Page 5 - Mid Valley Times 10-31-19 E-edition

Thursday, October 31, 2019 | A5 | Mid Valley TiMes
Reedley man convicted in federal court on drug, gun charges
MVT Staff Reports
A federal court jury last week convicted a Reedley man on drug and gun charges related to an April arrest in Reedley.
On Oct. 23, Netzahual- coyotl "Netz" Cerna, 40, was found guilty of a single count of carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, be- ing a felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute metham-
phetamine. The two-day trial took place at federal court in Fresno.
Cerna, a convicted felon, had been arrested for parole violations in the 1000 block of C Street in Reedley during a warrant search. He was in possession of a loaded gun and approximately 121 grams (4.3 ounces) of methamphetamine.
In evidence presented at the trial, Cerna admitted to law enforcement officers that he intended to sell the meth
to make money, and he was was carrying the firearm for protec- tion because gang mem- bers were trying to tax his drug proceeds.
Netzahualcoyotl "Netz" Cerna
nations including $100 bills, ac- cording to police.
Members of Reedley police's Adult Compliance team were involved in the arrest along with the Cali- fornia Parole Apprehension team and officials from the Drug Enforcement Admin- istration. The investigation and arrests were part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program, bringing togeth- er all levels of law enforce- ment and the communities
they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighbor- hoods safer.
Cerna is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd on Jan. 27, 2020, according to U.S. At- torney McGregor W. Scott. He faces a sentence of 15 years to life in prison and a $10 million fine, but the actual sentence will be determined at the dis- cretion of the court after con- sideration of federal sentenc- ing guidelines.
In addition to the gun and drugs, Cerna was in possession of currency in various denomi-
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posed vehicle in the 100 block of Academy Av- enue.
• Identity theft of a driv- er’s license was reported in the 1700 block of 7th Street.
• Forged checks were passed at a business in the 1800 block of Acad- emy Avenue.
• An arrest was made in the area of 11th and N streets in regard to a hit- and-run traffic collision. • A mental health re- port was taken in the 100 block of Faller Avenue.
• An arrest was made in the 200 block of Academy for possession of drug paraphernalia.
• A narcotics violation ar- rest was made in the 2700 block of Jensen Avenue. • A DUI arrest was made in the area of Academy Avenue and 5th Street.
Saturday, October 26
There were 87 calls for service and 2 traffic cita- tions were issued.
• A probation search was conducted in the 400 block of J Street.
• An arrest was made in the 900 block of Harrison Avenue after a probation search was conducted.
• An arrest was made in the 900 block of Harrison Avenue after a second probation search resulted in a warrant arrest.
• A vehicle burglary was reported in the 1400 block of Rawson Avenue. • A license plate was re-
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Monte and Vermont Av- enue at 9:32 p.m.
Saturday, October 26
• An unwanted person was reported in the 200 Block of Gloria Ave- nue at 3:09 a.m. A male subject was reportedly knocking on a window.
• An assault was report- ed in the 300 Block of West Cypress Avenue at 12:46 p.m.
• Theft was reported in the 700 Block of West El Monte Way at 9:20 p.m.
MELVILLE Continued from page A2
thanked many city lead- ers, officials and volun- teers in general.
Melville then thanked two people in particular. He fought back tears as he thanked his wife, Pam Melville, who died in June 2018 after a long battle with cancer. He thanked her for "encour- aging me to take this on."
Dale also recognized the efforts of Marge Gobby, who helped push for the design and cre- ation of the parkway.
"Marge was the one who really pushed the council hard and we were able to get a 3-2
ported stolen in the 800 block of 3rd Street.
• A mental health re- port was taken in the 100 block of Faller Avenue.
• A DUI arrest was made in the 2100 block of Ster- ling Avenue.
• An arrest was made in the area of Greenwood and Cherry avenues for being in possession of burglary tools.
• A subject was arrest- ed in the 600 block of N Street for being in pos- session of a methamphet- amine pipe.
Sunday, October 27
There were 85 calls for service and no traffic ci- tations were issued.
• Petty theft was report- ed in the 1900 block of 3rd Street.
• Petty theft was report- ed in the 2900 block of Hannah Avenue.
• A domestic disturbance was reported in the 400 block of O Street.
• A narcotics violation arrest was made in the 3500 block of Academy Avenue.
• A DUI arrest was made in the area of Newmark and North avenues.
• A battery report was made in the 800 block of Tucker Avenue.
• A disturbance was re- ported in the 1500 block of Edgar Street.
• A robbery was reported in the area of Fairbanks and Jenni avenues.
• A DUI arrest was made in the area of Academy and Jensen avenues after a traffic collision.
Sunday, October 27
• A noise complaint was reported in the area of Heather and Rosemary at 12:12 a.m.
• A non-injury traffic accident was reported in the Block of 1400 West El Monte Way at 11:32 a.m. • Vandalism was report- ed in the 1300 Block of North Euclid Avenue at 11:55 a.m.
• A vehicle was burglar- ized in the 1300 Block of East Davis Drive. It was reported at 12:32 p.m. •Ahitandrunwasre- ported in area of Avenue 430 and Road 76 at 3:35 p.m.
vote to move the park- way ahead," he said. "Without her encour- agement and support, it wouldn't have happened.
Melville thanked the community for its fi- nancial support. In ad- dition to the many state and federal grants the project received, about $100,000 in private dona- tions also supported the parkway.
"[This] community money to put in bench- es, plaques, drinking fountains, bike racks and other amenities," he said. "The community of Reedley has taken on this project and en- dorsed it, and I'm glad I could be a part of it."
George M. Villagrana / Mid Valley Times
A mock-crash occurred on the north end block of South J Street near Dinuba High School the morning of Oct. 28. The simulation was part of the Every 15 Minutes anti-DUI program.
Every 15 Minutes visits Dinuba
Program returns to Dinuba High School after 6-year hiatus
By George M. Villagrana
Mid Valley Times
On Oct. 28, the city of Dinuba police and fire departments along with Dinuba High School con- ducted a simulated drunk driving collision as part of the Every 15 Minutes program. The mock col- lision took place just outside the
high school.
The program — which dem-
onstrates to high school students the impact of drinking and driv- ing has on friends, families and their community — returned to the campus after a six-year hiatus, according to School Re- source Officer Mark Wilder. Wilder, along with Erin Tobias, helped coordinate the event.
Students arrived to see a re- alistically simulated traffic colli- sion involving an impaired driver and injured victims, all student
actors. The simulation has first responders re-enact the after- math of a fatal car accident and arrest a student, who was driving while intoxicated.
Students then were escorted to the auditorium for the conclu- sion of the program that included a video of what transpired and a guest speaker, Carla Pearson, of Bakersfield. Pearson, whose son was killed in a drunk-driving crash in 2002, is a victim services spe- cialist for Mothers Against Drunk Driving in Kern County.
New Dinuba officers sworn in
The Dinuba Police Depart- ment welcomed two new officers and an officer pro- moted from reserve police officer during a special swearing in ceremony at the Dinuba City Council meeting on Oct. 22. Offi- cers Alejandro Vera Cruz, Juan Pinedo and Roberto Hernandez Jr. all were sworn in by Mayor Kuldip Tusu during the ceremony.
ABOVE LEFT: Officer Ale- jandro shook hands with Police Chief Devon Popo- vich after being promoted to full-time duties.
LOWER FAR LEFT: Officer Juan Pinedo's wife, Stella, pinned his badge on after he was sworn in on Oct. 22.
LOWER NEAR LEFT: Officer Roberto Hernandez Jr. is hugged by his father, Ro- berto Hernandez Sr., after he was sworn in.
George M. Villagrana / Mid Valley Times