January 05, 2022

OROVILLE RESIDENT ARRESTED FOR MURDER

Oroville, CA – On January 05, 2022, at 12:29 PM, the Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) received a 9-1-1 call from Andrew Iles, age 33, of Oroville. Iles informed dispatchers he had shot his mother. Dispatchers determined Iles was at his residence, which is located in the 900 block of Oregon Gulch Road, Oroville. BCSO deputies were immediately dispatched to the location. Upon arrival, deputies detained Iles in the driveway of the residence.
Deputies and medical personnel entered the residence and located a victim. Deputies and medical personnel rendered aid, however the victim, who was identified as Susan Hill, age 58, of Oroville, died at the scene.
During the subsequent investigation, detectives gathered evidence and information showing Iles was responsible for Hill’s death. Iles was arrested and booked into the Butte County Jail on an open count of murder. This investigation is ongoing. If anyone has information about this investigation they are encouraged to call BCSO detectives at 530-538-7671.
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December 31, 2021

SHERIFF’S OFFICE INVESTIGATING MURDER

Butte County, CA - On December 30, 2021, at approximately 11:00 PM, the Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) received multiple 911 calls from the Centerfolds nightclub, located at 15430 Highway 99, Butte County. Callers reported that a female was in the parking lot and had sustained several gunshot wounds. Deputies from BCSO, along with officers from the Chico Police Department (CPD) and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) responded to the location and found the victim in the parking lot in front of the nightclub. Medical personnel responded to the scene to render aid, however the victim, who was subsequently identified as Alicia Flores, (age 21), of Corning, died at the scene.
An investigation into the circumstances of the shooting was initiated. During the course of the investigation a person of interest, who was with Flores at the nightclub, was identified. That subject, Fernando Palomares (age 29), of Vina, California fled the scene on foot immediately after the shooting. After an extensive search of the remote area surrounding the business by BCSO deputies, CPD officers, CHP officers and CHP air support, Palomares was located and taken into custody without incident. Palomares was transported to the Butte County Jail where he is being held on a violation of parole.
The investigation is continuing with additional assistance from wardens of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, who are helping retrace the path Palomares took when he fled the scene. BCSO detectives will be completing the investigation and reviewing the case with the Butte County District Attorney’s Office within the next week.
The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information about this investigation to contact detectives at 530-538-7671.
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NEVADA RESIDENT ARRESTED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD

 

Oroville, CA – In December of 2020, Butte County Sheriff’s Office detectives were contacted by a victim who reported continuous sexual abuse that occurred over several years.  Detectives identified the suspect as Morgan McDowell, age 40, of Fernley, Nevada.  McDowell was previously a resident of Oroville.  

During the investigation detectives interviewed multiple individuals in California and Nevada.  Detectives located evidence that gave them cause to believe McDowell sexually abused the victim for several years.

After reviewing the evidence obtained during the investigation, the Butte County District Attorney’s Office filed a criminal complaint against McDowell charging McDowell with the following felonies:  Two counts of sexual penetration with a victim under the age of 14, one count of sexual penetration with a victim under the age of 16, five counts of sexual penetration with a victim under the age of 18, and two counts of oral copulation with a victim under the age of 18.  A warrant was recently issued for McDowell’s arrest. 

On the evening of December 15, 2021, McDowell was arrested by U.S. Marshals in Nevada.  The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with additional information about this investigation to contact Detective Mary Barker at 530-538-7671.

 

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DECEMBER 22, 2021 UPDATE

On December 21, 2021, a victim contacted the Oroville Police Department and reported his vehicle stolen. The victim believed Zachary Hutcheson, age 40, of Oroville stole his vehicle. The victim identified Hutcheson as an Oroville transient who is related to the victim. On the afternoon of December 21, the victim and the victim’s adult daughter saw Hutcheson driving their stolen vehicle in Berry Creek. When the victim attempted to contact Hutcheson, Hutcheson pointed a firearm at the victim and the victim’s daughter, and threatened their lives.
The victims left the Berry Creek area and immediately contacted law enforcement. After interviewing the victims, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Hutcheson for felony counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm and making criminal threats.
While investigating the murder that occurred on December 19, and during the aforementioned investigation, detectives located evidence that gave them cause to believe Hutcheson was the individual who murdered the victim on December 19.
On the evening of December 21, detectives and the BCSO SWAT Team located Hutcheson at a residence on Fay Way, Oroville. Hutcheson was armed with a semi-automatic handgun when SWAT team members contacted him. SWAT team members were able to safely take Hutcheson into custody. A search warrant was obtained for the residence and additional evidence was located.
The victim of the homicide has been identified as Leopoldo Rodriguez, age 65, of Oroville. Hutcheson was booked on the aforementioned arrest warrant and is currently in custody at the Butte County Jail. Detectives anticipate completing and reviewing the homicide investigation with the Butte County District Attorney’s Office within the next week.

December 20, 2021
SHERIFF’S OFFICE SEARCHING FOR MURDER SUSPECT

On December 19, 2021, around 10:10 AM, a victim was murdered at a residence located in the 1100 block of Feather Avenue, Oroville. The identification of the victim will be released once next-of-kin is notified. During the investigation detectives located evidence that gave them cause to believe the unidentified adult male suspect depicted in the attached video shot the victim. After the shooting, the suspect ran westbound and was last seen in the area of 14th Street, Oroville. Witnesses believe the suspect is a transient who frequents the Oroville area.
The Sheriff’s Office is asking residents who captured the suspect on their home surveillance system to contact detectives at 530-538-7671. The Sheriff’s Office is also asking anyone with additional information about this investigation or the suspect depicted in the video to contact detectives at 530-538-7671.

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December 20, 2021

$50,000 REWARD OFFERED FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO AN ARREST AND CONVICTION FOR THE MURDER OF MARC THOMPSON

On September 3rd, 2014, Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) deputies were dispatched to the area of Oroville-Quincy Highway and Mountain House Circle in Brush Creek, Butte County, California. Dispatch radioed that a vehicle was engulfed in flames with fire personnel on scene. Dispatch radioed the same vehicle was occupied by a deceased individual.

Detectives responded and determined that 25-year-old Marc Thompson was fatally shot. Detectives initiated a homicide investigation. Over the past several years, detectives have actively and zealously investigated this case, however it has remained unsolved.
In 2021, BCSO requested Governor Gavin Newsom’s Office issue a reward through the Governor’s Reward program to encourage those with pertinent information to come forward. After reviewing the circumstances of the case, Governor Newsom’s Office issued a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction for the murder of Marc Thompson.
The Sheriff’s Office is committed to solving this case. We very much want to bring closure to Marc’s family and friends and see to it that the person(s) responsible for Marc’s murder are held accountable. Our hearts go out to Marc’s family and we are hopeful that this reward will renew public interest in the case and ultimately result in justice for Marc.
BCSO encourages those with pertinent information to come forward. Anyone with information is requested to contact Sergeant Patrick McNelis or Detective Tristian Harper at 530-538-7671.

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