Location: 600 block of North Front Street, Earlimart

Incident Date: 06/21/16

Incident Time: 0828 hours

Case Number: 16-07850

Victim: Leroy Demp

City: Earlimart

Posted by: Media Relations

On 06/21/16 at approximately 0828 hours, Deputies from the Sheriff's Pixley Substation responded to a residence located on the 600 block of North Front Street, Earlimart, regarding a suspect armed with a knife in an argument with the victim.  Upon arrival, Deputies contacted the suspect who was reluctant to comply with orders to lie down on the ground for officer safety, due to the report the suspect was armed with a knife. 

Moments later, the suspect complied with Deputies orders and was taken into custody without incident.  The knife was later found in the residence.  During the investigation it was determined the suspect threatened the victim with the knife, threatened physical harm and knocked the victim to the ground. 

Additional charges of PC 422 (Verbal threats), PC 417 (Brandishing a weapon) and PC 242 (Battery) were added to the case.

Suspect in custody: Keith Cuyno, 28 years old from Earlimart

Anyone with more information regarding this investigation is urged to contact the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at 1-800-808-0488 or anonymously at tcso@tipnow.com or by text or voicemail at 559-725-4194.