Eastern District of California Blog

Feds Arrest 16 Alleged MS-13 Gang Members On Drug Trafficking Charges

"A total of 16 alleged MS-13 members were arraigned Thursday afternoon in U.S. District Federal Court in Fresno before Federal Judge Sheila K. Oberto. They all face charges for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and possession of controlled substances for distribution."  Fresno Bee, 8/30/18

Feds Investigating Former Kings Exec for Embezzling $13.4 Million from Kings' Sponsors

A former top executive of the Sacramento Kings is suspected of siphoning off $13.4 million from two of the team’s top sponsors and using the funds to purchase beachfront property in Southern California, sources have told The Sacramento Bee.

The FBI and federal prosecutors are investigating Jeffrey R. David, 44, the former chief revenue officer for the Kings who currently holds the same position with the NBA’s Miami Heat, for what sources say was a sophisticated money-laundering scheme that allegedly diverted $9 million from the Golden 1 Credit Union and another $4.4 million from Kaiser Permanente Foundation.

Sac Bee, 8/30/18

 

Motorist Sues CHP and Fresno Sheriff's Office in Civil Rights Suit

Scared of law enforcement, Richard Bernier III decided to drive toward his Fresno home on a dark November night, instead of stopping for officers pursuing him.

Once he got near his home, he got out of car and jogged toward it. But before he could make it to the front door, a patrol car drove onto a lawn and ran over his left leg, breaking his foot, according to Bernier’s civil rights lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Fresno.

Writhe in pain, Bernier was unable to stand up, but law enforcement officers still handcuffed his hands behind his back. Then, while sprawled on the ground, the lawsuit says, the officers “took out their batons and began to beat him on his head, face and body.”

Fresno attorney Kevin G. Little this week sued the Sheriff’s Office and California Highway Patrol on behalf of Bernier, accusing them of excessive force, battery and negligence.

Fresno Bee, 8/28/18

Amador County Files Federal Suit Against Drug Manufacturers Over Opioid Epidemic

According to KCRA news,

Amador County has filed suit against more than a dozen drug manufacturers and distributors, alleging the companies are responsible for its opioid crisis.

The county filed the more than 300-page suit in Sacramento federal court Wednesday.

It names makers of drugs like oxycontin and fentanyl and companies that distribute them to patients in Amador County.

The suit accuses manufacturers of deceptive marketing, misrepresenting the risks and benefits of opioids and targeting susceptible prescribers and vulnerable patient populations, among other claims.

Iraqi Isis Suspect Ordered Detained; Further Hearing Set For September 5

The Sacramento Bee reports that the Iraqi Isis suspect arrested last week was ordered detained today and a further hearing on his identity has been set for September 5.

USP Atwater Inmate Death Investigated As A Homicide

According to this Merced Sun-Star story, USP Atwater inmate Juan Flores's death on July 28 is being investigated as a homicide.  The story also notes that authorities now believe that inmate Raul Ortega's death the following day [see my July 31 post] was a suicide. 

ISIS Suspect Facing Extradition to Iraq on Murder Charge Makes Initial Appearance In Sac Federal Court

Per the Sacramento Bee's Sam Stanton (@StantonSam), an ISIS suspect arrested today in Sacramento faces extradition to Iraq on charges that he killed an Iraqi Police Officer in 2014.   This afternoon, Judge Brennan ordered him detained until his next court appearance on Monday.  Here's the initial Sac Bee story.

Battle Over ADA Claims Involving Fresno Restaurant in EDCA Court

The August 8 Fresno Bee has an interesting article over an American with Disabilities Act (ADA) battle involving Zlfred's restaurant in Fresno.  While the initial action in Fresno County has been dismissed, the parties are still litigating the restaurant's racketeering countersuit in Fresno federal court. 

Fugitive Arrested in EDCA Case Alleging 2001 Firebombing of Horse Corral

More than 13 years after being indicted for allegedly firebombing a horse corral at a federal facility near Susanville, a long-sought fugitive in a three-state ecoterrorism case has been arrested and returned to the United States, officials announced Friday.

Joseph Mahmoud Dibee, 50, fled the country more than 12 years ago but was apprehended as he traveled through Central America and Cuba on his way to a planned trip to Russia, authorities said.

Sac Bee, 8/10/18

 

EDCA Court Denies Sacramento County's Motion for New Trial In Shooting Death Case

A federal judge on Wednesday denied Sacramento County’s bid for a new trial to overturn a $6.5 million jury award to the family of a man killed by a sheriff’s deputy in 2012.

But the judge said he was trimming the award by $2 million because the dead man’s father died during trial and his family was not entitled to that part of the money.

The order by U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley came in a wrongful death case brought by the family of Johnathan Rose, an unarmed 24-year-old schizophrenic man who was shot to death by Deputy David McEntire during a confrontation inside the family’s North Highlands apartment.

Sac Bee, 8/8/18