On the above date and time frame, Deputies from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office, Porterville Substation responded to a residence in the Terra Bella area regarding a report of a burglary. A computer system, gaming system as well as other items were report stolen with an estimated loss value of $972.

Witnesses provided a description of the suspects and the suspect vehicle.

Deputies located the suspects and the vehicle in the City of Porterville. The stolen property was recovered. In addition to the stolen property, the suspects were found to be in possession of a concealed loaded handgun and concealed knife.

The suspects were arrested and booked at the Porterville Substation.

 Taken into custody were:

The Tulare County Sheriff's Marijuana Suppression Program, which includes staff from the Sheriff's Tactical Enforcement Personnel Unit, have been working diligently on one particular case that has led to numerous search warrants, arrests and eradication of plants being cultivated under the guise of "medicinal marijuana". 

There has been a rise in marijuana cultivation on the valley floor and a noticeable drop in cultivation in the hills and mountainous areas.  When asked why the grow sites have moved to the valley floor, the team sited the loosely written law, the ease of cultivation under the guise of medicinal marijuana, and available water sources in the valley.

"We have been witnessing more and more abuse of the California medicinal marijuana laws.  These groups are hiding behind the loosely written rules and have brought these gardens into communities and back yards without regard for public welfare and safety."

Grow sites in back yards or within agricultural crops are not new to the Suppression Team, but the scale of the grow sites and the loopholes these drug cartels are using with "recommends" are on the rise.  The Marijuana Suppression Team has begun to track grow sites and medical recommends being used within the county. 

"This case alone has used medical recommends for at least two individuals at multiple sites." stated the case lead detective and STEP team member Mike Yandell.  "Some of the people who have recommends posted at these sites, don't even use marijuana or have any idea where the marijuana is being grown.  They were just paid to get the recommend and have no further involvement."

The people who are getting paid for their recommends can be charged with felony conspiracy and cultivation, regardless of their further involvement.  The Sheriff's Office is warning people to stay away from this type of scam.

"If you are approached by someone who would like you to lie to a Doctor who is willing to provide you with a recommend, then pay you for your paperwork, you need to walk away and report the information to your local law enforcement agency. "  Advises Sgt. Jim Franks.

Following the paper trail of recommends found at the grow sites has led to multiple arrests and other grow sites allowing the detectives to connect cases.  In the past week, what started as one grow site in Plainview, has grown in to the eradication of multiple grow sites, numerous search warrants  and arrests on over a 7.5 million dollar operation.   Of the evidence and items seized were at least three vehicles, weapons including illegal assault rifles, over $56,000 in US currency, marijuana pay/owes, packaging materials and evidence showing the marijuana was for sale and not for medical use. The team also eradicated over 2,500 plants and arrested the following individuals in connection with this case:

8-8-2011: all arrested for cultivation, possession and conspiracy
Alexander Hernandez, age 20 of Farmersville
Adrian Hernandez, age 20 of Strathmore
Francisco Sanchez, age 87 of Farmersville

8-11-11: all arrested for cultivation and conspiracy
Jesus Manuel Hernandez, age 29 of Visalia
Salvador Alvarez, age 49 of Farmersville
Martha Castaneda, age 50 of Farmersville

08-15-11: arrested for cultivation and conspiracy
Guadalupe Gutierrez, age 18 of Farmersville
 
8-17-11:  arrested for possession of an assault rifle and obliterating the ID of a firearm
Antonio Gutierrez, age 48 of Farmersville

The Tulare County Sheriff's Office has also looked to the assistance of other county entities to join the marijuana suppression efforts. 

Animal control was notified of the continuous animal health issues that are observed at grow sites.  Dogs are often located at grow sites as they can alert the cultivators of someone's approach or deter intruders.  Most of the animals located are malnourished, unhealthy and living in very poor conditions.

The Agricultural Commissioner’s Office along with Environmental Control was advised due to the number of grow sites being located on agriculture zoned property and the pesticides and chemicals being located. Currently the Tulare County Ordinance states the medicinal marijuana can only be grown in commercial zones, not agricultural or residential areas.  Also, no pesticides or chemicals have been authorized for use on medicinal marijuana.

Code Complaisance has been called in on occasion due to the types of fencing and structures being built at grow sites. The county ordinance calls for medicinal marijuana to be grown indoors with proper ventilation etc.

Child Protective Services has also been put on alert as there have been occasions where children were present at grow sites or homes that are served with search warrants or parents being arrested.

The Sheriff's Office encourages anyone who has information that can help eradicate this type of criminal activity from our county, to please contact your local law enforcement agency.  If you have information regarding non-emergency illegal activity in the county area, you may call or text that information to 559-725-4194 or email tcso@tipnow.com .  Your information is sent anonymously to the Sheriff's Office for processing.

Editor’s note:

Photos from scenes under Case #11-60883 are on the "Tulare County Sheriff" Flikr page at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tularecountysheriff/sets/ 
Five Videos are available under Case #11-60883 on the "Tulare County Sheriff" YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/TulareCountySheriff 
Follow our news blog on twitter at TulareSheriff  http://twitter.com/#!/tularesheriff

Victim Info:
(V-1) male, age 20 from Lindsay
(V-2) male, age 20 from Lindsay

Suspect Info:
(S-1) Birchfield, Brandon, age 19 from Porterville, booked at Main Jail, bail $30,000.00
(S-2) Husted, Hannah age 24 from Strathmore, case being submitted to District Attorney

On 8-16-11, a 20 year-old male responded to the Tulare County Sheriff's Porterville Substation and requested information on continuing training that he had been a part of for the past three months. The young man advised that he was a “Tulare County Junior Deputy”. Sheriff’s staff was not aware of a “Junior Deputy” program and immediately began asking additional questions. 

An investigation by Sheriff’s Detectives revealed that two 20 year old men had been part of what they believed to be a “Junior Deputy Training Program” for approximately three months.  They were provided training by two individuals, one male and one female who were wearing Tulare County Sheriff’s Office uniforms.  The victim’s described the "training" they received as how to conduct traffic stops, handcuffing techniques, pedestrian contacts, hand to hand combat, baton weapon training and various other law enforcement skills. As part of the “training”, the victims were also exposed to OC Spray.  This “training program” was being held at an apartment located in the Porterville area.

During the program the victim’s were also provided a uniform as well as a fraudulent handbook that signified the program being the “TCSO Junior Deputy Training Program”.

Sheriff’s Detectives conducted a search warrant at the Birchfield’s residence.  They located several items including multiple Tulare County Deputy Sheriff uniforms, a complete duty belt with a BB gun located in the holster and the computer utilized to create a false training manual.

Both suspects had been part of the Sheriff’s Explorer program in the past.  Birchfield was terminated from the program in 2006 for possessing Sheriff’s Office equipment not issued to him.  Husted left the program due to exceeding the 21 year age limit.  Neither party worked for the Sheriff’s Office nor, should they have been in possession of the uniforms. 

Birchfield was arrest and booked at the Main Jail for charges of  P.C. 146, 182, 245. Husted is not in custody at this time, and her case will be submitted to the District Attorney’s Office for review.  The investigation is ongoing.

The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office does not have a “Junior Deputy” program.  There are “Junior Deputy” stickers that are disbursed to children during crime prevention events or friendly contacts with deputies.

The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office has an official “Explorer” program for people age 14 through 21.  Information on this program can be located at the following link:
http://co.tulare.ca.us/government/sheriff/volunteers/sheriffs_explorers.asp

The Sheriff’s Office is making contact with all uniform shops in Tulare County advising them to remain diligent in asking for and verifying identification and current employment for purchase of all law enforcement uniforms regardless of how familiar they are with the person.

Interview with Sgt. Chris Douglass is available on the "Tulare County Sheriff" YouTube channel under the title "Fraudulent Jr. Deputy Program" or by following this link:  http://youtu.be/EGauVUQBBOc

Recently The Tulare county Sheriff’s Office was advised of a possible fraud where subjects are posing as family members claiming to have been arrested overseas.  The caller requests money be sent electronically overseas in order to be released from custody and return to the United States.

This fraud appears to target the elderly.  The suspects will make contact only using generic terms like “Hi grandma” or “grandpa” without having to use specific names.  They do not provide their own name until the victim tries to identify the caller with a name of one of their grandchildren they think the caller may be.  The caller will continue to use that name and provide information about a trip taken overseas.  The caller will then hand the phone off to someone they claim is the official requesting the money for bail.

Both parties talking to the victim are part of the fraud. 
The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office recommends the following, should you receive a call requesting money be transferred electronically:

1.  Try to obtain complete information on the person and the company / agency they claim to be from.  Get a telephone number for the caller so you can “call them back”.  (You can provide this information to your local law enforcement agency should you feel it is a fraud.)

2. Contact your family member directly and verify the information.  If they are not available, contact additional family who may be able to verify the location of the family member.

3. Do not provide any personal information to the caller.  This includes your phone number, even though they appear to have called it, your address, social security numbers, date of birth or names of family.

4. If you feel the call is fraudulent, contact your local law enforcement and provide them with as much information that you can.  If you have caller ID, provide the name, number and time of call as well.

There are numerous other types of frauds being run that target people willing to send money electronically.  These cases may try to get people to claim prizes, collect inheritance, sell items that don’t get delivered or services that do not end up performed.

Another type of fraud to be aware of is anyone who overpays for a service with a check.  They will then ask you to cash the check anyway and pay them back with cash. The check is usually fraudulent or has insufficient funds, but will not be noticeable until the money has already exchanged hands.
Please always double check your resources, and never send money electronically unless you are sure of the situation.  When presented with checks to cash, you can take the check to your financial institution to verify the funds.

Contact your local law enforcement agency if you feel you are in a suspicious situation,  or are a victim of fraud.

Video interview with Sgt. Chris Douglass is available on the "Tulare County Sheriff"  YouTube Channel under the title "Fraud Alert" or by following this link:  http://youtu.be/oEzz_Tm0lGk

Narrative:

Charges- 11358 H&S 11359 H&S

Suspect #1- Rodolfo Bravo MH/ 54 yrs Poplar, Ca. Charges- 11358 H&S 11359 H&S

Suspect #2- Juan Jose Bravo MH? 26 yrs Glendale, Az. Charges- 11350 H&S 12280 (b) PC

On August 15, 2011 Detectives from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department Narcotics Task Force received complaints of illegal Marijuana cultivation in the 14400 blk of Rd 191 in the community of Poplar. The detectives located the source of the illegal Marijuana grow and served a search warrant on August 16, 2011 in the 14400 blk of Rd 191. The two listed suspects were contacted at the residence during the service of the search warrant and taken into custody with out incident.

The investigators located approximately one (1) pound of processed marijuana, scales and other indica that indicated the cultivation and possession for sales of marijuana. There were thirty one (31) full grown marijuana plants in the back yard. Also located were prescription drugs without a prescription, one (1) unregistered assault type rifle, and three other firearms.

The investigation revealed that Rudolfo Bravo was involved in the cultivation and sales of Marijuana and was arrested on the listed charges. Juan Bravo was in possession of the assault rifle and prescription drugs and was arrested on the listed charges. Both Suspects were booked at Tulare County Main Jail.

Had the marijuana plants been allowed to mature the street value would have been $124,000.00.

Photos available thru the Main Jail.

Anyone with information is encouaged to contact the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department Narcotics Task Force at (559) 713-2950 or (800) 808-0488.

On Sunday, August 14, 2011 at approximately 0743 hours, a deputy was conducting an inmate check and observed the inmate to be unresponsive.  The deputy called for emergency medical and Lotakoon was transported to a local hospital for an attempted suicide.
 
Lotakoon was pronounced deceased by asphyxiation on 08-14-2011 at 2340.
 
Lotakoon was arrested by the Visalia Police Department on 08-13-2011 possession of a controlled substance.

Suspect:
Jeffery Downing, age 24 of Tulare

On 7-22-11, it was reported to the Tulare Police Department that suspect Downing assaulted his estranged girlfriend by biting and stabbing her.  Her injuries were reported as non-life threatening.

On 8-14-11, at approximately 1745 hours the suspect broke into his parent's residence while they were home and threatened them at knife point, demanding money.  He fled the Visalia residence with cash, a television and their vehicle.

On 08-15-11, at 1122 hours, a Visalia CHP TRATT Officer in an unmarked vehicle, observed the suspect and vehicle northbound on Road 204 south of Avenue 256.  A pursuit ensued, where the suspect traveled westbound toward Visalia on Avenue 256 with speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour.  Due to the potential hazards to the community, CHP terminated the pursuit when he entered the City of Visalia.  Within minutes, the suspect vehicle was located abandoned in the 3400 block of Chatham, Visalia.  A perimeter was established with the assistance of the following agencies; CHP ground and air units, Visalia PD, Tulare PD, Farmersville PD and canine, State Parole and the Tulare County Sheriff's Office.  Two hours later, the suspect was located in the backyard of a vacant residence in the 3200 block of Loyola, Visalia. The suspect resisted arrest and a Taser was deployed by Visalia PD, and was taken into custody.

After medical clearance, the suspect was booked into the Tulare County Main Jail with the following charges; armed robbery, home invasion, carjacking, felony evading, resisting arrest and vandalism.  His bail is currently set at $135,000.00.  Additional charges from other agencies are pending further investigation.

Narrative:

On 8-12-2011 at approx. 1400hrs the victim observed the suspect back up to his garage and remove a Lincoln arc welder from inside the garage. Responding deputies located the vehicle near the City of Porterville and attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle stopped and three suspects fled the from the vehicle into an orange orchard. Adan Garcia 19 YOA was located inside the vehicle and was taken into custody without incident. The stolen welder was located inside the vehicle. Adan Garcia was subsequently booked into the Porterville substation for burglary and possession of stolen property.

The case is currently under investigation by the Tulare County Agricultural Crimes Unit.

Any information contact Detective Mike Hallum 733-6218.

********* MISSING PERSON LOCATED***********

MISSING PERSON-Picture available


NAME:           Edgar Ivan Munoz
Age:             18 years old
HEIGHT:        5'7"
WEIGHT:       140 lbs
EYES:            Brown
HAIR:            Black
TATTOOS:     Of a cross on the right hand
LAST SEEN WEARING:    A white t-shirt, red shorts and brown shoes


On 8/12/11 Edgar Munoz was reported missing by his family members.  He was last seen walking away from his home located at the 1700 block of East Crabtree in the city of Porterville, Ca.  According to family members it is unlikely for him to not return or contact family and they are concerned for his well being.   

Anybody with information regarding the whereabouts of Edgar Munoz is encouraged to contact Detective Maria Lomeli of the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department Violent Crimes Unit at (559) 733-6218.

During a patrol check and Orosi Station Deputy observed a suspicious vehicle and checked the license plate.  The vehicle was identified as stolen.  The driver of the vehicle was also identified as a possible suspect Deputies were attempting to locate for other crimes of the past few months.  A traffic stop was initiated at 1257 hours and the driver, male adult, failed to yeild.  The pursuit continued into Fresno County, Reedly City, Orange Cove and Kings County.  All agencies were notified and assisted with support vehicle and helicopter.  Reedly Police took over the pursuit in their city, with CHP taking over when it returned back into county area.  California Highway Patrol was able to apprehend the driver and a female passenger at approximately 1424 hours. 

Please contact the California Highway Patrol for arrest information and identification.

Suspect: Flores, Esau Age: 30 yrs.

Arriaga, David Juvenal Age: 22 yrs.

On 8-10-11 the Tulare County Inter Agency Enforcement Team (I.N.E.T) consisting of personnel from Exeter P.D., Farmersville P. D., Lindsay P.D., Visalia P.D. Tulare County Probation and the Tulare County Sheriff Department concluded a month long investigation by serving a search warrant in the 100 Block of South "H" Street in the City of Exeter.

Detectives detained several subjects at the residence including a suspect, who had run from the house at the time of the service of the warrant. Detectives located several bindles of methamphetamine and packaging material in the house. Suspect Flores, Esau was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for sales and maintaining a location for sale/use of a narcotic. Suspect Flores was the original suspect that had run from the residence. Suspect Arriaga, was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance.

Both suspects were transported and booked into the Tulare County Main Jail.

This case is still under investigation.

SUSPECT: MARK BOGGESS AGE 46
On the above date and time, Deputies responded to the above listed location in regards to a neighbor problem. After contacting the original complainant, deputies contacted Mark Boggess at his residence. During the contact with Boggess,  deputies discovered an illegal marijuana grow at the location. Boggess was not in compliance with the terms of his medicinal marijuana and deputies attempted to detain Boggess for the violation and further investigation. Boggess resisted arrest and was tased in order for him to be taken into custody.  Boggess was also found to be in possession of .4 grams of methamphetamine on his person when he was taken into custody.

Boggess was booked at the Porterville Substation for HS 11358 (Cultivation of Marijuana), HS 11377 (Possession of a controlled substance), PC 148(a)(1) (Resisting arrest), HS 11364 (Possession of drug paraphernalia).

Case is under investigation by T.C.S.O.

On 08-10-11 at 0245 hours, Deputies were dispatched to a residence located in the 15200 block of Road 208 in Porterville in regards to a shooting.  The (V) stated that an unknown subject(s) fired 12 shots from an unknown type of firearm at the residence.  The (V) stated no one was injured during the incident.
     This case is currently under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department.

Suspect: Stephen Parham age 54

On the above date and time, Deputies contacted Stephen Parham at Plano/Corona. Stephen was found to have two active warrants for his arrest. A search of Stephen’s person incident to arrest revealed .3 grams of a white crystal substance which presumptivly tested positive for methamphetamine and clear glass pipe with an off white powdery residue (Meth pipe). Stephen was booked into Tulare County Jail on his active warrants and drug possession charges.

Suspects:

Johnny Hurst  age 43

Paul Knight age 44

On 8-8-11, at approximately 2225 hours, Deputies with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office were conducting a patrol check at Success Lake Trailer Park and observed a suspicious vehicle parked in front of a residence.  Deputies contacted two adult males at the residence, Johnny Hurst and Paul Knight. 

During the investigation related to the suspicious vehicle, Deputies located a small amount of methamphetamine, as well as narcotic paraphernalia.  Both suspects were subsequently arrested for drug related charges.  Knight was found to be a CDCR Parolee At Large, both subjects were later booked into the Tulare County Jail. Case still under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff Department.