Officers Arrest 8 for Meth; Remove 3 Kids from Squalid Home

Clovis Police Narcotics Detectives began serving search warrants about 7:15 this morning at two Clovis homes where an officer had observed drug dealing going on in the past week, and had arrested two “buyers.” After serving the first warrant in the 1200 block of 3rd Street, detectives arrested 52-year-old Gary Hall for possession of methamphetamine paraphernalia, possession of a small amount of methamphetamine, and for being a drug addict in possession of a firearm.

When investigators served the second warrant in the 600 block of Woodworth, they found eight people, including three juveniles, living inside the approximately 800 square foot residence. The home was in such dilapidated and filthy condition that Clovis building inspectors declared it uninhabitable and had the water and power turned off.

Officers called Fresno County Children and Family Services (formerly called Child Protective Services) to get help for the boys, ages 9 to 13. The 9-year-old had a leg cast and was waiting for a relative to take him to the hospital for treatment.

Four people inside the home were arrested for a variety of drug felonies and misdemeanors. During the course of the warrant search, three gang members from Sanger arrived with a drug delivery. One of the three brandished a handgun at officers, who convinced him to drop the weapon. Detectives arrested all three “visitors” for possession of a quarter-pound of methamphetamine for sale and gang enhancements. Those arrested at the Woodworth home are:

40-year-old Stacy Price, child endangerment, felony probation violation
54-year-old Danny Kemp, child endangerment, possession of meth and paraphernalia
72-year-old William Tell Hancock, possession of a controlled substance, warrant, paraphernalia
19-year-old Marvin Hatfield Jr., possession of paraphernalia
36-year-old Jeremy Wagenman, parole violation, possession of paraphernalia
30-year-old Francisco Vasquez, transportation and possession of meth for sale, conspiracy and gang enhancements
27-year-old James Saefong, transportation and possession of meth for sale, conspiracy and gang enhancements
27-year-old Ricky Modesto transportation and possession of meth for sale, armed while in the commission of a felony, conspiracy and gang enhancements

News Release Date:  3/4/10
Contact:  Janet Stoll-Lee, Public Information Officer   (559) 324-2447