Former CVUSD janitor arrested on suspicion of child porn possession, invasion of privacy

KESQ on January 14, 2026

Jesus Reyes

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – A former Coachella Valley Unified School District janitor was arrested on suspicion of possessing child pornography, authorities confirmed Wednesday.

The 20-year-old Coachella resident was arrested on Jan. 7. He remains in custody at the John Benoit Detention Center in Indio on suspicion of invasion of privacy and possession of child pornography.

The arrest stems from a report of unlawful invasion of privacy on Jan. 5 within the 83000 block of Calle Moreno Street in Coachella. According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect fled before deputies arrived to the scene. He was found two days later and arrested.

An RSO spokesperson said the suspect worked as a janitor at a local school, but his arrest “stemmed from an incident that occurred away from school grounds.”

He is scheduled to appear in court on April 8, according to jail records. There was no word on whether the suspect has been charged.

CVUSD issued a statement on the incident:

“The District has received a number of media inquiries concerning an investigation of a former Coachella Valley Unified School District Classified Substitute. This investigation is being conducted by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. Ordinarily, the district does not comment on personnel matters or any active investigations. However, given that the information concerning the investigation is being requested by the media a brief response is warranted. 

To that end, the District confirms that an investigation by the Riverside County Sheriffs has been conducted, and an arrest has been made. Our work with the Riverside County Sheriffs is still in progress as they have requested that if there is anyone with any information about this investigation, please contact Investigator Fernandez of the Thermal Sheriff’s Station, by calling 760-863-8990. If you wish to remain anonymous, call Valley Crime Stoppers at (760) 341-7867.

Please know that we do not tolerate any inappropriate behavior in our District, and that the safety of our students and staff is our priority.”

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California Republicans lose bid to pause Prop 50’s new district lines

KESQ on January 14, 2026

City News Service

LOS ANGELES (KESQ) – A three-judge panel in Los Angeles federal court today ruled against California Republicans in their bid to nullify the new congressional map California voters approved in November.

In their lawsuit, filed one day after California voters approved Proposition 50, Assemblyman David Tangipa, R-Fresno, the California Republican Party and a group of Republican voters — joined by the U.S. Department of Justice — urged judges to block the new district lines at least temporarily so California’s original map would stay in effect for the 2026 midterm elections.   

Proposition 50 was passed after Republicans in Texas redrew their congressional map, a move California leaders said was designed to favor Republicans in the upcoming midterms.

The suit, which names Gov. Gavin Newsom, state Attorney General Rob Bonta and California Secretary of State Shirley Weber as defendants, argues the new Proposition 50 maps are unconstitutional because they improperly use voters’ race as a factor in drawing districts and asked the court to block them from taking effect.   

The proposition’s passage increases Democrats’ chances of winning five additional U.S. House seats in the state in November and seizing control of the chamber.

Republicans had asked the court for a preliminary injunction blocking the maps from being used in 2026.

Corrin Rankin, chairwoman of the California Republican Party, said plaintiffs’ attorneys would seek an emergency order from the U.S. Supreme Court.

“Although the majority of the three-judge panel did not side with our challenge to the Prop 50 map, we appreciate the thoughtful and timely work of all three judges,” she said in a statement to City News Service.   

“The well-reasoned dissenting opinion better reflects our interpretation of the law and the facts, which we will reassert to the Supreme Court. The map drawer’s plain statements acknowledging that he racially gerrymandered the Proposition 50 maps, which he and the legislature refused to explain or deny, in addition to our experts’ testimony, established that the courts should stop the implementation of the Prop 50 map. We look forward to continuing this fight in the courts.”

State Sen. Tony Strickland, R-Huntington Beach, posted on X that Wednesday’s ruling against the Proposition 50 challenge “is deeply troubling.”

Strickland said the issues raised in the lawsuit “remain unresolved and deserve continued attention. The architect of these gerrymandered maps has publicly stated that he purposely drew them to favor one minority group over another to gain five more congressional seats for California Democrats. That is a NO-NO as it violates the Voting Rights Act by using race as a factor in drawing district boundaries.”

In its 2-1 decision, the court upheld the new congressional districts, rejecting plaintiffs’ claims that the maps had been drawn to favor Latino voters over other voting groups.

Judge Josephine Staton, a Barack Obama appointee, wrote the ruling, with Judge Kenneth Lee, a Trump appointee, dissenting. Joe Biden appointee Judge Wesley Hsu joined Staton in her ruling.

“We find that Challengers have failed to show that racial gerrymandering occurred, and we conclude that there is no basis for issuing a preliminary injunction,” Staton wrote. “Our conclusion probably seems obvious to anyone who followed the news in the summer and fall of 2025.”  

The ruling is expected to be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court by the California Republican Party and the Trump administration.   

Voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 50 in November, which supporters dubbed “The Election Rigging Response Act.”   

Proposition 50 establishes new congressional district maps for the 2026 midterm elections that will also be used for the 2028 and 2030 elections. An analysis by the election news website Ballotpedia said it would shift five Republican-held congressional districts to Democrats.

Democrats hold a 43-9 advantage in the state’s House delegation.   

“Republicans’ weak attempt to silence voters failed,” Newsom said in a statement Wednesday. “California voters overwhelmingly supported Prop 50 — and that is exactly what this court concluded.”

Weber, a co-defendant in the lawsuit, said she was pleased the court acknowledged “that the will of California’s voters should prevail. Our democracy is in jeopardy and the fight to maintain our constitutional right to vote must continue. … Our democracy is worth protecting and today’s ruling was the right result.”

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Another case of abandoned puppies raises concern

KESQ on January 14, 2026

Luis Avila

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — The Palm Springs Animal Shelter has rescued five puppies found abandoned in a parking lot, marking another troubling case in the Coachella Valley.

Shelter officials say a good Samaritan discovered the puppies last Friday inside an open box. The puppies are believed to be a pug mix and are estimated to be five to six weeks old.

They are currently in foster care and will remain there until they are old enough to be spayed or neutered. After that, they will be available for adoption.

The incident comes just days after other puppies were found abandoned outside two grocery stores in La Quinta — a moment caught on camera.

While shelter officials say abandoning animals in high-traffic public areas is uncommon, overall pet abandonment remains an ongoing issue. They say some owners may feel shame about surrendering an animal or may distrust government-run shelters.

Officials are reminding the public that spaying and neutering pets can help prevent unwanted litters. They also say fostering animals can make a significant difference.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Man charged with statutory rape now faces 10 counts of child porn possession

KMIZ on January 14, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man who is set to go to trial in the spring for rape and other sex crimes is now facing 10 counts of child porn possession in Morgan County.

Tristian Dale Washia-Mayhew, 23, was charged in 2024 with first-degree rape, second-degree statutory rape and fourth-degree child molestation. A jury trial is scheduled for those charges at 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 12. He is being held at the Morgan County Jail without bond.

His new charges were filed on Tuesday and an arraignment is scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday.

The probable cause statement for the new set of charges says child pornography was found on his phone while authorities did a cellphone extraction for his other cases.

The statement claims Washia-Mayhew had saved child porn — on the social media application Snapchat – from multiple conversations he had with girls. He had also allegedly provided his address multiple times on the app.

Court documents in previous reporting claim one of the rape victims passed out after they were given alcohol and awoke to Washia-Mayhew raping them. That same statement claims Washia-Mayhew had pestered one of the victims for nude photos, while Washia-Mayhew allegedly told law enforcement they were unsolicited.

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Weather Alert Day: Below-zero wind chills have us feeling even colder Monday morning

KMIZ on January 14, 2026

Jessica Hafner

The ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Team has issued a Weather Alert Day for dangerous cold that returns Monday morning after a brief warmup Sunday afternoon. Wind chills are expected to fall below 0° in many locations, and remain there in some locations through noon.

SETUP

An arctic airmass settled over the region this weekend, which caused wind chills to drop below zero Sunday morning.

A second cold front passed through this afternoon, leaving us in northerly flow overnight and into Monday. This brings another arctic airmass in that feels even colder Monday morning, and again colder through the afternoon.

Monday will be overall colder, with wind chills in the single digits much of the day as highs only reach into the teens. Wind chills will again fall to the single digits Tuesday morning before temperatures rise to the upper 30s and 40s in the afternoon. South winds look like they may begin to warm us prior to sunrise, saving us from a repeat of Monday’s cold.

Limit your and your pet’s time outdoors, especially during the early mornings on Sunday and Monday. When wind chills approach -15°, frostbite can occur in as little as 30 minutes, so be sure to cover as much exposed skin as possible with scarves, earmuffs, gloves, and face coverings.

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CCHS teacher placed on admin leave after allegations of inappropriate conduct with student

KESQ on January 14, 2026

Jesus Reyes

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – A teacher at Cathedral City High School was placed on administrative leave following allegations of inappropriate conduct with a female student, although police determined that there was no criminal activity.

According to a statement from the Palm Springs Unified School District, officials received a report and the teacher was placed on administrative leave. PSUSD noted that relevant outside agencies were informed.

Police said that they became aware of possible inappropriate contact on Dec. 10. The investigation led to police determining there was no criminal violation.

“The School Resource Officer immediately began investigating the case, and at the conclusion, we determined there was no criminal violation,” reads an email from the Cathedral City Police Department. “While the Palm Springs Unified School District may determine there could be internal district policy violations, we were unable to substantiate any crimes and are not involved in their investigation.”

Police said CCPD’s investigation was completed around Jan. 1. PSUSD was notified days later.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any new developments.

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Storyliving by Disney welcomes Brian Foster Residences to Cotino

KESQ on January 14, 2026

Jesus Reyes

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ) – Premier architectural design firm Brian Foster Residences joins Cotino, a Storyliving by Disney community, as its fourth homebuilder.

Disney officials said the homes by Brian Foster Residences will showcase the firm’s visionary approach to modern architecture featuring bold, structural designs that harmonize with nature and highlight the beauty of the Coachella Valley.

Exclusively crafted for Cotino, the single-family residences will be offered on expansive 120-foot homesites within the Estate Collection.

The initial release includes four one-story floorplans ranging from approximately 4,000 to 5,000 square feet. Each designer-curated home comes complete with a pool and a dedicated landscaping package. Homebuyers can further personalize their space with options such as detached guest house or expanded garages.

True to the Cotino community’s emphasis on indoor-outdoor living, these homes will feature open concept layouts with large sliding glass doors that blur the boundaries between interior spaces and sweeping desert views.

With more than 35 years of experience, Brian Foster Designs is renowned for creating modern, detail oriented homes that embody the desert lifestyle. Each residence is a work of art—defined by innovative use of shapes, materials and light—delivering both comfort and sophistication.

Those interested in learning more about Brian Foster Residences and the other homes available at Cotino, can call the Cotino Sales Studio at (760) 459-6700 or visit Cotino.com.

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Junk Removal Expert Gives Tips for National Organize Your House Day

KIFI on January 14, 2026

Megan Lavin

EDITORS’ NOTE: To ensure full transparency, Local News 8 notes that business owner Claudy Lavin is married to a member of our reporting team. KIFI provides no formal advertisement or endorsement for Idaho Falls Junk Removal, and this segment was selected purely for informational purposes.

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Today is National Organize Your Home Day, and if you’re not sure where to start, Local News 8 talked to a local junk disposal expert to give you a few pointers.

Claudy Lavin is the owner of Idaho Falls Junk Removal, and he says a lot of people don’t get rid of things, simply because they don’t know how. Paint is one example.

“So one of the things you need to do to dispose of paint is got to make sure that it’s dried out. So you can either open the can and let it sit out to dry out, or you can use kitty litter so that it helps dry it out. That way we can properly dispose of it at the transfer station,” says Lavin.

But, he reminds us that’s not your only option with paint. “If you don’t feel like drying out your paint, another thing you can do is donate it to Habitat for Humanity.” 

If you have bigger areas in sight, he says tackling big items that take up large real estate can make a big difference–like appliances that no longer work, exercise equipment you’re no longer using, or old furniture. Once those are gone, it can really breathe new life into a space.

Claudy’s final tip: he says to go room by room, or go by category if you don’t know where to start. And, if you feel overwhelmed–call in the professionals–that’s what they’re there for. He says people don’t just enjoy the extra space, but that they often feel like a mental weight has been removed–not just the items themselves.

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Maries County deputy charged with felony, accused of assaulting elderly veteran at his home

KMIZ on January 14, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Maries County deputy has been charged with a felony for an act that allegedly occurred when he was a member of the Belle Marshal’s office.

Erican Blake Sugg, of Vienna, was charged in Maries County with third-degree assault and second-degree property damage. A criminal summons was issued on Wednesday and an initial court appearance was scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3.  

The probable cause statement alleges that Sugg claimed a resident – who is listed as a 72-year-old veteran in court documents – was in violation of a city ordinance and Sugg requested the man give him his driver’s license. The man refused to give Sugg his information and closed the door, the statement says.

The victim allegedly opened his door to let his dog in, Sugg tried to force his way into the man’s home and the two got into an “altercation,” the statement says. Court documents cite body camera footage while describing the situation.

Sugg then allegedly told another officer to use a Taser, the statement says. Officers eventually arrested the man.

“Officer Sugg assaulted him and with the threat of being tased put a 72-year-old veteran in apprehension of serious harm,” the city’s marshal wrote in the statement.

Court documents include a statement written by the victim, which claims he asked Sugg if he had a warrant and if he was under arrest, which claims Sugg told him he was not before dragging the man out of his home.

Maries County Sheriff Mark Morgan wrote in a social media post that Sugg has been placed on administrative leave while an internal investigation occurs.

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Columbia woman charged with 29 counts of animal abuse sued by dog owners nationwide, abroad

KMIZ on January 14, 2026

Mitchell Kaminski

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia woman who was charged with 29 counts of animal abuse has now been sued by more than a dozen dog owners from across the United States and abroad.

The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday in Boone County, names Magnum Opus German Shepherds LLC and its owner, Melissa Sanders, 26, and alleges widespread neglect, fraud, and abuse that led to the deaths and severe mistreatment of numerous dogs.

The plaintiffs, including 15 individuals and a couple from Nebraska, Virginia, Minnesota, California and Ohio, as well as Northern Ireland, claim they entrusted their dogs to Sanders for breeding, boarding, training or purchase, believing she was a professional breeder operating a high-quality kennel.

According to court documents, Sanders marketed Magnum Opus as an elite breeding operation focused on health, temperament and proper care; selling puppies for as much as $4,000 and charging for training and boarding services. Plaintiffs allege those representations were false and dogs in Sanders’ care were routinely starved, denied veterinary treatment, kept in filthy conditions and, in some cases, physically abused.

Melissa Sanders dog owner lawsuitDownload

The lawsuit details multiple dogs that died while in Sanders’ custody, including trained and service dogs, breeding dogs and puppies. Necropsy reports cited in the filing describe dogs suffering extreme weight loss, dehydration and starvation, with some dogs reportedly losing nearly half their body weight. Plaintiffs also allege Sanders provided false explanations for the deaths, including accidental strangulation or sudden collapse, and attempted to conceal the true conditions from the owners.

After receiving multiple complaints, Animal Control executed a search warrant at Sanders’ property in November 2025. Authorities allegedly found 16 living dogs in emaciated condition, at least nine dead dogs in various stages of decomposition, dog remains in trash bags, empty food and water containers, and feces throughout the home. Several dog skulls were found by authorities at the scene. Necropsies reportedly concluded that several dogs died of starvation.

Hannah Wilson, who is a part of the lawsuit, said her dog, Eri, went into Sanders’ care healthy and came out “severely” starved and pregnant. Nov. 16, 2025.

In addition to deaths, plaintiffs allege some dogs were returned severely malnourished, injured, or bred without owners’ consent. Several dogs were never returned and are presumed dead, the lawsuit says. Owners also claim financial losses from veterinary bills, necropsies, boarding fees, lost breeding income, and the loss of service dogs.

Elizabeth Van Erem, the attorney representing the dog owners, told ABC 17 News in a statement:

“I will say on behalf of my clients that there is no amount of money that could ever compensate them for the cruel and barbaric actions of Ms. Sanders, who continues to lack remorse for what she has done. My clients’ lives will never be the same.”

The petition brings multiple claims, including breach of contract, fraud, negligence, conversion, breach of bailment, violations of the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act and negligent infliction of emotional distress. Plaintiffs are seeking actual and punitive damages, attorney’s fees, and other relief, and have requested a jury trial.

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