Search leads to 4 arrests in Porterville neighborhood

Four people were jailed today after a home search yielded evidence of illegal drug activity.

Members from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department Narcotics Division, along with members from the Interagency Narcotic Enforcement Team, deputies from the Sheriff’s Department’s Porterville substation and Detectives from the Porterville Police Department served a narcotic search warrant at about 7 a.m. in the 1400 block of East Roby Avenue in Porterville.

During the search, detectives located suspect Jesse David Crowder, 51, inside the residence. Detectives also located items and substances associated to illicit narcotic sales, possession and use, the Sheriff’s Department reports.

Crowder was later arrested for allegedly selling, transferring and/or giving away controlled substances, possession of controlled substances, maintaining a residence for the sale and/or use of a controlled substance, possession of hypodermic needles and syringes and for being under the influence of a controlled substance.

During the investigation, an individual drove up to the residence and was identified as Victor Ruben Vargas, 42.

Vargas was later arrested for allegedly being under the influence of a controlled substance, driving while under the influence of a controlled substance and for driving while unlicensed to operate a motor vehicle.

Two additional subjects were also located hiding at the far back portion of the property. They were identified as Ethel Wiggington, 40, and Joey Badillo, 45.

After further investigation, Wiggington was arrested on suspicion of providing false information to a peace officer and for an outstanding arrest warrant. Badillo was arrested for allegedly being under the influence of a controlled substance and for several outstanding arrest warrants.

The suspects were booked into the Tulare County Main Jail and the Bob Wiley Detention Facility.

Crowder’s bail was set at $25,000, Vargas’ bail was set at $10,000, Wiggington’s bail was set at $12,500 and Badill’s bail was set at $85,000.

-- Contact Jeff Stowe at 784-5000, Ext. 1046, or jstowe@portervillerecorder.com.