Date:
Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Time:
6:00 PM Ceremony begins

Location:
Woodlake Veterans Building
355 North Acacia Street
Woodlake, CA 93286

The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office is hosting the Memorial Highway Sign Dedication honoring two Sheriff’s Detectives who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

Detective Monty L. Conley and Detective Joe R. Landin will be honored on Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at 6:00 PM in their hometown of Woodlake. 

The Memorial Highway Sign Dedication was originally introduced by Councilwoman Connie Conway as Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 15 and was filed on July 13, 2011. 

The Tulare County Peace Officer Memorial Foundation then began working toward having the signs installed.

“It was important to us that these two men be honored together and near their hometown of Woodlake.”  Stated Sheriff Bill Wittman.

The Legislature has designated the portion of State Highway Route 198 between Road 204 and Mehrten Drive, in the County of Tulare as the Detective Monty L. Conley and Detective Joe R. Landin Memorial Highway.

The public is invited to attend as we honor these fallen officers.

History:
On August 5, 1985, Detective Conley and his Partner Detective Landin, were investigating a narcotics case near the town of Pixley, California, in souther Tulare County.  While the two were traveling in Detective Conley’s vehicle, they collided with another motorist who ran a stop sign at over 85 miles per hour.  Both detectives lost their lives as a result of this tragic accident.  The other motorist was tried and convicted of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and served a prison term of five years and four months.

Editors note:
Photos and videos from the installation of the signs on 05-03-2012 at 1100 hours and other documents can be located At:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tularecountysheriff/sets/72157629596047396/

http://www.youtube.com/user/TulareCountySheriff/videos

The signes will be unveiled after the dedication ceremony on 05-08-2012.

Narrative:

On 5-1-12 at 1650 hours Deputies were dispatched to a suspicious vehicle in the 5400 block of Avenue 54 in Alpaugh. During the investigation, Deputies contacted a subject named Jose Guadalupe Gomez (36 years old). He was found in possession of a controlled substance/methamphetamine. Gomez was arrested and booked into County Jail without incident.

The remains under investigation by TCSO.

Narrative:

On 5-1-12 at 1650 hours Deputies were dispatched to a suspicious vehicle in the 5400 block of Avenue 54 in Alpaugh. During the investigation, Deputies contacted a subject named Gustavo Cardenas (34 years old). He was found in possession of a controlled substance/methamphetamine. Cardenas was arrested and booked into County Jail without incident.

The case is still under investigation by TCSO.

Narrative:

On 5-1-12 @ 1546 hours Deputies contacted a victim who reported an unknown suspect stole a generator from the bed of his truck. The property was valued at $700 dollars. During the investigation, a subject named Ricky Barnett (23 years old) of Pixley was contacted and admitted stealing the property. He charged with petty theft and possession of stolen property. Deputies responded to a residence in the 400 Block of Bradbury street in Pixley where the stolen property was recovered. Barnett was booked into County Jail without incident.

The case is still under investigation by TCSO.

On 4-29-12, at 1515 hours, Deputies with the Tulare County Sheriff's Department responded to the area of the 300 block of S. Baxley, Porterville regarding reports of shots being fired. Upon arrival it was discovered that two male subjects in a newer model white truck were following a male subject walking down the road. According to witnesses, gang slurs were exchanged by the two groups resulting in the two subjects in the vehicle firing a handgun several times at the subject walking. The vehicle fled in an unknown direction and the victim was not injured during the assault.

The same day 4-29-12, at 1700 hours, after the Sheriff’s Department left the scene, the same two suspects were again seen in the area, although now driving an older model tan truck. One of the suspects, exited the truck and approached a group of people standing in the front yard of a residence. The suspect fired a handgun several times into the crowd, striking a victim in his upper arm as well as several nearby vehicles. The suspect’s fled in the tan truck in an unknown direction. The victim was transported to Sierra View Hospital where he was treated and released.

Even later the same day 4-29-12, at 1930 hours, an officer with the Porterville Police Department conducts a traffic enforcement stop on an older model tan truck. The passenger and driver run from the vehicle, but are later apprehended and identified as the outstanding suspects regarding the T.C.S.O. shooting investigation.

Both suspects are currently in custody for P.C. 245 Assault with a deadly weapon with pending gang allegation charges as well as their charges pending from the PPD enforcement stop

suspects : Jesus Aguilar 25 yo
               Gilbert Amezcua 21 yo   

On 5/1/12 at 0700 hrs members of the Tulare County Sheriff's Dept. S.T.E.P. Unit responded to the above listed location to follow-up on a reported marijuana grow.  The grow site had been reported by neighbors complaining about the smell and were concerned about the grow bringing possible violence to the neighborhood. Upon arrival detectives served a Search Warrant for the property. As detectives arrived and cut through a perimeter fence a single suspect fled into the nearby orchard and was able to get away.  The subsequent search revealed that suspects involved had posted their medical recommendations and were growing over their allowed number of plants. Five valid medical recommends were located at the location allowing a total of 468 medical marijuana plants to be grown.

It should be noted that doctors recommending marijuana routinely allow the arbitrary number of 90 plants to be grown solely because this is under the 100 plant threshold for federal prosecutions. Ninety outdoor marijuana plants are able to produce several hundred pounds of usable bud over the course of a season when under the care of a competent grower, clearly in excess of any single persons “medical needs.”

Detectives counted a total of 1,038 live growing plants, started from clones. Upon determination of the count being over what was legally allowed and the amount of marijuana being clearly in excess of even five persons medical needs, all plants were eradicated.

It is an ongoing problem that persons are obtaining medical marijuana recommends from doctors who allow them to grow plants well in excess of their medical needs then sell the excess to a dispensary or on the street.

The property owner, who was renting his land for the grow, was served a notice that allowing marijuana growing is a Federal Felony and opens the property to Federal Asset Forfeiture. 

The marijuana bud if allowed to mature would have a street value in excess of $3,000 per plant.
This case is still under investigation by the TCSO STEP Unit.

Narrative:

On 5-1-12 @ 0014 hours Deputies on foot patrol in the area of Smith and Klindera street(s) in Tipton contacted a subject driving a vehicle with a cracked windshield. The driver was identified as Rodney Lee Perryman (53 years old). During the investigation, Perryman was found to be in possession of methamphetamine. Several passengers identified as Jazmine Dailey (27 years old) and Kaileen McGarrrah (20 years old) were also arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance. Simultaneously, at the same intersection, a subject on foot identified as Angel Leyba (27 years old) was arrested for an out of County warrant. They were all booked into County Jail without incident.

The case is still under investigation by TCSO.

S-1 Jose Tapia, age of 21 of Porterville 
S-2 Janet Cerrito, age 23 of Porterville

On the above date and time deputies from the Porterville Substation were dispatched to Sierra View District Hospital in Porterville for a report of a 2yar old female, who had possibly ingested “methamphetamine”.  The victim was suffering from high temperatures, sweating profusely and having seizures. 

Detectives from the Violent Crimes Unit were called. During the investigation it was discovered the victim had ingested “methamphetamine” and was subsequently transported to Valley Children’s Hospital due the severity of juvenile female’s condition.

S-1 Jose Tapia and S-2 Janet Cerrito the were subsequently placed into custody for child endangerment and booked at the Tulare County Jail.         

The case remains under investigation.

Any information should call Detective Richard Ramirez at (559) 733-6218 or send anonymous information by sending a text message or email to TCSO@tipnow.com or call 1-800-TIPNOW

Taken into custody were:
39 year old Andrew Sandoval



Charges: On the above date and time Orosi Deputies responded to the 3800 block of Ave 408 regarding an assault. The 49 year old victim was assaulted by the suspect; her 39 year old live in son. The victim was assaulted with a dangerous weapon and threatened with her life. The suspect was later arrested and transported to Tulare County Main Jail.

Narrative:

Taken into custody were:

39 year old Andrew Sandoval

Charges: On the above date and time Orosi Deputies responded to the 3800 block of Ave 408 regarding an assault. The 49 year old victim was assaulted by the suspect; her 39 year old live in son. The victim was assaulted with a dangerous weapon and threatened with her life. The suspect was later arrested and transported to Tulare County Main Jail.

Suspect #1 Timothy Currin, 53 Yrs of Strathmore, Ca.
Charges : 11377/ 11378/ 11366 H&S Bail: $50,000.00
Suspect #2 Donna Webster, 50 yrs of Strathmore
Charges 11377/ 11378/ 11366 H&S Bail: $50,000.00
Suspect #3 Melissa Turner Donice, 41 Yrs of Strathmore, Ca.
Charges: 11358 H&S Bail: $20,000.00
Suspect #4  Cody Cizek, 21 Yrs of Strathmore
Charges: 11377/ 11364 H&S 12020 PC Bail: $20,000.00
Suspect  #5  Brittany Byrnes, 22 Yrs of Strathmore, Ca.
Charges: Arrest warrant  11550 H&S  Bail $15,000.00
Suspect #6 Carl Jones, 26 Yrs of Strathmore
Charges:  3 Arrest Warrants, 2 for 11550 H&S 1 for 11377 H&S, Total bail $50,000.00

After an approximate two (2) week investigation into illegal narcotics trafficking in the unincorporated area of  the Strathmore area, investigators from the Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division were lead to a residence in the 19500 Blk of RD 230 where a search warrant was served.  The ensuing investigation and search revealed approximately 6.4 grams of Methamphetamine packaged for sales, 1.7 grams of processed marijuana, scales, packaging materials and indicia related to the sales of illegal narcotics as well as maintaining a residence for illicit narcotic sales. Seventeen (17) Marijuana plants were located as well, growing both indoors and outdoors.
 
Other subjects were located in the residence as well. All the suspects were booked at their respective Tulare County Jail Facilities for the listed charges and are being held in lieu of bail at this time.

Suspect #1 Timothy Currin   53 yrs

Strathmore, Ca./ Charges : 11377/ 11378/ 11366 H&S Bail: $50,000.00

Suspect #2 Donna Webster  50 yrs

Strathmore, Ca. / Charges 11377/ 11378/ 11366 H&S Bail: $50,000.00

Suspect #3 Melissa Turner Donice  41 Yrs

Strathmore, Ca. / Charges: 11358 H&S Bail: $20,000.00

Suspect #4  Cody Cizek  21 Yrs

Strathmore, Ca. /  Charges: 11377/ 11364 H&S 12020 PC Bail: $20,000.00

Suspect  #5  Brittany Byrnes   22 Yrs

Strathmore, Ca. / Charges: Arrest warrant  11550 H&S  Bail $15,000.00

Suspect #6 Carl Jones  26 Yrs

Strathmore, Ca. / Charges:  3 Arrest Warrants
                                                                    2 for 11550 H&S 1 for 11377 H&S
                                                                    Total bail $50,000.00


After an approximate Two (2) week investigation into illegal narcotics trafficking in the unincorporated area of  the Strathmore area investigators from the Sheriff’s Departments Narcotics Division were lead to a residence in the 19500 Blk of RD 230 where a search warrant was served.  The ensuing investigation and search revealed approximately 6.4 grams of Methamphetamine packaged for sales, 1.7 grams of processed marijuana, scales, packaging materials and indicia related to the sales of illegal narcotics as well as maintaining a residence for illicit narcotic sales. Seventeen (17) Marijuana plants were located as well, growing both indoors and outdoors.
Other subjects were located in the residence as well. All the suspects were booked at their respective Tulare County Jail Facilities for the listed charges and are being held in lieu of bail at this time.
Booking photos for the listed suspects are available through the Main Jail.

S1- Ricardo Lapoyeu,  35 yoa, Out of Southern Calif.
S2-Victor Sautzo, 22 yoa, Out of Los Angles area
S3-Muyuc Adqui, 19 yoa, Out of Los Angles area.
On the above date and time detectives of the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office S.T.E.P. unit responded to the area of the Kaweah River in the 18400 block of Ave. 312 for a report of suspicious activity suspected of being a large marijuana grow in the area near the river.  Upon arrival, detective’s set-up a perimeter around a heavily wooded section of the river bottom and, with the assistance of the Sheriff’s Dept. surveillance aircraft, began a slow methodical clearing of the woods. As detectives located and approached the east side of a large marijuana grow site, three suspects fled out the in the opposite direction into the surrounding berry brambles. The suspects left behind one rifle when they fled out of their camp. Evidence of several additional handguns was later located in the campsite.

Detectives conducted a search of the area and ultimately captured the three above listed suspects hiding in the thick under growth. The subsequent investigation found that they had planted 2,558 marijuana plants in clearings and trails through the berry brambles. A well supplied camp/kitchen area was located on the edge of the garden hidden in a cleared out area under the foliage. Ammunition and a small gas powered water pump were recovered from the camp.  The garden was eradicated without further incident.   If allowed to mature the 2,558 marijuana plants could produce in excess of 5,000 pounds of processed marijuana. Street price for a pound of marijuana in California is in excess of $3,000 per pound. If shipped to the east coast a pound of marijuana goes for several times that amount.

All suspects were charged with cultivation of marijuana, Possession for sale and Possession of a firearm in commission of a felony. S1– Lapoyeu was found to have a felony warrant out of Riverside for Child Endangerment. All three suspects were also found to be illegal immigrants from Guatemala. ICE holds were placed on all suspects in addition to the above listed charges.


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

Narrative:

Suspect: Oscar Cabrera Age. 22 yrs Address: Lindsay

On 04/24/2012 / 1700 hours, Deputies were dispatched to a residential burglary in the 13500 block of Rd. 152.

The reporting party advised that someone had forced entry into their residence and garage while they were away from the residence.

The reporting party reported that miscellaneous jewelry, electronic equipment and two Yamaha quads had been stolen.

During the investigation an officer from the Lindsay Police Department had located and contacted Cabrera in the Lindsay area and found him to be in possession of one of the stolen quads. Cabrera was subsequently arrested and booked into the Tulare County Jail for burglary and possession of stolen property.

The case is under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department. Any one with information regarding this case is asked to contacted Detective Michael Rubalcaba at (24 hours) 559-733-6218 or (7 AM to 5 PM) 559-735-1853.

Suspect:
Jeremy Rocha, age  33 of Visalia

On 4/23/12 at 1100 hrs members of the Tulare County Sheriff's Dept. S.T.E.P. Unit responded to the above listed location for the service of a Search Warrant on a marijuana grow reported by neighbors concerned about their safety. Upon arrival detectives contacted the above listed suspect for service of the warrant. The subsequent investigation revealed that the suspect had a valid medical recommendation; however he was growing over his allowed number of plants. The suspect had a medical recommend allowing a total of 70 medical marijuana plants to be grown. It should be noted that doctors recommending marijuana routinely allow the arbitrary number of up to 90 plants to be grown solely because this is under the 100 plant threshold for federal prosecutions. Even 70 outdoor marijuana plants are able to produce several hundred pounds of usable bud over the course of a season when under the care of a competent grower, clearly in excess of any single persons “medical needs.”

It was also found that substandard electrical work had been done on the residence to facilitate the grow creating a fire danger. This information was reported to Edison for later action. In addition it was found that the grow site was protected in a number of manners, the fencing surrounding the property was topped with razor wire and patrolled by several large Pit Bull dogs, a sophisticated surveillance system was operating which included multiple cameras. The suspect was armed with a semi-automatic handgun. It should be noted that while this is a county address it is in a residential area. At the time of the search warrant service small children were playing in the immediate area.

Detectives counted a total of 93 live growing plants, these plants had been started from clones inside a greenhouse, all were heavily budded and ready for the first harvest. Upon determination of the count being over what was legally allowed, the above listed suspect was detained. He refused to answer any questions about the marijuana cultivation. The amount of marijuana found was clearly in excess of the above listed suspect’s medical needs, he was arrested and booked without incident.

It is an ongoing problem that persons are obtaining medical marijuana recommends from doctors who allow them to grow plants well in excess of their medical needs, then sell the excess to a dispensary or on the street. The above suspect was arrested and charged with cultivation of marijuana and possession for sales. The marijuana bud if allowed to mature would have a street value well in excess of $3,000 per plant.

In addition to the above, the owner of the property was provided notification advising that allowing cultivation of marijuana is a Federal felony. Allowing a renter to do this exposes the property to seizure by the Federal government through  asset forfeiture.

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