Page 2 - Dinuba Sentinel 10-18-18 E-edition

A2 | Thursday, October 18, 2018 Dinuba man charged
with killing cellmate
News
The Dinuba Sentinel
Sheriff's detectives discover
large marijuana processing plant while serving arrest warrant
Sentinel staff report
On Oct. 5 a 71-year-old male was found dead in his cell at the Tulare County Adult Pretrial Facility. Now a Dinuba man, the victim’s cellmate, has been charged with his murder.
Huan Pedro Mercado
The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office announced on Friday that Huan Pedro Mercado, 32, of Dinuba has been charged with the homicide of Joe Souza, 71, of Visalia.
Souza was found unresponsive in his cell nearly two weeks ago. When discovered, deputies, along with medical staff, immediately administered first-aid to Souza, but were unsuccessful and pronounced him dead at the scene.
Detectives say because there were no outward signs of physical trauma to Souza, an autopsy was conducted. After the autopsy, performed on Oct. 9, the cause of death was ruled a Homicide by Blunt Force Trauma to the Head.
According to the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office, Souza and Mercado had been cellmates at the Adult Pretrial Facility since Sept. 23 of this year. Detectives say they interviewed all inmates in the module and say none recalled a fight or disturbance in the module involving Souza and Mercado.
Detectives also say surveillance footage shows inmates walking around their dayroom with no indication of any issues.
All reports were provided to the Tulare County District Attorney, who in turn charged Mercado, determining that the victim lost his life at the hands of his cellmate.
Mr. Souza’s family was contacted and made aware of the cause of death.
The motive for the murder is still under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at 733-6218. Anonymous information can be sent via text or email to (559) 725-4194 or tcso@tipnow.com.
Contributed
Sentinel staff report
Multiple arrests have been made after Tulare County Sheriff’s Detectives discovered a large illegal marijuana cultivation and honey oil lab while serving an arrest warrant in Dinuba.
According to the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office, detectives served an arrest warrant on Oct. 12 for Macial Zepeda, 43, of Dinuba in the 42000 block of Road 72. While serving the warrant, detectives say they discovered concentrated cannabis throughout the inside and outside of the house, as well as a non- active Honey Oil Lab.
After an extensive search of the property, detectives reportedly found 30 pounds of processed marijuana, including some bags inside a baby’s crib. They also located 145 marijuana plants, drug paraphernalia, scales, and other items associated with the sales of marijuana.
Arrested at the scene was Sandra Gomez, 36, of Dinuba. She was booked on charges of Child Endangerment and Possession of Controlled Cannabis.
Guadalupe Cardenas, 62, of Dinuba was
Lights &Sirens
also contacted at the scene and was arrested on a non-related felony arrest warrant for Criminal Threats. They were booked at the Tulare County Adult Pretrial Facility.
Detectives were also looking for 56-year- old Santiago Cardenas of Dinuba for questioning on the case. He was located the following day when Dinuba Police officers responded to a suspicious person call. Officers turned him over to Tulare County Sheriff TAGNET Detectives who then questioned him regarding the case.
Cardenas was arrested and booked into the Tulare County Adult Pretrial Facility on charges of Manufacturing a controlled substance, Marijuana cultivation, Possession of marijuana for sale, Maintaining a place to sell narcotics and Child endangerment.
As for the suspect the detectives were serving the warrant on, Zepeda remains at large.
Anyone with information regarding the investigation is encouraged to call the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at 733-6218. Anonymous information by way of email or texts can be sent to TCSO@tipnow.com or (559) 725-4194.
Cutler man arrested for child porn
Sentinel staff report
Dinuba Police incident calls in the last week.
Monday, October 8
• A red three-wheel bike was reported stolen in the 1100 block of North Villa Avenue at 12:05 a.m.
• Five dogs were running around loose in the 1300 block of East El Monte. They were reported at 7:54 a.m.
• Vandalism to a vehicle was reported in the 200 block of East Merced Street at 12:23 p.m.
• Vandalism to a vehicle was reported in the 700 block of Newton Drive at 12:32 p.m.
• An abandoned dog was tied to a tree at KC park. It was reported at 2:21 p.m.
• A pitbull tried to bite a juvenile in the 600 block of East Princeton Avenue at 5:22 p.m.
• A "bunch of females" were causing a public disturbance in the 900 block of West El Monte Way at 6:15 p.m.
• Three shots were heard near the apartments in the 900 block of North Villa Avenue, followed by the sound of a vehicle speeding off. It was reported at 10:46 p.m.
• A noise complaint for loud music was reported in the 400 block of Alice Avenue at 10:50 p.m.
Tuesday, October 9
• A vehicle struck a pedestrian in the intersection of North Way and Hayes avenues at 7:41 a.m.
• Several transients were reported behind a business in the 200 block of South Uruapan Avenue at 8:30 a.m.
• A license plate was reported stolen in the 110o block of Park Way at 3:08 p.m.
• Theft was reported in the 700 block of West El Monte Way at 4:27 p.m. The suspect was described as a Hispanic male wearing a brown hat, a gray shirt, light blue jeans and black boots.
• A noise complaint for loud music was reported in the 600
block of Davis Avenue at 6:14 p.m.
• A noise complaint for a barking dog was reported in the 2000 block of East Park Way at 11:38 p.m.
Wednesday, October 10
• Suspicious vehicles were reported in the 900 block of South College Avenue at 9:26 a.m. Four vehicles were parked near some trash cans with subjects in a white van appearing to be dressing.
• A noise complaint for loud music was made in the 1100 block of Cara Road at 3:11 p.m. Officers returned at 4:39 p.m. for a report of loud music and subjects yelling.
• An unattended two-year old girl was found in the area of Sierra and Crawford avenues at 4:41 p.m. The girl was reportedly wearing a long sleeve white shirt and a diaper.
• Suspicious subjects were reported in the area of Lillie Avenue and El Monte Way at 11:39 p.m. Subjects were reportedly making a lot of noise and trying to start a fire.
Thursday, October 11
• An IPhone 7Plus was reported stolen at 9:49 p.m. The incident reportedly occurred the previous day in the shoe department of Walmart.
• A reckless driver was reported in the area of Englehart Avenue and El Monte Way at 12:18 p.m. A big white garbage truck reportedly ran vehicles off the roadway.
• A dumpster diver was reported in the 1300 block of West Adelaide Way at 4:55 p.m.
• A suspicious subject was reported in the area of Viscaya and Rosemary at 7:34 p.m. A then male wearing a bandana over his face was being verbal with people driving by.
• A trespasser was reported in the 200 block of Lindara Avenue at 9:36 p.m. A subject reportedly went into a residence and spent the night.
• Shots fired were reported in the 1100 block of South Randle Avenue at 11:34 p.m. About five shots were heard in the area.
• A commercial fire was reported in the area of Avenue 416 and Road 104 at 11:57 p.m.
Friday, October 12
• Vandalism was reported in the 700 block of West El Monte Way at 7:27 a.m. The front door to Little Cesar's was kicked in, shattering the glass.
• Bad checks were reported in the 100 block of East Tulare Street at 12:38 p.m. A subject was reportedly trying to pass bad checks via an ATM machine.
• Trespassers were reported in the 300 block of South M Street at 6:22 p.m. Kids were reportedly seen playing inside a boarded up home and the front door was open.
• A suspicious subject was reported in the area of Davis and Crawford avenues. A male subject on a bike, wearing a white shirt and black shorts, reportedly seemed to be following people.
• A noise complaint for loud music was reported in the area of College and Whittaker avenues at 9:14 p.m. The complaint was reportedly for loud subjects at a church.
• A suspicious subject was reported in the 100 block of North McKinley Avenue at 11:56 p.m. A male and female were reportedly hiding behind a vehicle in the driveway of a vacant house.
Saturday, October 13
• Suspicious subjects were reported at Rose Ann Vuich Park at 12:46 a.m. Four to five subjects were reportedly moving benches at the park.
• A noise complaint for people being loud was reported in the 2000 block of East Olive Way at 3:44 p.m.
• Money was reported stolen in the 1800 block of East El Monte Way at 5:07 p.m. The suspect was reportedly the victim's brother.
• Subjects were seen inside the dumpster behind Open Gate in the 100 block of South L Street making a mess. It was reported at 6:25 p.m.
• A trespasser was reported in the 900 block of Eaton Avneue at 9:59 p.m. A subject was reportedly inside a white house that is believed to be vacant.
• Shots fired were reported in the 100 block of East North Way at 11:37 p.m. Four shots were heard in the area.
• There were six noise complaints on the evening of Oct. 13., all for loud music.
Sunday, October 14
• A residential burglary was reported in the 200 block of South Crawford Avenue at 1:47 a.m.
• A suspicious subject was reported in the area of Dickey Park at 5:21 p.m. A male subject was reportedly seen carrying what appeared to be a weapon.
• Four noise complaints were made on the evening of Oct. 14. Of the four, three reports were for loud music. The other report was for a barking dog in the 1100 block of East Davis Drive.
Sentinel staff report
A Cutler man has been arrested after having been found to be in possession of child pornography, said the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department.
Octaviano Alejandro, 48, was arrested on Thursday, Oct. 11 after Tulare County Sheriff’s Detectives responded to the
Octaviano Alejandro
12400 block of Avenue 406 in Cutler to serve a search warrant regarding the possession of child pornography.
There, detectives say they found multiple videos of child pornography and arrested Alejandro. He was booked into the Tulare County Adult Pretrial Facility and bail was set at $70,000.
The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Cybercrimes & Forensic Investigation Unit conducted the investigation, and was assisted by the Fresno Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at 733- 6218 and contact Detective C. Franks, or send anonymous information by sending a text or email to TCSO@tipnow.com or call (559) 725-4194.
Publisher - Fred Hall Advertising - Debra Leak Editor - Rick Curiel Vol. CIX, No. 37
Established 1909 - Published every Thursday
145 South L Street, Dinuba, CA 93618-2324, (559) 591-4632 How to subscribe: Call (559) 591-4632. Subscriptions are $25 a year in Tulare County, $29.50 in California, $31.50 elsewhere in the United States.
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The Dinuba Sentinel was established on Feb. 11, 1909, then succeeding the Orosi Offer which was established on April 21, 1902, and on Jan. 15, 1917, the Dinuba Advocate. The latter, when established, absorbed The Traver Advocate, which was established Oct. 9, 1875. The Kingsburg Sentinel, which was established on Feb. 20, 1947, consolidated with the Dinuba Sentinel on Aug. 28, 1951. Reaffirmed as a legal publication under California statute and Tulare County Civil Code No. 19523 on April 2, 1928.
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Street
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641 10th Avenue Kingsburg
While serving an arrest warrant at a Dinuba home, Sheriff's detectives found 30 pounds of processed marijuana, including some inside a baby's crib.
015704
HEADSTONES - MONUMENTS - GRANITE - BRONZE
Bertha Sheklian
Bertha Sheklian, a resident of Visalia, died October 13, 2018. She was 98.
She was a homemaker.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 21 from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. at Dopkins Funeral Chapel. Funeral service will be held on Monday, October 22 at
11 a.m. at St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church in Yettem.
Surviving family include two sons, two daughters and a grandson.
Dopkins Funeral Chapel handled the arrangements.
Linda Sue Tyler
Linda Sue Tyler, a resident of Kingsburg, died October 9, 2018. She was 74.
She was a secretary.
A graveside service was held on Tuesday, October 16 at Smith Mountain Cemetery.
Surviving family members include two brothers.
Dopkins Funeral Chapel is handled the arrangements.
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