FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – A Visalia man will spend the rest of his life in prison for killing his girlfriend’s son.

The crime took place back on March 21st of 2013, when 34 year-old Trevor Jim Bishop was living with his girlfriend, and taking care of her two children; 3 year-old Jimmy Horton and another female toddler.

In a statement, the District Attorney for the County of Tulare, Tim Ward, says Bishop told authorities he found Jimmy unconscious in his bedroom, and took him to Kaweah Delta Urgent Care, where doctors discovered that Jimmy had severe bruising over his torso and genitals.

He never regained consciousness and was cared for by his father, until he died 11 months later.

At the trial, the DA’s Office says evidence showed a pattern of abuse – the child suffering blunt force trauma to the head and brain swelling.

On April 27, 2017, a Tulare County jury convicted Bishop of one count of second-degree murder and one felony count of assault on a child causing death.

On December 14th, in Tulare County Superior Court, Judge Joseph Kalashian sentenced Bishop to 25 years to life in prison.

Click below to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:

[Photo: KMPH]

FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – A suspect in the “Tackle Box” gas station robbery and murder has been arraigned.

Madera County District Attorney, David A. Linn, announced that Savirant Singh Athwal, 24, of Fresno, was arraigned Tuesday December 19th in Madera Superior Court for the murder of Dharampreet Singh Jassar.

He pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, second degree robbery, and a special allegation for murder while in the commission of a robbery for the November 14th killing.

Athwal is the second suspect in the Tackle Box murder case. His cousin, 21 year-old Armitraj Singh Athwal (below) is the other suspect.

The Court has ordered Athwal to remain in custody in the no-bail case. The potential punishment is life without the possibility of parole, or death.

A pre-preliminary hearing takes place January 4th, while a preliminary hearing was also set for January 12th.

FRESNO, CA (KMJ) -Charges are filed against 21 year-old Gary Perry for the double murder at Woodward Lake.

The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office has charged Perry in the shooting deaths of 21 year old Brennen Fairhead (above) and 21 year-old Scott Gaffney (below).

Both men were from Fresno – the two were gunned down on December 14th in the Woodward Lake Community.

Perry will be arraigned Wednesday, December 20th for their murders – the DA could seek death penalty

FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – Around 200 people’s ATM card info has been stolen, in what Fresno Police think is an organized crime ring.

Sergeant Brian Rogers from Fresno PD’S financial crimes unit says the victims were robbed between Friday and Monday.

The suspect is believed to be working with a group out of Glendale in Southern California.

Police say avoid using older gas pumps that may not have chip card readers, and use your credit card instead of your debit card.

Sgt. Rogers said the man they’re looking for could be driving a black Chevy Impala with yellow plates and a white Chevy Equinox with “Allen Gwynn” dealership plates.

If you see the suspect vehicle, call Crime Stoppers at 559-498-STOP.
Click below to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:

[Photo: KMPH]

FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – A massive operation goes down Wednesday to crack down on gangs in Fresno and Clovis.

Fresno and Clovis Police along with Fresno Sheriff’s deputies and SWAT working together in the early hours the morning of December 20th to find and arrest gang members.

Search warrants were served at a number of locations.

Police Chief Jerry Dyer says four people were brought into custody, while 11 more were outstanding.

Two arrests were made at 1220 N. Abbey at a recording studio.

One of the people brought in was wanted for attempted murder.

[Photo: KMPH]

Six firearms were seized, six more were seized earlier as part of the investigation. A thousand rounds of ammo were also confiscated.

The suspects will be facing state charges

Click below to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:

FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – The Fresno Sheriff’s Office asking for surveillance video to figure out who killed a Fresno woman and her mother.

On December 11th, 55 year-old Jennifer DuPras and her Mother, 88 years-old Cynthia Houk were found dead in their home on the 6200 block of Colonial.

Fresno Sheriff’s Spokesperson Tony Botti says they need surveillance video from residents in the area.

They are making requests to those who own traditional digital cameras and Ring doorbell cameras. Detectives are focused on streets surrounding the area in which the crime took place. This includes cameras facing streets in the following locations.
– Palm Avenue (between Bullard Avenue and Sierra Avenue)
– Sierra Avenue (between Palm Avenue and Maroa Avenue)
– Maroa Avenue (between Sierra Avenue and Bullard Avenue)
– Bullard Avenue (between Palm Avenue and Maroa Avenue)

Homicide detectives are asking residents and business owners to contact them if they have any surveillance video saved on their electronic devices that was recorded between Saturday, December 9th and Monday, December 11th.

Contact sheriff’s dispatchers at (559) 600-3111.

FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – A 25-year-old Porterville man is now being accused of molesting two girls under the age of ten

Giovanni Emmanuel Ruiz is being held in custody of the Tulare County Sheriff in lieu of $600,000 bail and immigration hold.

Police say he molested a nine-year-old in November 2015 and a different nine-year-old in 2012.

Police say based the two investigations coupled with the two-year window of time, and believe there may be other victims who have not come forward.

If you, or someone you know, may potentially have been victimized by this suspect, you can contact Detective Wayne Martin or Detective Sergeant Rick Carrillo at (559) 782-7400.

[Photo of bullet mark courtesy: KMPH]

FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – Someone is shooting randomly at vehicles in the Central Valley -and the reward to catch them has been increased to $3000 dollars.

So far, there have been ten shootings in rural areas of Fresno and Madera counties and no pattern to where the next might occur.

Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims is now appealing to the public for assistance to find the shooter.

The suspect vehicle is described as a dark colored pickup – with an extended or lifted body and oversized tires.

Valley Crime Stoppers offering the reward to anyone who can help identify the person responsible.

Their number is 498-stop.
Click below to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern – and a 911 call – just released by the sheriff’s office that captures the exchange between dispatchers and the victims in a vehicle.

FRESNO, CA (KMJ)- A former marine from Modesto arrested Friday by the FBI for allegedly plotting a Christmas Day attack at San Francisco’s Pier 39.

Everitt Aaron Jameson is charged with one count of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization.

He appeared in a Fresno courtroom on Friday.

According to court documents, Jameson had several online interactions with a confidential source, expressing support for the October 31st terrorist attack in New York City and offering his services for “the cause.”

If convicted, Jameson faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – One suspect has been arrested, but Hanford Police continue to look for for the two others involved in deadly hit-and-run on Christmas night.

At around 8:45p.m. on December 25th, Hanford Police say 32-year-old Raymond Romero Jr. was on 11th Avenue when his SUV was t-boned by another SUV crossing the intersection with Hume. Police say Romero Jr. was killed in the incident.

A 29-year-old pregnant woman and three children inside Romero’s SUV received life-threatening injuries – she had to have a c-section. No word on the baby’s condition. Three children also inside the vehicle were injured. Hanford Police continue to search for two suspects. They have been identified as 21-year-old Abraham Chavez and 18-year-old Zoe Barrios.

If you know their whereabouts you are asked to call Hanford Police at 559-585-2540. Click here to donate to the GoFundMe for Raymond Romero Jr.’s family.

FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – A New Year brings a new name and new ownership for the 59-acre River Park Golf Center.

Back in October, they announced on Facebook they would be closing their facility after 19 years in business.

On Wednesday, River Park Golf Center announced a change of plans.

They posted on their Facebook page saying they will shut down as a business on December 31st as they planned, but then on January 12th, the facility will open its doors as a new business called ValleyGolf Center.

Valley Children’s had purchased the property in September. In a press release on Wednesday, Valley Children’s said “the golf facilities on property recently acquired by the Hospital will continue operations under new ownership effective January 12, 2018.”

LPGA Teaching Professional Cindy Vining will be the new owner.

Valley Golf Center is officially taking applications for employment. Applications or questions can be sent to Gary Green at gazzagolfer21@yahoo.com.

FRESNO, CA (KMJ) –  A baby is born in the aisle of a Fresno meat market.

It happened at about 7:30 Tuesday night at the El Parian Neighborhood Market.

The birth captured on store surveillance cameras.

Employees tried calling 911, but nobody initially answered… and the baby wasn’t waiting.

Within just a couple of minutes the baby come out, with the butcher catching the newborn and cutting the cord.

Some fears when the baby came out purple – over the phone 911 dispatch told them to warm the baby up, and paramedics arrived.

Mother, Erica, and her child are now doing just fine.

FRESNO, CA (KMJ) –  Two people are arrested on Christmas after a traffic call led to a honey oil lab in Tulare.

Tulare Police say 22 year-old Thomas Sousa and 23 year-old Salina Sousa were found possessing several items containing cannabis.

At the suspects’ house in the 400 block of Haven police found a butane honey oil lab and more cannabis-laced products including food, candies, lip balms, soaps, and tea.

The suspects were booked into the Tulare County Pretrial Facility on charges of marijuana for sales, transportation, and manufacturing/operating a butane honey oil/butter lab.

FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – Madera Police are are actively searching for a 50 year old man suspected in a Christmas Day murder.

Estevancio Goldsmith was shot to death around 4:30 am Christmas morning on the 1000 block of Clinton Street.

Investigators have named 50 year old Anthony Barnett as the suspect.

Police say Barnett is from Madera, he has a military background, and has worked in the past at the city’s post office.

He is considered armed and dangerous, and police are asking him to turn himself in.

Anthony Barnett is 50yrs. old, 5’9” 160 lbs, with black hair and brown eyes.

The is a warrant in the system for a million dollars bail for his arrest.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Madera Police Department at 675-4220 or Crime Stoppers at 498-STOP.

Click below to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:

FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – A Modesto man accused of planning a Christmas terror attack in San Francisco will remain behind bars>

Everitt Aaron Jameson appeared in Fresno federal court Thursday, December 28th for a detention hearing.

The judge decided to keep the 26 year-old behind bars on basis of danger.

The suspected ISIS sympathizer was sent back to the Fresno County Jail where he’s been held without bail since December 22, when he was charged with one count of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization.

Jameson is accused of plotting to use a tow truck and explosives to carry out an attack on San Francisco’s Pier 39 on Christmas Day.

He was arrested after FBI agents posed as terror operatives and held discussions with him online.

The FBI says Jameson was inspired by the terrorist attack on Halloween in New York City, and by the 2015 San Bernardino attack that left 14 people dead.

Jameson’s preliminary hearing is set for January 5th.

If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison.

Click below to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:

FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – Fresno County Sheriff’s detectives arrest one of two men wanted in a carjacking case involving field workers.

On December 18th, two men were working in a vineyard near the intersection of Chestnut and American Avenues were approached by two armed men, demanding they hand over their wallets, cell phones and car keys.

The two suspects fled. Fresno Police located their stolen getaway car, and a day later located 39 year-old Mirko Butkovic of Fresno by Highway 180 and Van Ness.

Inside the vehicle they found a pound of marijuana, some meth, and a loaded handgun.

Detectives later served a search warrant at Butkovic’s home on the 600 block of E. California Ave. and found evidence linking him to the robbery and carjacking.

Butkovic was booked into the Fresno County Jail on felony charges of robbery, carjacking, possession of a firearm by a felon and drug possession.

The second suspect is still at large.

Anyone with information call Valley Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-7867.

Click below to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:

FRESNO, CA (KMJ) -A Fresno Police officer has turned in his own brother in connection with a body found in the Northeast on New Year’s Eve.

Cody Sanders is now facing one charge of felony hit and run following the crash at Herndon and Millbrook.

The body of 33 year old Kong Yang was found in the bushes on Monday night.

Investigators say the officer was aware that his brother was involved in an incident but he didn’t know he’d hit someone.

The 22 year-old suspect was booked into Fresno County Jail.

Sanders is now out on bail.

FRESNO, CA (KMJ) Rodeo Hall of Fame legend and Sanger resident Wilber Plaugher has died, after living a long and colorful life.

Plaugher’s longtime friend and country-western musician Jack Hannah called him “the greatest living cowboy.”

Grandson Reverend Nic Pope says he was a Valley icon.

“He was such a superb rodeo athlete, so he was mainly known for being a rodeo clown, where he could fight bulls, jump over bulls’ heads but he was also an incredible horseman. So he was a champion bronc rider, bareback rider, and he was also a champion steer wrestler. He had at one time held the record for steer wrestling.” – Nic Pope, Grandson.

Plaugher was born in Ohio and moved to the Central Valley at six. Later, his career took him all around the world.

Pope says his grandfather wore many hats; rancher, rodeo clown, camp bullfighter, bulldogger, and actor – seen on the Daniel Boone TV show, and in Bus Stop with Marilyn Monroe.

“He is absolutely a legend. A legend in the Central Valley. He is a Rodeo Hall of Fame cowboy, really the last of the greatest American cowboys.” – Nic Pope, Grandson.

Plaugher was married 69 years with four kids. Pope says his grandfather died Tuesday, January 2nd at the age of 95 of natural causes.

 
Click below to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:

FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – A resident of the Fresno Veterans Home has tested positive for legionella infection.

Legionella is a bacteria that can cause a pneumonia-type illness called Legionnaires’ disease and a mild flu-like illness called Pontiac fever.

The patient is being treated at the VA hospital. It’s not known yet if he was exposed to legionella at the Veterans Home.

Officials at the Fresno Veterans Home say they are taking preventative measures to protect staff and residents, including hyperchloronating the water system and providing bottled water to staff, residents and visitors.

The Fresno Veterans Home has not been locked down but staff is following the Fresno County Department of Public Health’s recommendation to limit the activity of residents to prevent further exposure and the spread of the flu.

Additionally, residents are encouraged to wear a mask any time they leave facility, to avoid exposure in the community.

CDC: Legionella is a type of bacterium found naturally in freshwater environments, like lakes and streams. It can become a health concern when it grows and spreads in human-made water systems like: showers and faucets, cooling towers (air-conditioning units for large buildings), hot tubs that aren’t drained after each use, decorative fountains and water features, hot water tanks and heaters, large plumbing systems.

FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – Shooting a gun in the air on New Year’s lands one Fresno man behind bars.

The Fresno Police Department is using shot spotter to locate people who didn’t heed their warnings.

Around 3:00 Wednesday, January 3rd, Southeast Officers served a search warrant at 4226 E. Lane where 7 rounds were detected by ShotSpotter being fired during New Year’s Eve.

Fresno Police say the suspect, Ruben Espinoza, was found to have shot nearly 40 rounds into the air during his intoxicated celebration.

The weapon Espinoza used was not initially located during the search warrant, but was recovered later by officers at another location and seized.

Espinoza was booked into the Fresno County jail for the felony charge of negligently discharging of a firearm.