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 9, 2021

MULTIPLE OVERDOSE INCIDENTS AT THE BUTTE COUNTY JAIL



Oroville, CA - Over the past 10 days, Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) correctional deputies were alerted to three separate medical emergencies occurring inside three separate housing units. On all three occasions, deputies located the inmates unresponsive and exhibiting signs of opioid overdose. Each incident required multiple administrations of Naloxone. Also known as Narcan, Naloxone is a nasal spray commonly used to block or reverse the effects caused by an opioid overdose.

By quickly responding and administering the life-saving medication, correctional deputies and the medical staff effectively saved all six inmates’ lives. The inmates were transported to a local hospital for treatment following the incidents. Five of the inmates have since recovered and have been returned to the Butte County Jail. The sixth inmate is expected to make a full recovery and return to the Butte County Jail.

During one of the incidents, a correctional deputy was exposed to fentanyl. The correctional deputy was provided treatment at a local hospital and has since recovered.

Correctional deputies have conducted searches of the housing units and recovered approximately .07 grams of suspected fentanyl in powder form. Butte Interagency Narcotics Task Force (BINTF) detectives were contacted and confirmed the powder as fentanyl. Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) detectives decontaminated all the affected areas where fentanyl was located.

An investigation into how the substance entered the facility is being conducted, however, preliminary investigation indicates the substance was brought into the facility by inmates.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid and a Schedule II narcotic that is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin. Butte County has seen a substantial increase in illicit fentanyl distribution, possession, and overdose cases.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, a lethal dose of fentanyl consists of two milligrams, equal in size to a few grains of salt.

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December 7, 2021

BCSO DETECTIVES ARREST INDIVIDUAL FOR TWO MURDERS THAT OCCURRED IN THE GRIDLEY AREA

Gridley, CA – In November of 2021, family members of Ladexter Pelt, age 25, and John Dubose, age 20, contacted the Gridley Police Department and reported Pelt and Dubose missing. On November 13, 2021, the Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) was asked to assist the Gridley Police Department with the investigation surrounding the circumstances of Pelt and Dubose’s disappearance.
During the subsequent investigation, BCSO detectives determined Pelt and Dubose reside in Alabama. Detectives determined Pelt and Dubose had flown to Sacramento and then traveled to the Butte County area. Pelt and Dubose’s family members were concerned because they lost contact with Pelt and Dubose after they arrived in the Butte County area.
During the investigation, BCSO detectives, Butte Interagency Narcotics Task Force detectives, BCSO Special Enforcement Unit detectives, and Designated Area deputies located evidence that gave them cause to believe Pelt and Dubose were murdered at a residence located in the unincorporated area of Gridley. Detectives also located evidence that gave them cause to believe Ricardo Banuelos-Villarreal, age 30 of Gridley, and Alfredo Banuelos-Villarreal, age 35 of Gridley, murdered Pelt and Dubose, and hid their bodies.
Over the past three weeks detectives have interviewed individuals in Gridley, Marysville, Yuba City, Sacramento, the Bay Area, and the Los Angeles area. Detectives have authored and executed numerous search warrants related to this investigation. Detectives have also interviewed numerous friends and family members of Pelt and Dubose. The friends and family members provided additional evidence that all signs of life ended shortly after Pelt and Dubose arrived in Butte County.
Detectives are actively searching for the bodies of Pelt and Dubose. Detectives would like to interview anyone who has interacted or had contact with Ricardo or Alfredo within the past three months. Detectives would also like to interview anyone who observed suspicious activity on their property or farm within the past month.
On November 14, 2021, detectives contacted and arrested Ricardo at a residence in Yuba City. Ricardo has been charged with two counts of murder and is currently in custody at the Butte County Jail. During the investigation, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Alfredo for two counts of murder. Multiple law enforcement agencies are actively searching for Alfredo.
Photographs of Alfredo are attached to this press release. Detectives are actively searching for Alfredo and a 2008 Nissan Altima, California license plate number 6VAR204. If anyone has information about this investigation, the location of Alfredo, or the aforementioned Nissan Altima, they are encouraged to call detectives at 530-538-7671. This investigation is ongoing and additional information will be provided when available.

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November 9, 2021
ARREST OF ARMED BARRICADED SUBJECT

Durham, CA- On Monday, November 8, 2021, at approximately 10:30 p.m., Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) deputies were dispatched to an apartment in the 2100 block of Durham-Dayton Highway, Durham, for reports of an altercation at the location. Upon arrival, deputies located a man who stated his son was inside the residence, armed with a knife and had threatened to kill him. After further investigation, deputies received information that the suspect, identified as James Sprinklejones, age 35, had also set fire to a curtain inside the home, however his father was able to extinguish the fire.

Deputies began making announcements over a PA system, in an effort to de-escalate the situation and have Sprinklejones peacefully exit the home. During the same time, other deputies on-scene safely evacuated neighboring apartments. Deputies continued making announcements over the PA system for approximately 2.5 hours, in an effort to get Sprinklejones to peacefully surrender. During the incident, Sprinklejones appeared highly agitated and made additional threatening and suicidal statements.

At approximately 1:00 a.m., deputies believe Sprinklejones started a second fire inside the apartment. Shortly after the fire was ignited, Sprinklejones exited the apartment and was taken into custody without further incident. CAL FIRE, which had been staged nearby, responded in and extinguished the fire. Two dogs, which had been inside the apartment during the incident, were recovered by deputies without any significant apparent injuries. During the investigation, an unsecured firearm was also found within the residence. Sprinklejones is prohibited from possessing firearms.

Sprinklejones is being evaluated at a local hospital and then will be booked into the Butte County Jail for arson, making criminal threats, and being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm and animal cruelty/neglect.



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SHERIFF’S OFFICE CONDUCTING ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON  INVESTIGATION