Latest news with #ValleyCrimeStoppers
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man in jail on suspicion of sexually assaulting two minors, deputies say
A 24-year-old man is in jail on suspicion of sexually assaulting two minors. Ethan Libby of Fresno is accused of committing sexual acts against minors, contacting minors for the purposes of sex and possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), deputies said. Detectives followed up on a CyberTip Friday afternoon and contacted Libby at the Bridgewood Crossing apartment complex, located at West Bullard and North Gentry avenues in Fresno. While detectives were investigating, they learned that Libby had allegedly sexually assaulted two minors. Libby was arrested and his electronic devices were collected for further analysis, deputies said. Detectives are concerned there might be additional victims who have not yet come forward. Libby is charged with four felonies, including oral copulation or sexual penetration of a child 10 or younger; possession of child pornography; use of a minor to sell/produce pornography; miscellaneous offense and arranging a meeting with a minor for lewd and lascivious behavior. Libby remains in jail on $245,000 bail. Anyone with information is asked to call HSI Special Agent Monique Jacques at 559-351-1019. Tips may also be submitted to Valley Crime Stoppers at 559-498-7867 or online at Tipsters can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Yahoo
Suspect in Caleb Quick slaying stalked Clovis teen and had help, police say
The man suspected of killing Caleb Quick outside a popular McDonald's in Clovis stalked the 18-year-old inside the fast-food restaurant and had help escaping the scene, according to Clovis police. Clovis police Chief Curt Fleming released surveillance video on Friday that showed Quick and his two friends entering the McDonald's, located at Willow and Nees avenues, and talking inside the restaurant for 13 minutes the night of the killing. Moments later, the suspect entered the restaurant in all-black clothing with a hoodie — Fleming said 'you can barely see his eyes' — and sat a distance away and watched Quick. Fleming said the suspect had his hands in his waistband and inside his front pocket and would not move 'from his position.' Quick and his two friends left McDonald's. The suspect followed as he left the restaurant while Quick's friends held the door. Moments later, the suspect shot Quick on the side of the head at least one time shortly before 9 p.m. on April 23 before fleeing westbound on Nees in a getaway vehicle, described as a newer white Tesla. Fleming said the suspect had arrived walking eastbound from Fresno on Nees and entered the crosswalk before reaching McDonald's. 'It was a planned (attack),' Fleming said at a Friday morning news conference at Clovis police headquarters. 'It was obviously targeted towards Caleb.' Fleming said detectives have interviewed 50 people. Clovis police are waiting on multiple search warrants to be granted. The suspect is described to be 5-foot-to 6-foot and light-skinned. A GoFundMe was already established where people can donate. Anyone with information is asked to call police 559-324-2800 or can call Valley Crime Stoppers at 559-498-7867. Crime Stoppers is offering a $10,000 reward.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Yahoo
Man charged in cold case murder, sexual assaults could have more victims, police say
A 61-year-old Fresno man whose DNA was linked to a cold-case murder and two rape cases from the early 2000s could be responsible for other crimes, authorities said. Robert Castillo was arrested April 10 at his home in northwest Fresno on suspicion of sexually assaulting and killing 43-year-old Barbara Lee, also known as Barbara Parker, according to the Fresno County Sheriff's Office. Lee was found dead in a dirt field between the intersections of California and Polk Avenues on Oct. 31, 2004. The Fresno Bee reported at the time that Lee was last seen on Oct. 30 and her body was found by a resident the following day. She had been killed in the same field where her body was discovered, authorities said in 2004. Homicide detectives interviewed several people who knew Lee in 2004, but couldn't determine who killed her and the case grew cold. Last year, a cold case unit review board composed of homicide detectives, crime analysts, prosecutors and district attorney investigators reopened the case. Detectives linked Castillo to Lee's death and two separate rape cases from 2003 and 2004 using DNA samples. A third rape case is being processed for a potential connection to Castillo, the sheriff's office said in a statement. Authorities did not provide additional information about that case. Castillo's DNA was found in a database known as Combined DNA Index System, or CODIS, that helps law enforcement link crime scenes to individuals previously convicted of certain offenses. Castillo served time in prison in the mid-1980s, late 1990s and mid-2000s for property crimes, but his DNA wasn't entered into the database until 2007, authorities said. Castillo is charged with one count of murder for Lee's death, and two counts of sexual penetration by force. He also faces a count of rape and two counts of forceful oral copulation for a September 2004 assault and a count of rape for an assault that occurred in October 2003, according to court records. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Prosecutors have not determined whether they will seek the death penalty in the case. Castillo remains in custody in lieu of $2.1-million bail. His attorney could not immediately be reached for comment. Lee's murder is one of nine cold cases that have been solved over the past year, the sheriff's office said. "It's not easy in the world we live in, with the tight schedules that we all have … to actually never forget these victims,' Fresno County Dist. Attny. Lisa Smittcamp said in a statement. "I would like to offer my condolences to the Lee family … for all of this to be unearthed again after 20 years is very difficult." Anyone with information about Castillo is asked to contact Special Investigator Sergio Toscano at (559) 600-8027. Tips can also be directed to Valley Crime Stoppers by visiting using reference case #04-25747. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
29-04-2025
- Los Angeles Times
Man charged in cold case murder, sexual assaults could have more victims, police say
A 61-year-old Fresno man whose DNA was linked to a cold-case murder and two rape cases from the early 2000s could be responsible for other crimes, authorities said. Robert Castillo was arrested April 10 at his home in northwest Fresno on suspicion of sexually assaulting and killing 43-year-old Barbara Lee, also known as Barbara Parker, according to the Fresno County Sheriff's Office. Lee was found dead in a dirt field between the intersections of California and Polk Avenues on Oct. 31, 2004. The Fresno Bee reported at the time that Lee was last seen on Oct. 30 and her body was found by a resident the following day. She had been killed in the same field where her body was discovered, authorities said in 2004. Homicide detectives interviewed several people who knew Lee in 2004, but couldn't determine who killed her and the case grew cold. Last year, a cold case unit review board composed of homicide detectives, crime analysts, prosecutors and district attorney investigators reopened the case. Detectives linked Castillo to Lee's death and two separate rape cases from 2003 and 2004 using DNA samples. A third rape case is being processed for a potential connection to Castillo, the sheriff's office said in a statement. Authorities did not provide additional information about that case. Castillo's DNA was found in a database known as Combined DNA Index System, or CODIS, that helps law enforcement link crime scenes to individuals previously convicted of certain offenses. Castillo served time in prison in the mid-1980s, late 1990s and mid-2000s for property crimes, but his DNA wasn't entered into the database until 2007, authorities said. Castillo is charged with one count of murder for Lee's death, and two counts of sexual penetration by force. He also faces a count of rape and two counts of forceful oral copulation for a September 2004 assault and a count of rape for an assault that occurred in October 2003, according to court records. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Prosecutors have not determined whether they will seek the death penalty in the case. Castillo remains in custody in lieu of $2.1-million bail. His attorney could not immediately be reached for comment. Lee's murder is one of nine cold cases that have been solved over the past year, the sheriff's office said. 'It's not easy in the world we live in, with the tight schedules that we all have … to actually never forget these victims,' Fresno County Dist. Attny. Lisa Smittcamp said in a statement. 'I would like to offer my condolences to the Lee family … for all of this to be unearthed again after 20 years is very difficult.' Anyone with information about Castillo is asked to contact Special Investigator Sergio Toscano at (559) 600-8027. Tips can also be directed to Valley Crime Stoppers by visiting using reference case #04-25747.
