Press Release

Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims is asking for the public’s assistance in locating an Auberry man wanted on several charges after eluding deputies during a vehicle stop. Wanted is 33 year old Kevin Ray Ayler.

Yesterday, shortly before 4:00pm, deputies spotted Ayler as he drove a black colored Honda Accord in the 31000 block of Auberry Rd. Knowing that Ayler was wanted on parole violations, deputies initiated a traffic stop on the car as he pulled it into a driveway.

After stopping the car, Ayler got out and ran towards a nearby house. A second subject, 28 year old Bunna Madewell Hochderffer, also got out and ran from the car. Deputies were able to immediately catch and detain Hochderffer. Assisting deputies searched the area for Ayler but he was never located.

During the investigation, deputies discovered a handgun in the car that had been reported stolen during a “hot prowl” residential burglary in Madera County. Several other items of property were also found. Deputies also found a small amount of methamphetamine, pills, syringes, and other narcotics related paraphernalia in the car.

As a result, Hochderffer was arrested for resisting arrest and narcotics related charges.

In addition to the parole violations, Ayler is wanted for possession of stolen property, and several weapons and narcotics related charges.

Anyone with information on Ayler’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office at 488-3111, or CrimeStoppers at 498-STOP(7867). Persons with information on wanted subjects may receive rewards leading to a suspect’s capture, and callers can remain anonymous.

Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims today announced the arrest of a Selma woman and Kingsburg man on several charges in connection with a vehicle theft investigation. Arrested were 27 year old Angelica Rin Gutierrez and 36 year old Anthony Jose Rodriguez.

Acting on a tip, this past Tuesday shortly before 8:30pm, Ag Task Force detectives responded to the area of Conejo & McCall to look for a stolen vehicle. The owner of the vehicle had contacted the Sheriff’s Office two days earlier and reported stolen from his residence located in the 10000 block of E Mt View.

Patrol units assisted and ultimately located the stolen 2003 Saturn, occupied by Gutierrez and Rodriguez. Deputies pulled the vehicle over and immediately detained Gutierrez and Rodriguez.

During the investigation, deputies were able to connect both suspects to the theft of the car. Inside the car, deputies also located a stolen checkbook, forged documents, and a small amount of methamphetamine.

Both Gutierrez and Rodriguez were later transported to the Fresno County Jail where they were booked on charges of vehicle theft, possession of stolen property, forgery and possession of narcotics. Both subjects were also charged with probation violations.

Ulyses Orozco, 18 years

Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims today announced the arrest of an Orange Cove man in connection with the murder that occurred yesterday in the area of 9th & “E” streets in the City of Orange Cove. Arrested was 18 year old Ulyses Orozco.

Yesterday afternoon, deputies had responded to an injured person call. When they arrived, they found the victim, identified as 28 year old Jesus Tapia lying in the street with obvious traumatic injuries. He was transported to Reedley Hospital where he subsequently died as a result of his injuries.

Sheriff’s Homicide detectives working with MAGEC detectives, identified Orozco as a suspect in the murder. He was found at a residence located on 11th St where he was arrested without incident. Orozco was later transported to the Fresno County jail where he was booked on a single charge of murder.

The investigation revealed that Orozco and Tapia knew each other and were involved in an ongoing feud that resulted in yesterday’s incident. Although it was reported yesterday that the murder was possibly gang related, detectives now believe that is not the case.

The cause of death is not being released at this time. An autopsy will be performed today and the case will be forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office tomorrow.

Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims today announced the arrest of two Reedley men in connection with an ongoing child pornography investigation. Arrested were 31 year old Vincent Chavez and 31 year old Samuel Garza.

The three week investigation was conducted by detectives from the Sheriff’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit.

Both Chavez and Garza were arrested yesterday morning at their residences in the City of Reedley. Both were transported to the Fresno County Jail where they were booked on one count each of possession of child pornography. Late yesterday afternoon, both were released from jail after posting a $5000.00 bail.

Chavez and Garza are both employees with the Kings Canyon Unified School District in Reedley. Chavez as a teacher and Garza as a substitute teacher. School District officials were advised of the arrests.

**No photos will be released due to the ongoing investigation**

Fresno County Sheriff’s homicide detectives are currently investigating an apparent murder in the City of Orange Cove.

Shortly before 1:30pm, deputies were dispatched to an injured person call at the intersection of 9th & “E” St in the City of Orange Cove.

Upon arriving, deputies discovered a male subject lying on the ground with obvious traumatic injuries. The injured subject was transported by ambulance to Reedley Hospital where he later died as a result of his injuries.

The initial investigation has revealed that the killing may be gang related.

The investigation is ongoing.

Ramon Dominguez

Detectives from the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office have completed a six month investigation ending in the arrest of the City of Huron Mayor, Ramon Dominguez, for grand theft, filing false documents, and possession of stolen property.

During the investigation detectives discovered that Ramon Dominguez sold real estate that he did not own to a local church organization. (Engliesia Apostolica De La Fe En Christo) The loss to the church organization was $29,500.

Detectives served search warrants at Ramon Dominguez’ residence and at Huron City Hall to recover evidence of the crimes. At City Hall a Notary Book was confiscated as well as Economic Interest forms. Three illegal sawed-off shotguns and two stolen Coalinga-Huron School District laptop computers were located at Dominguez’ residence. Dominguez is a Grounds Supervisor for that school district.

Charges = total bail = $30,000

PC 496 2 counts (Receiving Stolen Property)
PC 115.5 b (filing false statements to notary)
PC 487b (converting real estate / selling property belonging to another)

Sheriff Mims will hold a press conference today at 4:00pm regarding the arrest of Huron Mayor Ramon Domiguez.

The press conference will take place at the Sheriff’s headquarters, 2200 Fresno St in downtown Fresno.

No further information will be released at this time.

Jim Badasci, 46 years

Investigators from the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office have now released the identity of the shooting victim from today’s shooting in Malaga. He has been identified as 33 year old Ralph Oran Wallis of Madera.

The release of Wallis’ identity was delayed due to the fact that investigators wanted to make sure that the Wallis family was notified of his death before learning of it through the media.

A photo of the suspect, 46 year old Jim Badasci of Fresno, is also attached to this e-mail.

Cruz Guizar Jr., 31 years

Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims today announced the arrest of a Fresno man in connection with a burglary that occurred early this morning. Arrested was 31 year old Cruz Guizar Jr.

Shortly before 1:30am, deputies responded to a burglary call at an apartment located in the 5700 block of E. Alta. Deputies arrived and started investigating the break in.

During their investigation, Sheriff’s dispatch received a 911 burglary call from another residence located less than a block away in the 5800 block of E. Alta. The 62 year old female victim told dispatchers that she was awakened and confronted a strange man inside her home. The victim was able to give a good description as deputies responded.

Assisting deputies observed Guizar, who matched the description given by the victim, walking down Alta Ave. Deputies immediately detained Guizar and later found him to be in possession of some items that had been stolen during the first burglary. Guizar was later positively identified as the subject responsible for the burglaries.

Guizar was later transported to the Fresno County Jail where he was booked on charges of residential burglary.

The Fresno County Sheriff’s Narcotics Enforcement Team yesterday located and eradicated a large marijuana growing operation yesterday in eastern Fresno County.

Early yesterday morning, detectives responded to the grow located on private land in the 1000 block of Porter, north of the City of Sanger.

Detectives discovered a sophisticated grow site with just over 1000 mature marijuana plants and over 200 pounds of processed marijuana ready for sale on the street. A camp site set up for several people was also located inside the grow site.

Detectives located the grow site during their investigation of another grow site discovered last Saturday in the same area. During that incident, CDF responded to a vegetation fire located near Porter & Hwy 180. While fighting the fire, CDF realized that the burning vegetation was actually marijuana plants and immediately contacted the Sheriff’s Office. Detectives responded to the site and eradicated just over 400 plants. Investigators believe the fire was set by the persons tending the grow site.

The estimated value of the marijuana from both grows, based on a California DOJ formula, is approximately $6.4 million.

No arrests have been made. However, the investigation is continuing.