A Kern County jury has acquitted a man of robbery and battery after he was accused of stealing alcohol from a Bakersfield grocery store. Jose Lopez could have spent thirty years to life in prison because of prior convictions had the jury decided he was guilty of felony charges after he stole two bottles of…… Read More
KUZZ News
Former Stallion Springs Cop Enters Plea to Sex Charges
A former police officer with the Stallion Springs Police Department has entered a plea to charges he sexually assaulted a teenager. James Best Jr., 53, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to seven felony counts. The alleged victim is now an adult who told authorities last year Best had been molesting her since she was nine years…… Read More
Two Men Found Dead in South Bakersfield
Two men have been found dead at a home in south Bakersfield. Sheriff’s deputies responded Tuesday afternoon to a house on Cresson Court near Charterten Avenue to discover the victims inside shot to death. Homicide detectives are piecing together clues. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Kern County Sheriff’s Office.… Read More
Coroner Reports on Lamont Boy’s Death
It was homicide. That’s the word from the Kern County Coroner’s Office on the cause of death for a young Lamont boy. Tristen Rodriguez, 12, was shot and killed October 10, 2024 in the 8800 block of Gregory Avenue. A juvenile was arrested on suspicion of second degree murder in the case.… Read More
Former Stallion Springs Cop Extradited to Kern County
A former Stallion Springs cop accused of sexually abusing a child has returned to Kern County. James Best, Jr., 53, was been booked into Lerdo Jail Monday after being transported from Maine to California. He was arrested in Maine in August after prosecutors say the alleged victim told authorities Best sexually abused her from the…… Read More
Judge Orders Rosamond Man to Stand Trial
A judge has determined there’s enough evidence to order a man to stand trial for a deadly stabbing in Rosamond. Raul Rodriguez, 43, faces a charge of first-degree murder after sheriff’s deputies responded May 31, 2024 to a stabbing near Harvell Place and Sierra Highway where they discovered the body of Gary Martin, 48, in…… Read More
Bakersfield Pimp Sentenced
A man who repeatedly threatened and hit a woman he pimped on Union Avenue will spend more than two decades in prison. Darrell Lawrence Meeken, 32, was sentenced last week to twenty one years and four months in prison after being found guilty in August of human trafficking, pimping and pandering. Authorities say Meeken pleaded…… Read More
Murder-Suicide in Southwest Bakersfield
Two women are dead after a murder-suicide in southwest Bakersfield. Police detectives went to a residence in the 7500 block of Lordsburg Drive east of Gosford Road Sunday morning at around 3 o’clock to check the welfare of a resident to find two women dead. No word yet on their identities.… Read More
Former Arvin Teacher Will Stand Trial
A former Arvin teacher accused of engaging in sex acts with an underage student will stand trial on seven felony counts. A judge last week found there was sufficient evidence for the case against Michael Parra, 44, to go to trial. Court documents indicate Parra’s wife contacted authorities in November 2023 after finding sexually graphic…… Read More
Kern DA: Charges Against Salas Unfounded
The Kern County District Attorney’s Office says a complaint filed against a candidate for county supervisor is unfounded. The DA’s office said Friday allegations of misconduct against Kimberly Salas are baseless. District 5 supervisor Leticia Perez’s chief of staff claims Salas was engaging in campaign-related communications during an event last week for her race against…… Read More
