San Benito County Local News: Crime & Justice

Insight Health has denied allegations that it engages in questionable practices to defraud insurance companies and sell patients unneeded services, as alleged in a recent American Prospect magazine article. 

Read on to learn about some of the new California laws going into effect in 2025.

The Latino Coalition of San Benito County hosted a session with more than 30 community members who heard about their rights from two immigration lawyers.

Selene Zalvala (7) and Osvaido Sebastian (2) were last seen at Livingston Ave. and San Antonio Dr. in King City. Law enforcement alleges they were taken by Jacqueline Guajardo (28).

A damning investigation by The American Prospect magazine into Insight Health claims that the company engages in questionable business practices and is buying troubled hospitals with false promises that it will save them.The article, titled “The Ambulance Chasers of Totaled Hospitals,” reviewed court documents and other public records and spoke to unnamed former Insight employees. ​

Homeless residents have built elaborate living arrangements along the San Benito River, and some of them include underground dwellings and walled communities, according to a recent census conducted by the San Benito County Sheriff’s Office.

The California Department of Justice found no criminal wrongdoing by San Benito County Jail staff in the case of an inmate who escaped on May 28, according to San Benito County Sheriff Eric Taylor. He said the escape was a result of lazy or sloppy work by staff. 

Santa Clara County on Dec. 2 launched its new “CARE Court” process, a 24-month program that offers support for people facing mental health challenges and are at risk of becoming embroiled in the criminal court system.

The Public Defender Oversight Committee under the approval of the Board of Supervisors has four vacancies available to be filled by community members. The role of the Committee is to provide recommendations to the Board of Supervisors concerning public defense services in the County.

The City of Gilroy has been dismissed from all litigation filed by the families of two young men who died as a result of a 2021 shooting at the home of City Council member Rebeca Armendariz.

Though San Benito County Superior Court Judge Omar Rodriguez was 40 miles southeast of his courthouse, he donned his robe and gathered up his blue code book and gavel. Rodriguez was visiting with Panoche Elementary School students Oct. 10 as part of the Judges in the Classroom program, where he spoke about his career.