Narrative:

On 09/18/10, Deputies responded to the 30600 block of Rd 72 regarding a stab wound victim. Upon arriving Deputies located a male adult , later identified as Florentino Acosta, who had suffered from a laceration to his head. Information lead the deputies two a second victim who was located at Kaweah Delta Hospital. During the investigation it was later learned that Acosta was the suspect of the assault on the second victim. Through continued investigation Deputies placed Acxosta under arrest for attempt homicide. Acosta was later booked at the Tulare County Main Jail. The victim is currently listed in stable condition.

The Tulare County Sheriff’s Department is partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration, local governments, community, public health and law enforcement officials in announcing a nationwide prescription drug take-back day in hopes of preventing pill abuse and theft.

Expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs will be collected for destruction from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 25 at sites throughout the country.
This is the first national organized prescription take-back day. The service is free and anonymous.

The Tulare County Sheriff's Department will have four stations where unused prescription drugs can be collected. No appointment is necessary.

Participating sites are:
Sheriff’s Headquarters, 2404 W. Burrel Visalia, Ca.
Pixley Sheriff’s  Substation, 161 N. Pine Pixly, Ca.
Porterville Sheriff’s Substation,  379 N. Third Porterville, Ca.
Cutler/ Orosi Sheriff’s Substation, 41414 Road 128, Orosi, CA

For information please contact Lt. Marsh Carter  559-713-2950

Narrative:

Suspect: Moles, Michael Troy                 Age: 38

On 09-16-10 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 800 Block of West Visalia Road, Exeter.

Detectives searched the residence and located methamphetamine, a small scale and packaging material along with drug paraphernalia. Suspect Moles, Michael was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, possession for sales of a controlled substance,  under the influence of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Suspect Moles was booked into the Tulare County Main Jail with his bail set at

$ 10,000.00.

Detectives from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department South End Investigation Unit  responded to Avenue 55 in Ducor  regarding an Assault with a Deadly Weapon.  The investigation revealed known suspects began throwing bricks and bottles at each other during an altercation. This resulted in injuries in which 3 victim’s were taken to the hospital with minor injuries and later released.

    Detectives later located   5 suspects and they were booked into jail for Assault with a Deadly Weapon.

    The case is currently under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department South End Investigation Unit.  Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact Det. Nathan Polk with the South End Investigation Unit at (559) 757-3527.

Suspects:
(4) Juveniles between the ages of 13 years and 16 years of age.
(1) Adult 18 years of age. (Alfredo Maciel of Ducor)

Inmates and Tulare County Sheriff's Department employees housed at the Tulare County Correctional Center at Sequoia Field will be moved to a nearby facility in conjunction with a capital project to replace an aging natural gas distribution system, the Tulare County Board of Supervisors announced today.

Tulare County Board of Supervisors Chairman Steve Worthley said the facility was constructed in the late 1930’s and early 1940’s and the county has maintained the system and made needed repairs over the years.

"In light of the recent events in San Bruno, Tulare County has decided to take a more proactive approach by completely replacing the gas lines to ensure the safety of the inmates and county staff," Chairman Worthley said.

According to the County Administrative Office, all natural gas lines will be shut off to the facilities until the project can be completed. The new distribution system will serve the site well into the future. The project is expected to take approximately six months to complete.

During the next few days, approximately 240 inmates currently housed at the site will be moved to the nearby Pre-Trail Facility. Sheriff’s Alternative Work Program and Day Reporting Center functions will also be relocated to the Pre-Trial Facility. Anyone needing specific information regarding inmate visiting or programs may call the Pre-Trial Facility 559/735-1750.

According to the Sheriff’s Department, all inmates should be moved to alternate facilities by Sunday. In addition to the detention functions, Sheriff’s staff assigned to the site, which includes detective and administrative personnel, will be relocated to alternate facilities.

On 9/15/10 at 1200 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 the foothill and mountain area of Tulare County near Balch Park. These investigations culminated in two days of eradication operations during which four marijuana gardens containing over 19,700 live growing marijuana plants. These plants were fully budded and ready for harvest. If harvested the marijuana would have a street value in excess of $78,808,000. In addition to the marijuana plants several firearms and ammunition were also recovered in the sites.

The grow sites were found to be using natural creeks and springs which had been dug out and dammed up to create large reservoirs, into which fertilizers were added, then distributed throughout the grow sites with a drip irrigation system. Several hundred pounds of fertilizers, pesticides and rat poisons were also found at the various sites. As part of the ongoing Operation Trident these sites will be reclaimanted in the near future in an attempt to put the land back into a natural state.

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 from individual grow sites are as follows.

Pine Creek #1 - 3227 plants eradicated
Pine Creek #2 - 6598 plants eradicated
Tracy Flat - 5399 plants eradicated
Bear Creek - 4478 plants eradicated

Involved parties (1) juv male, age 17 (2) Jacinto Gomez age 58 of Lindsay, (3) Geoustin Craven age 32 of Lindsay

Deputies responded to the area of Rd 244 and Ave 216 in regards to report of shots heard and located a juvenile male who was bleeding from the head. The juvenile provided some information prior to becoming unconscious and being transported to the hospital.

Detectives were called to investigate the incident. Detectives were advised a subject had contacted the Sheriff's Office stating his son was involved in an altercation where shots were fired and a second location in the area may have been involved.

Detectives had discovered residences in the area have medical marijuana grows along with documentation. These locations had not been disclosed to the Sheriff's Office prior to the incident. Detectives are investigating the incident to determine if the marijuana grows are involved.

The victim of the shooting was listed in critical condition.

Detectives from the Violent Crimes, Narcotics and Forensic Investigations units are currently working on the case.

This is a preliminary report and will provide updates as they become available.

If anyone has any information regarding the incidents please contact the Sheriff's Office at 800-808-0488.

S-1 Redmon, Melba 53 YOA Lindsay Ca Charges Receiving Stolen Property, Child Endangerment, Possession of a controlled substance
S-2 Bankhead, Rebecca 21 YOA Lindsay Ca Charges Possession of a Controlled Substance Child Endangerment
S-3 Flynn, Bryan 38 YOA Lindsay Ca Parole Violation 

 On the above date and time Detectives from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office, CLEU, INET and Farmersville PD conducted two search warrants located at the 1100 block of Maple and the 14800 block of Ave 236 in Lindsay. The search warrants were a result of a six week joint investigation. Upon serving the search warrants Detectives located an undetermined amount of stolen property ranging from antique signs, coins, tools and construction equipment.
 
 Located at the 34800 block of Ave 236 in Lindsay was an undetermined amount of Methamphetamine. The Methamphetamine was located and determined accecable to juveniles in the home.

 The case is currently under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office North End Investigations Unit. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Gary Marks at (559) 733-6218 or (559)735-1856.
    

NEWS ITEM

Case Number- 10-80283 to 10-80289

Crime- Possession of a Controlled Substance/Possession of Marijuana/Possession of a Controlled Substance For Sale/Possession of Marijuana For Sale/Under The Influence of a Controlled Substance/Driving Under the Influence/Felon In Possession of a Handgun/4 Felony Warrants/10 Misdemeanor Warrants

Date and Time Occurred- 9-9-10 to 9-11-10

Victim- State of California

Taken into custody were:

Narrative: Detectives with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Gang Violence Suppression Unit conducted routine patrol in the towns of Visalia, Traver, Ivanhoe, Cutler, Orosi, Farmersville, Exeter and Three Rivers. During their contacts, detectives arrested 13 people for various Penal Code, Vehicle Code and Health & Safety Code violations. Detectives also seized a handgun, marijuana and methamphetamine.

1. Garcia, Michael 25 years Orosi Felony Warrant

2. Rua, Erica 22 years Cutler 11377 HS, 11550 HS/ Misdemeanor Warrant

3. Rebellero, Amador 23 years Traver 11357 HS, 14601 CVC

4. Belman, Ramiro 26 years Ivanhoe 23152 CVC/ Misdemeanor

5. Sanchez, Giovani 20 years Traver Felony Warrant

6. Mendez, Jose Manuel 36 years Orosi 2 Misdemeanor Warrants

7. Torres, Felipe 40 years Orosi 2 Misdemeanor Warrants

8. Zepeda, Roxanne 24 years Orosi Misdemeanor Warrant

9. Taylor, Isiah 23 years Visalia 11378 HS, 11359 HS, 12021 PC

10. Rivera, Clarissa 22 years Visalia 11378 HS, 11359 HS/ Misdemeanor Warrant

11. Huerta, David 21 years Visalia 11550 HS

12. Garcia, Donaciano 26 years Visalia 3 Misdemeanor Warrants

13. Gordon, Robert 53 years Exeter 2 Felony 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)

Suspect: Wilson, Matthew 28Yrs.

On 09-10-10 at approximately 1916 hrs, Deputies responded to the 5800 block of Denver Ave. in New London, regarding a domestic violence case. Upon arrival the suspect, Matthew Wilson, fled the scene on foot, leading the Deputy in a foot pursuit. The Deputy apprehended the suspect after deploying his Taser. Upon searching the suspect, the Deputy discovered a loaded 357 Magnum revolver on his person, in addition to a bag of methamphetamine, a smoking glass pipe and marijuana. The suspect was arrested for domestic violence, possession of a loaded firearm, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of methamphetamine’s and resisting arrest. The suspect was booked into the Tulare County Main Jail.

Case Status: Active

Arrested:  Richard Tamez age 38 of Visalia

During an approximate 5 month investigation to verify his whereabouts, Sex Registrant Richard Tamez was arrested in the Visalia area. Tamez had not been forthcoming of his new residence to authorities. He was arrested and booked on felony charges of failing to update registration and failure to register at a dual address. He was arrested and booked at Main Jail without incident.

Case is currently under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office. If anyone has information you are encouraged to contact Detective Jason Wall with the Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement @ 559-735-1888.

The SAFE team is grant funded by the California Emergency Management Agency.

On 09/05/10, deputies responded to a call regarding a subject that had been assaulted during a gathering. On arrival, deputies discovered the victim had been stabbed. The victim advised he had been attacked by three to four men. The Tulare County Sheriff’s Violent Crimes Unit responded and conducted the investigation. The victim was transported and admitted to a local hospital and is being treated for his non- life threatening injuries.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Det. Cesar Fernandez at the Violent Crimes Unit (559) 733-6218 or (800) 808-0488

Detectives with the Tulare County Sheriff Department’s South County Gang Violence Suppression Unit, Tulare County Sheriff Department’s Community Based Officers, Tulare County Probation, Porterville Police Department, California Highway Patrol, Dinuba Police Department, Tulare Police Department, Tulare County District Attorney Investigative unit and US Marshals conducted a series of warrant, probation and parole searches in a high profile suppression operation in the South county towns of Porterville, Strathmore, Poplar, Woodville, Terra Bella, Ducor and Richgrove areas.

During the operation Porterville patrol received a service call regarding a drive by shooting that just occurred in the 20900 block of Ave 8 Ave in the town of Richgrove. Detectives were just arriving in the area and quickly responded. The suspect was located and taken into custody without an incident.

Agents involved in the operation attempted to stop a vehicle in the area of Union and Villa for a traffic violation. The subjects discarded several plastic bags of narcotics out of the vehicle window and attempted to flee on foot. They were quickly apprehended. One of the subjects had a loaded firearm in his waistband. All the subjects were validated gang members. Also during the operation a wanted high risk sex offender was located. It was discovered that this subject had removed their electronic monitoring device.

As a result of the gang operation conducted, approximately forty gang members identified and thirty one people were taken into custody, on the below listed charges.

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

Taken into custody were:

1) Steven Viveros 18Yrs.      Strathmore resident

Charges: 246, 245, 186.22/ PC/ shooting in a dwelling/assault with a deadly weapon/gang enhancement

2) Robert Gomez 34Yrs.        Richgrove resident

Charges: 246, 245, 186.22/ PC/ shooting in a dwelling/assault with a deadly weapon/gang enhancement

3) Jose Alvardo 23 Yrs.          Porterville resident

 Charges: 11377 H&S/ Possession of narcotics

4) Jose Ruelas 23 Yrs.           Terra Bella resident

Charges: 11550 H&S/ under the influence

5) Tomas Juarez 45Yrs.          Terra Bella resident

Charges: Outstanding warrants

6) Karla Gudino 28 Yrs.           Porterville resident

Charges: 11377 H&S/ possession of narcotics/outstanding warrants

7) Anthony Cobarruviaz 24Yrs. Porterville resident

Charges: Outstanding warrants

8) Samuel Sierra 29Yrs.           Porterville resident

Charges: 11550 H&S/ under the influence / possession of narcotic parphernaila

9) Male Juvenile 15Yrs.            Porterville resident

Charges: Outstanding warrants

10) Michael Federighi 47 Yrs.    Strathmore resident

 Charges:14601 VC/suspended license

11) Ralph Yorba 22 Yrs.            Porterville resident

 Charges: 23152 VC/ driving under the influence

12) Anthony Ignacio 19 Yrs.       Lemoore resident

Charges: 11550 H&S/ under the influence

13) Manuel Soto 25 Yrs.            Porterville resident 

Charges: 11377 H&S, 3056 PC/ Possession of narcotics/ Parole violation

14) Johnnie Ramos 25Yrs.         Poplar resident

Charges: 647 (f)/ under the influence

15) Cindy Roberts 49Yrs.           Poplar resident

Charges: Outstanding warrants

16) Sherri Daniel 38 Yrs.            Porterville resident

Charges: 3056 PC/ Parole violation/Outstanding warrants

17) Sergio Estrda 30 Yrs.           Porterville resident

Charges: 23152 VC/ driving under the influence

18) Rene Rodriguez 21 Yrs.       Delano resident

 Charges: 11377 H&S,/ Possession of narcotics

19) Steven Rodriguez 23 Yrs.     Terra Bella resident

Charges: 11377, 11379 H&S,/ transportation and Possession of narcotics for sales

20) Guadlupe Lira 38Yrs.           Lindsay resident

Charges: Outstanding warrants 

21) Luiz Roa 30 Yrs.                 Terra Bella resident

 Charges: 23152 VC/ driving under the influence

22) Armando Ceballos 26 Yrs.   Porterville resident

Charges: 11379, 11370.1 186.22/ PC/transportation and Possession of narcotics for sales/ possession of firearm //gang enhancement

23) Christian Tapia 22 Yrs.       Porterville resident

Charges: 11379, 11370.1 186.22/ PC/transportation and Possession of narcotics for sales/ possession of firearm //gang enhancement 

24) Mason Navarro 18 Yrs.       Porterville resident

Charges: 11379, 11370.1 186.22/ PC/transportation and Possession of narcotics for sales/ possession of firearm //gang enhancement

 25) Richard Guzman 28 Yrs.   Porterville resident

Charges: 11379, 11370.1 186.22/ PC/transportation and Possession of narcotics for sales/ possession of firearm //gang enhancement

26) Male Juvenile 15Yrs.         Terra Bella resident

Charges: 148 PC/ resisting and delaying

27) Male Juvenile 16Yrs.         Terra Bella resident

Charges: 148 PC/ resisting and delaying

28) Male Juvenile 16Yrs.         Terra Bella resident

Charges: 148 PC/ resisting and delaying

29) Male Juvenile 17Yrs.         Terra Bella resident

Charges: 148 PC/ resisting and delaying

30) Male Juvenile 15Yrs.         Terra bella resident

Charges: 148 PC/ resisting and delaying

31) Male Juvenile 17Yrs.         Strathmore resident

Charges: 12101 9a)/ violation of probation/ possession of ammunition

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) 

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