Central Valley News Today: Coach Arrest, Los Banos Crash, Ceres Court Update & More

Central Valley news today for April 28, 2026, includes several major crime, court, public safety, and local government updates across Central California.

Today’s roundup covers a Merced County coach arrest, an Oakdale federal child exploitation case, a Ceres motel killing court update, a Los Banos armed-subject investigation, a deadly Los Banos crash, a wrong-way DUI crash near Atwater, a Modesto hit-and-run death, an I-5 crash near Newman, an Avenal recall election dispute, and the funeral for fallen Tulare County Deputy Randy Hoppert.

Some of these cases remain under investigation. Therefore, details may change as police, prosecutors, courts, or local agencies release new information.

Merced County Coach Arrested In Child Sexual Abuse Material Investigation

Merced County detectives arrested 21-year-old Daniel Lucatero Bucio of Delhi after an investigation into alleged possession of child sexual abuse material.

The Los Banos Enterprise reported that the investigation began after detectives worked with the Fresno Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. Authorities identified Bucio as a Delhi resident and said he worked as a track coach at Livingston Middle School.

Detectives arrested him on April 24 at the CSU Stanislaus campus. According to the report, investigators said they currently have no evidence that any children he coached were victims. The investigation remains ongoing.

What is confirmed: Detectives arrested Bucio, and officials booked him into Merced County Jail.

What is still developing: Investigators continue to review the case and ask anyone with information to contact the Merced County Sheriff’s Office.

Source: Los Banos Enterprise — Read the full report

Oakdale Man Pleads Guilty In Federal Child Exploitation Case

An Oakdale man pleaded guilty Monday in a federal child exploitation case.

The Modesto Bee reported that federal prosecutors said 38-year-old Gonzalo Hernandez pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a minor. Prosecutors said the FBI and Oakdale Police Department investigated the case.

Hernandez is scheduled for sentencing on August 17. The report says the charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 30 years. However, the judge will decide the final sentence.

What is confirmed: Hernandez entered a guilty plea in federal court.

What is still developing: The final sentence has not been issued yet.

Source: The Modesto Bee — Read the full report

Atwater Woman Ordered To Stand Trial In Ceres Motel Killing

A judge ordered an Atwater woman to stand trial in a Ceres motel killing.

The Modesto Bee reported that 41-year-old Zella Holmes faces a murder charge in the 2025 shooting death of Franklin Martin at a Howard Johnson motel in Ceres. She also faces a firearm enhancement, felony evasion charge, and one child endangerment count.

During the preliminary hearing, prosecutors pointed to physical evidence and police testimony. Meanwhile, the defense argued that Holmes acted in the heat of the moment after alleged abuse and provocation. Judge Valli Israels held Holmes to answer on the charges, which means the case now moves forward toward trial.

What is confirmed: A judge found enough evidence for the case to move forward.

What is still developing: Holmes has not been convicted. The case still needs to go through trial proceedings.

Source: The Modesto Bee — Read the full report

Los Banos Police Respond To Armed-Subject Report

Los Banos police temporarily shut down part of East Pacheco Boulevard after a report of a person possibly pointing a weapon.

The Los Banos Enterprise reported that officers responded to the 1700 block of East Pacheco Boulevard on April 26. Police secured the area and searched for the reported subject. Officers later recovered a pellet gun believed to be connected to the call.

Police did not locate the person described in the initial report. No injuries were reported, and Pacheco Boulevard later reopened to traffic.

What is confirmed: Officers recovered a pellet gun and reopened the roadway.

What is still developing: Police have not reported locating the subject from the original call.

Source: Los Banos Enterprise — Read the full report

DoorDash Driver Killed In Los Banos Head-On Crash

A Los Banos family is mourning after a deadly head-on crash killed 34-year-old Michael Qualls.

ABC30 reported that Qualls was delivering DoorDash orders when the crash happened near Santa Barbara Drive and Linwood Court. Los Banos police said the initial 911 call came in around 8:10 a.m. for a two-car head-on crash.

Police said no arrests had been made as they continued to investigate the crash. Officers also said they did not observe intoxication at the scene. However, they were still looking into the cause and possible contributing factors, including speed.

What is confirmed: Qualls died at the scene, and police continue to investigate.

What is still developing: Investigators have not announced arrests or final conclusions about the cause.

Source: ABC30 — Read the full report

Wrong-Way DUI Crash Near Atwater Causes Major Injuries

A wrong-way crash on Highway 99 near Atwater caused major injuries early Sunday morning.

The Merced Sun-Star reported that Merced CHP responded to southbound Highway 99 north of Atwater Boulevard around 12:48 a.m. CHP said the crash involved two vehicles and several injured people.

CHP said three juveniles went to Children’s Medical Center in Madera with moderate to major injuries. Two women also went to Modesto hospitals with major injuries. Officers said both drivers were arrested on suspicion of DUI.

What is confirmed: CHP reported major injuries and arrested both drivers on suspicion of DUI.

What is still developing: CHP continues to investigate the crash.

Source: Merced Sun-Star — Read the full report

Woman Killed In Modesto Hit-And-Run

CHP is investigating a deadly hit-and-run in Modesto.

The Modesto Bee reported that a woman died Friday night after she entered Riverside Drive and two vehicles struck her. CHP said the crash happened south of Nathan Avenue around 8:20 p.m.

According to CHP, the first driver stayed at the scene. A second vehicle, described as a white sedan, struck the woman afterward and left before officers arrived. CHP asked anyone with information to contact the Modesto office.

What is confirmed: A woman died, and CHP is looking for the second driver.

What is still developing: Officials have not released the woman’s identity, and the hit-and-run driver remains part of the investigation.

Source: The Modesto Bee — Read the full report

Man Killed In I-5 Crash Near Newman Identified

Officials identified the man killed in a crash on Interstate 5 near Newman.

The Merced Sun-Star reported that the Stanislaus County Coroner’s Office identified the driver as 30-year-old Emilio Quiroga of Van Nuys. CHP said the crash happened Saturday morning on northbound I-5 north of Stuhr Road.

CHP said Quiroga drove a 2004 Ford SUV northbound before the vehicle made a left turn for unknown reasons and overturned into the center divide. A passenger, 32-year-old Angela Quiroga, suffered major injuries and went to a hospital by helicopter.

What is confirmed: Emilio Quiroga died at the scene, and a passenger suffered major injuries.

What is still developing: CHP has not released the final cause of the crash.

Source: Merced Sun-Star — Read the full report

Avenal Recall Election Moves Forward Amid Dispute

A recall election is underway in Avenal as the city continues a dispute with Kings County.

ABC30 reported that the recall targets Mayor Alvaro Preciado and City Councilmembers Leticia Gamez, David Reynosa, and Pablo Hernandez. A recall organizer cited concerns about transparency, accountability, and public funds.

City leaders filed a lawsuit against Kings County and challenged the election process. A judge allowed the election to move forward. However, ABC30 reported that a court of appeals later directed the registrar to sequester ballots and pause the tally until further order.

What is confirmed: The recall election process moved forward, but the ballot count faced a pause.

What is still developing: The legal dispute and vote tally process remain active.

Source: ABC30 — Read the full report

Funeral Held For Fallen Tulare County Deputy Randy Hoppert

The community honored fallen Tulare County Deputy Randy Hoppert with a funeral service Tuesday.

ABC30 reported that the service took place at Visalia First Assembly. The Visalia Police Department escorted the procession, and drivers were told to prepare for road closures near the church.

Hoppert was killed in the line of duty on April 9 while responding to a call for support during an eviction notice in Porterville. ABC30 reported that community members, local groups, and law enforcement agencies have supported Hoppert’s family and the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office since his death.

What is confirmed: The funeral service took place Tuesday, and law enforcement escorted the procession.

What is still developing: The community continues to honor and support Hoppert’s family.

Source: ABC30 — Read the full report

Quick Facts

Date: Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Main focus: Crime, courts, crashes, public safety, and local government
Top story: Merced County coach arrested in child sexual abuse material investigation
Other major stories: Los Banos crash, Ceres court update, Atwater DUI crash, Modesto hit-and-run, Newman I-5 crash, Avenal recall dispute
Cities and areas covered: Delhi, Livingston, Los Banos, Atwater, Ceres, Oakdale, Modesto, Newman, Avenal, Visalia, Porterville, Merced County, Stanislaus County, Kings County, and Tulare County

What Is Confirmed

Merced County detectives arrested a Delhi man in an investigation tied to alleged child sexual abuse material.

An Oakdale man pleaded guilty in a federal child exploitation case.

A judge ordered an Atwater woman to stand trial in a Ceres motel killing case.

Los Banos police recovered a pellet gun after an armed-subject report.

A Los Banos crash killed 34-year-old Michael Qualls.

CHP arrested two drivers on suspicion of DUI after a wrong-way Highway 99 crash near Atwater.

CHP is investigating a deadly Modesto hit-and-run.

Officials identified the man killed in an I-5 crash near Newman.

Avenal’s recall election dispute remains active.

Tulare County honored fallen Deputy Randy Hoppert with a funeral service.

What Is Still Developing

Several investigations remain active.

Merced County detectives continue to investigate the coach arrest.

Federal court has not sentenced the Oakdale defendant yet.

The Ceres motel killing case has not gone to trial.

Los Banos police have not located the subject from the East Pacheco Boulevard call.

Los Banos police continue to investigate the crash that killed Michael Qualls.

CHP has not released final crash reports for the Atwater, Modesto, or Newman incidents.

Avenal’s recall election remains tied to court action and ballot procedures.

Closing

That is today’s Central Valley Entertainment news update for April 28, 2026.

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