For The Madera Tribune Joshua David Kemper. The Madera County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division has concluded a months-long investigation into allegations of sexual abuse involving a 15-year-old female victim and a local pastor, identified as Joshua David Kemper, 47, of Coarsegold. The investigation began on July 28, after a report was filed by church officials in Coarsegold. Detectives learned that Kemper, who served as a pastor at the church, had been engaging in ina

The Madera County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division was recently contacted by the Davis County Sheriff’s Office in Utah regarding an investigation into aggravated sexual exploitation and online communication with a minor believed to have occurred in Madera County. Through a coordinated investigation, detectives identified 65-year-old Bass Lake resident Matthew William Pressly as the primary suspect. On October 24, Madera County Sheriff’s Detectives, in collaboration wi

Madera County Sheriff’s Office detectives served a residential search warrant in the 400 block of Hull Avenue, Madera.  During the execution of the warrant, detectives located approximately 332 grams of cocaine and heroin, approximately 14 grams of methamphetamine, a loaded firearm, ammunition, cash, and drug packaging material.  30-year-old Madera resident, Ajejandro Herrera, was arrested for the sale of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, being a felon in possession of a fire

For The Madera Tribune Albertano Peralta performs a sobriety test for Madera Police Department officer Jose De La O on Saturday. Prelate was found to be nearly three times over the legal limit. The Madera Police Department was hard at work last week.  MPD Officers made three separate arrests involving illegal narcotics possession, driving under the influence of alcohol, and a wanted felon who attempted to flee from officers on October 25. During a prowler call, Brandon Black,

For The Madera Tribune Madera County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue officers tend to an injured dirt bike rider on October 12. The Madera Sheriff’s Communications Center received a 9-1-1 text from an Apple iPhone regarding an injured dirt bike rider on October 12. The brief text provided location coordinates and the patient having an injured back. Corporal Christopher Williams was in the area and responded to the location.  Further, Madera Sheriff’s Search and Rescue, CHP

Chowchilla Police Officers were dispatched to the 400 block of South 1st Street for a report of a drive-by shooting with a victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the face.  During officer’s response on October 25, the victim was driven by car, from family to the area of the police department.  He was given emergency medical attention and transported to the hospital. Officers were able to get witness statements and identify a suspect vehicle. Utilizing the department’s Licen

For The Madera Tribune Chief Thomas “on duty” throwing snow balls. There are times in the history of a town when some things just do not make sense. Every once in a while a city’s leaders take off in a direction that defies logic. Such was the case in 1950, when the Madera City Council wanted to shake up the police department. The councilmen shook it up all right, but in the process, they ended up on the short end of the stick. Walter Thomas was the Chief of Police in Madera

Nancy Simpson/The Madera Tribune Nick Esqueda is surrounded by fellow firefighters in Madera, as they were honored by Madera Sunrise Rotary Club last week. Madera Sunrise Rotary Club honored local firefighters at its meeting last week, and gave its Humanitarian Award to a special firefighter, Fire Captain Nick Esqueda of Station 56, selected by fellow local firefighters. The Club contacted the Fire Chief’s office to ask them to select a first responder in the fire department