A few weeks ago, the Fresno Police Department put out its end-of-year data on crimes in the city over the last year, and many instances of crime went down from 2017 to 2018. For example, homicides were down 43 percent, there were about a third fewer shootings, and violent crimes …
Read More »This new, high-tech solution could help Merced County curb ag crimes
Merced County law enforcement officials plan to employ a new tool to fight crime that victimizes farms and farmers. It’s called SmartWater CSI, a liquid invisible to the naked eye … Click to Continue »
Read More »Dozens in Merced march so loved ones lost in violent crimes are remembered
Gloria Aguirre stood in the parking lot of Tenaya Middle School on W 8th Street in Merced on Sunday. It was the spot her son was shot to death about … Click to Continue »
Read More »Known gang member charged with sex crimes against Merced girl
A man with gang ties and a drug history has been charged with committing sex crimes against a 9-year-old girl in Merced. Merced police arrested Miguel Ben Guzman Jr., 38, … Click to Continue »
Read More »Loved ones lost to violent crimes to be remembered during Victim Rights ceremony
Courthouse park in Merced this week will be a place for those to remember and honor loved ones they lost due to violent crimes. The Merced County District’s Attorney’s office … Click to Continue »
Read More »Merced man ordered to serve five life sentences plus 270 years for child sex crimes
Angry tears streamed down the faces of parents, aunts and grandparents Wednesday as each stood to face the man who sexually abused two young children from their family, describing him … Click to Continue »
Read More »Former Dos Palos basketball coach arrested in child sex crimes case
A Dos Palos teacher has been arrested on child sex crimes allegations, Dos Palos Police Chief Barry Mann confirmed. Chowchilla resident Craig Michael Branstetter, 43, was booked at 5:07 p.m. … Click to Continue »
Read More »Merced Muslims optimistic despite reports of increased hate crimes
National figures show an increase in the number of hate crimes reported against Muslims, but Islamic faithful in Merced trust that the American justice system will protect them. The FBI’s … Click to Continue »
Read More »Bettencourt sentenced to 8 years, 4 months for child sex crimes
“I was 16 the first time Gary Bettencourt molested me,” a victim of the former Los Banos High Schoolteacher said during an impact statement delivered at a sentencing hearing Friday. … Click to Continue »
Read More »Los Banos teacher convicted of sex crimes with students
A former Los Banos teacher pleaded no contest Friday to more than a dozen felony sex crime charges involving three high school girls beginning more than a decade ago. Gary … Click to Continue »
Read More »Hearing set for ex-teacher turned police officer in sex crimes case
Dusty E. Norris, 37, has pleaded not guilty A preliminary hearing is scheduled Oct. 17 … Click to Continue »
Read More »Los Banos police officer, ex-teacher charged with sex crimes appears in court
Dusty Norris has been charged with having sex with two high school girls Norris was arrested Wednesday He briefly appeared in court Monday, but did not enter a plea … Click to Continue »
Read More »Los Banos police officer arrested on sex crimes allegations
A Los Banos police officer, Dusty Norris, has been arrested this morning on allegations of multiple sex offenses, multiple sources have confirmed to the Sun-Star. The allegations stem from Norris’ … Click to Continue »
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