Eastern District of California Blog

Fresno Jury Acquits Two, Returns Mixed Verdicts for Two Others

After a three-week trial before U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd in Fresno, a jury returned verdicts on four defendants who faced charges involving helping Paulo Virgen Mendoza avoid capture after the shooting death of Newman Police Cpl. Ronil Singh.  The jury convicted two defendants (Erik Quiroz Razo and Conrado Virgen Mendoza) of one count of conspiracy to aid and abet flight to avoid prosecution but acquitted on the other charges against them; the jury also acquitted the other two defendants, Maria Luisa Moreno and Erasmo Villegas Suarez, on all charges.  Paulo Mendoza faces a December 10 preliminary hearing in state court.  Modesto Bee, 10/1/19

Two Recent Fresno Jury Verdicts

On May 9, 2019, a Fresno jury found the defendant guilty of six counts of methamphetamine and sex trafficking offenses in United States v. Chavez, No. 1:17-CR-0198-LJO.

On May 7, 2019, a Fresno jury found one defendant guilty of attempting to kill an Atwater correctional officer and another defendant guilty of assault on a correctional officer in United States v. Mota, No. 1:18-CR-0035-LJO.  Four other defendants pled guilty to aggravated assault in the case.

EDCA Jury Awards $4.75 Million to Family of Man Shot By Fresno Police

A federal jury on Wednesday awarded $4.75 million to the family of a 45-year-old man who was fatally shot by Fresno police in 2015.

The family of Casimero “Shane” Casillas sued the city over his death. In its lawsuit it alleged that Fresno police Officer Trevor Shipman violated Casillas’ civil rights by using excessive force when he confronted Casillas on Sept. 7, 2015.

The jury reached its verdict in U.S. District Court in Fresno after two days of deliberations.

Fresno Bee, 3/6/19

 

Excessive Force Federal Trial in Fresno Jury's Hands

After three days of testimony and nearly a dozen witnesses, an eight-member jury in U.S. District Court must now decide whether former Fresno police officer Trevor Shipman used excessive force when he shot and killed 45-year-old Casimero “Shane” Casillas.

Casillas’ family filed a civil rights lawsuit against the City of Fresno alleging his death was the result of negligence when he was fatally wounded by Shipman on Sept. 7, 2015, after trying to elude police.

Closing arguments were presented Friday from attorneys representing the city and Casillas’ estate. The family is being represented by William Schmidt of Fresno and Dale Galipo of Southern California.

Fresno Bee, 3/2/19

 

Fresno Civil Rights Trial Started Yesterday

Three years after Casimero “Shane” Casillas was shot and killed by a veteran Fresno police officer, the slain man’s family hopes to prevail in its civil rights lawsuit against the city.

The civil trial began Monday in U.S. District Court Judge Anthony Ishii’s courtroom. Casillas’ relatives allege Officer Trevor Shipman used excessive force, and violated Casillas’ civil rights.

The family also claims the Fresno Police Department was negligent when officers tried to arrest Casillas.

Fresno Bee, 2/27/19

 

Fresno Jury Convicts FCI Mendota Inmate Of Mailing Threats To Alaska Federal Judge

On Wednesday, a federal jury in Fresno found an inmate at FCI Mendota guilty of three counts of mailing threats to kill an Alaska federal judge.  See United States v. Braswell, No. 1:18-CR-0034-DAD.

Fresno Jury Convicts USP Atwater Prison Cook of Drug Charges and Taking A Bribe

Yesterday, a Fresno jury convicted a USP Atwater prison cook of conspiring to provide inmates with drugs, attempting to possess drugs with the intent to distribute, and taking a bribe in United States v. Bruce, No. 1-17-CR-077-DAD.

Guilty Verdict on Charge of Threatening to Assault a Federal Judge

After a four-day trial, a Fresno jury returned a guilty verdict Friday on a charge of threatening to assault a federal judge in United States v. Shults, 1:17-CR-0136-LJO.

Fresno Jury Convicts Man of Synthetic Marijuana Conspiracy

On July 13, 2018, after a month long trial, a Fresno jury convicted a man on all counts for a conspiracy to manufacture and distribute synthetic marijuana, e.g. "spice," in United States v. Way, No. 1:14-CR-00101-DAD.

Jury Convicts Fresno Couple of National Guard Recruiting Fraud

U.S. Attorney McGregor Scott announced Monday that a federal jury found Jimmy Maldonado, 37, and Mayra Maldonado, 31, guilty of wire fraud in a plot where they illegally obtained payments from a military recruitment program.  [No. 1:14-CR-109-LJO]

Fresno Bee, 1/29/18