Month: September 2022

By Larry Judkins

Glenn County Observer

On Monday, Sept. 12, the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office issued a press release stating that one of its employees had been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation.

The short release says in its entirety: “The Glenn County Sheriff’s Office became aware of an allegation of criminal misconduct involving one of our employees. The involved employee has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of a criminal and administrative investigation. The Glenn County Sheriff’s Office is not able to make any public comments regarding the identity of the employee involved or the nature of the allegations of misconduct.

“The men and women of the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office are dedicated to protecting the citizens and communities, which we serve. We remain steadfast in our commitment to public service and do not condone any nature of misconduct. The Glenn County Sheriff’s Office will release any information allowable by law once the investigations are complete.

“For general information regarding the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office please visit our website: http://www.countyofglenn.net/sheriff or follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/glenncountysheriff.”

Obviously, the release is so vague that it does not give so much as a hint as to who the GCSO employee is, what his or her position in the sheriff’s office is (patrol deputy, correctional officer, administrative worker, etc.), what the alleged criminal misconduct was, or when it allegedly occurred.

Given that this is an active investigation, both criminally and administratively, and that in California, employees have certain legal protections regarding the release of their employment histories and other information, this is to be expected.

Nevertheless, this did not prevent rumors from flying on social media as to the identity of the employee. One person, a GCSO deputy, was mentioned repeatedly, with at least one former Glenn County law enforcement officer expressing surprise that this person was hired in the first place.

That remark was made just a day after the GCSO press release was issued. Then, on Friday, Sept. 16, Alan Marsden of Action News Now (the local news association consisting of KHSL Channel 12, KNVN Channel 24, and the CW’s Chico-Redding Channel 10) reported on a lawsuit filed against the City of Oroville by Oroville Police Sergeant Michael Sears.

The complaint filed on behalf of Sears by Chico attorney Larry L. Baumbach alleges a number of acts of wrongdoing committed by a former Oroville police officer. It also alleges that this same officer, now a GCSO deputy, was recently placed on leave for criminal wrongdoing in Glenn County.

In one case, the complaint alleges that on or before July 5, 2021, former Oroville Police Sergeant John Sanzone stole $1,300 from a person suffering from mental illness. A few paragraphs later in the complaint (paragraph 42), it alleges:

“In September of 2022, while employed at the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office, John Sanzone was placed on administrative leave after yet another citizen reported Sanzone had stolen money from him during an arrest, but this time it occurred in Glenn County.”

Sanzone joined the GCSO in December of 2021. According to Sears’ complaint, prior to this time, while Sanzone was an Oroville police officer:

“In [an] October 2018 grievance, OFFICER SEARS reported that Officer John Sanzone left critical rape evidence in an unsecured area of the PD (next to Sgt. Deal’s desk) where convicted felons had access (the Department used felons to clean the facilities at that time). Additionally, Officer Sanzone wrote in his report that he had ‘booked’ the evidence the same day he collected it, which was false” (paragraph 9, point 2).

“In that same October 2018 grievance, OFFICER SEARS reported John Sanzone leaving meth, a broken meth pipe, and other evidence in his patrol vehicle (violation of policy). OFFICER SEARS took photos and let administration know the day that this was discovered” (paragraph 9, point 3).

“On February 12, 2020, [now-SERGEANT] SEARS filed a formal complaint against John Sanzone for making false allegations, disparaging remarks, and untrue rumors about SEARS. Sanzone spread these false rumors to several members of the Department, which negatively affected SEARS’ professional and personal reputation…” (paragraph 17).

“On February 29, 2020, SERGEANT SEARS sent an email to Lt. Zarate documenting his concerns about John Sanzone stealing City funds, by way of fraudulent timecard certifications. Specifically, that on February 4, 2020 Sanzone left work early but lied on his timecard about how long he worked (lied by reporting he worked 6 hours more than he did). Multiple officers corroborated this and also found multiple additional days where John Sanzone put hours on his timecard that he did not work. Specifically, Officer Breck Wright confirmed this with the Finance Dept., and brought this to the administration’s attention” (paragraph 18).

“Additionally, SERGEANT SEARS’ February 29, 2020 email also detailed Sanzone requesting subordinate officers still in training (and under Sanzone’s supervision) to lie for him – and tell his girlfriend that he was staying the night at an officer’s house, when Sanzone was not in fact at the officer’s house. SEARS’ concern about this was that Sanzone was enlisting young subordinate officers to lie” (paragraph 19).

“On February 21, 2021, SEARS emailed Sgt. Sanzone, Lt. Zarate, and Chief Deal because he had learned, yet again, that John Sanzone was spreading false rumors and allegations against SEARS to other members of the Department that were impairing SEARS’ ability to do his job. Just three days after sending this email, on February 24, 2021, SEARS received a Notice of Internal Affairs (IA) investigation against him for purportedly creating a ‘hostile work environment’ for Sgt. John Sanzone as a result of SEARS reporting Sanzone’s unethical and criminal behavior” (paragraph 33).

“… during the period of December 2020 to March of 2021, Officer Breck Wright found that Sanzone had failed to respond to approximately 80 calls, including domestic violence, suicidal subjects, missing juveniles, vandalism, trespassing, animal abuse, prostitution, and drug overdoses. One specific incident occurred on March 6, 2021, when citizens called 911 reporting that an elderly handicapped woman, who was unable to walk or access food, needed emergency law enforcement assistance. Sgt. John Sanzone failed to respond to that call. Instead, SERGEANT SEARS saw that Sanzone had not responded to the call during his shift, so SERGEANT SEARS responded when he got on duty, and found the woman sitting in her own urine and fecal matter, unable to move or access help. The treating doctor said the woman was lucky to be brought in when she was, because she was on the verge of requiring a leg amputation, or worse due to her condition…” (paragraph 37).

As already mentioned above, “On July 5, 2021, SERGEANT SEARS was on duty when a citizen, who suffered with mental illness, came in to the police department to report that Sergeant Sanzone had stolen $1300 from the citizen during a recent arrest. The citizen said he had come in to report this theft multiple times, and he was told by one sergeant that the citizen could not make that type of complaint and was told to leave. SERGEANT SEARS looked up the police log history and saw that the ‘sergeant’ who told the citizen he could not make such a complaint was John Sanzone himself. On July 8, 2021 and again on July 9, 2021, the citizen came in to again report the theft of his money by John Sanzone…” (paragraph 39).

It must be emphasized that these allegations against Sanzone are just that: allegations. Sanzone has not been convicted of anything.

In fact, so far as The Observer is aware, he hasn’t even been charged with any wrongdoing, not in Butte County and not in Glenn County. Here in Glenn County, he is apparently being investigated, but that is all.

Remember: Everyone accused of criminal wrongdoing is considered innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law.

This includes John Sanzone.

Here are the latest bookings from the Glenn County Jail. Remember: Everyone accused of a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Friday, Sept. 2:

2 a.m., Clarence Bartholemeu Hickman, 58, of Chico, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging failure by a transient to register as a sex offender within 30 days (a misdemeanor), and resisting or obstructing an executive officer (a felony). Bail was set at $25,000. He was taken into custody at the Pilot Travel Center, 4444 Commerce Way, by an Orland police officer.

4:03 a.m., Pedro Quin Cuin, 24, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging false imprisonment (a felony). Bail was set at $10,000. He was taken into custody at 600 North Humboldt Avenue, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

8:57 a.m., Khamsone John Boualinthong, 48, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on a warrant alleging failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge. Bail was set at $13,000. He was taken into custody at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 810 North Humboldt Avenue, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

11:32 a.m., Timothy Duane Slye, 41, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging using or being under the influence of a controlled substance (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at zero. He was taken into custody on County Road M, north of County Road 47, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

4 p.m., Fredi Molina Pineda, 48, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging violation of a court order to prevent domestic violence (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at $5,000. He was taken into custody at 636 Holly Street, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

Saturday, Sept. 3:12:32 a.m., Nicolas Alvarez Diaz, 24, of Hamilton City, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging battery on a spouse, ex-spouse, date, etc. (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at $5,000. He was taken into custody at 206 Main Street, apt. #1, Hamilton City, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

Sunday, Sept. 4:

1:37 a.m., Lisa Marie Davis, 33, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging trespassing, and public intoxication (both misdemeanors). Bail was set at zero. She was taken into custody at 1252 West Sycamore Street, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

Monday, Sept. 5:

9:25 a.m., Elisa Chere Coon, 45, of Paradise, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging possession of a switchblade knife in a vehicle (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at zero. She was taken into custody in the alley between Sonoma and Sacramento Streets, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

11:45 p.m., Fernando Mendoza, 37, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging evading a peace officer with wanton disregard for safety (a felony), possession of a controlled substance for sale (a felony), possession of cannabis for sale (a felony), possession of more than an ounce of marijuana (a misdemeanor), and selling, giving, or transporting marijuana (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at $555,000. He was taken into custody at County Roads 200 and C by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

12:36 a.m., Fernando Rejino, 39, of Redding, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, driving while under the influence of alcohol, driving with a license suspended for driving while under the influence, and giving false identification to a peace officer (all misdemeanors). Bail was set at $15,000. He was taken into custody on the northbound side of Interstate 5, just north of County Road 48, by a California Highway Patrol officer.

Tuesday, Sept. 6:

12:37 a.m., Bucky Andrew Lee, 34, of Ashland, Ore., was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging possession of controlled substance paraphernalia, and possession of a narcotic controlled substance (both misdemeanors), and a Marin County warrant alleging petty theft of retail merchandise, and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription (both misdemeanors). Bail for the fresh charges was set at zero, while bail for the warrant was set at $2,000. He was taken into custody at the Pilot Travel Center, 4444 Commerce Lane, by an Orland police officer.

12:37 a.m., Nicole Marie Ponte, 33, of Ashland, Ore., was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging possession of controlled substance paraphernalia, and possession of a narcotic controlled substance (both misdemeanors). Bail was set at zero. She was taken into custody at the Pilot Travel Center, 4444 Commerce Lane, by an Orland police officer.

12:37 a.m., Adam Paul Schoen, 39, of Ashland, Ore., was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging possession of controlled substance paraphernalia, and possession of a narcotic controlled substance (both misdemeanors). Bail was set at zero. He was taken into custody at the Pilot Travel Center, 4444 Commerce Lane, by an Orland police officer.

12:14 p.m., Erendira Garcia-Rojas, 44, of Orland, was remanded by the court to the Glenn County Jail for charges alleging driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, driving while under the influence of alcohol, battery, and battery on a spouse, ex-spouse, date, etc. (all misdemeanors). Bail was set at $20,000.

12:34 p.m., Brittany Irene Emery, 31, of Orland, was returned to the custody of the Glenn County Jail without bail for charges alleging conveying or selling personal identification information with intent to defraud, making or passing a fictitious check, transporting a narcotic controlled substance for sale, possession of a narcotic controlled substance for sale, possession of a controlled substance while armed with a loaded firearm, transportation of a controlled substance for sale, and possession of a controlled substance for sale (all felonies). She was taken into custody at 13404 Browns Valley Road, Chico, by a Glenn County probation officer.

3:28 p.m., Francisco Zamora-Ochoa, 49, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging possession of a controlled substance (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at zero. He was taken into custody at 4617 County Road G, Orland, by a Glenn County Interagency Narcotics Task Force (GLINTF) agent.

3:29 p.m., David George Sewill, 46, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging possession of marijuana for sale, and providing a place for the storage or sale of a controlled substance (both misdemeanors). Bail was set at zero. He was taken into custody at 4617 County Road G, Orland, by a Glenn County Interagency Narcotics Task Force (GLINTF) agent. Early the next morning, Sewill was found to have a warrant from the criminal court of the City of New York alleging being a fugitive from justice (a felony), and a Los Angeles County warrant alleging assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm (a felony). The New York City warrant was a no-bail warrant. Bail on the Los Angeles County warrant was set at $60,000.

3:30 p.m., Jayson Ray Conner, 40, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging possession of a firearm after a misdemeanor conviction of corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at $10,000. He was taken into custody at 4617 County Road G, Orland, by a Glenn County Interagency Narcotics Task Force (GLINTF) agent.

Wednesday, Sept. 7:

1:26 a.m., Phillip Lee Perham, 46, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging carrying a concealed dirk or dagger (a felony), possession of controlled substance paraphernalia (a misdemeanor), and using or being under the influence of a controlled substance (a misdemeanor), and a Santa Cruz County warrant alleging failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge. Total bail was set at $12,500. He was taken into custody at 207 North Butte Street, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

11:47 a.m., in a court-ordered surrender, Garrick Rory Schroder, 32, of Fairfield, was booked into the Glenn County Jail without bail on charges alleging vehicle theft (a felony).

2:30 p.m., Carlos Prentice Hill, 30, of Elk Creek, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging battery with serious bodily injury (a felony). Bail was set at $50,000. He was taken into custody near Elk Creek by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

3:21 p.m., Sabrina Marie Palmer, 42, of Orland, was committed to the Glenn County Jail without bail on charges alleging misdemeanor violation of probation. She was taken into custody at 6805 County Road 19, Orland, by a Glenn County probation officer.

4:28 p.m., Lyle Leroy Cheever II, 54, of Willows, was committed to the Glenn County Jail without bail on charges alleging felony violation of probation. He was taken into custody at the Blue Gum Motel, 2637 Highway 99, sp. #125, Willows, by a Glenn County probation officer.

4:39 p.m., Lisa Louise Suarez, 41, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging battery on a spouse, ex-spouse, date, etc., and illegal use of tear gas (both misdemeanors). Bail was set at $5,000. SHe was taken into custody at 4222 County Road JJ, Orland, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

Thursday, Sept. 8:

12:39 a.m., Chance Ross Hadden-Martinez, 27, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on a warrant alleging disobeying a court order, and selling liquor to a minor (both misdemeanors). Bail was set at $10,000. He was taken into custody at East Walnut and North Tehama Streets, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

8:01 a.m., Reyna Salinas Puente, 37, of Hamilton City, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging possession of a narcotic controlled substance (a misdemeanor), and warrants alleging failure to appear on a felony charge. Bail on the fresh charge was set at zero, while the total bail for the three warrants was set at $75,000. She was taken into custody on Highway 45, north of First Street, Hamilton City, by a Glenn County probation officer.

8:27 a.m., Nelson Henrique Moran, 41, of Fresno, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on warrants alleging robbery (a felony), driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs (a misdemeanor), driving while under the influence of alcohol (a misdemeanor), possession of a controlled substance  (a misdemeanor), and driving with a license suspended for driving while under the influence and refusing a chemical test (a misdemeanor). Total bail was set at $45,000. He was taken into custody at Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center, Elk Grove, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

11:20 a.m., Sabrina Marie Watson, 26, of Oakland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging battery against emergency personnel (a felony), misdemeanor vandalism, and assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm (a felony). Bail was set at $35,000. She was taken into custody at Glenn Medical Center, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

11:44 p.m., Christian David Sullender, 33, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs (a misdemeanor), driving while under the influence of alcohol (a misdemeanor), and felony violation of probation. Bail was set at $40,000. He was taken into custody at the Orland Stop and Shop, 10 Walker Street, by an Orland police officer.

Friday, Sept. 9:

10:15 a.m., in a court-ordered surrender, Alberto de Jesus Nogales-Montes, 24, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail without bail on charges alleging infliction of corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant (a felony).

11:01 p.m., Raschell Ann Wammack, 48, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on warrants alleging failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge, and misdemeanor violation of probation. Total bail was set at $14,000. She was taken into custody at the Orland Stop and Shop, 10 Walker Street, by an Orland police officer.

Saturday, Sept. 10:

7:55 a.m., Saul Rangel, 20, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging public intoxication (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at zero. He was taken into custody in the 100 block of Fourth Street by an Orland police officer.

8:04 a.m., David Allan Hernandez, 19, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging public intoxication (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at zero. He was taken into custody in the 100 block of Fourth Street by an Orland police officer.

Sunday, Sept. 11:

9:15 a.m., Lisa Marie Heavrin, 46, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on a warrant alleging failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge. Bail was set at $12,000. She was taken into custody on County Road 12 near County Road 200 by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

12:12 p.m., Wyatt Deniz, 19, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging burglary (a felony), and resisting or obstructing a public service officer (a misdemeanor), and a warrant alleging misdemeanor violation of probation. Total bail was set at $40,000. He was taken into custody in the east parking lot of 600 North Humboldt Avenue, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

12:57 p.m., Aric Joseph Brown, 28, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging failure to obey a lawful order from a peace officer (a misdemeanor), and being an accessory to a crime (a felony). Bail was set at $10,000. He was taken into custody at 10 Donnie Lane, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

Monday, Sept. 12:

7:30 a.m., Matthew Christopher Brimm, 44, of Chico, was sentenced to the Glenn County Jail without bail on charges of felony burglary. He was taken into custody at the Butte County Jail by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

7:30 a.m., James Benjamin Cruse, 29, of San Leandro, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on warrants alleging failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge. Total bail was set at $39,000. He was taken into custody at the Butte County Jail by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

7:30 a.m., Heather Nicole Matney, 28, of Chico, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on a warrant alleging felony violation of probation. Bail was set at $85,000. She was taken into custody at the Butte County Jail by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

7:30 a.m., Alexander Ralph Tetreault, 30, of Chico, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on a warrant alleging failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge. Bail was set at $52,000. He was taken into custody at the Butte County Jail by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

7:27 p.m., Jose Luis Rojas, 24, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging robbery (a felony), and possession of a controlled substance (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at $100,000. He was taken into custody at 600 North Humboldt Avenue, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

Tuesday, Sept. 13:

2:45 p.m., Michael Thomas Arbuckle, 30, of Orland, was remanded by the court to the Glenn County Jail without bail for driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, and driving while under the influence of alcohol (both misdemeanors). He was taken into custody at the Willows branch of the Glenn County Superior Court by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

11:06 p.m., Ricky David Comer, 59, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging possession of a firearm by a felon (a felony), possession of ammunition by a prohibited person (a felony), using or being under the influence of a narcotic controlled substance (a misdemeanor), and owning a firearm without a serial number (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at $20,000. He was taken into custody at 21 Yolo Street by an Orland police officer.

Wednesday, Sept. 14:

8:21 a.m., Savannah Rachelle Nelson, 31, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging using or being under the influence of a controlled substance (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at zero. She was taken into custody at French and Plumas Streets, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

8:59 a.m., Richard James Yocum, 43, of Chico, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging child endangerment, and possession of controlled substance paraphernalia (both misdemeanors). Bail was set at $5,000. He was taken into custody on Second Street at Mill Street by an Orland police officer.

By Larry Judkins

Glenn County Observer

On Saturday, Sept. 10, The Observer reported on a major injury accident that occurred on County Road 9 (Wyo Road), east of Road QQ, late that morning.

Besides severely injuring the driver, the rollover crash also totaled the car and sheared off a power pole. Many homes in northern Glenn County lost their electricity for about 12 hours.

On Wednesday, The Glenn County Observer received a press release from the Willows Office of the California Highway Patrol concerning the incident. According to CHP Officer Rodney Pozzi, at about 11:10 a.m. on Saturday, Tommy Ray Davis, 18, of Chico, was driving a 2011 Toyota east on Road 9, east of Road QQ, at a high rate of speed.

The vehicle traveled to the left across the westbound lane and onto the left shoulder of Road 9. The front of the Toyota struck a PG&E power pole and sheared it off at the base and in a second spot about 15 feet up from the base.

The driver’s car rolled over and came to rest on its wheels, facing a westerly direction in a dirt field about 80 feet north of Road 9. The car sustained major damage, both to its front and rear ends.

The CHP’s release does not explicitly state that Davis was ejected from the car, but it does say that he was not wearing his seatbelts at the time of the accident. Also, the CHP traffic incident page from the time of the rollover said that Davis was reported to be in the roadway, and that he had a major head injury and was screaming.

According to the CHP’s news release, Davis suffered major injuries consisting of a possible broken back and broken neck. He was transported to Enloe Medical Center in Chico.

Some former Orland residents who were at the hospital for an unrelated matter stated a couple of days later Davis was moved out of the intensive care unit.

Glenn County Observer

The Glenn County Sheriff’s Office became aware of an allegation of criminal misconduct involving one of its employees, it was announced on Monday.

The involved employee has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of a criminal and administrative investigation. In a press release, the sheriff’s office said it is not able to make any public comments regarding the identity of the employee involved or the nature of the allegations of misconduct.

The sheriff’s office press release concluded, “We remain steadfast in our commitment to public service and do not condone any nature of misconduct. The Glenn County Sheriff’s Office will release any information allowable by law once the investigations are complete.”

The press release gives not so much as a hint regarding who the employee may be, or even what the employee does for the sheriff’s office. The employee could be a patrol deputy, a correctional officer, a dispatcher, or an administrator.

In 2011, a Glenn County Sheriff’s dispatcher was charged with, among other misdemeanors and infractions, looking up DMV records for his personal benefit. Besides losing his job, he was placed on probation for 36 months and ordered to pay fees and fines.

Watch The Observer for further information in the days ahead.

On Sunday at about 3 p.m., two- or three-dozen participants in the annual Nome Cult Trail Walk passed through Orland. The event was in observance of the tragic 1863 military-enforced relocation of Native Californians from Bidwell Ranch in Chico to the Round Valley Reservation in Covelo. The trek was more than 100 miles in length, over mostly very difficult terrain through Butte, Glenn, Tehama, and Mendocino Counties. The original walk took place from Sept. 4 to Sept. 18, 1863. The Konkow Maidu who were forced out of Butte County suffered beatings, whippings, and starvation. Many died of thirst. One witness to the atrocities said, “… about 150 sick Indians were scattered along the trail for 50 miles … dying at the rate of 2 or 3 a day. They had nothing to eat … and the wild hogs were eating them up either before or after they were dead.” Of the 461 Konkow Maidu who left Chico, only 277 arrived at Round Valley. Glenn County Observer photos by Larry Judkins.

By Larry Judkins

Glenn County Observer

A man sustained major injuries in a crash on County Road 9 (Wyo Road), east of Road QQ, late Saturday morning.

According to the CHP’s traffic incident webpage and this reporter’s observations at the scene, the accident victim was driving east on Road 9, east of Road QQ, at about 11:15 a.m., when he traveled off the north shoulder and sheered off a power pole.

The driver’s car rolled over and came to rest in a dirt field about 80 feet north of Road 9.

The man was reported to be in the roadway. The traffic incident page stated that he had a major head injury and was screaming.

The car sustained major damage, both to its front and rear ends.

PG&E shut off the power soon after the accident happened, causing many residents around the area to lose their electricity. The power still had not come back on for many people by 10 p.m.

Watch for an update to this incident on Monday.

Surrounded by family members, Robert Gary McGarr died peacefully at his home in Willows on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022. He was born in Willows to Robert R. McGarr and Bernice A. Smith on Aug. 28, 1944.

His career as a construction estimator spanned 35 years and he was proud to have contributed to building projects for disadvantaged communities in South Dakota and New Mexico.

He was an avid volunteer that earned him the Lion of the Year award with the Lion’s Club.

Robert loved his family and his life. In addition to his family, Robert’s other great love was hunting and fishing, making people laugh, music, working in the yard with his wife Brigitta, and using his craftsmanship skills.

In retirement, he enjoyed working during the rice harvest and sketching landscapes.

He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Brigitta; his two loving children, Gary and Laurie; brothers Randy and Bill McGarr; sisters Marian Cauwell, Martha McGarr and Marilyn Clark; grandchildren Mason and Dylan; great-grandchildren Tucker and Tatum; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert R McGarr and Bernice A. Smith; brothers Dave and Clark McGarr; and sister Margaret Hill.

A celebration of life is planned to be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Heart Association.

Here are the latest bookings from the Glenn County Jail. Remember: Everyone accused of a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Monday, Aug. 29:

6:10 a.m., at the Glenn County Jail, Leticia Pilar Jack, 31, of Lakeport, was found to have on a no-bail warrant alleging disobeying a court order, driving with a license suspended for driving while under the influence, and driving with a license suspended for being a habitual traffic offender (all misdemeanors), and a no-bail felony out-of-county detainer.

Tuesday, Aug. 30:

1:25 a.m., Dale Eugene Graybeal, 34, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging resisting or obstructing and executive officer (a felony), threatening to commit a crime with intent to terrorize (a felony), and evading a peace officer (a misdemeanor), and a warrant alleging public intoxication (a misdemeanor). Total bail was set at $185,000, but he was also held without bail on a charge alleging violation of parole (a felony). He was taken into custody at Highway 32 and County Road S by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

9:15 a.m., Amado Ramses Alvarez Carrillo IV, 23, of Chico, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on warrants alleging unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor where the alleged perpetrator is over the age of 21 and the victim is under the age of 16 (a felony), contributing to the delinquency of a minor (a misdemeanor), and failure to appear on a felony charge. Total bail was set at $52,000. He was taken into custody at the Butte County Jail by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

12:49 p.m., Khamchan Sayyaphom, 29, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on a warrant alleging failure to appear after giving a written promise (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at $23,000. He was taken into custody at Circle K, 210 West Wood Street, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

2:24 p.m., John Phillip Smart Vasquez, 18, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on warrants alleging battery (a misdemeanor). Total bail was set at $4,000. He was taken into custody at 320 Vine Street, apt. B, Willows, by a Glenn County probation officer.

3:57 p.m., Brittany Danielle Glass, 33, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging felony violation of probation, and misdemeanor violation of probation. Bail was set at $29,000. She was taken into custody at 325 West Walnut Avenue, Willows, by a Glenn County probation officer.

10:27 p.m., Jason Shawn Smith, 50, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on a warrant alleging failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge. Bail was set at $14,000. He was taken into custody at 511 Papst Avenue, unit B, by an Orland police officer.

Wednesday, Aug. 31:

9:52 a.m., Jamie Noelle Christman, 46, of Hamilton City, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging keeping a place for the storage, sale, etc. of controlled substances (a felony), cultivation of more than six marijuana plants (a misdemeanor), possession of marijuana for sale (a misdemeanor), and child endangerment (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at $25,000. She was taken into custody at 3833 Highway 45, Hamilton City, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

9:52 a.m., Joshua Louis Martinez, 28, of Hamilton City, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging keeping a place for the storage, sale, etc. of controlled substances (a felony), cultivation of more than six marijuana plants (a misdemeanor), possession of marijuana for sale (a misdemeanor), and child endangerment (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at $25,000. He was taken into custody at 3833 Highway 45, Hamilton City, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

10:32 a.m., Thomas Vaughn, 27, of Corning, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging touching a person intimately against that person’s will for the purpose of sexual arousal (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at zero. He was taken into custody at 532 Fourth Street, Orland, by an Orland police officer.

9:11 p.m., Sebastian Guy Underwood, 40, of Yuba City, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging resisting or obstructing an executive officer, battery against a police officer, and assault on a custodial officer (all felonies). Bail was set at $70,000. He was taken into custody on Highway 162 at the Interstate 5 overpass by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

Thursday, Sept. 1:

1:46 p.m., Hector Alonso Sanchez Rosales, 24, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging infliction of corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant (a felony). Bail was set at $25,000. He was taken into custody at 4328 County Road N, Orland, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

5:45 p.m., Erendira Garcia-Rojas, 44, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging violation of a court order to prevent domestic violence (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at $5,000. She was taken into custody at the Speedway gas station, 1021 South Street by an Orland police officer.

By Larry Judkins

Glenn County Observer

On Monday, Aug. 29, a jury found an Orland man, Ma Lee, guilty of domestic battery on a girlfriend (a misdemeanor).

The trial was held at the Orland branch of the Glenn County Superior Court. The presiding judge was Alicia Ekland.

The incident took place at about 9:53 p.m. on Monday, March 28, when Lee, then-35, battered his girlfriend of 14 months, Jayme Jawn Barrera, then-44, (some sources say she was from Orland while others say she lived in Willows), near the Orland Arch.

(Note: A press release issued on Friday, Sept. 2, by the Glenn County District Attorney’s Office concealed the name of Lee’s girlfriend and used only her initials, J.B.; however, The Observer, using only internet sources readily available to the general public, was able to find the victim’s name in literally less than a minute. This being the case, The Observer saw little point in hiding the identity of the woman.)

As the assault was occurring, two people, Mr. J.M. and Ms. V.M., witnessed the incident. They honked their horn three times to draw Lee’s attention away from Barrera.

With Barrera being a reluctant victim who recanted her account of the event, the unbiased statements of these eyewitnesses made a significant impact in the case, the district attorney’s press release explained.

The district attorney’s office stated, “The People thank these two good Samaritans, just 18 and 20 years old, for taking the time to actively stop the domestic violence happening on the streets of Orland, calling the police, and staying on the phone until OPD was able to make contact with the abuser. True heroes like J.M. and V.M. exist among us every single day, admired for their courage and humility to help keep our community safe.

“If you see something, say something.”

When Orland police officers searched the area around Sixth Street at Almond Way, they found Lee and Barrera hiding behind a car at a private residence on Monterey Street near Moe’s Market.

Following an investigation, Lee was arrested for misdemeanor domestic violence and Barrera was arrested for a misdemeanor arrest warrant alleging failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge. Both were transported and booked into the Glenn County Jail.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ruby Neumann, with assistance from Victim-Witness Advocate White and Orland Police Officer Kat Lowery, who was able to testify and explain the cycle of violence to the jury. The jury deliberated for 18 minutes before returning a unanimous verdict of guilty.

Court records indicate this case was tried previously, on June 27. That trial, however, ended in a mistrial due to a hung jury.

Lee’s sentencing is scheduled to take place at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 18, at the Willows courthouse.

By Larry Judkins

Glenn County Observer

Is this justice?

Joshua Lee, convicted of killing his two-month, 22-day-old daughter, was sentenced on Friday, Sept. 2, to four years’ probation, 180 days in a substance abuse rehabilitation facility, a 52-week program for child abusers, drug court, and anger management and mental health counseling.

When Lee was first arrested on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, he was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging willful cruelty to a child resulting in possible injury or death, and voluntary manslaughter (both felonies). The maximum sentence for this latter crime is 11 years in prison.

The Glenn County District Attorney originally charged him with assault of a child under the age of eight, producing great bodily injury resulting in death. The maximum sentence for this crime is 25 years to life in prison.

On Friday, July 15, 2022, Lee pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter. The maximum sentence for this crime is four years in prison – seven years less than the maximum sentence for voluntary manslaughter and 21 years less than the maximum sentence for assault of a child under the age of eight, producing great bodily injury resulting in death.

But Lee didn’t even receive the maximum sentence for involuntary manslaughter.

Again: Is this justice?

At about 3:20 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office dispatch center received a 911 call from the 100 block of West Sycamore Street in Willows regarding a two-month-old girl who was not breathing. The caller said CPR was in progress.

The office of The Sacramento Valley Mirror is also located in the 100 block of West Sycamore Street – 138 West Sycamore to be precise. That afternoon, the staff of The Mirror was busy working on the final pages of the Saturday edition of the paper and was not paying attention to the transmissions on the police scanner.

Then, two Mirror staff members heard a commotion and stood up to look outside. Thinking there was some kind of physical fight going on, Larry Judkins, at the time a 26-year associate of The Valley Mirror, grabbed his camera and stepped outside.

Judkins looked to his right and saw a number of people standing and kneeling on the sidewalk, apparently rendering aid to someone almost completely hidden from view by the other people, just feet from the east end of The Mirror office. Judkins quickly snapped a photo, which resulted in two or three people shouting at him to not take pictures.

Judkins responded firmly, “I will take pictures!”

Marlena Sparkman, who has a nearby business, replied, “A decent person wouldn’t take pictures.”

Another woman said, “That’s my daughter and I don’t want any pictures taken!” Several people, some intentionally, stepped in front of Judkins, preventing him from taking photos.

By thus suppressing the truth regarding this tragedy, hiding from the public the full, ugly realities of the baby’s death, the result may be that it helped to protect the perpetrator while at the same time it prevented the baby from receiving the full degree of justice for herself.

When the baby was first brought out to the sidewalk from her father’s apartment upstairs, an Orland firefighter, who just happened to be in the area, and a Willows firefighter valiantly began performing CPR on the infant. As more Willows volunteers arrived on the scene, they took over, doing everything they could to save the little girl.

A deputy approached a man, later identified as Joshua Lee, and asked him a question.

Lee answered, “I was feeding her.”

The deputy asked, “What were you feeding her?”

Lee replied, “It was formula.”

Minutes later, the baby was carried to a waiting ambulance. She was then rushed to an Enloe FlightCare helicopter at the Willows Airport, which flew her to UC Davis Medical Center for treatment.

A press release from the sheriff’s office stated, “At approximately 4:45 p.m. on [Friday, Jan. 8], UC Davis notified the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office that the infant was deceased. The nurse reported that the infant’s death was considered suspicious.

“Investigators from the Glenn Investigative Task Force (GLINTF) [now the sheriff’s major case unit, no longer just the narcotic task force] were called out for the incident and assumed the investigation into the infant’s death.

“At 1 a.m. on [Saturday, Jan. 9], the infant’s father (Joshua Jeenen Lee) was taken into custody [at UC Davis Medical Center] … and booked into the Glenn County Jail.”

In a press release issued on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, the Glenn County District Attorney’s Office said that Lee “was convicted of a felony violation of … involuntary manslaughter of his two-month and 22-day-old baby girl, Ariel Zoey Lee…. On January 8, 2021, Ariel was non-responsive and life-flighted to UC Davis Medical Center, where she was placed on a ventilator and was not expected to survive as the doctors found bleeding on Ariel’s brain and brain swelling, signs of shaking the baby.

“Both doctors who examined the baby at UC Davis Medical Center opined that the injuries inflicted upon Ariel were a result of the baby being shaken, not consistent with the [Lee’s] initial explanations of her choking during feeding or falling off the bed in their Willows apartment. [Lee], who was 18.5 years old at the time of the incident, eventually confessed that he picked up his daughter under her arms and shook Ariel twice.

“[Lee] admitted he shook Ariel because he was angry and frustrated that she would not stop crying, thinking shaking would make her stop crying. [Lee] was also coming down from being under the influence of non-prescribed Xanax, Percocet, and marijuana.

“[Lee] spoke at sentencing that he ‘loved and misses his daughter greatly and wishes she was still here.’ Defendant Lee’s attorney argued that the [Lee] is mentally unstable and had an IEP [Individualized Education Program] in school, mitigating his criminal conduct.”

Lee was represented in court by the Law Offices of Jason R. Holley (Holley Criminal Defense Law Offices), located in Sacramento. The lead attorney was Robert Miller Holley.

The press release from the district attorney’s office further stated that District Attorney Dwayne Stewart “argued to the court that many times the defense used the term ‘accident’, yet this deliberate action by the defendant was not an accident.

“Mr. Stewart stated Ariel was shaken so hard that her brain was smashed against her skull, shaken so hard that she died because of the injuries at the hands of her father – injuries that the defendant admitted he intentionally inflicted because he was mad, angry, and frustrated.

“Mr. Stewart stated, ‘Defendant intentionally inflicted these injuries because Ariel would not stop crying, taking out that frustration on his two-month and 22-day-old child, silencing her forever.’

“After lengthy arguments asking for a prison term under mandatory supervision from the prosecution versus a request for probation from the defense, [Lee] was granted probation for four years; 180 days in custody to serve at a substance abuse rehabilitation treatment facility; a 52-week child abuser program; drug court; [and] anger management and mental health counseling.

“This case was prosecuted by [District Attorney] Stewart, with assistance from Glenn County Sheriff’s Detective Lopeteguy and Victim Witness Advocate Pinedo.”

The press release concludes, “Our sincerest condolences and prayers for healing to the Bassetti family for the loss of their baby girl. In January of 2021, Ariel donated her heart and saved the life of a five-month-old boy in Seattle.

“Rest in peace, Ariel.”