Crime

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – The prosecution and defense rested their cases today in the penalty phase of the trial for a convicted felon who killed his year-old daughter and stabbed his pregnant wife during a child custody exchange in Indian Wells, setting the stage for closing arguments. Adam Slater, 53, of Palm Desert killed baby

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – A 40-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a hit-and-run while driving a U-Haul vehicle in Twentynine Palms. The crash happened on March 8 at around 9:15 p.m. in the area of Twentynine Palms Highway and Mesquite Springs Road. According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, deputies learned that

LANDERS, Calif. (KESQ) – Two men were arrested after an accusation of a sex crime and victim intimidation in the High Desert community of Landers. The investigation started on March 2. The victim told investigators that she was sexually assaulted at her residence in Landers, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. The agency

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – A suspect who allegedly injured a resident during a 2021 burglary was in custody today. Officials received a report of a residential break-in near the 72000 block of Mesa View Drive at 4 a.m. Aug. 15, 2021, according to a Riverside County Sheriff’s Department statement. The suspect “entered the residence

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A Texas woman who snatched her daughter from a Thousand Palms elementary school in a custody dispute with the girl’s father was sentenced today to three years of felony probation. Sara Lee Almodovar, 39, pleaded guilty last year to child stealing and assault on a school employee in connection with the

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – Investigators with the Morongo Basin Sheriff’s Station released a surveillance photo of a suspect wanted for a shooting at Twentynine Palms motel on Wednesday. The shooting happened at the Motel 6 on the 72500 Block of Twentynine Palms Highway. Deputies responded to the scene and learned that a motel guest,

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – Jury deliberations got underway today in the trial of a former Palm Desert High School football coach accused of running over and killing a 64-year-old caregiver while driving under the influence.    Cameron Francis Curtis, 33, of Palm Desert allegedly fatally struck Nancy Valdes, also of Palm Desert, in 2023. Curtis

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A 34-year-old man was found guilty of gunning down his estranged wife at a mobile home park in La Quinta while inflamed over notions she was having affairs with other men. Jose Valles Meza of La Quinta was found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Patricia Cesena, also of

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – The Cathedral City Police Department presented its annual crime statistics report to the City Council on Wednesday, highlighting a 10% overall reduction in violent crime in 2024. The department says the decline in violent crime can be attributed to a strong community engagement, among other factors. The department also noted that

A Yucca Valley man was arrested after allegedly calling dispatch, requesting deputies respond to his location so that he could fight them. Authorities said the 32-year-old man called the Sheriff’s dispatch on Sunday night. “He cursed at the dispatcher and demanded deputies respond so he could fight them. Deputies did not respond,” reads a news

BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) – A convicted felon accused of carjacking a motorist at knifepoint in Calimesa and leading law enforcement officers on a chase into the Coachella Valley was charged today with kidnapping and other offenses.    Steven Christopher Mata, 33, of San Diego was arrested Sunday morning following the pursuit by Riverside County sheriff’s

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – A probationer is awaiting charges today after Cathedral City police allegedly found two guns and drugs during a compliance check last week, authorities said. The department’s Post-Release Accountability and Compliance Team conducted the check Thursday in Desert Hot Springs on a man previously arrested on suspicion of a stolen vehicle,

UPDATE – 3/11/2025: INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Jury deliberations began Tuesday at the Larson Justice Center in Indio in the trial of Jose Valles Meza. After more than a week of testimony, the prosecution called its final witness Monday afternoon. Riverside County Superior Court Judge James Hawkins ordered jurors to return to the courthouse Tuesday,