Central High West Teacher Arrested for Sexting Student

On Tuesday, detectives with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Sex Crimes Unit arrested 31 year old Fabian Botero of Clovis. He was booked into the Fresno County Jail on a felony charge of using electronic communication devices to solicit sexual acts with a minor.

Earlier in the day, school administrators at Central High School’s West Campus in Fresno received a report of inappropriate behavior taking place between a teacher and student. The accused man is a chemistry teacher named Fabian Botero. The reporting person said Botero had exchanged several sexually graphic messages with a 15 year old girl through emails, text messages and voice calls. The school immediately reported this information to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office for further investigation.

A sheriff’s detective responded to the school and conducted a lengthy interview with Botero. During this time, Botero admitted to the inappropriate behavior. It was determined the teacher and student exchanged email addresses in September 2018. They began communicating on a regular basis and Botero initiated conversations that were sexual in nature. The relationship eventually evolved to where they exchanged phone numbers. Botero continued to make sexual advances toward the girl through texts and phone calls. This behavior continued through January 2019 and then they quit communicating for unknown reasons. As of now, there is no evidence to show Botero and the student engaged in any physical activity. This remains an ongoing investigation.

This is the first Fabian Botero had taught at a Fresno area school. His prior five years of teaching all took place in southern California.

Central Unified School District has released the following statement.

“Effective immediately, Mr. Botero is no longer an employee with Central Unified School District. His arrest, based on the felony charge, is deeply disturbing. All interactions between staff and students should have the highest standards of professionalism and boundaries. The behavior that led to these charges is absolutely unacceptable for anyone, especially an educator.

Student safety is a top priority for the district and as such, we are fully cooperating with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office and will continue to do so throughout the course of its investigation. We’re taking measures to ensure classes aren’t disrupted and additional support staff and counselors will be on campus for students and staff.

We appreciate the swift action of our high school administrators who immediately contacted law enforcement as soon as the allegations surfaced this morning. We're also grateful for our partnership with the Fresno County Sheriff.”

The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind parents to be vigilant when it comes to monitoring kids’ phone, email and social media usage. Educate yourself on what software apps they are using. Keep an open line of communication with your son or daughter so you can stay aware of challenges they are facing and identify any sudden changes in their mood. If you learn of any suspicious behavior, report it right away to law enforcement.

There is a possibility that there are other victims out there who have not reported Botero’s behavior. If you are aware of such, please contact Detective Jesse Gloria at (559) 600-8217 or Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-STOP (7867), www.valleycrimestoppers.org

FSO K-9 Mikey in Auberry kissing up to a bear in hopes she "wood" be his honey.

Detectives Arrest 82 Year Old Man for Killing 77 Year Old Wife

Homicide detectives with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office have arrested 82 year old Kenneth Wright of Clovis. He has been booked into the Fresno County Jail on a charge of murder. His bail is set at $1 million.

During the early afternoon of March 14th, Fresno County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a home on the 6700 block of N. Del Rey Ave. in Clovis for a report of a possible suicide. Inside the home, deputies found 77 year old Maradee Wright deceased from an apparent gunshot wound. Due to evidence found at the scene, deputies became skeptical this was a suicide.

Homicide detectives and the Crime Scene Unit responded to take a closer look at the home, the victim and to speak further with Kenneth Wright. During the conversation, detectives learned that Kenneth Wright was actually responsible for shooting and killing his wife. Detectives placed Wright under arrest for murder.
Anyone with additional information about Mr. and Mrs. Wright is asked to contact Detective Juan Galindo at (559) 600-8215, Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-7867 or www.valleycrimestoppers.org You will remain anonymous and may receive a cash reward.