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Department of Justice announces data breach

The Madera County Sheriff’s Office has been made aware of a recent data breach by the California Department of Justice that has made public the personal information of California’s citizen concealed weapon (CCW) permit holders.


In an effort to maintain transparency, MCSO is issuing this notice to make community members aware and provide appropriate support. Though the data breach compromised a state run database not maintained or owned by Madera County or the Sheriff’s Office, the office’s feel they have a responsibility to inform residents about this egregious situation.


According to a statement issued by the Department of Justice, the incident exposed the personal information of individuals who were granted or denied a concealed and CCW between 2011-2021. The DOJ breach included, but was not limited to, the names, birth dates and ages, drivers license numbers, and addresses of individuals who hold CCW permits in California.


At this time, it is not believed Social Security numbers or any financial information were disclosed as a result of this event. It appears that before the breach was detected by DOJ, the information was copied and at least some portion of it was posted on the internet.


“A security breach of this magnitude is both disconcerting and disappointing,” said Madera County Sheriff Tyson Pogue. “I share the frustration and anger of our residents that this information was not adequately safeguarded. I am deeply concerned about any potential risks this might expose our law abiding citizens too. I would like to assure our community members that we will be following the progress of this investigation closely and doing all that we can to mitigate any impacts to anyone who may be affected by this incident.”


DOJ will be issuing a “Consumer Alert” directly to consumers advising of the breach and providing details about how impacted CCW holders can obtain assistance from DOJ in mitigating the damages that may result from the breach.


DOJ asks that anyone who accessed such information respect the privacy of the individuals involved and not share or disseminate any of the personal information.


In an abundance of caution, the Department of Justice will provide credit monitoring services for individuals whose data was exposed as a result of this incident. DOJ will directly contact individuals who have been impacted by this incident and will provide instructions to sign up for this service.



Deputies make wire arrests


While driving through Oakhurst, Madera County Sheriff’s Office deputies noticed a column of smoke coming from a wooded area near Victoria Lane and State Route 41.


The deputies traced the origin of the smoke to an encampment occupied by two adult females early Saturday morning.


While on scene, the deputies noticed large sections of plastic wire sleeves and several feet of cut copper wiring on the ground. Upon further inspection of the campsite, six electric car charging handles were located that matched charging cables that were recently stolen from a nearby electric vehicle charging station.


MCSO Detectives were notified and the investigation is ongoing. Both females were booked into the Madera County Jail on charges of possession of stolen property.


“I applaud the quick response of Corporal Williams and Deputy Murphy,” Madera County Sheriff Tyson Pogue said. “Thanks to their proactive efforts, valuable stolen property was recovered and a potentially significant fire danger was circumvented.”

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the MCSO at 675-7770.


Drowning at Eastman Lake


The Madera County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a missing 13-year-old female at Eastman Lake over the weekend.


Immediately, MCSO Deputies along with Search and Rescue Volunteers, Sheriff’s Dive Team, California Highway Patrol Helicopter H-40, Army Corps of Engineers Rangers, Cal-Fire and Pistoresi Ambulance personnel responded the area to locate the young girl Sunday at 5 p.m.


During search operations, the female was located approximately 25 yards offshore in the water. Rescuers swiftly recovered the patient and performed life saving measures.


Unfortunately, despite the work of first responders, she was pronounced deceased at the scene.


MPD makes robbery arrest


Madera Police Officers responded to reports of multiple robberies at cellular businesses in the downtown area.


The suspect in the Friday morning robberies was 21-year-old Leonel Ambriz Camacho, who utilized an imitation semi-automatic gun to force the businesses to surrender more than $900 before fleeing the county.


Later in the day, Madera California Highway Patrol officers conducted a vehicle stop on a speeding vehicle, unbeknownst to them, that was later identified as the Camacho’s vehicle involved in the city robberies. According to the highway patrol, Camacho was traveling a high rate of speed going north on State Route 99, near the Ellis Street overpass. The CHP attempted to make a stop on the SUV, and the driver attempted to evade. The CHP finally overtook the SUV and took Camacho into custody.


Thanks to great communication, the Madera law enforcement agencies were able to place the suspect in custody and connect him to these and other robberies and a carjacking reported out of the Sacramento area.


Madera CHP and Madera Police Department combined their efforts in this investigation.

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