Butte County Sheriff

Recently, Sheriff Honea held a swearing-in ceremony for our newest deputy sheriff at BCSO. Please join us in congratulating and welcoming Deputy Thomas Kelly to BCSO!

We hope you all have a fun and safe Labor Day weekend!

MEDIA RELEASE: MAGALIA MAN ARRESTED FOR POSSESSION AND DISTRIBUTION OF CHILD PO*******HY

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AUGUST 26, 2024 UPDATE

In the afternoon of August 26, 2024, a subject called law enforcement reporting that he was involved in a recent stabbing incident.

BCSO deputies, detectives and Chico Police officers immediately responded and contacted the caller, who was identified as Samuel Dickenson, age 31, of Chico.

During the subsequent investigation, detectives located evidence that Dickenson had been previously acquainted with some of the individuals who resided at the victim’s Magalia residence.

Detectives determined Dickenson knew a child was residing at the residence.

Based on the investigation, detectives believe Dickenson traveled to the residence with the intent to kidnap and sexually assault a child.

When Dickenson arrived at the residence, he contacted two adult victims. Dickenson immediately stabbed one of the victims.

Detectives determined after Dickenson stabbed the victim, the second victim attempted to defend himself. Dickenson was involved in an altercation with the second victim. After the altercation, Dickenson fled the area in his vehicle.

Dickenson was booked into the Butte County Jail for the following felony charges: Attempted murder and assault with the intent to commit r**e.
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MEDIA RELEASE: BCSO INVESTIGATING MAGALIA ASSAULT

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Happy National Dog Day to some of our favorite furry friends! 🐾

MEDIA RELEASE: OROVILLE RESIDENT ARRESTED FOR COMMITTING LEWD ACTS WITH MINOR CHILDREN

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AUGUST 27, 2024 UPDATE

On Saturday, August 24, 2024, at approximately 6:20 p.m., a body was located in the Feather River. Through DNA analysis, the body was confirmed to be Julio Gutierrez, age 22 of Oroville. We send our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Julio during this devastating time.
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Today BCSO Aviation Unit flew the Feather River multiple times in an ongoing effort to locate missing person, Julio Gutierrez. BCSO Marine Unit has been conducting several river searches throughout the day. This evening BCSO Search and Rescue continued the search efforts along the river and riverbanks.

Gutierrez is described as a Hispanic male adult, 5’8”, 170lbs, black hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information is urged to contact BCSO at (530) 538-7322.

MEDIA RELEASE: OROVILLE RESIDENT ARRESTED FOR POSSESSION OF CHILD PO*******HY

https://tinyurl.com/4dv4ckzs

A Flash Flood Watch has been issued for the Park Fire Burn Scar from 11AM Friday to 11AM Saturday. Scattered showers/storms are expected which may cause debris flows consisting of rock, mud, vegetation, and loose material. Be prepared to evacuate if told by local officials!

Ongoing search efforts continue today for Julio Gutierrez by boat, personal water craft, helicopter and drone. Since Sunday, BCSO and Butte County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue teams have searched approximately 95 miles of the river area.

This map documents the areas that were searched by boat. The red lines indicate the areas BCSO and BCSO Search and Rescue have searched.

MEDIA RELEASE: SEARCH FOR MISSING PERSON CONTINUES

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On August 18, 2024, at approximately 2:41 a.m., family members of Julio Gutierrez, of Oroville, reported him missing. Deputies started an investigation and determined Gutierrez did not return home after attending an event in Biggs.

During the investigation, evidence of a traffic collision was located on Larkin Road, near the Afterbay Release Station. Deputies were concerned the vehicle involved in the traffic collision left the roadway and was possibly submerged in the water. Officers from CHP responded and conducted a traffic collision investigation. A submerged vehicle was located in the water.

BCSO Search and Rescue personnel responded and assisted in the recovery of the submerged vehicle. Deputies determined the vehicle belonged to Gutierrez. Gutierrez was not inside the vehicle.

The Butte County Sheriff’s Office is actively conducting searches of the Feather River, as well as the Afterbay Release Station. The Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit, BCSO Aviation Unit, and BCSO Search and Rescue personnel are conducting ongoing river searches, using boats, personal watercrafts, and helicopters. Due to the high-water flow at the Afterbay Release Station, the search area encompasses areas of the Feather River from the Afterbay Release Station to Gridley.

Gutierrez is described as a Hispanic male adult, 5’8” tall, weighing 170 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. A photograph is attached to this press release. Anyone with information is urged to contact BCSO at (530) 538-7322.

Search efforts continued today for Julio Gutierrez, age 22 of Oroville. Gutierrez was reported missing early Sunday morning when he did not return home to Oroville after attending an event in Biggs.

As deputies investigated, evidence of a traffic collision was located on Larkin Road, near the Afterbay Release Station. Gutierrez’s vehicle was later found submerged in the water, but he has not been located. Today, a BCSO detective and pilot searched the area by air and Search and Rescue teams will search the water again today. Gutierrez is described as a Hispanic male adult, 5’8” tall, weighing 170 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information is urged to contact BCSO at (530) 538-7322.

MEDIA RELEASE: FOUR ARRESTED DURING STOLEN BOAT INVESTIGATION

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On August 18, 2024, at approximately 2:41 a.m., family members of Julio Gutierrez reported him missing.  Deputies started an investigation and determined Gutierrez did not return home after attending an event in Biggs. 

During the investigation, evidence of a traffic collision was located on Larkin Road, near the Afterbay Release Station.  Deputies were concerned the vehicle involved in the traffic collision left the roadway and was possibly submerged in the water.  Officers from CHP responded and conducted a traffic collision investigation.    

BCSO Search and Rescue personnel responded and assisted in the recovery of a submerged vehicle.  Deputies determined the vehicle belonged to Gutierrez.  Gutierrez was not inside the vehicle.  Deputies and search and rescue personnel are actively searching for Gutierrez.

MEDIA RELEASE: ARREST MADE AFTER INDIVIDUAL DROPS FIREARM IN UBER


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It’s week 7 for our deputy sheriff trainees who are currently attending Butte College Law Enforcement Academy 154. This week, Lt. Gsell, an instructor at the academy, was teaching a course on patrol techniques. We are so fortunate to have several BCSO employees who teach courses at each academy at Butte College.

Keep up the good work, Deputy Sheriff Trainee Joseph Saavedra, Deputy Sheriff Trainee Jadon Gee and Deputy Sheriff Trainee Benito Lopez!

Check out this great article written by Matthias Gafni from the San Francisco Chronicle. It documents the harrowing evacuation led by BCSO staff members Detective Mary Barker and Deputy John Barker. Other BCSO members assisted Detective Barker and Deputy Barker as well that night, and we would like to recognize Deputy Michael Batz, Deputy Joshua Ciulla, BCSO Pilots James Marshall and Conner Smith, as well as Butte County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Members Dylan Luna, Mike Murty, Kevin Soukup, John Beadle, and Josh Fenker for their heroic actions. We are so proud of the great work they all did that evening, and this is just one example of what BCSO will do to help people.

July 24th was an incredibly difficult night for so many in Butte County and we are grateful for the firefighters that continue to battle the Park Fire and the law enforcement agencies still working to provide security to affected areas.

A narrow road, two horses and a panic attack: One woman’s escape from a California inferno A narrow road, two horses, sibling deputies and a panic attack: One woman’s escape from California's huge Park Fire.

We hope all the students in Butte County have a great school year!

On August 10th, at approximately 6:00 a.m., BCSO deputies were dispatched to a home on Lower Honcut Road in Oroville, after a homeowner called 911 and reported seeing a man on her security cameras attempting to open her door and gain access to the residence.

BCSO deputies immediately responded and located a man nearby, later identified as Christopher Nasarro, age 37 of Olivehurst, who matched the description given by the homeowner. As the deputy attempted to make contact with Nasarro, he dropped a pipe, commonly used to smoke methamphetamine, and ran off. After a short foot pursuit, Nasarro was safely taken into custody. After further investigation, our deputy located a bag containing a firearm, a face covering and gloves, methamphetamine, fentanyl and drug paraphernalia, near where our deputy first made contact with Nasarro.

Nasarro was arrested on several charges to include being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Nasarro was booked into the Butte County Jail.

Oregon Fire EVACUATION UPDATE
8.12.24 12:00 p.m.

The Butte County Sheriff’s Office is lifting the Evacuation Warning for Zone 535 in Cherokee.

Oregon Fire EVACUATION WARNING
8.12.24 11:00 a.m.

The Butte County Sheriff’s Office is issuing an EVACUATION WARNING for Zone 535 in Cherokee due to a fire.  

For more information, including a map of the area, please visit www.buttecounty.net/sheriff or call (833) 512-5378

Oro Dam Fire EVACUATION UPDATE
8.11.24 4:55 p.m.

The Butte County Sheriff’s Office is lifting the evacuation warnings in zones 753 and 754 in Thermalito.

Oro Dam Fire EVACUATION WARNING
8.11.24 4:45 p.m.

The Butte County Sheriff’s Office is issuing EVACUATION WARNINGS for zones 753 and 754 in Thermalito due a fire in the area.

For more information, including a map of the area, please visit www.buttecounty.net/sheriff or call (833) 512-5378

MEDIA RELEASE: MISSING PERSON INVESTIGATION UPDATE

On July 21, 2024, Dolores Sakamoto, age 84, of Chico, and her daughter, Vivian Luna, age 64, of Chico were reported missing by a neighbor. After reviewing the circumstances of the investigation, the California Highway Patrol issued a Silver Alert for Sakamoto, Luna, and their vehicle on July 23, 2024. Over the past three weeks, detectives, with the assistance of the California Highway Patrol, and the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office have been attempting to locate Sakamoto and Luna.

During the investigation, detectives determined Sakamoto and Luna left their residence in a black 1996 Lexus ES 300, California license plate number 6KSP061, on July 21, 2024. Over the past three weeks, detectives have utilized bank records, cellular telephone records, and automated license plate readers to assist with this investigation.

Based on bank records, detectives determined Sakamoto and Luna traveled to Susanville, California on July 21, 2024. Detectives located video surveillance which confirmed this information.

Detectives also located cellular telephone records indicating the phone belonging to Luna traveled to the area near the Mount Shasta Ski Park on July 22, 2024. On July 23, 2024, the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office searched the area near the Mount Shasta Ski Park. The California Highway Patrol also used an aircraft to search the area.

BCSO has been in contact with the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office. The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office has conducted additional searches in the Mount Shasta area. To date they have not been able to locate Sakamoto, Luna, or their vehicle. BCSO is continuing to assist with the search.

BCSO detectives continue to diligently investigate this case. BCSO encourages anyone with pertinent information to come forward. Anyone with information is requested to contact Detective Caleb Angel at 530-538-7322.

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MEDIA RELEASE: BCSO INVESTIGATING DOG MAULING DEATH

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*** Update 8/9/24 7:00 p.m.-Detectives have located all the outstanding dogs and they are in the custody of Animal Control.

Park Fire Evacuation Update
8.8.24 3:00 p.m.

The Butte County Sheriff’s Office is lifting the remaining Evacuation Warnings within the County. This will include all Evacuation Warnings along the Highway 32 corridor above Forest Ranch to Butte Meadows and Butte Meadows itself.

Purple fire EVACUATION UPDATE
8.7.24 7:30 p.m.

The Butte County Sheriff’s Office is lifting all Evacuation Warnings for zones 686, 836, 918, and 919 in the Forbestown and Bangor area.

Purple fire EVACUATION WARNING
8.7.24 6:45 p.m.

The Butte County Sheriff’s Office is issuing an EVACUATION WARNING in the Forbestown area, zones 686, 836, 918, and 919 due to fire.

For more information, including a map of the area, please visit www.buttecounty.net/sheriff or call (833) 512-5378

MEDIA RELEASE: OROVILLE RESIDENT ARRESTED FOR CONTACTING A MINOR FOR THE PURPOSE OF COMMITTING SEXUAL CRIMES

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Re-entry Advisory

Attempting to sort, clear, or otherwise disturb ash or debris may affect possible assistance, services, or funds that could become available to you in the future.