Michael Pack, 32, a prospect with the Modesto Hells Angels Motorcycle Club, has been arrested in connection with an alleged methamphetamine distribution ring. A Department of Justice spokeswoman said that Pack was subsequently arrested after federal agents failed to locate him during a June 25 sweep that netted club president...
Feds Charge Wasco State Prison Guard in Drug Conspiracy
A Wasco State Prison guard and a Minnesota man have been charged with trying to buy 40 pounds of methamphetamine and more than 4 pounds of cocaine. Federal prosecutors on Tuesday charged Joseph Andrade of Bakersfield and Leonard Velazquez-Martinez of Minnesota with conspiracy to possess drugs with intent to distribute...
Modesto Hells Angels President Arrested on Meth Charges
The president of the Modesto Hells Angels Motorcycle Club, his wife, and two others will appear in federal court on Wednesday in Fresno, where they'll face methamphetamine trafficking charges. Charged in a criminal complaint unsealed Tuesday were Modesto residents Randy Picchi, 61, president of the club; his wife Tina Picchi, 51;...
Man Implicated in Killing of DEA Agent ‘Kiki’ Camarena Is Arrested
EL CENTRO — A convicted drug trafficker implicated in the 1985 torture and killing of DEA agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena was arrested in Mexico and returned to California to face a charge of probation violation. Ezequiel Godinez Cervantes, 77, was arrested Wednesday in Mexicali by authorities acting on information from...
Fewer California Youths Are Getting Arrested, but Consequences Are More Serious
It’s hard to believe how fast crime by youths has plunged. In 2007, 237,000 Californians under age 18 were arrested for criminal offenses. In 2017, just 56,000, a decline of 76 percent over the decade. Yet within that sunny trend, a troubling one has emerged: In 2007, just 43 percent of arrested...
Suspect Arrested in Murder of Reputed Mob Boss
NEW YORK — A 24-year-old man was arrested Saturday in the shooting death of the reputed boss of the Gambino crime family, New York City police said. Anthony Comello was arrested in New Jersey in the death of Francesco Cali on Wednesday in front of his Staten Island home, said Chief of...
Police: 'Empire' Actor Staged Attack to 'Promote His Career'
CHICAGO — "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett staged a racist and homophobic attack because he was unhappy about his salary and wanted to promote his career, Chicago's police superintendent said Thursday. Before the attack, Smollett also sent a threatening letter that targeted himself to the Fox studio in Chicago where "Empire"...
Indictment: Ex-‘American Idol’ Contestant Was Drug Courier
NORFOLK, Va. — A recently unsealed court document says a former contestant on both "American Idol" and "Fear Factor" worked as a courier for a drug ring and was trying to deliver nearly 2 pounds (830 grams) of fentanyl when she was arrested last year. The Virginian-Pilot reports 32-year-old Antonella Barba was...
Trump Confidant Stone Is Arrested, Faces Obstruction Charge
WASHINGTON — Shouting "FBI, open the door," authorities arrested Roger Stone, a confidant of President Donald Trump, before dawn Friday in a criminal case that revealed that senior members of the Trump campaign sought to benefit from the release of hacked emails damaging to Hillary Clinton. The seven-count indictment against...
Former Major Leaguer Wetteland Charged With Child Sex Abuse
DENTON, Texas — Former major league pitcher John Wetteland has been charged in Texas with continuous sex abuse of a child under age 14. Denton County jail records show the 52-year-old Wetteland was arrested Monday and freed on $25,000 bond. Authorities have not released details of the investigation into Wetteland,...