Author: KESQ

Garrett Hottle

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) The Palm Desert man arrested in an attack on a Flock Safety contractor posted bail and was released from custody Wednesday, and the case was submitted to prosecutors Thursday for a decision on formal charges, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to News Channel 3.

Nathan Daniel Ceballos, had been expected to appear in court Thursday afternoon at the Larson Justice Center in Indio. Earlier Thursday, the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office told News Channel 3 it had not yet received the case and no filing decision had been made. The sheriff’s office said Thursday afternoon the case was submitted to prosecutors that day. Jail records show Ceballos is now due back in court Oct. 9.

Ceballos has not been charged with a crime. News Channel 3 went to his Palm Desert home Thursday morning; no one answered the door.

As we first reported Tuesday, deputies from the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station were called to the 73000 block of Fred Waring Drive around 10:25 a.m. Monday, Aug. 24, for a report of an assault with a deadly weapon, according to the sheriff’s office.

Investigators said the victim was a contractor hired by Flock Safety to replace an automated license plate reader camera for the city of Palm Desert that had previously been vandalized.

While the contractor was working on the camera, a man approached him, slashed all four tires on his utility vehicle, damaged the newly installed camera and threatened to stab him, the sheriff’s office said.

Deputies identified Ceballos as the suspect and arrested him that evening during a traffic stop near Palm Desert Drive and San Marcos Avenue. Jail records show he was booked into the John J. Benoit Detention Center in Indio just after 10 p.m. on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats and multiple counts of felony vandalism.

He posted bail and was released the following day, according to the sheriff’s office.

A search warrant served at his home in the 73000 block of San Nicholas Avenue turned up evidence tied to the assault and to additional vandalism of Flock Safety cameras, according to investigators. Deputies said they also found videos of teenage girls that investigators described as sexually intrusive, recorded in both public and private spaces, and are working to identify the people in those recordings.

Neighbors who spoke with News Channel 3 on Thursday were split. Some, who declined to appear on camera, said they were troubled by the allegations involving the videos. Others described Ceballos as friendly and part of a hardworking family that runs its own repair business.

The sheriff’s office warned that intentionally damaging or tampering with Flock cameras can carry felony charges. The case comes as license plate reader technology faces growing scrutiny across the Coachella Valley, including questions about what happens when the system gets it wrong.

Anyone with information about the assault is asked to contact Deputy Jake Paull at the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station at (760) 836-1600. Anyone who believes they may have been recorded is urged to contact Investigator Katheryn Evans at the same number.

This story will be updated if the district attorney’s office confirms receipt of the case or announces a filing decision.

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Jesus Reyes

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) – Hundreds gathered in La Quinta Wednesday night to honor local fallen Marine Corporal Hunter Lopez and the 12 other U.S. service members killed in the Kabul airport attack five years ago.

(Top row left to right) Maxton Soviak, Kareem Nikoui, David Espinoza, Rylee McCollum, Jared Schmitz, Taylor Hoover, Nicole Gee (bottom row left to right) Ryan Knauss, Hunter Lopez, Johanny Rosario, Humberto Sanchez, Daegan Page, Dylan Merola

The 5th annual Hunter Lopez Lightsaber Vigil transformed the Civic Center Campus into a sea of lights as community members raised lightsabers in tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

“So as we raise our sabers, we do so in honor of the fellow fallen heroes. May their memory continue to shine through us like these lights cut through the darkness,” said La Quinta Mayor Linda Evans.

Lopez, a 22-year-old La Quinta High School graduate and lifelong Star Wars fan, was remembered not only for his service to the country, but for the impact he continues to have on the community he called home.

“We have a monument there in Hunter’s name, but Hunter’s true memorial isn’t carved in stone. It’s carried in the hearts of his family, his fellow Marines, his friends, and this community. It’s there every time we say his name, every time we tell a story, every time a young person hears about Hunter and learns what service, courage, and duty looks like. And that’s why tonight it shouldn’t only be about how Hunter died; it should be about how Hunter lived,” said La Quinta Councilmember Steve Sanchez.

This year’s vigil also honored military members and first responders, with families sharing photos of loved ones who have dedicated their lives to serving others.

The Lopez family launched the Hunter Lopez Memorial Foundation to raise money to help those who protect and serve our country, including a scholarship fund for students at La Quinta High School. Click here to donate and/or learn more.

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City News Service

VAN NUYS, Calif. (KESQ) – Criminal proceedings were suspended today after a doubt was declared about the mental competency of a model and social media influencer charged with six felony counts, including burglary and grand theft, involving alleged victims she met through dating apps.

Adva Lavie, 29, is due in at the Mental Health Courthouse in Hollywood Sept. 9, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Lavie, also known as Mia Ventura, was charged last year with stealing money and other property from people she met through dating apps — including wealthy older men and some younger women.

Prosecutors say she targeted victims in Westlake Village, West Hollywood, Los Angeles and Beverly Hills from 2023 to 2025. They say she posed as a girlfriend and travel companion to gain access to the victims’ homes and then allegedly stole cash, gold and high-end designer items.

She is charged with two counts each of grand theft and unauthorized use of personal identifying information, along with one count each of first-degree residential burglary and first-degree residential burglary with a person present.

A judge denied the defense’s request for a mental health diversion program for Lavie earlier this month.

Lavie is also facing similar charges in Riverside County for a case in Indio during music festival season last year.

Lavie had been engaged to billionaire and former gubernatorial candidate Stephen Cloobeck, who was arrested in West Hollywood in May for allegedly trying to dissuade multiple people from testifying in a criminal case against his then-fiancée.

Cloobeck — a real estate magnate who dropped his bid for governor late last year and threw his support behind now-disgraced former Rep. Eric Swalwell — pleaded not guilty Aug. 7 to charges that he tried to dissuade people from testifying in a criminal case against Lavie.

He was charged April 28 with two felony counts of attempting to prevent or dissuade a witness/victim from attending a proceeding by force or threat, and one felony count of preventing or dissuading a witness or victim from attending or testifying at a trial or proceeding.

He was also charged with a misdemeanor count of annoying telephone calls — allegedly directed at the attorney of one of the alleged victims in his fiancée’s case.

The victims named in the criminal complaint against Cloobeck are all alleged victims in Lavie’s case.

The California Post reported that Cloobeck has called off his engagement to Lavie.

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Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – College of the Desert trustee Rubén AríAztlán Pérez pleaded guilty to DUI charges earlier this week and received 60 months of probation.

Pérez, 33, reached a plea agreement with the District Attorney’s Office, authorities confirmed on Wednesday. On Monday, he pled guilty to Driving Under the Influence BAC .08 or Higher and an open container while driving. Two other counts were dismissed in the interest of justice. He also admitted to his prior DUI case.

He was granted probation for 60 months and ordered to complete the Impaired Drivers Program.

Perez was arrested shortly after midnight on May 25 in Palm Desert. Details of the arrest were not publicly available.

It was Perez’s second DUI arrest. His first arrest came in February 2023 in La Quinta. A year later, he pleaded guilty to charges and was sentenced to four days in custody, which he would serve under a work release program. He was also sentenced to 36 months of summary probation. Probation terms include enrolling in and satisfactorily completing a first-offender DUI program for nine months, which had to be completed by June 18, 2025.

Shortly after his most recent arrest, Perez announced he was taking a leave of absence to address alcoholism and depression. He recently returned to his position, and last week, he issued a public apology during the Board of Trustees’ meeting.

“Over the past few months, I’ve had to overcome some of my own mistakes and shortcomings. I don’t pretend to have everything figured out; I’m still learning, I’m still growing, and I’m still working every day to become a better person and a better public servant,” Perez said during the Aug. 21 meeting.

Perez continued, “I’ve also learned to firsthand how important mental health, recovery, accountability, and grace can be. There are people through our community who are struggling quietly with addiction, mental health challenges, grief, or circumstances that the rest of us may know nothing about. I hope we continue building a college where we people know that asking for help is a sign of courage. Where a mistake doesn’t have to define yours or someone’s life. Where second or even third chances can lead to something meaningful.

The trustee is set to return for another four-year term as he is running unopposed to represent Area 1 on the November ballot.

“I am incredibly humbled by the trust you have placed in me over the years. Running unopposed is something I don’t take for granted. To me, it isn’t something to become comfortable; it is an even greater responsibility to earn that trust every single day. I know I haven’t always gotten everything right. When I have fallen short, I’ve tried to own it, learn from it, and do better. I will continue doing that. Serving this community and College of the Desert has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Perez said.

Perez is the son of Riverside County District 4 Supervisor Manuel Pérez.

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Tommy Gallegos

PALM SPRINGS, CA (KESQ)- The Palm Springs Cultural Center will host two free community tribute screenings to celebrate Dolly Parton and Tim Curry.

The Cultural Center says this September, they’re opening the doors of the Historic Camelot Theatre for two evenings to come together and celebrate Dolly Parton and Tim Curry—two singular performers who brought very different kinds of joy to the screen and left an unmistakable mark on popular culture.

The first screening is set for Sept 16 at 6pm, with a screening of 9 TO 5: Celebrating Dolly Parton.

The Cultural Center saying “Funny, fearless, and unmistakably Dolly. Join us for the workplace comedy that gave us Doralee Rhodes and one of the most iconic movie songs ever written.”

Then on Sept 23rd at 6pm, a screening of CLUE: Celebrating Tim Curry.

The Cultural Center saying “As the unforgettable Wadsworth, Curry is the comic engine behind one of the most beloved cult comedies of its generation.”

Both films are screening for free, but you must sign up on the eventbrite pages to catch these classics on the big screen at the Historic Camelot Theatre.

The Cultural Center says they welcome the community to come celebrate two artists who gave us so much.

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City News Service

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – A federal jury today found that the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department bore some responsibility for the death of a 29-year-old Beaumont man who suffered fentanyl poisoning in jail while awaiting trial for attempted murder, recommending that the dead man’s family receive millions for their loss.

“After a week of trial, a jury unanimously found in favor of the Matus family and awarded $13.5 million in damages,” plaintiffs’ attorney Christian Contreras said. “The trial was vigorously defended by the county, but members of the Riverside community have now spoken, and the county jails need to be reformed to prevent further inmate deaths.”

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department says that the agency “makes every effort” to keep detainees safe, even while they choose to use illicit substances, after the department was found partly responsible for Matus Jr’s drug-related death.

“While our hearts go out to the decedent’s family for their loss, the sheriff’s office takes every precaution and makes every effort to ensure inmates are safe from dangers,” according to a statement released by the department Thursday. “We respect the legal process, but we are disappointed with the findings and the allocation of responsibility determined by the jury.”

The verdicts were returned to U.S. District Court Judge Sunshine Sykes in downtown Riverside on Wednesday morning. No future hearings were immediately scheduled, and there was no word on whether the county intends to appeal.

Executive Office spokeswoman Brooke Federico told City News Service that, because jurors determined the county was only “40% at fault … the county is responsible for $5.4 million of the total amount.”

The mother of Richard Matus Jr., Lisa Matus, filed the civil action against Sheriff Chad Bianco, several deputies and the county as a whole in early 2023, alleging violations of her son’s Constitutional right to equal protection under the law, deprivation of future relations with his family due to official negligence, failure to follow safe practices in the correctional system and other failings.

The county countered in court documents that Matus was responsible for his own actions and that the defendants lacked “sufficient knowledge or information or belief ” that there were “grounds (for) the allegations.”

Lisa Matus sued not only on behalf of herself, but her eldest son’s young daughter and son, whose identities were not disclosed.

The suit pivoted on whether correctional deputies assigned to the Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta properly reacted when they were alerted to the fact Matus was in medical distress by a fellow inmate on the night of Aug. 11, 2022.

The plaintiffs characterized the mishandling of the emergency as a systemic problem, noting that Matus was one of 22 inmates who died in the county correctional system that year.

“The individuals named in the lawsuit were repeatedly put on notice of great dangers which existed within Riverside County’s correctional facilities through the long history of in-custody deaths (and) the record-breaking amount of fentanyl overdoses throughout all county correctional facilities,” according to the plaintiffs’ complaint. “Long before Richard Matus Jr.’s death, the sheriff’s department knew there existed great indifference to the safety and protection of inmates.”

In one of the defendants’ briefs, they asserted “there were no grounds for liability” under more than one of the theories put forward by the plaintiffs.

The bulk of the case centered on Deputy Angel Rojas’ response to the inmate intercom call stating Matus was catatonic and in need of immediate “medical intervention,” according to court papers.

The plaintiffs argued that the “endemic, ongoing and unabated risks of injury or death to inmates” tied to illicit drugs and other circumstances within the jail system stemmed from institutional carelessness.

It was unclear where Matus had obtained the fentanyl. He was pronounced dead in his jail cell.

At the time, he was awaiting trial, along with his younger brother, now 26-year-old Raymond Emilio Paul Matus of Beaumont, for a violent takeover robbery at a cannabis store in Banning on June 23, 2018.

Ray Matus was ultimately convicted of attempted murder, robbery, assault with a deadly weapon and sentence-enhancing allegations of using a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony and inflicting great bodily injury.

He was sentenced last year to 21 years to life in state prison.

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KESQ News Team

BERMUDA DUNES, CA (KESQ) – A Bermuda Dunes man was arrested after a multi-agency effort was initiated following a tip that the person possessed videos and images of child sexual abuse material.

Indio Police say on June 10, 2025, a CyberTip was received from social media platform Kik regarding a user suspected of possessing multiple videos and images of child sexual abuse material.

Following the tip, an Indio Police Department detective authored a search warrant for the suspected account. The investigation led authorities to an Internet Protocol (IP) address associated with a residence in the 41400 block of Pedro Buff Drive in Bermuda Dunes.

Investigators subsequently obtained a search warrant for the residence.

On August 21, 2026, a joint operation involving the Riverside County Regional Computer and Technology Crime Task Force, Major Crimes Unit, and Special Enforcement Bureau Special Weapons and Tactics Team was conducted. The suspect, a 38-year-old Bermuda Dunes resident, was taken into custody while leaving the residence for work.

During the search of the home, investigators also located an illegally possessed assault weapon.

The suspect was booked into the John J. Benoit Detention Center on charges related to possession of child sexual abuse material and possession of the assault weapon.

Authorities said the arrest demonstrates the collaboration between multiple Riverside County law enforcement units, which worked together to carry out the investigation and arrest safely.

The suspect has since been released on bail and is scheduled to appear for arraignment at the Larson Justice Center on October 5, 2026.

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Luis Avila

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Palm Springs City Council members unanimously approved a temporary moratorium on new large-scale data center projects Wednesday night.

The 45-day pause gives the city time to study the potential impacts of the facilities before deciding whether additional regulations are needed.

During public comment, several residents spoke in favor of the moratorium, raising concerns about water use, electricity demand and infrastructure.

“Desert data centers have to use supplemental cooling systems because it’s hot,” one resident said. “The building of data centers anywhere in Palm Springs or the desert… is catastrophic and wholly irresponsible.”

Others spoke against the pause, saying Palm Springs should keep the door open to future development and the opportunities different types of data centers could bring as technology continues to change.

“Everything is changing rapidly, and our needs will change rapidly, especially with our fire departments and with our police departments. So it’s important that we protect our future and not stifle or negate possibilities,” said another resident.

The item was brought forward by Councilmember Grace Garner and specifically focuses on large-scale data centers.

Councilmembers discussed whether data centers should be clearly defined and addressed in the city’s upcoming zoning code update.

Garner said the city needs to be thoughtful about how it regulates an industry that is changing quickly. “And as we’ve seen in other communities across the country who have not had that happen, there are really huge detriments, and we don’t need that to happen here in our community,” she said.

Councilmembers also discussed the possibility of taking as long as two years to develop comprehensive zoning regulations for data centers.

Palm Springs joins other Coachella Valley cities taking action on data center development. Desert Hot Springs and Indio have approved temporary moratoriums, while Coachella approved a permanent ban on Wednesday.

The Palm Springs data center moratorium will remain in effect through Oct. 10.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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Matthew Pearce

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — This year, the Love Fund has spent $35,244 on specialized medical procedures and surgeries at the Palm Springs Animal Shelter.

But every day, new animals come into the shelter in need of medical procedures.

With increasing veterinary costs and animals arriving at the shelter at any given moment, the fund is falling behind on what it needs to help animals in need.

Currently, the fund has $17,684. But four animals alone require upwards of $23,000 — more than what is currently available.

Dr. Phil Caldwell, medical director at Palm Springs Animal Shelter, noted that recent medical treatments have strained shelter resources.

“We’ve had several cases that are very, very expensive to treat,” Caldwell said. “Very complex medical and surgical cases. And so we’ve having to send them to specialty clinics or do them here, but they’re with specialists or surgeons and that requires a lot of money to do that.”

Jack Hagerman, associate executive director of the shelter, emphasized the critical need for financial assistance to sustain animal care.

“We look to donors to really help us to to replenish the Love Fund so that we can continue to provide this life saving treatment,” Hagerman said.

Without sufficient funding, treatment options for severely ill animals become limited.

“Euthanasia is often the only way forward if they have a chronic issue that’s affecting their quality of life,” Hagerman said.

Because shelter officials cannot predict when new animals needing medical intervention will arrive, they have set a broader fundraising target of $100,000 to prepare for future cases. Caldwell said the shelter hopes to reach the larger milestone to help handle future admissions.

To donate, visit the Palm Springs Animal Shelter’s website.

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Raymond Kalra

IDYLLWILD, Calif. (KESQ) – Tucked into the mountains of Idyllwild is a piece of Dolly Parton’s life that has remained largely untouched – down to the furniture, photographs, dishes and even bottles of Coca-Cola still sitting inside the refrigerators.

Following Parton’s passing, the current owners of her former mountain home say they are thinking more deeply about how to preserve – and potentially one day share the history she left behind.

Brian Vassallo and his wife purchased the property in 2025 after searching for a mountain getaway. Vassallo said they knew about the home’s connection to Parton before buying it, but that connection was especially meaningful to him because he grew up in the South listening to her music.

“Her voice filled the walls of our home from Thanksgiving to New Year’s every year,” Vassallo said. “I can’t remember a Christmas in my life that Dolly isn’t a part of.”

That history shaped the couple’s decision before they even finalized the purchase.

“The house is exactly as Dolly left it when we came into the house,” Vassallo said. “If we were going to be the stewards of this property, we were going to keep it just how she left it.”

According to Vassallo, nearly all of the furnishings inside belonged to Parton. The chairs, tables, dishes, silverware and pictures hanging on the walls remain, along with personal photographs he says were found tucked away in drawers throughout the home.

Some of those photographs show Parton on tour, performing on stage and traveling around the country. Vassallo said the couple even discovered an old Rolodex containing contacts ranging from friends in Nashville and Hollywood to her gardener and doctor.

One of the more unusual details can be found inside with the home’s refrigerators.

Vassallo said there is a refrigerator on each level of the three-story home, with two on one floor. According to the story passed down with the property, Parton wanted Coca-Cola nearby wherever she was in the house.

“And every fridge is stocked with her bottles of Coca-Cola,” Vassallo said. “And they are still there. To this day, every fridge is still stocked with the bottles of Dolly’s Coke.”

Tiffany Raridon, broker-owner of Idyllwild Properties, has been connected to the property through multiple sales. She said previous owners made necessary repairs and improvements to the exterior but largely left the inside untouched.

“Nothing has changed,” Raridon said. “Everything in it is still as Dolly left it.”

Dolly Parton’s connection to Idyllwild

While Parton is most closely associated with Tennessee, Raridon said the mountain setting of Idyllwild reminded her of home.

She said stories have long circulated in the community about Parton walking from the cabin into town and visiting local businesses rather than hiding away from residents.

“She would walk down there in her high heels,” Raridon said. “I’ve heard a lot of stories about how she was just frequently seen, and she didn’t hide away like a lot of celebrities do.”

The cabin also served as a creative space.

Raridon said Parton spent time in the home’s loft writing songs and playing music.

“She actually spent time writing up in the loft,” Raridon said. “That was her favorite place to write songs and play music.”

For Vassallo, however, owning the property has never felt like simply purchasing a celebrity’s former home.

“We don’t even refer to it as our house,” he said. “It’s Dolly’s house. It will always be Dolly’s house. We’re very fortunate to just be the stewards of that home.”

What could come next

Vassallo said he and his wife have discussed the future of the property more seriously since learning of Parton’s passing.

For now, it remains their private mountain retreat. But he believes there may eventually be a way to allow others to experience some of the history preserved inside.

“The house, it needs to be shared,” Vassallo said. “And how we do that, we don’t know. We haven’t figured that out yet.”

Whatever comes next, Vassallo said preserving the home has taken on even greater meaning.

For a man who grew up with Parton’s music filling his childhood home, he now sees himself as responsible for protecting one small piece of the legacy she left behind in the Southern California mountains.

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