Year-long murder investigation ends with Pixley man behind bars
In March of 2018, detectives from the Violent Crimes Unit began a murder investigation after a man was found dead in a vehicle in the 700 Block of south Oak Street in Earlimart. Investigators identified the victim as 28-year-old Rogelio Gerardo Lopez of Earlimart. An autopsy report on Lopez determined the cause of death to be a single gunshot wound to the upper torso. Detectives from the TCSO Violent Crimes Unit have now completed a year-long investigation into the death of Lopez and found evidence identifying 30-year-old Jose Luis Garcia Hernandez of Pixley as the person responsible for the murder. Hernandez was arrested on March 20, 2019 for murder and booked at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Adult Pre-trial Facility.
This case remains active and is currently under investigation. Anyone with information about this crime is encouraged to call Detective Gregory Burns or Sgt. Gary Marks with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Violent Crimes unit at (559) 7336218. Or they can remain anonymous by calling or texting (559)725-4194 or through email at tcso@ tipnow.com. Tulare man arrested following 3-month child pornography investigation
On Thursday, March 21 around 7:30 p.m., detectives from TCSO’S Cyber Crimes Unit, in conjunction with the Fresno Regional Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, completed a three-month investigation and executed a search warrant in the 300 block of Sacramento in Tulare.
A tip generated from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) prompted the investigation that led to Eduardo Gonzalez Reyes being taken into custody for possession and distribution of multiple files of child pornography.
Reyes was booked on an unrelated warrant and for possession of child pornography at the Tulare County Adult Pretrial Facility.
The case remains active and anyone with more information is urged to contact Sergeant Bobby Saldana and/ or Detective Benjamin Quintana at the TCSO office at 1-800-808-0488 or anonymously at tcso@ tipnow.com. Two shot in Cutler
On Thursday, March 21 around 11:35 p.m., Tulare County Sheriff Office (TCSO) deputies
were called to the 12900 Block of Sierra Ave in
Cutler for a report of several people being shot. Deputies arrived on scene and were told both victims had been taken to the Cutler Fire Station looking for help.
On scene, deputies found two victims. One had been shot in the upper torso and the second had been shot in the lower torso. Both victims were taken to local area hospitals.
TCSO detectives determined both victims had been shot while standing in front of a home in the 12900 Block of Sierra Ave in Cutler. A motive for the shooting is still unknown and no suspect information is available at this time. One victim remains at a local area hospital in stable condition, while the other victim has been treated and released from the hospital.
This is still an ongoing investigation anyone with information on this case is encouraged to contact Detective Greg Burns with TCSO at (559) 733-6218 or they can remain anonymous by calling or texting (559)7254194 or through email at tcso@tipnow.com. Man who jumped into St. John’s River still missing
After jumping into the St. John’s River in Visalia Thursday morning, Andrew Joseph Sedillo still has not been found. Crews were unable to find Sedillo Thursday, and had to stop searching around 5 p.m.
Friday morning, the TCSO Search and Rescue Team and Swift Water Rescue Team were back out at the river searching.
They continued their search from Ben Maddox to Dinuba Blvd. and onto Plaza Drive drive. Aerial searches by drone or airplane were also included.
Sedillo’s family remains in contact with TCSO for updates on this case.