For the past five months the Salinas Police Department Investigations Unit, the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office, Salinas Violence Suppression Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Monterey Office have been conducting an ongoing investigation into NorCal Transportation, who is suspected of operating a drug trafficking organization (DTO) with the specific intent to transport and distribute narcotics between Yuma, Az and Salinas, Ca. During the investigations it was determined that, Nor Cal Transportation was directly connected to the Sinaloa Cartel and transporting narcotics in conjunction with Norteno gang leaders.

On September 15, 2021, the Salinas Police Department arrested Robert Dunham (55) for lewd acts on a child. Robert Dunham is a teacher at Harden Middle School. This is an ongoing investigation and no further details can be provided at this time. If you have any information that can assist the investigation, please contact Detective Dominici at (831) 758-7391 or by email at [email protected]

A press conference will be held at the Police Service of Salinas Headquarters in the Community Room 312 E. Alisal St, on Thursday September 16, 2021 at 10:00 am. Interim Chief Roberto Filice, Salinas PD staff and law enforcement partners will present a report on the results of Operation Black Hawk which took place on September 9, 2021.

Operation Black Hawk is a collaborative initiative that brought together federal, local, and state law enforcement to focus on a drug trafficking operation with the specific intent to transport and distribute narcotics between Yuma, Az.  and Salinas, Ca.

After nearly 20 years on the run, Juan Gabriel Nunez (46) has been arrested in connection with a homicide that occurred on August 8, 2002. Salinas Police Officers responded to 349 Iris Dr. on a report of a missing female and her child. When officers arrived, they contacted the child’s babysitter who told them the mother, Loretta Paluszynski had not shown up to drop off the children as she normally would. Officers responded to the residence to conduct a welfare check and located Paluszynski deceased from multiple stab wounds. The children were located and were safe.