Skylar Heisey
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The man accused of a deadly stabbing in Yuma has been sentenced.
46-year-old Charlie Vega was sentenced to 16 years in prison for second degree murder last Thursday.
Earlier this month, Vega accepted a plea deal to one count of second degree murder.
He was accused of fatally stabbing 30-year-old Ryan Gene Simmons in May of last year.
Skylar Heisey
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The woman accused of a hit-and-run in Yuma that hospitalized a man in April of 2025 has accepted a plea deal.
21-year-old Yancy Antonio pled guilty last week to leaving the scene of an accident.
Under the plea agreement, Antonio faces a presumptive sentence of 3.5 years in prison, with a minimum of 2.5 years and a maximum of seven years. No probation will be granted.
Her sentencing is scheduled for February 27.
Meanwhile, Antonio’s co-defendant, 24-year-old Israel Preciado, was sentenced to 36 months of probation for tampering with physical evidence.
Skylar Heisey
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The man accused of stealing an undisclosed amount of merchandise from Zales Jewelers in August of 2024 has accepted a plea deal.
36-year-old Deandre Lamar Wells pled guilty to theft.
Under the plea agreement, Wells faces a presumptive sentence of 3.5 years in prison, with a minimum of 2.5 years and a maximum of seven years.
His sentencing is scheduled for February 12.
Manoah Tuiasosopo
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – In this week’s Military Matters report, a local event is connecting Veterans and their families with VA Services and community services.
The Yuma Veteran Engagement and Resource Fair takes place Friday at the Salvation Army Yuma Corps Community Center, located at 445 S. Fourth Avenue.
The one-stop event connects veterans with VA representatives and local support organizations. Lunch will be provided, and the event is open to Veterans, spouses, and caregivers.
It runs from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Madeline Murray
Reporter Madeline Murray spoke with locals about what it was like to come together on MLK Day, and what social justice issues still needs to be addressed.
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Many people in Yuma came together to celebrate and remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s message.
One local, Karen Hill, says it is important to keep the younger generation involved in social justice movements.
“Tell the children, and be an example for the kids and for the community that we still have to continue to do this, and I think if they see people out doing this…get them involved,” Hill explained.
Future generations of kids should not be afraid to stand up for what is right.
“Be fearless, speak out, stand out for whats right…we all know what’s right and what our country should look like today, and we should all stand up and demand it,” said Charlene Fernandez, chair of the Arizona Democratic Party.
Many locals say seeing everyone come together shows the progress we have made.
“It feels so good to see all these smiling beautiful faces as we are coming together and that’s what he preached. He wanted different nationalities and different ethnic groups and you see it’s a beautiful rainbow,” said Thelma Lundy, another local.
Dr. King’s message reminds us that everyone is equal and deserves justice, dignity and freedom regardless of race.
Social justice is an ongoing effort and each new generations experience new challenges and roles to continue King’s message.
One local, Ahrianna Rodgers, says the fight is far from over.
“There’s always work to be done in all organizations and fields, but this one mainly, because of what is going on in this world, and we are sleeping on it right now because we have so many things going on with politics, and the things going on with out immigration,” Rodgers remarked.
It is important that we remember King’s message, not just today, but everyday, that all men and women are created equal.
Joaquin Hight
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Monday marked the 18th anniversary of a U.S. Border Patrol agent killed in the line of duty.
Border Patrol Yuma Sector posted to social media saying on January 19, 2008, Agent Luis Aguilar was killed while attempting to stop a suspected smuggler in the Imperial Sand Dunes.
Authorities say Agent Aguilar was deploying a tire deflation device when the suspect intentionally hit him.
Despite life-saving efforts, Aguilar died at the scene.
Aguilar began his career with the U.S. Border Patrol back in 2002. He was 32-years-old, and is survived by his wife, two children, his parents and brother.
Abraham Retana
BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA) – The Brawley Police Department (BPD) says they have arrested a man in connection to a child’s death in Brawley.
According to a press release, officers responded to the area of S. 18th Street at around 7:35 p.m. Pacific on January 8 after receiving reports of an unresponsive five-year-old child.
Upon arrival, BPD says officers performed life-saving measures on the way to the hospital, where the child later died.
Detectives say the circumstances surrounding the child’s death were found to be suspicious, and after an autopsy was conducted, the cause of death was determined to be homicide.
As a result of the investigation, the boyfriend of the child’s mother was arrested on murder charges.
The investigation remains ongoing, and if anyone has information regarding the case, call BPD.
Abraham Retana
Abraham Retana spoke with the teen’s mom and shares what she wants for justice.
BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA) – The mother and friends of a Brawley teen killed by the El Centro Police Department (ECPD) in October of last year held a protest over the weekend.
Alma Urena, the mother of 14-year-old Mike Jimenez Jr., and friends gathered in Brawley Saturday for their fourth “Justice for Moso” protest.
Urena says there’s only one way justice would be served.
“My son passed away. They get a penalty too…should be in prison. I believe they should be in prison, and they should be doing time for their crime. Because this was a crime, this wasn’t self-defense,” Urena explained.
Jimenez was killed by ECPD last October after a car chase, that started in Brawley, ended on Main Street in El Centro.
Urena said her son didn’t deserve such a tragic ending.
“I understand whatever was wrong, or the situation, but he didn’t deserve the death penalty over any of this. He deserved to live and to live life still and he was only 14,” Urena expressed.
Urena says she will continue fighting until she finds justice for her son.
Adrik Vargas
EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The Imperial Valley Social Justice Committee (IVSJC) is holding its annual MLK Freedom Walk Monday.
The event started at the MLK Jr. Sports Pavilion, located at 770 Park Avenue in El Centro, at 11:30 a.m. Pacific, and is to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
In addition, there was a reenactment of the “I Have a Dream” speech in front of the Imperial County Courthouse, located 939 W. Main Street, at 12:00 p.m. Pacific.
Many who walked say Dr. King’s message still resonates today.
“I think he would just be reinforcing unity and togetherness. You know, just remembering that we’re all human and we all have things that we go through, but that doesn’t separate us or make us different,” said Tahjah Fortune, who participated in the walk.
Dillon Fuhrman
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Yuma Silver Spur Rodeo is holding the 2026 Rodeo Parade next month, and they are inviting the community to participate.
The parade is taking place Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 9:00 a.m., and will be traveling from Fifth Street and Orange Avenue to Third Street and Giss Parkway.
The parade’s theme is “Cannon Balls to Rockets,” where it will honor and support our military, and the participants are encouraged to decorate their floats in red, white and blue.
Participation is free, and the application deadline is Saturday, January 31, 2026. To download the application, click here.
