Keep Bailing

In Fresno this week a gang crackdown was started by the Fresno Police Department where more than 100 people were arrested and are now facing a variety of charges.  Due to the weekend violence police officials are saturating the area in this ongoing crackdown.

Police Chief Jerry Dyer sent out orders to start looking for drugs and guns in a Fresno neighborhood that is known for gang activity.  The gang activity sweeps started after one man died on Saturday, and two more people were shot in a double homicide on Sunday morning at Poppy and Grove avenues.  A 16-year-old boy, who was also found dead amongst these weekend killings, was reported as having an AK-47 assault rifle.

During this sweep of gang activity there have been approximately 108 people arrested.  There were also six search warrants served and 55 arrested on felony charges.

The Fresno Sheriff’s office said it was unclear as to how many of those arrested are still in custody as they do not track people released in these gang sweeps due to overcrowding.

Fresno’s homicide numbers for the year are currently at 20 people, after adding the weekend killings.

Fresno, CA — There’s one less early release for Sheriff Mims. This one actually made bail, but maybe he’ll get lucky down the road.

A Fresno County jail correctional officer who she explains has been charged and jailed for embezzlement.  Alfonso Alanis, 28 was arrested by Fresno County Sheriff’s detectives at approximately 8:20 a.m. on Tuesday. His bail was set at $50,000.

The drama unfolded and Read more »

Fresno, CA – Budget cuts in Fresno County may lead to the early release of 500 inmates, according to Fresno County Sheriff, Margaret Mims.

The 100 inmates released on Tuesday were reportedly near the end of their sentences or awaiting sentancing. All of them were incarcerated for low-level crimes having to do with narcotics possession and theft.

On Feb. 8th, the layoff of 69 correctional officers has amounted to the shut down of three floors at the Fresno County Jail.

According to a federal consent decree, Read more »

Fresno County Jail was holding 19 year old Jose Alfredo Reyes on one count of auto theft. Highway patrol had arrested him and booked him in to the jail on a Sunday. Reyes was released early because the Fresno jail was overcrowded. He is now sought after for a double homicide that happened three days later.

Wednesday, following Reyes’ release, Read more »

Overcrowding leads to early release of inmates and questions from city officials…

It’s argued by some that Sheriff Margaret Mims was in violation of the law when she released 72 inmates from jail early due to overcrowding at a Fresno Jail facility. The city argued that there were enough beds for the inmates.

Sheriff Mims was doing what a Federal decree said she could do: release inmates early when the jail had reached its capacity. However, Fresno County officials disagree and the city has launched a lawsuit. The battle between Mims and the Fresno Police Department is ongoing.

Fresno is not alone in early release. Early release is common across the state of California in order to Read more »