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.

04/05/2026

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.