INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – The U.S. Border Patrol is cracking down on weapons trafficking in the Coachella Valley. Agents from the Indio Border Patrol Station posted a photo on social media Tuesday of the latest contraband seizure from the El Centro sector. Agents intercepted four AK-style rifles, eight handguns, pistol magazines, and 50 rounds of
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COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – An 18-year-old Coachella resident was in custody today after allegedly making threats to harm members of his family.   Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department’s Thermal station responded to a “family disturbance” at a residence in the city shortly after 3 p.m. Monday, according to the department.  They identified the
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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
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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
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RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – A 25-year-old man who joined his brother in a takeover robbery at a Banning cannabis store where two people were stabbed and another almost shot was bound for state prison to begin serving a sentence of 21 years to life behind bars. Raymond Emilio Paul Matus of Beaumont was convicted nearly
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RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – A former Desert Hot Springs city councilman who damaged a young man’s car in a fit of rage following a roadway encounter was sentenced today to 12 months’ probation and ordered to pay the victim $3,400 in restitution. Russell Trueman Betts, 66, pleaded guilty last week to an unlawful fight in
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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
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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
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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
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RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – Motorists inclined to imbibe wine, spirits, green beer and other beverages in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day should not chance their luck drinking and driving, Riverside County sheriff’s officials said today. The sheriff’s department is slated to deploy deputies for saturation patrols and other traffic duties a week from today as
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Update – 3/14/25 John Chavarria was found and arrested Wednesday, March 12, at a residence on the 7400 Block of Kellogg Avenue in Twentynine Palms. He was found at the residence with another wanted suspect. Chavarria was booked into Morongo Basin jail, where he is being held without bail. He faces charges of attempted murder
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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,
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On Thursday, U.S. Border Patrol posted photos on social media of illegal guns meant to go to Mexico that are now off the streets. Federal officers seized the weapons at the Calexico port of entry before they could get into Mexico, writing on social media, “Looks like someone’s export business hit a snag!”
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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. Â Â Cameron Francis Curtis, 33, of Palm Desert allegedly fatally struck Nancy Valdes, also of Palm Desert, in 2023. Curtis
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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
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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
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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
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INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) — Opening statements were made today as the trial for Adam Slater, who was found guilty on all counts last week for killing his one-year-old daughter and stabbing his pregnant wife in 2020, continues into its second phase. During this phase, jurors will determine if Slater will receive the death penalty or
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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
Continue Reading 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,
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