Category: kesq-local-news

City News Service

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – A man involved in carjacking and killing a 24-year-old was convicted of murder and other charges, while the jury for his alleged conspirator, a Desert Hot Springs resident, was unable to reach a unanimous verdict, resulting in a mistrial, court records confirmed Monday.

Trezell Lamone Heckard, 30, of Vallejo was convicted Friday of first-degree murder, robbery, carjacking, burglary and a special circumstance allegation of killing in the course of a burglary for the 2022 slaying of Benjamin Chanes. Jurors hung on separate special circumstance allegations of killing during a kidnapping and killing during a robbery.   

A separate jury weighing the fate of Heckard’s co-defendant, 27-year- old Qevon Xavier Harvey of Desert Hot Springs, informed Riverside County Superior Court Judge Charles Koosed Friday that after a week of deliberations, a unanimous verdict could not be reached on the same allegations. Koosed declared a mistrial in Harvey’s case. A retrial status conference is set for Wednesday at the Riverside Hall of Justice.

Heckard is due for sentencing on April 24. He’s being held without bail at the Smith Correctional Facility. Harvey is being held without bail at the Robert Presley Detention Center.

A third alleged conspirator, Anthony Antoine Wright, 33, of Indio is also accused in the killing. Like Heckard and Harvey, he’s also charged with murder, carjacking, kidnapping and burglary, along with special circumstance allegations of killing in the course of a robbery, killing in the course of a kidnapping and killing in the course of a burglary.   

Wright is additionally charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations. Trial proceedings for him are tentatively set to start Wednesday. He’s being held without bail at the Robert Presley Detention Center.

According to an arrest warrant declaration filed by the Riverside Police Department, on the afternoon of March 6, 2022, Chanes and his girlfriend, identified in documents only as “N.D.,” were returning to Riverside from Los Angeles in her vehicle, with him at the wheel, when they came to a stop in an unfamiliar area after exiting the freeway and were immediately approached by one of the defendants, allegedly wielding a handgun.  

“The Black male approached the driver’s side and ordered Benjamin out at gunpoint,” the affidavit stated.

Chanes complied, at which point “additional Black males told (N.D.) to get out of the car, and they took her to another waiting vehicle and told her to keep her head down. She did what she was told.”   

The woman later informed Robbery-Homicide Unit detectives that Chanes was seated in her car, while she was forced to drive with several of the defendants in their vehicle, a 2011 Chevrolet Impala. The trip lasted 15 minutes, after which both vehicles were parked outside the Boulder Creek Apartment Complex on Iowa Avenue, according to the declaration.   

Police alleged the defendants hustled Chanes and N.D. into the victim’s apartment, pushing the woman into a closet, then demanding to know from Chanes “where the money was” kept. For about 10 minutes, the defendants ransacked the apartment, with N.D. in the closet, unable to see where her boyfriend was being held, the affidavit alleged.   

Chanes abruptly bolted from the apartment when the men were distracted, but they gave chase, according to police. While he was attempting to run away, Wright allegedly opened fire on the victim, inflicting multiple gunshots to his back, causing Chanes to collapse on the sidewalk, according to the affidavit.  

The young man died a short time later at Riverside Community Hospital.   

The defendants fled in the woman’s vehicle, leaving behind their own Chevrolet sedan, police alleged.  

N.D., who was not injured, emerged from the closet and called 911 moments after the gunfire.

Detectives gathered fingerprint and other evidence from the Chevrolet, leading them to one of the defendants’ social media accounts, in which revelations about the shooting ultimately came to light, according to the affidavit.  

The men were arrested at different times over an 18-month span.   

Their co-defendant, Kahlin Cynque Erwin, 30, of Pittsburgh, Calif., pleaded guilty in 2024 to kidnapping and is due for sentencing on June 8. He’s free on a $55,000 bond.

Details regarding his and Wright’s prior convictions were unavailable.

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Jesus Reyes

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) – Riverside County Sheriff’s deputies detained two suspects after a vehicle pursuit and search near Bagdouma Park in Coachella Monday afternoon.

The incident started just before 4 p.m. in the area of Cesar Chavez Street and Avenue 54.

Authorities said deputies saw a wanted subject in a vehicle. They attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver failed to yield, and a pursuit was initiated.

The pursuit ended when the vehicle came to a stop in the 51000 block of Duoma Street. One subject ran from the area, and one subject was detained at the scene. 

Deputies searched for the subject who fled. Several viewers called the newsroom to report a helicopter circling the area near Bagdouma Park.

The second suspect was located on Frederick Street and Avenue 52, authorities confirmed.

There was no information available on the suspects’ identities or what the subject was originally wanted for.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any new developments.

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City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Overnight construction work this week will prompt a road closure on Jackson Street in Indio, it was announced today.   

Crews will perform trench repairs to stabilize the roadway and complete final paving following earlier settlement repairs, officials said.   

The closure is scheduled from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Wednesday on Jackson Street between Highway 111 and Civic Center Drive.   

Detours will be in place as follows:   — Northbound Jackson Street traffic will turn left onto Highway 111, right onto Smurr Street, right onto Civic Center Drive and left back onto Jackson Street; and   — Southbound Jackson Street traffic will turn right onto Civic Center Drive, left at the traffic signal onto Highway 111 and right back onto Jackson Street.

Motorists were advised to allow extra travel time and use alternate routes when possible.

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Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Two adults and a child were displaced after a fire at an Indio home Monday afternoon.

The fire was reported just before 2:45 p.m. on the 82200 block of Kenner Avenue.

“Firefighters are on-scene of a well-involved structure fire with exposure issues to a neighboring structure,” reads a social media post by CAL FIRE.

A plume of smoke was seen in parts of the Coachella Valley.

The fire was contained by 3:10 p.m. Firefighters were committed for two hours for an extensive overhaul.

No injuries were reported.

Longtime Indio resident Raul Alvarez said he’s concerned about the debris and burned material left behind.

“My main concern is, is there going to be something covering that?” Alvarez said. “Because this area right here is a bus stop. There are a lot of kids who come from the whole neighborhood right here, and the bus picks them up right here. And, you know, children, they’re going to be wandering in there.”

The damaged home sits just across from Yucca Park, a place Alvarez said families and children gather daily.

“Tomorrow will be a school day,” Alvarez said. “It’s packed right here with children.”

Crews were seen taping off and red tagging the property.

“It’s sad,” Alvarez said. “I just hope they were covered.”

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.

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Jesus Reyes

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – Palm Desert High School is moving on to the Elite 8 of the Riverside County Mock Trial Competition.

On Saturday, PDHS was selected to go on to the Elite 8 competition. The Aztecs will face Martin Luther King High School at the Riverside Hall of Justice on Tuesday, February 10th at 6 p.m.

The semi-finals will be held on Tuesday, February 17, and the 2026 champion will be named after the final round on Thursday, February 19. The final round will take place at 6 p.m. at the Riverside Historic Courthouse (4050 Main Street, Riverside).

Round 5 Matchups (Elite Eight)

Prosecution vs. Defense

Martin Luther King High School vs. Palm Desert High School

Temecula Valley High School vs. Notre Dame High School

Santiago High School vs. Riverside Poly High School

Valley View High School vs. Ramona High School

Additionally, more than a dozen students were honored for top performances with blue ribbons and prestigious internships in local legal organizations after the fourth round of competition on Saturday, February 7.

“Student events like Mock Trial aren’t just about competing for a championship. Each student gains valuable lessons in analytical thinking, persuasive communication, teamwork, and a greater understanding of our legal system,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez. “Congratulations to the top eight teams advancing to the final rounds and all the award-winning students.”

Mock Trial involves students arguing cases in front of real judges, while being scored by practicing attorneys. The competition is open to all students in grades 9 through 12 enrolled in public and private high schools in Riverside County. Teams consist of 8-25 students filling the courtroom roles of defense and prosecution attorneys, witnesses, clerks, and more.

2026 Riverside County Mock Trial Competition BLUE RIBBON AWARD RECIPIENTS

Outstanding Courtroom Artist

1st Place – Joni Huang, Murrieta Valley High School

2nd Place (Tie) – Jasmine Martinez, Hemet High School; Ivy Phan, Chaparral High School

3rd Place – Sofia John, Temecula Valley High School

Outstanding Courtroom Journalist

1st Place – Douglas Cube, Notre Dame High School

2nd Place – Melissa Chai, Chaparral High School

3rd Place – Faith Harper, Hemet High School

Outstanding Bailiff

1st Place – Sophia Downey, Temecula Valley High School

2nd Place – Jonathan Medrano, Notre Dame High School

3rd Place – Diego Coronado, Centennial High School

Outstanding Clerk

1st Place – Xavier Felix, Notre Dame High School

2nd Place – Samantha Stillman, Chaparral High School

3rd Place – Emily Ruvalcaba, Ramona High School

Outstanding Defense Pretrial Motion Attorney

1st Place – Erin Grace Mankin, Notre Dame High School*

2nd Place – Vincent Zepeda, Patriot High School

3rd Place – Patrick Moon, Martin Luther King High School

*Riverside County Courts Award Bar Association Douglas E. Weathers Scholarship

Outstanding Prosecution Pretrial Motion Attorney

1st Place – Adrian Reyes, Notre Dame High School*

2nd Place – Dana Chiek, Martin Luther King High School

3rd Place – Ana Gamino, Indio High School

*Riverside County Courts Award Bar Association Douglas E. Weathers Scholarship

Outstanding Prosecution Witnesses

Witness: Detective Rio Sacks

1st Place – Caroline Corr, Notre Dame High School

2nd Place – Genesis Abrams, Great Oak High School

3rd Place – Journey Brutus, Chaparral High School

Witness: Alden Mitchell

1st Place – Adrian Torres, Temecula Valley High School

2nd Place – Nathaniel Firetag, Riverside Poly High School

3rd Place – Clark Adkins, Indio High School

Witness: Sam Longo

1st Place – Gael Campos, Notre Dame High School

2nd Place – Ella Fortine, Riverside Poly High School

3rd Place – Sydnee Hernandez, Paloma Valley High School

Witness: Imari Rodriguez

1st Place – Stevie Linton, Murrieta Valley High School

2nd Place – Audrinna Patterson, Notre Dame High School

3rd Place – Giovanna Wilkinson, Martin Luther King High School

Outstanding Defense Witnesses

Defendant: Haley Fromholz

1st Place – Daphne Egizi, Notre Dame High School

2nd Place – Augustina Alfaro, Ramona High School

3rd Place – Brandon Fuller, Valley View High School

Witness: Takoda Morrison

1st Place – Elizabeth Kiggins, St. Jeanne de Lestonnac High School

2nd Place – Ally Afsar, Palm Desert High School

3rd Place – Jill Hacker, Ramona High School

Witness: Dr. Ren Dunne

1st Place – Olivia Wade, Temecula Valley High School

2nd Place – Virginia Duncan, Santiago High School

3rd Place – Emrey Wilkinson, Palm Desert High School

Witness: Jean Kronstadt

1st Place – Phillip Murguia, Vista del Lago High School

2nd Place – Nathaniel Firetag, Riverside Poly High School

3rd Place – John Morinaga, St. Jeanne de Lestonnac High School

Outstanding Prosecution Attorneys

Jude Cramer, Notre Dame High School

Celeste De Lucia, Canyon Springs High School

Olivia Wade, Temecula Valley High School

** Winner of summer internship in District Attorney’s Office and Riverside County Bar Foundation’s Honorable Douglas E. Weathers Scholarship

Outstanding Defense Attorneys

Kaiden Kamphuis, Liberty High School

Thomas Nelson, Palm Desert High School

Crystal Renteria, Valley View High School*

*Riverside County Courts Award Bar Association Douglas E. Weathers Scholarship

Attorneys, judges, and legal professionals from across Riverside County are among the more than 14,000 students who have participated in Mock Trial now in its 44th year of competition. The month-long competition is sponsored by Riverside County Superior Courts, the Riverside County Bar Association, and the Riverside County Office of Education.

The winner of the Riverside County Mock Trial will represent the region at the California Mock Trial Competition March 20-22 in Oakland. The state winner will advance to the National Mock Trial that will be held May 7-9 in Des Moines, Iowa.

This year’s fictional case, People v. Fromholz, centers on the trial of Haley Fromholz, a chef and contestant on the reality TV cooking show Recipe for Success, who is charged with murdering celebrity judge Morgan Sears using poisonous “heartstopper” mushrooms during the filming of the semi-final challenge of the show. Students on the prosecution and defense teams will debate conflicting claims of premeditation, unreasonable search and seizure, forensic evidence, and more, throughout the pre-trial hearings and trial.

In the 2025 Riverside County Mock Trial finals, Poly High School defeated Notre Dame High School in a rematch of the 2024 final. Poly emerged victorious to secure the championship for the 21st time in school history. Third place was shared by Temecula Valley High School and Murrieta Valley High School.

For sponsorship inquiries for this event or any additional Riverside County student events, please visit the 2026 Student Academic Events Sponsorship page. For additional information regarding the 2025-2026 competition, please contact Yadira Chavelas, Events Administrator, at ychavelas@rcoe.us or (951) 826-6570.

For a complete listing of the schedules and locations for all rounds of the competition, visit www.rcoe.us/student-events/mock-trial.

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City News Service

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Cathedral City will receive the Human Rights Campaign Community Leadership Award during next month’s LGBT+ Days celebration, officials announced today.  

The award recognizes the city’s commitment to LGBTQ+ equity and its consistent perfect score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Municipal Equality Index, which evaluates cities on non-discrimination laws, municipal employment practices, services, law enforcement and leadership on LGBTQ+ equality, according to officials.

The city’s most recent perfect score was published in November 2025.   

The presentation is scheduled for about 7 p.m. March 7 at the Stonewall Main Stage.

“Cathedral City has modeled what it looks like when inclusion is not simply affirmed but operationalized through governance,” Brian O’Connor, member of HRC and HRC foundation board of directors, said in a statement. “This recognition celebrates the standard the city continues to set for communities across our region and the nation.”  

Attendees will include representatives from HRC board of directors, Montage Events and city councilmembers.   

“As we celebrate ten year of LGBT+ Days, seeing Cathedral City recognized by the HRC for this perfect MEI score reinforces why this festival is so vital. It’s a moment of pride not just for the city’s leadership, but for every resident who calls this inclusive community home,” Michael Westman of Montage Events said in a statement.  

This year’s LGBT+ Days, themed “CommUNITY Strong,” will be held from March 6-8 and will feature events including a pride drone show, a drag race competition, a bed race, parade and vendors. “American Idol” alum David Archuleta will headline a festival performance on March 7.   

“Cathedral City is proud to be one of the most diverse and inclusive municipalities in the nation, and our vibrant LGBTQ+ community is a vital part of what makes this city so special,” said Mayor Raymond Gregory.

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City News Service

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – A Riverside County web portal designed to provide enhanced access to resources for public education students and their parents and guardians went live today.  

The Office of Education’s revamped website at www.rcoe.us provides various options for users seeking details on a range of topics, including career development, online tutorials for learning about new technology, child daycare, scholarship opportunities and related subjects.   

“Clear and convenient access to information is essential to providing excellent customer service and meeting the needs of our community in the digital age,” county Superintendent of Schools Edwin Gomez said. “The new site reflects (the office’s) strong focus on the user experience through engaging visuals, clear graphics and videos that highlight the excellence our team brings to everything we do.”  

According to the agency, the updated web portal, created through a partnership with digital services developer GovStack, is now a repository for “more than 1,600 pages of fresh content and graphics.”  

The home page interface features a new menu with prominent displays of click-to navigational options and a broader search field, officials said.   

Anyone with questions or experiencing challenges with the site was encouraged to contact the Office of Education’s help team via email at webservices@rcoe.us.

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Rich Tarpening

 INDIO, Calif. (City News Service) -An Indio police K-9 officer was recovering after suffering significant injuries when a suspected impaired driver struck a parked patrol vehicle, causing it to hit the officer, authorities said.

The crash was reported shortly after 10 p.m. Sunday at Monroe Street and Avenue 40, according to the Indio Police Department.

A preliminary investigation found the officer was standing outside his patrol vehicle on the passenger side when a Nissan sedan traveling eastbound on Avenue 40 crashed head-on into the parked unit, police said.

The impact pushed the patrol vehicle into the officer, knocking him to the ground. Nearby residents who heard the collision rushed to assist both the officer and the driver, police said.

The officer sustained significant leg injuries and was found about 30 feet from his vehicle when additional officers arrived, police said. He was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, where he was treated and later released. His K-9 partner, Hoki, was not injured.

The driver, identified only as a 28-year-old woman, was unhurt and remained at the scene, police said.    She was taken into custody by California Highway Patrol officers and later booked into the Benoit Detention Center in Indio, authorities said.

The intersection was temporarily closed during the investigation and reopened shortly after midnight.  The cause of the crash was under investigation, and DUI was suspected to be a contributing factor, police said.

Anyone with additional information regarding the crash was asked to contact the CHP Indio station at 760-772-5300.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – A pedestrian is in the hospital in critical condition after being struck by a vehicle on El Paseo in Palm Desert Monday morning.

The crash was reported at around 9:45 a.m. near the area of El Paseo and Ocotillo Drive.

Details on what led to the crash were not available. Authorities confirmed an adult suffered serious injuries. They were transported by ground ambulance to a trauma center.

The driver of the vehicle remained on scene, and no arrests have been made, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office confirmed.

The investigation into the crash remains ongoing. Stay with News Channel 3 for any new developments.

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Jesus Reyes

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Fantasy Springs Resort Casino is hosting two Career Expos in February to hire Public Safety Officers and fill positions in Food & Beverage and Culinary.

The events will both be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the resort’s Special Events Center. Thursday, Feb. 19 will an event to hire Public Safety Officers. Wednesday, Feb. 25 will be for Food & Beverage and Culinary.

Hiring managers will be on-site to conduct interviews, and select candidates will receive job offers the same day.

Interested applicants must bring a current resume and are encouraged to schedule an appointment in advance by contacting the Fantasy Springs Recruitment Center at 760-238-5687.

Fantasy Springs offers an exceptional employment package that includes Competitive Wages and Advancement Opportunities, Tuition Reimbursement, Free Meals for All Team Members, a Robust Health Benefits Package, 401 (k) Retirement Programs, Entertainment and Restaurant Discounts throughout the property, Wellness Programs, Free Family Events, Scholarships available for employees’ High School Graduates, and more.

“Fantasy Springs offers more than a job, we offer a path forward,” said Robert Silverang, Director of Human Resources at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. “From first-time job seekers to seasoned professionals, we empower our team members to grow, succeed, and discover what’s possible here.”

To view all current job openings and learn more about working at Fantasy Springs, please visit www.fantasyspringsresort.com/employment/.

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