheriff Bill Wittman offers his sincere congratulations to Sergeant Frank Zaragoza, and wishes him well in his new assignment at the Cutler-Orosi Substation supervising patrol operations. The public is welcome to join the department, friends and family in the Sheriff's Headquarters Lobby Monday, October 8, 2012 at 10:00 AM to celebrate the promotion.

Refreshments to follow.

Photograph and Flyer available on Sheriff's Flickr page at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tularecountysheriff/sets/72157631707314682/

On 10-04-2012 detectives of the Tulare County Sheriff’s STEP unit completed marijuana investigations at the following locations:

36300 blk of Millwood Dr., Elderwood
TCSO Case # 12-60860
Detectives entered a new phase in a four week investigation into the cultivation and possession of marijuana for sale at the above listed location with the service of a Search Warrant at the property. Upon arrival it was found that the growers had fled into a nearby grove as officers approached, owners of the property were not directly involved in the marijuana grow, but had rented a 1 acre section of their property to several individuals to grow purported medicinal marijuana. The investigation found that the marijuana being grown was far in excess of any medical needs by the suspects causing this grow site to be in violation of California marijuana laws. The property was also less than 500 ft. from a school.

The garden contained 235 fully budded marijuana plants, each containing several pounds of bud. The garden site was eradicated and suspects are being sought for questioning. The 235 mature marijuana plants had an estimated 500 lbs of usable “bud”. Three marijuana recommends were present which, “per the doctor’s recommendation”, allowed the suspects to possess 18 pounds of marijuana for their medical needs. 

This case is still under investigation by the TCSO STEP Unit.

38600 block of Rd. 64 Dinuba
TCSO Case #12-60849
Detectives responded to the above location to assist the Tulare County Resource Management Agency Marijuana Code Compliance Officer with the service of an Abatement Warrant. An Abatement Warrant is signed by a Judge of the Superior Court after numerous letters and civil hearings with the involved property owners.  It allows County Employees to enter a property to remove what has been declared a Public Nuisance.  In this case, the marijuana and the fencing surrounding it were out of compliance with the County Ordinance banning the outdoor cultivation of marijuana. Detectives routinely assist R.M.A. Code Compliance Officers because of the violence and common presence of armed guards around marijuana gardens. In this case, the growers had removed the almost (300) marijuana plants they were allowed by recommendations present. However, the suspect pointed out almost 1,000 pounds of partially processed marijuana drying in a pole barn. It is estimated that the approx. 1,000 pounds of partially processed marijuana will yield in excess of 450 pounds of usable/sellable “bud”. When it was pointed out to the suspect that the recommendations present, including his, only allowed for 18 pounds combined, he invoked his right to silence. The suspect was arrested on charges of cultivation and possession for sale of marijuana.

Arrested:
Alfonso Guizar, 39 yoa, Dinuba – Charged with cultivation and Possession of marijuana for sale
This case is still under investigation by the TCSO STEP Unit.

The above cases point out some of the problems with current marijuana laws. Doctors routinely charge their clients for the amount of plants and dried bud allowed on their recommendations with no basis on fact. The high number of 99 plants allowed is not a law; it is the mistaken belief that Federal authorities will not accept a case with less than 100 plants. While this is routinely true, Federal authorities do not take into consideration multiple recommendations at the same location. Fewer than 100 plants at a garden site can be a Federal case. This has been shown with the recent Federal cases filed under Operation Mercury.

Individuals who obtain their recommendations are often told by the doctors that they can donate their excess marijuana to a dispensary which will then donate cash back to the grower. Under California law this is still considered sales of marijuana, which is a felony.  A grower with a single recommendation for 99 plants will try to hide behind that recommendation and be untouched by law enforcement until he begins to harvest the plant.  Because of the yield of most strains of marijuana currently grown in the valley, even an inexperienced grower can harvest at least one pound of product from each marijuana plant. As soon as the plants are cut down and the processing started, they are no longer “plants”.  The material is now considered “partially processed marijuana”. Detectives who have been trained in marijuana investigations use several techniques to determine how much usable “bud” is yielded from the total weight of “partially processed marijuana” seized. 
            
Photos are available on the Sheriff’s Flickr page at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tularecountysheriff/sets/72157631698294572/

#1 Juan Antonio Hinojosa             M/H    Age:    25
City of Residence:      Lindsay, Ca.
#2 Guadalupe Vega Gonzalez       F/H    Age:    18
City of Residence:     Lindsay, Ca.

On today’s date Patrol officers from the Lindsay Police Department were investigating a report of animal cruelty in the 600 Blk of N. Westwood. During the investigation the officers contacted the listed suspects and found a large amount of processed marijuana in the residence.  Investigators from the Inter-Agency Narcotics Enforcement Team were called to take over the Narcotic portion of the investigation. A search warrant was served at the residence.  The ensuing investigation and search revealed that the listed suspect ‘s were in possession of approximately 108 grams of Marijuana packaged for sales, indicia related to the sale of Marijuana, scales, packaging materials and they were maintaining a residence for illicit narcotic sales. The Marijuana was being sold under the guise of medical marijuana.  Also when the suspect’s were contacted by Officers, Suspect #2 attempted to destroy and conceal the evidence.

The suspect booked at the Tulare County Main Jail on the listed charges.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department Narcotics Division/ INET (559) 713-2950.

Photos available through the Main Jail.

Narrative:

On the above date and time the victim was checking irrigation in an orange orchard when an unknown suspect approached him and shot him. The victim received a single gunshot wound which caused a none life threatening injury to his left arm and neck.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic male approximately 5-11 with a thin build. He wore a light blue bandana over his face, a grey long sleeve t-shirt and blue jeans. The weapon is described as a grey or chrome hand gun, unknown type.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Rodney Klassen at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Violent Crimes Unit at 735-1908 or contact the Sheriff’s Department TIPNOW hot line at 559-725-4194 or tcso@tipnow.com

On 09-27-12 thru 09-29-12 Detectives from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department Gang Violence Suppression Unit continued Gang suppression efforts in the Cutler / Orosi and Visalia area.  During this effort, seven persons were taken into custody for Narcotic related charges in separate unrelated arrests

1) Jose Perdomo (36 yrs old from Dinuba) and Gilberto Lopez (25 yrs old from Fresno) were taken into custody after a large amount of Marijuana was found in the vehicle and trailer they were driving.

2) The following subjects were arrested (unrelated arrests) for possession of a controlled substance:
                             Arthur Valero (22 yrs old from Visalia)
                             Leonal Reyes  (41 yrs old from Dinuba)
                             Juan Ramos    (39 yrs old from Orosi)
                             Ever Guerra    (35 yrs old from Cutler)
                             Ron Pascua     (40 yrs old from Orosi) 

 All subjects were booked into the Tulare County Main Jail and the cases remain under investigation by the Sheriff’s Department Gang Suppression Unit.

On 9-28-12 at approximately 1520 hours Deputies contacted Jesus Ontiveros, 27 years old of Earlimart, during a routine traffic stop.  He was unlicensed and voluntarily allowed Deputies to search his vehicle for weapons or contraband.  During the search Deputies located a bindle of cocaine weighing approximately 0.2 grams.  Ontiveros was arrested and booked into County Jail without incident.  He was charged with  possession of a controlled substance & driving without a license.
  
         

The case remains under investigation by TCSO.

9/24/12  13400 Block of Ave. 72 Earlimart  TCSO case # 12-60838
S-1 Leonardo Baltier,  59 yoa., Paso Robels Ca.   11358 HS, 11359 HS 182 PC
S-2 Manuel Favela Guiano, 52 yoa., Earlimart     11358 HS, 11359 HS 182 PC

On 9/24/12 detectives of the STEP unit concluded a four week investigation into the Cultivation and sales of marijuana from the above location with the service of a search warrant. Upon arrival detectives found a large marijuana grow purportedly for medicinal usage by three individuals. However the investigation found approx. 150 pounds of usable bud had already been processed, some already packaged for sale and there were still 158 fully budded plants in the ground. Each plant had approx.. 1 to 2 pounds of marijuana bud still on the plant. It was found that this amount of marijuana was clearly in excess of what was needed by the (3) recommend holders responsible for the grow site. The above listed suspects were arrested at the scene and transported without incident. Using the conservative amounts of  1 pound per plant and the 150 pounds of processed bud already present, in excess of 300 pounds of usable bud could have come from this grow site. This marijuana would have a street value in California in excess of  $900,000.

9/25/12
Locations:                                   TCSO Case # 12-60766
41900 blk of Rd. 126, Orosi
300 blk of S. Ventura,
15700 blk of Rosaline Ave. Ivanhoe
 
On 9/25/2012 The Tulare County STEP team assisted the CVMIT (Central Valley Marijuana Investigation Task force) with the final stages of a nine month investigation into the cultivation and sales of marijuana in the Fresno/Tulare/Madera county areas. The CVMIT task Force is made up of officers from the California Department of Justice - Bureau of Investigations, Fresno and Tulare County Sheriff’s Departments, U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. The investigation targeted a DTO (Drug Trafficking Organization) operating out of the Orosi area with ties to Mexico. This group was responsible for many marijuana grows on both public lands in both the Fresno and Tulare county mountains and on the valley floor hiding behind California medical marijuana laws, Methamphetamine trafficking and planning home invasion/ rip-off’s in the Central valley.

At 0600 hrs on 9/25/12 multiple Federal search and arrest warrants were served simultaneously at the above locations and on several suspects currently in custody on related state charges. Arrested on Federal charges were the following:

Juan Manuel Rodriguez, 32 yoa, Ivanhoe
Frank Rodriguez, 28 yoa, Orosi
Jose Carlos Flores, 24 yoa, Farmersville
Miguel Angel Rodriguez, 19 yoa, Orosi
Marisol Rodriguez,  31yoa, Ivanhoe
Carlos Armando Luna, 21 yoa, Orosi
Wesley Carlos,  19 yoa, Orosi
Edgardo Torres, 20 yoa, Orosi
Travis Dodd, 34 yoa, Dinuba
Miguel Malagon, 40 yoa, Parlier

The investigation found that the above listed subjects took part in various operations within the Rodriguez trafficking organization including cultivating marijuana in both the mountains and valley grows hiding behind California medical marijuana laws, sales of marijuana, transporting personnel, supplies and marijuana to and from grow sites, possession and possession and sales of cocaine and planning what are commonly referred to as “dope rips” where an armed group of suspects take others marijuana by force. S-9, Travis Dodd is accused of impersonating a Federal DEA agent and using a fake badge to scout out marijuana grows close to being harvested, then passing the information to a “Rip team”. Dodd was taken into custody several weeks ago by local detectives and Federal agents to prevent several planned thefts. While the operations were planned no known marijuana rips occurred by this group due to law enforcement intervention.

All the above listed suspects are in Federal custody. The search warrants were executed without incident by Federal, State and Local Law Enforcement officers. In addition to the arrested suspects over (40) pounds of processed packaged marijuana, ½ pound of cocaine and (10) firearms of various types were seized during the operation. The groups marijuana gardens totaling approx. 13,000 plants were systematically eradicated by officers during the investigation throughout the season as they came close to harvest.

This case is still under investigation by CVMIT and the Tulare County Sheriff’s Dept. S.T.E.P. team

36400 Blk of Rd. 112, Visalia  TCSO Case # 12-40140
S1 - Kai Moua,  37 yoa, Visalia
S2 - Xiong Moua, 40 yoa, Visalia
S3 - May Siong, 57 yoa, Visalia
S4 - Khoua Moua, 42 yoa, Visalia

On 9/25/12 detectives of the STEP, NTF and INET units concluded a two week investigation into the Cultivation and sales of marijuana from the above location with the service of a search warrant. Upon arrival detectives found a large marijuana grow purportedly for medicinal usage by (6) individuals. However the investigation found approx. 440 pounds of usable bud already processed, some already packaged for sale and there were still 604 fully budded plants in the ground. Each plant had approx. 1 to 2 pounds of marijuana bud still on the plant. It was found that this amount of marijuana was clearly in excess of what was needed by the (6) recommend holders responsible for the grow site.  (5) firearms of various types were seized in and around the marijuana grows. The above listed suspects were arrested at the scene and transported without incident. Using the conservative amounts of  1 pound per plant and the 440 pounds of processed bud already present, in excess of 1000 pounds of usable bud could have come from this grow site. This marijuana would have a street value in California in excess of  $3,000,000.

This case is still under investigation by the TCSO STEP Unit.
 

9/28/2012          
22300 Blk of Ave. 340, Woodlake Ca. TCSO Case # 12-60850

On 9/28/12 Detectives with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Dept. STEP team assisted Tulare County Code Compliance officers in serving an Abatement Warrant on a marijuana grow at the above listed location. Abatement Warrants are written after the Civil fine process fails to induce a property owner to remove a Public Nuisance. In this case the marijuana in question was being grown outside of the approved zone and outdoors. Property owners had been notified, served and fined over a period of several months. After failing to abate the marijuana an Abatement Warrant was requested and signed by a Judge of the Superior Court directing the county to enter the property and remove the marijuana plants. 156 fully budded marijuana plants were removed from the property. The fence surrounding the property was torn down as it was also out of compliance with County Codes. Due to the frequency of armed subjects at marijuana grows the Tulare County Resource Management Agency requests the Sheriff’s department to assist in these abatement operations. The cost of the Abatement operation will be passed on to the property owner.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tularecountysheriff/8034105262/in/photostream/

Arrested:
#1  James Donnary Clancy, Age: 75, City of Residence:  Springville, Ca.
#2  Marie Angela Howe, Age: 58, City of Residence:  Springville, Ca.

After a one (1) month investigation into illegal narcotics trafficking in the Springville area investigators from the Sheriff’s Department’s Narcotics Division were led to residence in the 35300 Blk of Tule River Dr. in Springville, Ca. were a search warrant was served.

The investigation revealed approximately 11.8 grams of Methamphetamine, 38.6 grams of Cocaine and 186.2 grams of Marijuana all packaged for sales, scales, indicia indicating sales of narcotics, a hand gun and a sum of U.S. Currency were also seized.  The suspects were maintaining a residence for illicit narcotic sales.

The suspects booked at their respective Tulare County Jail facilities on the above listed charges.
 

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department Narcotics Division (559) 713-2950.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tularecountysheriff/sets/72157631646293731/

On 9/27/12 at approximately 0420 hours, Tulare County Sheriff Deputies were dispatched to the 9200 Block of Rd 236 in Terra Bella in regards to a gun shot wound victim. Deputies arrived on scene and contacted the victim who had sustained a gunshot wound to the chest. The victim was transported to a local area hospital for treatment. 

Detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit responded to the scene and took over the investigation. The incident is still under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department.  Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Sgt Liles or Detective Jose Torres from the Violent Crimes Unit at (559)733-6218. 

Narrative:

On 09-26-12 at approximately 2001 hrs, Deputies from the Orosi Substation responded to the area Rd. 128 and Emerald Ave for a report of an armed robbery.  The victim reported the suspect took approximately $75.00 in cash from the victim while brandishing a handgun.  Suspect then fled the area on foot. 

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

Narrative:

On 9-26-12, Deputies of the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department responded to the area in the 15000 block of Ave. 8, Delano regarding a report of a theft of grapes. Upon arrival Deputies were directed to a suspect vehicle seen leaving the area and conducted a traffic stop. The two suspects were contacted and after a short investigation, 64 boxes of stolen grapes were located inside a trailer the suspects were pulling with their truck. Further investigation lead Deputies to locate 28 boxes of grapes that were packed and ready for transport at the victim’s vineyard. The total loss of the produce was estimated at $2,300.00 with a full recovery of the stolen property. The two suspects were arrested and booked for Grand theft and Possession of stolen property.

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

S1: Moreno, Sergio 06/29/67 DRIVER / Victorville
S2: Torres, Pablo 08/09/1987 MOPE / Simi Valley
S3: Rodriguez, Jose 05/11/1982 MOPE / Simi Valley
S4: Mendoza, Juvenal 08/21/1980 MOPE / Simi Valley

On 09/23/2012 at 1900 hours, Deputies from the Tulare County Sheriff's Department  received an anonymous tip that individuals were seen transporting what was believed to be marijuana out of a clandestine marijuana grow site in Long Canyon. Long Canyon is a desolate, isolated area of the Giant Sequoia National Monument above Springville with no established or maintained recreational trails. Patrol and Resident Deputies responded to the area and set up surveillance of known drop points used by marijuana traffickers.

At approximately 2030 hours, Deputies observed a suspicious vehicle enter the Lower Coffee Camp day use area. A subsequent law enforcement stop of the vehicle was made by Deputies who discovered approximately one-hundred thirty-five (135) pounds of processed marijuana. The marijuana was packaged into one (1) pound plastic bags, ready for sale and distribution. The marijuana was estimated to be valued at approximately $550,000.00. Four Hispanic male adults from Simi Valley and Victorville California were arrested and taken into custody pursuant to charges of the cultivation, transportation and possession of marijuana for sale.

This case is currently under investigation by The Tulare County Sheriff's Department.

  On Friday 09-21-12 Detectives from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department Gang Violence Suppression Unit conducted suppression efforts in the Cutler / Orosi and Visalia area.  During this effort, three persons were taken into custody for Narcotic and Weapons related charges:

Jose Hernandez (40 yrs old from Orosi) was taken into custody after a probation search of his residence found approximately 25 pounds of marijuana as well a small amount of Methamphetamine.

Jesus Torres-Manjo (24 yrs old from Orosi) was taken into custody for possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle

George Borbon (24 yrs old from Visalia) was taken into custody after he was found to be in possession of a small amount of Methamphetamine.

 All subjects were booked into the Tulare County Main Jail and the cases remain under investigation by the Sheriff’s Department Gang Suppression Unit