INDIO, Calif. (Jan. 8, 2026) – Grand jury transcripts unsealed in the indictment of Coachella Mayor Steven Hernandez reveal dramatic testimony alleging that the longtime mayor used his public office to enrich himself – and allegedly bullied anyone who got in his way. The 467-page transcript, obtained by KESQ News Channel 3 provides an inside look
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RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – A registered sex offender who pimped out a teenager for call girl services in the Riverside metropolitan area and elsewhere was sentenced today to 90 days in jail and two years’ felony probation. Â Â Deirdrick Dayvon Bradford, 31, of Rosamond pleaded guilty in November to human trafficking following a preliminary hearing.
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INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) KESQ News Channel Three has obtained the grand jury transcript that led to the indictment of Coachella Mayor Steven Hernandez, offering a rare look at sworn testimony from current and former city leaders and regional officials about how City Hall operated behind closed doors. The more than 500-page transcript shows jurors heard
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Police have arrested a 53-year-old man in connection with a recent stabbing along the CV Link in Palm Springs. The suspect was arrested on Sunday near the CV Link trail in the area of the Cimarron Golf Course. He faces charges of attempted murder and resisting an officer. The arrest
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MURRIETA, Calif. (KESQ) – After deliberating barely one day, jurors tasked with assessing the mental competency of a man accused of ambushing and killing a 30-year-old Riverside County sheriff’s deputy returned with a verdict of competence, paving the way for a capital murder trial. The Murrieta jury assigned to the case of Jesse Ceazar Navarro,
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BUFFALO, New York (KESQ) – A fitness influencer from Palm Springs was arrested in Buffalo, New York, after an investigation into child exploitation. Jacob A. Hanes, 24, was charged with Promoting an Obscene Sexual Performance by a Child, Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. According to the New
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BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) – A suspect crashed into a vehicle while attempting to flee from deputies Wednesday morning in Banning. The incident started just before 8 a.m. when deputies responded to the area of Haugen Lehmann Way and Tamarack Road in Whitewater regarding a report of a stolen vehicle possibly involved in a robbery, according
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Update 1/2/26 19-year old Michael Dodd was charged with one count of murder and arraigned on Friday. Dodd is accused of killing 34-year old Francisco Lemus last Sunday night. Dodd is expected to be back in court on January 13th. Update 12/30/25 A 19-year-old man from Lancaster has been arrested in connection with the shooting,
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 INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) -Indio Police continue to investigate a fatal vehicle-versus-pedestrian hit-and-run crash that occurred on New Year’s Eve. The crash was reported just before 9 p.m. near the area of Van Buren Street south of Dr. Carreon Boulevard. Responding officers found a man in the roadway with significant injuries, according to the Indio Police Department.
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COACHELL VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – As 2025 comes to a close, News Channel 3 is taking a look back at the crimes that shocked, saddened, and reshaped communities across the Coachella Valley. From a deadly terrorist attack in Palm Springs to the heartbreaking death of a baby whose disappearance gripped the nation, this year marked
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Karina Bazarte IMPERIAL VALLEY, Calif. (KYMA) – A press conference began Monday morning after a well-known Imperial Valley farmer was arrested for murder. The Navajo County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) shared that 59-year-old Kerri Ann Abatti‘s nephew found the victim shot at her home in Pinetop, Arizona. She was pronounced dead at Show Low Hospital in
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INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Two drivers were arrested for allegedly driving under the influence and 43 citations were issued during a weekend DUI checkpoint operation in Indio, authorities said today. Â Â The checkpoint was conducted from 6 p.m. Friday through 2 a.m. Saturday at Highway 111 west of Clinton Street, according to the Indio Police
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BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) – A 46-year-old felon awaiting trial on arson and other charges died in his jail cell in Banning today, but authorities said there was no indication of foul play. Â Â Quadir Rafi Boykin of Menifee was discovered by correctional deputies unconscious in his cell at the Smith Correctional Facility shortly before 1
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YUCCA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – Members of the Yucca Valley community are holding a vigil for Michael Ramos Jr. on Friday. Ramos, 18, was taken off life support Friday after sustaining injuries from a shooting at a party on Dec. 22. Friends and family gathered to share memories of Ramos and speak about who he was
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INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Two people were arrested after Indio police served search warrants as part of an ongoing investigation into narcotics and firearms violations earlier this week. Indio police detectives assigned to the Street Crimes Unit, with assistance from the IPD Major Crimes Unit and the Eastern Region Post-Release Accountability and Compliance Team (P.A.C.T.) During
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RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – Authorities today were continuing their search for a 47-year-old felon accused of perpetrating numerous thefts at hospitals throughout the region, netting tens of thousands of dollars of equipment while posing as an employee at each facility. Jason Suniga Brauner of San Jacinto was due to appear for a hearing at the
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Update 12/23/25 A 41-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with the deadly shooting, police said. Gabriel Salazar was arrested on Saturday, Dec. 20, in the area of Avenue 51 and Filmore Street in Coachella, police said. Salazar was charged with 1st degree murder, among other charges. He is scheduled to be arraigned on
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YUCCA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – Michael Ramos Jr., former star Quarterback for Yucca Valley High School, is not expected to survive after being injured in a shooting Sunday night, authorities said Tuesday. The shooting was reported at around 9:50 p.m. on the 57000 block of Chipmunk Trail. According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department,
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PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Two people were arrested in Palm Desert for allegedly stealing a vehicle, authorities said today. Â Â Deputies located the reportedly stolen vehicle at 3:25 p.m. Tuesday in the area of Highway 74 and El Paseo Drive, according to Lt. Deirdre Vickers of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. They later conducted
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CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Two drivers were arrested for allegedly driving on DUI-suspended licenses during a DUI checkpoint in Cathedral City, authorities said today. The checkpoint was conducted from 7 p.m. Friday until 1 a.m. Saturday on Date Palm Drive at Victoria Drive, according to the Cathedral City Police Department. Eight people were cited
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