Lemoore police arrest Tulare County pair in early morning stop at a Lemoore intersection

The officer stopped the car and contacted the driver, later identified as 43-year-old suspect Sergio Nieto Cornejo, from Goshen. A female passenger, who initially identified herself as 29-year-old suspect Crystal Lemone from Tulare, was also contacted.

Cornejo was operating a vehicle without a valid driver’s license, according to the police report. 

Cornejo consented to a search of the vehicle. During the search, officers located an ID for Lemone identifying her as Janel Carter, a Lindsay resident. The officer detained and placed her in the patrol car. She had a warrant for her arrest in Tulare County. 

As the search progressed, officers located approximately one pound of marijuana, a loaded .380 handgun, an imitation firearm altered to look authentic, and personal identification information from at least five different persons in wallets belonging to Carter. Police also found a pair of masks commonly used in robberies, .4 grams of methamphetamine belonging to the suspect, Carter, and packaging material, which officers believed could have been used to repackage the marijuana for sales.  

Police learned that the suspect, Carter, was a convicted felon. Cornejo was evaluated by officers and determined to be under the influence of a controlled substance.

The suspect, Carter, was booked into the Kings County Jail for false personation to a peace officer, identity theft, felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, possession of marijuana, criminal conspiracy, and possession of methamphetamine. Her bail was set at $170,000.

Cornejo was booked on several charges, including possession of a loaded firearm, possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle, and possession of a firearm while under the influence of a controlled substance.