Several people have been cited as part of an operation aimed at cracking down on human trafficking and the sex trade industry in Bakersfield. Undercover officers with the Bakersfield Police Department and the FBI were approached April 30 by several men around town who propositioned them for paid sex. That resulted in 10 citations and…… Read More
KUZZ News
kern county man convicted of child sexual abuse
A Kern County man has been convicted of sexual abusing two girls, one for five years. Prosecutors say Pedro Castro, 41, admitted to the crimes and wrote the victim an apology letter. A jury on Tuesday found Castro guilty of several felony sex crimes including assault on a child under 10. He faces 25 years…… Read More
bakersfield officials improving safety on kern river bike trail
Bakersfield is rolling out new efforts to boost safety along the Kern River Trail. The city on Wednesday launched a volunteer bike patrol with ten trained bike rangers set to watch the path and assist trail users. Park Rangers also added four new e-bikes to respond faster to incidents. The multi-use trail follows the path…… Read More
gang member convicted in kern county granted parole
The state parole board has granted parole to a former gang leader convicted in Kern County. Ricky Black was a member of the street gang Nazi Low Riders and was sentenced to 75 years to life for ordering a fatal stabbing in September 1999. Authorities say the victim, T.J. Taylor, was stabbed at a park…… Read More
bakersfield man, mother accused of sex crimes
A 36-year-old man and his mother have been arrested after a child sex investigation in northwest Bakersfield. Kern County Sheriff’s deputies say Jacob Rah is accused of molesting a minor and trying to intimidate a witness. His mother Veronica Rah, 81, was arrested for alleged conspiracy. Jacob also faces sex and drug charges in a…… Read More
cal city official facing federal charges
The mayor Pro Tem of California City has been arrested on federal charges. The Justice Department says Michael Kulikoff is accused of moving a mercury-contaminated SUV to hide it from emergency crews. Someone had allegedly spilled a glass jar containing mercury inside the vehicle at Kulikoff’s car wash in February. Prosecutors say Kulikoff conspired to…… Read More
alleged high-speed chase, kidnapping lands wofford heights man in jail
A Wofford Heights man is behind bars after a wild police chase from Ridgecrest into the Mojave desert. Officers say Eric Schilling, 22, took off from a traffic stop Sunday night at speeds over a hundred miles per hour. Police say he crashed through gates, ran stop signs, and ignored red lights, all with a…… Read More
coroner rules on in-custody death
The Kern County Coroner’s Office has ruled the death of a Lerdo Justice Facility inmate an accident. Officials say Jose Tovar, 50, of Shafter, died from meth and alcohol toxicity. He was found unresponsive around 3:30 a.m. March 19, 2025, and was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.… Read More
hit and run victim identified
The Kern County Coroner’s Office has identified a man killed in a hit and run accident in north Bakersfield Officials say John Ross, 48, died April 23 after being hit by a truck as he was walking along the Chester Bridge in the 4200 block of Chester Avenue. Another man walking with Ross was injured.…… Read More
peta plans bakersfield protest
PETA will be in Bakersfield Monday. People for The Ethical Treatment of Animals released a statement Friday announcing their “Hell on Wheels” truck will be parked outside Bakersfield Barbecue Company on 21st Street in central Bakersfield in protest of the nation’s meat industry. The truck looks like it carries real pigs heading to slaughter and…… Read More
