Jason Kotowski

1 week ago | kget.com | Jason Kotowski

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A man at Kern Valley State Prison who attacked another inmate with a homemade weapon — breaking his nose and inflicting cuts requiring sutures — was found guilty Wednesday of two felony charges. Ricardo Mathews — who was scheduled to be released in 2030 — now faces an additional 25 years to life in prison, according to the District Attorney’s Office. Ricardo Mathews sits next to his attorney, Phillip Gillet, at his sentencing hearing on Wednesday.

1 week ago | kget.com | Jason Kotowski

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — When police knocked on her door after receiving a noise complaint, Danielle Blough said only she and “her kids” were home. The kids — not her children — were six students from the school district where Blough worked. Half the students, all underage, admitted drinking alcohol in Blough’s Ridgecrest home — adding it wasn’t the first time they’d done so, according to court documents.

1 week ago | kget.com | Jason Kotowski

by: Jason Kotowski Posted: Apr 17, 2025 / 09:42 AM PDT Updated: Apr 17, 2025 / 09:52 AM PDT BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A 27-year-old Elk Grove man has been booked into Lerdo Jail on suspicion of kidnapping a 10-year-old girl from Taft. Records show Matthew Naval was booked into jail at 6:43 p.m. Wednesday and is due in court Friday morning. His bail is $250,000.

1 week ago | kget.com | Jason Kotowski

BAKESFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A man who threatened and shot at a security guard at Golden West Casino has been sentenced to prison. The guard was unharmed. Rafael Lainez Castro received six years and 10 months in prison at Tuesday’s sentencing hearing, according to court records. Castro, 39, was found guilty last month of attempted voluntary manslaughter, assault with a gun and other charges.

1 week ago | kget.com | Jason Kotowski

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Three men pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges filed in connection with an extensive EBT fraud ring allegedly carried out by Romanian nationals. Norbert Karaba, Giorgio Marcelo and Nicolae Bud were arrested at a home in Northridge on April 10 where investigators found card skimmers, pinhole cameras and over $40,000 in cash, according to the District Attorney’s Office. Both Karaba, 34, and Marcelo, 28, are facing felony charges in multiple cases.