Visalia Man Convicted of Driving Stolen Vehicle

On Friday, July 13, 2018, in Department 10 of the Tulare County Superior Court, Visalia Division, Judge Kathryn Montejano presiding, a jury convicted Naigien Saephan, age 38, of Visalia, of one felony count of driving a stolen vehicle. Saephan possesses a prior strike conviction for arson of an inhabited residence in 1998 and two prior prison commitments in 2000 and 2006 for burglary and methamphetamine sales.

On March 9, 2018, Visalia Police Department officers noticed a black Lexus SUV stopped at a red light with paper license plates. Officers initiated a traffic stop and determined Saephan to be the driver. The car had recently been spray painted. Saephan could not produce any registration or insurance documentation for the vehicle. The car had been reported stolen in Porterville three days prior.

Sentencing is scheduled for August 9, 2018, in Superior Court where Saephan faces 8 years in state prison.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Kristine Crossman of the Special Crimes Division and investigated by the Visalia Police Department.

Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Assistant District Attorney Dave Alavezos (559) 636-5494