Earlimart Times Delta Online

05/16/2026

TIPTON MAN CONVICTED OF CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN

Today in Department 23 of the Tulare County Superior Court, South County Justice Center, TCDA prosecutors secured a guilty verdict against Cristian Alejandro Garcia, age 32, for crimes against children.

At trial, a jury convicted Garcia of nine counts of child molestation with special allegations that there were multiple victims and the conduct was substantial. The crimes were committed against two minor victims under the age of 10 from July 2022 to March 2024 in .

Sentencing is scheduled for July 7, 2026, in Superior Court where Garcia faces life in prison.

05/09/2026

TCSO Detectives Arrest Suspects in Connection with Earlimart Murder

On 5/7/26, TCSO Detectives arrested 26-year-old Alexander Torres and 32-year-old Ramon Delgado of Earlimart in connection with the murder of 43-year-old Ruben Chavez last month.

On 4/16/26, Chavez was found dead near a Highway 99 off-ramp in Tulare County. During the course of a lengthy investigation, TCSO Homicide Detectives identified Torres and Delgado as the primary suspects in the case.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective McCaskill or Sgt. Nicholson with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Homicide Unit at (559) 733-7218.





(Pictured in black: Ramon Delgado/ Pictured in white: Alexander Torres)

04/17/2026

🚨 Viewer discretion is advised

Recap : TCSO was called to a dead body on the Ave 56 off ramp in Earlimart. Deputy’s arrived and confirmed a dead body, corner arrived but I was told no other thing. From what I know body has been there for hours if not days

TCSO Homicide Detectives Investigating Body Found in Earlimart

Just before 7:30 p.m. on 4/16/26, TCSO Deputies were called to the area of Avenue 56 and Highway 99 in Earlimart for a man down.

When they arrived, Deputies found a man dead. His cause of death has not yet been determined.

Homicide detectives have taken over the investigation.

Anyone who has any information is requested to contact the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at (559)733-7218.

04/10/2026

Northbound Hwy 99 in the area of Ave 24 just south of Earlimart was closed around 4 a.m. this morning due to a semi truck that rolled over on the right hand shoulder. The big rig driver had to be extricated by and Reach 82’s helicopter landed on the highway to transport the patient listed as having suffered major injuries per CHP. As of 8:15 a.m. there appears to be so traffic back up in the area. TCSO and CHP assisted in the incident also.

04/10/2026

TCSO Deputy Killed in the Line of Duty, Residents Urged to Shelter in Place

Sheriff Boudreaux is devastated to announce the loss of a Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Deputy, after he was shot and killed this morning in Porterville.

Around 10:20 a.m. on 4/9/26, TCSO Deputies were in the area Newcomb and Grand in Porterville serving an eviction notice, when 60-year-old David Morales opened fire on them, hitting one TCSO Deputy.

The Deputy was rushed to a local hospital, where we are heartbroken to confirm, he passed away.

Right now, Deputies are still on scene, as Morales is outstanding and shots are still being fired.

Sheriff Boudreaux wants to urge anyone in that area to shelter in place. All schools in the area are also lockdown.

Sheriff Boudreaux has met with the fallen Deputy’s family and offered his deepest condolences. All of us at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office are shocked and incredibly saddened by today’s tragic events. We ask that you keep our Deputy’s grieving family in your prayers.

04/07/2026

A man who was allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol and on the wrong side of Highway 99 when he collided with another vehicle, killing one person and wounding several others, has been charged with four felonies.

04/05/2026

At least two vehicles were involved in a crash that caused standstill traffic for southbound lanes of Highway 99 in the Delano area on Saturday night.

03/21/2026

Make sure when you call the number to leave a text, because there’s no one there to answer the phone, they will answer your text as soon as they can, sometimes it’ll take a couple of days so be on the lookout for your call back. You must leave your name and phone number and address and your pets information. If you get an appointment make sure that on that day you bring your dog secured with a dog leash. If you are bringing a cat, your cat must be in a cat carrier, not in your arms. If the cat is feral, it must be in a cat trap.

Cuándo llama el número para una cita, deje un mensaje o mande un texto, porque no hay nadie al momento para contestar, ellos después revisarán los mensajes y en unos días te llamarán para atrás para darte una cita. Para los que logran conseguir una cita aseguren de qué sus perros, cuando los traigan que estén asegurados con un correa de perro, y si tienen gatos, tienen que venir en un cargador de gatos, no en los brazos, si el gato es salvaje, necesitan traerlos en un una trampa de gatos.

03/02/2026

HAPPENING NOW: Man Caught Cashing Bad Checks Tries to Stab Clerk in Cutler

Just before 11:30 a.m. on 3/2/26, TCSO Deputies were called to an assault at the Culter Food Mart on Road 128 in Cutler.

When Deputies arrived, they learned a man was trying to cash bad checks when he was confronted by the clerk. A fight broke out and the suspect tried to stab the clerk. The clerk has minor injuries from the fight and the suspect was arrested on scene.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at 559–733–6218.

02/03/2026

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Delano Police Department & ABC Agents Arrest Two Suspects for Furnishing Alcohol to Minors

Delano, CA. – Delano Police Department and agents from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) arrested 2 suspects on January 23, 2026, for furnishing alcoholic beverages to minors. The operation was conducted in Delano, CA.

ABC agents and local law enforcement conducted a Shoulder Tap operation which targets adults who purchase alcohol for persons under the age of 21. A minor under the direct supervision of law enforcement stands outside of a liquor or convenience store and asks customers to buy them alcohol. The minor also indicates they are underage and cannot purchase the alcohol.

“Shoulder tap operations are a proactive way for us to prevent alcohol related tragedies before they happen. By holding adults accountable for providing alcohol to minors, we are sending a clear message that underage drinking will not be tolerated in our community. These operations a not about punishment, they are about prevention, education, and protecting our youth and the safety of everyone on our roadways.” said Chief Jerry Nicholson.

If an adult agrees to purchase alcohol for the underage person, they can be arrested and cited for furnishing alcohol to a minor. The penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor is a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service.

“ABC conducts these operations to keep alcohol out of the hands of our youth,” said ABC Acting Director Frank Robles. “We can increase the quality of life in our communities and reduce DUIs by preventing underage drinking.”

Statistics have shown that young people under the age of 21 have a much higher risk of being involved in a crash than older drivers. About 25 percent of fatal crashes involve underage drinking according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the ABC Alcohol Policing Partnership (APP) program.

Source: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1341016418056926&id=100064457419197&mibextid=wwXIfr