May 1, 2020
Butte County Sheriff’s Office Announces Arrest of Berry Creek Residents for Child Endangerment
Oroville, CA – On April 25, Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) deputies conducted a traffic enforcement stop in Oroville. During the traffic enforcement stop Brandon Swift of Berry Creek, 28, and Sutton Swift of Berry Creek, 24 were both placed under arrest. Multiple evidence items were located during the traffic enforcement stop to include tools, a Home Depot credit card, illegal drugs, and drug paraphernalia.
After conducting an investigation deputies placed Brandon and Sutton under arrest for numerous charges to include possession of stolen property, and possession of a controlled substance. Sutton was contacted a second time by BCSO deputies on April 29. During the contact deputies located heroin and drug paraphernalia. Sutton was placed under arrest and issued a citation for possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
On April 30 detectives served a search warrant at Brandon and Sutton’s residence, which is located in the 200 block of Sand Creek Drive, Berry Creek. During the service of the search warrant detectives contacted Sutton, Shanna Haynes of Berry Creek, age 59, and two children who were both under the age of five.
During a search of the residence detectives located numerous evidence items to include methamphetamine, heroin, hypodermic needles, and drug paraphernalia. Many of the aforementioned items were located in areas accessible to the children. The residence was in poor condition and was not safe for children. One of the items detectives located was a juice bottle which was converted into part of a pipe used to smoke illegal drugs. Detectives located a second pipe used to smoke illegal drugs, a ball and a children’s cup in the same area. A photograph of the aforementioned items is attached to this press release.
Both children were detained by detectives. Sutton and Shanna were both placed under arrest for two felony counts of child endangerment. Sutton and Shanna’s bail was set at $100,000. The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with additional information to contact Detective Mariah Smith at 530-538-7671.
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May 1, 2020
Oroville Vehicle Pursuit
Oroville, CA- On Friday, May 1, 2020, at approximately 8:45 a.m., Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) Deputy Arredondo was on patrol in the area of Oroville Dam Blvd. and Veatch Street, when he observed a driver, whom he recognized as Joseph Simpson, age 42 of Oroville. Simpson had a no bail parole warrant out for his arrest through the California Department of Corrections. The Oroville Police Department (OPD) was involved in a vehicle pursuit with Simpson on April 11, 2020, where Simpson had fled and got away. Deputy Arredondo initiated a traffic stop, but Simpson did not stop and a short pursuit ensued. Simpson was traveling eastbound on Mitchell Avenue, approaching the intersection at Fifth Avenue when he failed to stop at a posted stop sign, and collided with a vehicle. Simpson’s vehicle then collided with a power pole and a tree, causing major damage to his vehicle. Simpson then tried to exit the vehicle, but was stuck and was assisted out of the vehicle by deputies and transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. The victim in the vehicle Simpson hit was also transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.
After medical clearance, Simpson will be booked into the Butte County Jail for violation of parole, driving under the influence, driving under the influence causing injury, felony evading, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a Billy Club.
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April 29, 2020
Butte County Sheriff’s Office Announces Arrest of Concow Shooting Suspect
Oroville, CA – On April 4, a citizen called the Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) to report a victim had been shot in the 5000 block of Big Bend Road, Concow. BCSO deputies responded and contacted the victim who had been shot. The victim was transferred to a local hospital by helicopter, underwent surgery, and is recovering. Detectives and deputies spoke with individuals who witnessed the shooting and determined Sean Franco of Concow, 42 was the person who shot the victim.
Deputies and detectives determined Franco lived at a residence next to where the shooting occurred. Deputies and detectives set up a perimeter around Franco’s residence, obtained an arrest warrant for Franco, and obtained a search warrant for Franco’s residence. On the afternoon of April 4, the BCSO SWAT team served the search warrant. Evidence related to the shooting and a large marijuana grow was located during the service of the search warrant. Franco was not located and detectives determined at some point after the shooting, Franco fled the area on foot.
During the investigation, detectives obtained information indicating Franco was cultivating marijuana in Butte County and was conspiring with other individuals to sell the marijuana in the Bay Area. During the week of April 20, detectives served a search warrant at a residence in Napa. Detectives located additional evidence at the Napa residence, and confirmed Franco had visited the residence after the shooting. On April 28, detectives served three search warrants in the Concow area related to this investigation.
During the service of the search warrants in Concow, detectives located additional marijuana and evidence that Franco had recently rented a motel room in Quincy. Detectives from the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office were able to set up surveillance at the motel and eventually place Franco under arrest. BCSO detectives traveled to Plumas County on the afternoon of April 28 and served a search warrant at the motel where Franco had been staying.
On the evening of April 28, Franco was booked into the Butte County Jail for one felony count of assault with a firearm, one felony count of assault with a deadly weapon, for being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and for cultivation and sales of marijuana. Franco’s bail was set at $500,000. The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with additional information to contact Detective Brian Mollath at 530-538-7671.
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April 27, 2020
Butte County Sheriff’s Office Announces Arrest of Magalia Resident Related to Residential Burglaries
Oroville, CA – Today the Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) announced the arrest of Joseph Patterson of Magalia, 37. On December 23, 2019, BCSO deputies began investigating a residential burglary in the 14000 block of Carnegie Road, Magalia. After an extensive investigation, detectives determined Joseph Patterson was one of the individuals responsible for the burglary. Detectives obtained a warrant for Patterson’s arrest in March of 2020. On April 27, 2020, BCSO detectives located Patterson and placed Patterson under arrest.
On February 18, 2020, deputies began investigating a residential burglary that occurred in the 13000 block of South Park Drive, Magalia. After an extensive investigation, deputies and detectives located evidence showing Patterson was responsible for that burglary as well. After interviewing Patterson, detectives also booked Patterson for an additional count of residential burglary related to the February 18, 2020 burglary.
Patterson was booked at the Butte County Jail on the afternoon of April 27. Patterson’s bail was set at $65,000. 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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April 24, 2020
Butte County Sheriff’s Office Announces Arrest of Live Oak Resident for Illegal Sexual Contact with a Minor
Oroville, CA – Today the Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) announced the arrest of Dominick Kelly of Live Oak, 25. In April of 2020, BCSO received information Kelly had an illegal sexual relationship with a minor victim in the Oroville area. Detectives conducted follow-up and obtained an arrest warrant for Kelly. On April 22, 2020, detectives received information Kelly was at a residence located near the 100 block of Dack Way, Palermo. Detectives responded to the residence and located Kelly sitting in a vehicle that was parked in the driveway of the residence. Kelly fled on foot and eventually ran into a residence. After a brief foot pursuit, detectives placed Kelly under arrest without incident.
During an interview incident to Kelly’s arrest, Kelly admitted to sexually abusing the minor victim. Kelly also admitted to using multiple illegal drugs to include ecstasy and allowing two minor victims to use ecstasy. Kelly was subsequently booked into the Butte County Jail for two felony counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor victim, two felony counts of penetration with a foreign object on a minor victim, and four felony counts of oral copulation on a minor victim. Kelley’s bail was set at $600,000.
The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information about this investigation to contact Detective Mariah Smith at 530-538-7671.
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