PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is offering a $ 5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for putting zip ties around the … Click to Continue »
Read More »Merced police make arrest in 2015 homicide case
Advances in technology and forensics led a suspect to confess killing 20-year-old Adrian Ayala more than two years ago, police said. Tyler Saephan, a 22-year-old Merced resident, was arrested Wednesday … Click to Continue »
Read More »Los Banos teacher arrested in child porn case working to bail out of jail
A Los Banos elementary school teacher arrested on suspicion of possessing child pornography plans to post $ 20,000 bail after his arraignment, he said Friday during his first court appearance. Ernesto … Click to Continue »
Read More »Los Banos teacher arrested in child porn case
A teacher working for Los Banos Unified School District was arrested Wednesday night on child pornography allegations, district officials confirmed. Ernesto Avila Cortez, 52, was booked into Merced County Jail … Click to Continue »
Read More »Settlement reached in federal case of Modesto farmer fined $2.8 million for plowing his field
Northern California farmer John Duarte spent years fighting the federal government after being fined for plowing over protected wetlands on his property. He attracted a nationwide army of conservative supporters … Click to Continue »
Read More »Livingston man wanted in bank fraud case captured after footchase
Atwater police twice used a stun gun on a fleeing suspect they said did not comply with their commands, the Police Department reported. Employees at the Merco Bank in the … Click to Continue »
Read More »Opinski, Jones to stand trial in public corruption case in Merced County
Former Los Banos school trustee Tommy Jones and Merced area contractor Greg Opinski were ordered to stand trial Thursday on felony charges, nearly a year after they were arrested in … Click to Continue »
Read More »Former Merced County priest ordered to stand trial in second child porn case
A former priest in Los Banos was held to answer Wednesday on charges of possession of child pornography. For the second time in a little more than a year Robert … Click to Continue »
Read More »Judge rejects defense bid to remove Merced prosecutors from corruption case
A Santa Clara County judge struck down an attempt by defense attorneys to remove the Merced County District Attorney’s Office from a Los Banos corruption case. However, Judge Leslie Nichols … Click to Continue »
Read More »Ex-Los Banos priest charged in second child porn case beaten in jail
A 67-year-old former Catholic priest in Los Banos appeared in court Friday, a day after was beaten in jail by another inmate. Robert E. Gamel, who is facing his second … Click to Continue »
Read More »What’s next for the case in this week’s massive gang take down in Merced?
Local and federal prosecutors will have to evaluate cases against dozens of suspects arrested in connection with raids on Wednesday in Merced County targeting “violent and high-ranking gang members associated … Click to Continue »
Read More »Ex-Los Banos priest facing second child porn case asks for bail in Merced County
Robert Gamel, the former head of a Los Banos Catholic parish who was convicted last year of child pornography possession, appeared in court Friday to answer new child pornography allegations. … Click to Continue »
Read More »Ex-Los Banos priest charged in child porn case in Merced County — again
Less than six months after he was released from jail on a child pornography conviction, the former lead priest of a Los Banos Catholic parish faces new charges. Robert E. … Click to Continue »
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