Stanislaus Area Crime Stoppers

06/02/2026

06/02/2026

Fraudulent Calls Impersonating Sheriff's Office Demanding Money

We want to remind everyone that law enforcement agencies will never demand payment over the phone for any reason, including to clear a warrant or avoid arrest. These scams are designed to intimidate and exploit individuals into handing over large sums of money.

What to Do If You Receive a Suspicious Call:

1. Hang up immediately. Do not engage with the caller or provide any personal or financial information.
2. Call your local non-emergency line to report the incident. 209-552-2468.
3. Educate others. Share this warning with family, friends, and neighbors to help prevent them from becoming victims.

Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and skeptical of any unsolicited calls requesting payment or personal information.

05/28/2026

Stroud Elementary Paraprofessional Arrested for Alleged Misconduct with a Student

On Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at about 12:42 p.m., Stanislaus County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call for service regarding a school official who was involved in an inappropriate relationship with a student. Staff at Alice Stroud Elementary School called law enforcement as soon as they received this information.

During the investigation, Detectives with the Special Victims Unit (SVU) identified Sheila Tierra Ochoa, a Paraprofessional with the Empire Union School District, assigned to Alice Stroud Elementary School, as the person accused of having inappropriate contact with the student. The first incident is believed to have occurred four years ago, when Ochoa was a school yard duty at Alice Stroud Elementary School.

Deputies and SVU Detectives located and arrested 27-year-old Ochoa at Alice Stroud Elementary School. She was then booked at the Stanislaus County Jail for lewd and lascivious act with a minor under the age of 14, harmful material sent to a minor, annoying and molesting a minor, willful harm to a minor, and stalking. She is currently being held in custody with a $395,000 bail amount.

Detectives continued to investigate the case to determine if there are other victims and locate any additional evidence. Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact Detective Barron at (209) 525-7117. You may also submit a tip by contacting Stanislaus Area Crime Stoppers at 1-866-602-7463 or go online to stancrimetips.org

Out of respect for the victim and California's confidentiality laws, no further information about the children will be released.

05/26/2026

Gregori Paraprofessional Arrested for Alleged Misconduct with a Student

On Thursday, May 21, 2026, at about 8:30 p.m, Stanislaus County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call for service regarding a school official who was involved in an inappropriate relationship with a student. As deputies began investigating this incident, they requested assistance from the Special Victims Unit (SVU) and a Salida Police Services detective.

During the investigation, detectives identified Rian Johnston, a para-professional primarily working with Special Education students with Modesto City Schools, who was assigned to Gregori High School, as the person accused of having inappropriate relations with a student. The first incident is believed to have occurred in November, 2025.

Salida Police Services, in collaboration with the SVU, was able to contact and arrest 25-year-old Johnston on May 22. She was booked into the Stanislaus County Jail for six felony charges of sexual misconduct with a minor under the age of 18. She is currently being held in custody with a $800,000 bail amount.

Detectives will continue to investigate this case to determine whether there are other victims and additional evidence. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Rushing at (209) 305-1950. You may also submit a tip by contacting the Stanislaus County Area Crime Stoppers at 1-866-602-7463 or go online to stancrimetips.org.

Out of respect for the victim and California's confidentiality laws, no further information about the victim will be released.

05/08/2026

Do you know anything about this homicide? Send us an anonymous tip. If your tip helps, you’ll receive a cash reward.

💬 Text “StanCS” to 738447
📞 Call 1-888-602-7463
💻 Online stancrimetips.org
📲 Download the P3 app.

Remember to save your tip ID # and password!

Human Remains Located Near Knights Ferry

On Thursday, April 30, 2026, at about 1:00 PM, deputies and investigators with the Major Crimes Unit (MCU) responded to the 16200 block of Highway 108 regarding the potential discovery of human remains. Once they arrived, investigators located human remains near the side of the road. The circumstances surrounding the incident are suspicious, and it is being investigated as a homicide.

We appreciate the public’s continued patience and understanding as this case continues to develop. Detectives are working diligently to ensure the investigation is handled thoroughly; however, due to the complexity of the case, no further details are available at this time.

Anyone who believes they may have information regarding this case is encouraged to contact Detective Perez at (209) 525-7093 or submit an anonymous tip through Stanislaus Area Crime Stoppers by calling 1-866-60-CRIME or visiting stancrimetips.org.

05/08/2026

Ceres Police investigators need your help identifying this subject who was involved in grand theft late last year at T-Mobile in Ceres.

Do you know who this is? 👀 Send us an anonymous tip. If your tip helps, you’ll receive a cash reward.

Here’s how:
💬 Text “StanCS” to 738447
📞 Call 1-888-602-7463
💻 Online stancrimetips.org
📲 Download the P3 app.

Remember to save your tip ID # and password!