February 20, 2020
Butte County Sheriff’s Office Announces Arrest of Seven Individuals Related to Residential Burglary
Oroville, CA – Today the Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) announced the arrest of seven individuals related to a residential burglary investigation. On February 3, deputies responded to a report of a residential burglary on Honey Run Road, Chico. The homeowners had surveillance video of a male suspect committing the residential burglary. Deputies and detectives reviewed the surveillance footage and identified the suspect as William Lowrance, age 41 of Magalia.
Detectives determined Lowrance was arrested after the burglary for unrelated charges. Detectives interviewed Lowrance and he admitted to committing the burglary. Detectives also recovered physical evidence showing Lowrance was the individual who committed the burglary. Lowrance was booked into the Butte County Jail for one felony count of residential burglary.
On the afternoon of February 18, deputies and detectives served a search warrant at Lowrance’s residence, which is located in the 14000 block of Wood Drive, Magalia. Multiple individuals were contacted at Lowrance’s residence during the service of the search warrant. Detectives recovered multiple items from the residence to include firearms, ammunition, heroin, and drug paraphernalia.
As a result of this investigation the following individuals were arrested:
William Lowrance, age 41 of Magalia was arrested for one felony count of residential burglary.
Heather Barker, age 21 of Magalia was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia.
Derek Boni, age 47 of Magalia was arrested for an arrest warrant.
Michele Cummings, age 47 of Magalia was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia.
Robert Deorle, age 31 of Magalia was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia.
Jodi Gillis, age 46 of Magalia was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia.
Gary Sapien Jr., age 22 of Magalia was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia.
The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information about this investigation to contact Detective Will Brewton or Detective Joe Hooks at 530-538-7671.
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February 20, 2020
Butte County Sheriff’s Office Announces Residential Burglary Arrest
Oroville, CA – Today the Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) announced the arrest of Douglas Dotson, age 24 of Oroville. On February 17, deputies responded to a report of a residential burglary in the 2600 block of Oro-Quincy Highway, Oroville. The homeowners had surveillance video of two male suspects committing a residential burglary. One of the suspects was later identified as Dotson. Deputies reviewed the surveillance and determined Dotson entered the residence and removed a motorcycle from the residence.
The homeowners posted still photographs of the surveillance video on social media. Based on responses from the social media posts, the homeowners identified one of the suspects who entered the residence as Dotson.
Deputies conducted interviews and were able to confirm Dotson was the individual who entered the residence and took the motorcycle. Oroville Police Department officers and BCSO deputies worked with the homeowners and the motorcycle was recovered at a residence in Oroville. On February 18, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Dotson for one felony count of burglary, and one felony count of vehicle theft. Dotson was located on the afternoon of February 18 and placed under arrest.
The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information about this investigation to contact Detective Will Brewton at 530-538-7671. The Sheriff’s Office is still attempting to identify the second male who was involved in the burglary. Photographs from the surveillance video are attached to this press release.
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February 12, 2020
Butte County Sheriff’s Office Announces Arrest in Two-Year-Old Murder Case
Oroville, CA – Today the Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) announced the arrest of Jasson Stepp, age 40 of Oroville, California, for the murder of William Chrisman. The arrest is the culmination of an investigation that began in January 2018. At that time the Butte County Sheriff’s Office began investigating a murder in the Berry Creek area that was reported on January 4, 2018. Chrisman was 68 years old at the time of his death. For the past two years, Butte County Sheriff’s detectives have continued to investigate Chrisman’s murder.
While investigating the murder, detectives located evidence linking Stepp to an unrelated burglary. Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Stepp for a felony count of burglary. Stepp has been in custody at the Butte County Jail for the burglary case since January 2020. Over the past seven months detectives have been working with the Butte County District Attorney’s Office and conducting additional follow-up on the murder case.
On the afternoon of February 11, 2020, Butte County Sheriff’s detectives booked Stepp into the Butte County Jail for one felony count of murder. Stepps’ bail was set at $1,000,000. Stepp is expected to be arraigned on February 14, 2020, at 3:00 PM in the Butte County Superior Court.
The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information about this investigation to contact Detective Joe Hooks at 530-538-7671.
Sheriff Kory Honea said, “I am proud of the persistent determination of the many detectives who have worked throughout the years to bring justice to William and closure to his family.”
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February 6, 2020
Butte County Sheriff’s Office Announces Arrest of Nebraska Resident
Oroville, CA – Today the Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) announced the arrest of Robert Johnson of Nebraska, age 36. On January 13, BCSO responded to a report of a robbery at a residence in Forest Ranch. Upon arrival BCSO determined four individuals entered a residence, held three victims at gunpoint, and then bound the victims with duct tape. After the suspects left one of the victims was able to remove the duct tape and call law enforcement. Law enforcement located evidence that corroborated the victims’ statements. A large amount of United States currency and a large amount of marijuana were taken from the victims’ residence.
BCSO detectives conducted follow-up and determined one of the victims had recently spoken with an unidentified male who resided in the Midwest about a marijuana transaction. The male was later identified as Johnson. BCSO detectives obtained phone records and determined Johnson traveled from the Midwest to the Reno Airport. Detectives obtained video surveillance and confirmed Johnson arrived at the Reno Airport and rented a vehicle the day before the robbery. Detectives obtained search warrants and located additional evidence in the rental vehicle. Based on the investigation, detectives determined Johnson was the individual who planned the robbery.
Detectives conducted follow-up interviews and determined Johnson is involved in a drug trafficking organization. Detectives determined Johnson and his co-conspirators fly to California, obtain marijuana, and use rental vehicles to transport the marijuana to Nebraska. Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Johnson. Law enforcement in Nebraska immediately began attempting to locate Johnson.
On the morning of February 5, detectives obtained information Johnson was possibly at the San Francisco Airport. Detectives were in the Bay Area working on an unrelated investigation. Detectives drove to the San Francisco Airport and determined Johnson had rented a vehicle. Based on the investigation detectives believed Johnson was possibly traveling to Butte or Nevada County. Detectives were concerned Johnson had traveled to California to commit another robbery.
Detectives sent out a BOLO with a description of the vehicle Johnson rented. Around 1240 hours, California Highway Patrol Officers located the vehicle traveling on Highway 80 in Placer County. CHP Officers, with the assistance of the Placer County Sheriff’s Office and the Auburn Police Department stopped the vehicle and placed Johnson under arrest. A second male from Nebraska was located in the vehicle with Johnson. The second male was identified, interviewed, and released pending additional investigation.
During the traffic enforcement stop law enforcement located approximately $28,000 in Untied States currency and cellular telephones. Detectives responded to Placer County and took custody of Johnson. Johnson was booked into the Butte County Jail for three felony counts of robbery and three felony counts of kidnapping.
Johnson is required to register pursuant to the Nebraska Sex Registration Act. Detectives are working with Nebraska law enforcement to determine if Johnson’s trips to California violated the Nebraska Sex Registration Act. Detectives are in the process of identifying the other three individuals involved in the robbery. Additional arrests are anticipated.
The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information about this investigation to contact Detective Vaj Thao at 530-538-7671.
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February 5, 2020
Butte County Sheriff’s Office Announces Arrest Related to Vehicle Pursuit
Oroville, CA – Today the Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) announced the arrest of Joshua Masterson of Chico, age 29. On December 11, 2019, BCSO attempted to conduct a traffic enforcement stop near West East Avenue, Chico. The vehicle failed to yield and fled at a high rate of speed. The vehicle eventually turned into a residential area, hit a citizen’s wooden fence, and then drove head-on into a BCSO patrol vehicle. After hitting the patrol vehicle, the vehicle backed up and fled. The pursuit continued to the area of West 11th Avenue at which time the occupants of the vehicle fled on foot. The patrol vehicle received minor damage and the Deputy was not injured.
Deputies and Detectives conducted follow-up and located video surveillance from a local store. Based on Deputies observations and the video, Deputies identified the driver of the vehicle as Masterson. Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Masterson for felony assault with a deadly weapon and felony evading. Deputies and Detectives determined Masterson was also on active California State Parole. Detectives have been attempting to locate Masterson for the past two months.
In January 2020, Special Agents from the California Department of Corrections began assisting with the investigation. On February 3, Special Agents from the California Department of Corrections served an arrest warrant in the 15000 block of Vierra Road, Rackerby. BCSO provided air support while the warrant was served. After an extended period of time law enforcement located Masterson in the attic of the residence. Masterson was placed under arrest for a parole violation, felony assault with a deadly weapon, and felony evading. Masterson was booked into the Butte County Jail on the evening of February 3.
The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information about this investigation to contact Detective Vaj Thao at 530-538-7671.