sheriff's department

Fatal shooting in Douglas County under investigation

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - The Douglas County Sheriff's Department (DCSO) Is investigating a shooting that left one dead in Gardnerville.

At 9:31 p.m. on March 21, 2020, DCSO deputies responded to a report of gunshots in the area of the 1400 block of Bumblee Drive. When they arrived they found a deceased male, a victim of gunshot wounds.

Deputies located, detained and interviewed all parties they believed to be involved.

Subject of South Lake Tahoe trial found dead in Carson City

CARSON CITY, Nev. - A Carson City man who died from multiple gunshots Friday in what is being investigated as a possible homicide on Washoe Tribe land had previously been arrested in 2018 on El Dorado County warrants out of South Lake Tahoe for alleged lewdness with a child and indecent exposure.

Minden man arrested after monthslong drug investigation

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - A months-long investigation into drug activity in Douglas County has resulted in the arrest of a Minden, Nevada man.

On Wednesday, October 16, 2019, members of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Street Enforcement Team (DCSET) served a search warrant at the Esther Way home of Robert Wilson. Inside they found almost $10,000 in cash, five pounds of Psilocybin Mushrooms, 21 firearms and a marijuana THC extraction lab with approximately seven pounds of a marijuana extract.

Man who led police on pursuit into Nevada now a suspect in three murders

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - The suspect arrested in Douglas County after engaging law enforcement in gunfire after a pursuit Friday night is now the suspect in three Bay Area homicides.

Stefon Jefferson, a 43-year-old man from the San Francisco area, started Friday off by allegedly fatally shooting a man in Oakland at 10:14 a.m., another in San Francisco at 1:27 p.m. and a third in Berkeley at 2:40 p.m.

Column: SLTPD and EDSO saves woman's life with arrest

After a six-month investigation into drug transactions in the Lake Tahoe Basin, the El Dorado Sheriff's Department Narcotics Task Force executed search warrants at two locations in South Lake Tahoe on August 23, 2017. Large amounts of heroin, methamphetamine and approximately 12 firearms were seized in the search. Lynwood Towle, Shawn German, Melissa Griffis, Paul Ryan, and Krystal Long were all arrested, charged, and eventually pleaded guilty to various charges stemming from those searches.

Nolen Buchanan murder trial in South Lake Tahoe nearing end

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - At 10:00 a.m. on September 13, 2015, Garden Valley Fire Department personnel responded to a wildland fire in the community of Greenwood in western El Dorado County, on Highway 193 between Cool and Georgetown. Upon arrival they found a residence still smoldering, but burned to the ground.

In the ashes were found the charred remains of Adam Buchanan, 38, his fiancée Molly McAffe, 37, and their 8-year-old son Gavin Buchanan. All three were shot before the cabin was burned down.

Official groundbreaking for new $68M sheriff's building in El Dorado County

Ground was broken recently on the new 11-acre El Dorado County Sheriff's Public Safety Facility, a project that will cost $68 million, a low interest $57 million loan from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and $11 million from the County.

Man convicted of attempted murder after shooting in Meyers

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - On March 7, 2018 after a two week trial, a South Lake Tahoe jury convicted Ignacio Madrigal Arizaga of Galt, California of Attempted Murder; Shooting at an Occupied Vehicle; Illegal Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and, Illegal Possession of Ammo by a Convicted Felon.

He faces 41 years to life in state prison when he is sentenced on April 2, 2018.

14 arrested and one rescued during recent trafficking operation

The El Dorado County Sheriff's Department joined forces with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and El Dorado County District Attorney's Office in conducting "Victim Centered," to identify human trafficking victims and suspects.

They began the investigation by looking into escort/ dating sites on the internet and those ads coming from El Dorado Hills, Cameron Park and Placerville. The main purpose of the investigation was to identify the human trafficking victims who are being prostituted and to identify the suspects who are pimping and trafficking these victims in El Dorado County.

Update on recovered bodies at Fallen Leaf Lake

The El Dorado County Sheriff's Department has issued a press release after South Tahoe Now broke the story on November 13 concerning the recovery of two bodies in Fallen Leaf Lake.

Here is an updated statement from the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office:

Bruce’s Legacy, an underwater search and recovery team from Wisconsin, came to Fallen Leaf Lake to assist The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office with a deep water search for two missing people.

Changes planned in El Dorado County Medical Marijuana Ordinance

Event Date: 
October 12, 2017 - 3:00pm

The Medical Marijuana Advisory Committee for El Dorado County will meet again on Thursday, October 12 in Placerville to discuss proposed ordinance changes to both the cannabis cultivation ordinance and code compliance ordinance that will create a civil enforcement process for marijuana cultivation.

Supervisors Sue Novasel and Michael Ranalli were appointed to the ad hoc committee in March 2016 and have been meeting with stakeholders since then as well as looking at what similar counties are doing in their communities. The Medical

Use of counterfeit bills on the rise in El Dorado County

The El Dorado County Sheriff's Office (EDSO) is reporting a significant increase in the amount of counterfeit currency being passed along the Highway 50 corridor. The bills found to be fake have consisted mainly of $20 and $100 dollar bills.

The suspects have passed the bills at El Dorado County businesses in exchange for products or in the purchase of gift cards.

According to EDSO Sgt. Tasha Thompson, Safeway stores in particular seem to be targeted, and use of the fake bills at self-checkout stations has been a common occurrence.

Body recovered in Lake Tahoe believed to be that of UNR football player Marc Ma

Officials searching for the body of missing paddle boarder Marc Ma have just recovered a body in Lake Tahoe, tentatively believed to be the 20-year-old presumed drowned last summer.

National Night Out - Staying safe at home, work and play

Every year, on the first Tuesday in August, nearly 40 million people in 16,000 communities across the United States turn out to celebrate National Night Out. The event was first hosted in 1984 as a way to bring communities together and promote stronger ties between citizens and the law enforcement personnel who serve them. Communities are at their best when neighbors feel a common bond and a sense of community not only among themselves but also with their local public servants, and National Night Out is a fun and enjoyable way to foster those important ties.

Search continues for missing kayaker on Lake Tahoe's West Shore

The search continues for Dan Pham, the Bay Area man who went missing on Thursday, June 8 after embarking on a kayak trip from Lester Beach towards Emerald Bay. The search was suspended for two days due to bad weather but boats were back on the lake Monday to search for Pham.

Final suspect in murder of NorCal pot grower arrested in New Jersey

One by one detectives from the Mendocino County Sheriff's Department have been rounding up all six suspects wanted for the brutal November 11, 2016 murder of Jeffrey Quinn Settler, 35, a commercial marijuana grower.

Internet, cable and some phone services restored for Lake Tahoe an Carson Valley

9:40 p.m. update: Internet and cable service for customers in the South Lake Tahoe and Carson Valley region have been restored.

The severed fiber option lines above Airport Road in Minden were reconnected one-by-one. According to Charter, there can be thousands of wires in each line.

* * *
5:15 p.m. update: Charter Communications estimates their crews will have services restored to the region by 8:00 p.m.

Wave of IRS scams targeting South Lake Tahoe residents

Another wave of aggressive and threatening phone calls by people identifying themselves as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is making its way across South Lake Tahoe.

On Friday, two dozen citizens either called the South Lake Tahoe Police Department, or stopped by their office, to alert them of the phone calls.

Public's help sought in Washoe County robbery where guns were stolen

The Washoe County Sheriff's Department is asking for the public's assistance in identifying two suspects who burlgarized a Mogul, Nevada home on Friday, June 10, stealing multiple weapons.

Nobody was home at the time, a fact that was verified by the suspects first knocking on the door. Entry was gained through a back door.

Both suspects are described as light-skinned males in their early-to mid-20s, driving a late 1990s to ealry 2000s Pontiac four-door sedan.

Anyone having information is asked to contact the Washoe County Sheriff's Detective's Office at 775-328-3320.

Report of gunshots brings out law enforcement to Meyers

El Dorado County Central Dispatch received a call about gunshots heard in the Meyers area on Monday, May 2 at 9:53 p.m. The caller, a passerby in the area of South Upper Truckee and the Old Meyers Grade said they heard 12-15 gunshots.

A Sheriff deputy responded at 10:08 p.m. and didn't hear or see any suspicious activity in the area.

A check of the area did not reveal anything of concern. No further shots were reported but the deputy remained in the area for an extended period of time just to make sure.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Deputy on paid leave has third DUI

John "Tony" Broadfoot, a deputy with the El Dorado County Sheriff's Department, was arrested by the California Highway Patrol on March 4 on charges of driving under the influence after an accident in the Shingle Springs area. This was Broadfoot's third DUI arrest in as many months.

On December 8, 2015, Broadfoot was placed on administrative leave after being arrested on DUI charges by the CHP in South Lake Tahoe. Then on February 25, 2016, he was arrested, again by CHP officers, when found to be under the influence after rolling his vehicle near Ice House Road and Highway 50.

Missing ski instructor Carson May found in five feet of snow

Two search and rescue teams training in the snow at the Sugar Bowl Resort on Monday found the body of missing ski instructor Carson May.

The El Dorado County Search and Rescue dog teams, along with the Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue team, located May under five feet of snow in an avalanche prone out-of-bounds area at the resort.

Carson May, 23, was a ski instructor at the resort and went missing Jan. 15, 2016. He was not found despite an intensive, four-day search by dozens of volunteers and law enforcement officers.

Fire Chief with history of alcohol problems resigns after DUI arrest

Garden Valley Fire Chief William Dekker resigned today after being arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI).

On December 18, at about 1:50 p.m., El Dorado County sheriff's deputies responded to a call of a neighbor dispute in the town of Greenwood, 17 miles north of Placerville. The person who called 911 said his neighbor, Dekker, had threatened to shoot him during a dispute over a loose dog, according to a statement released by the Sheriff's department.

Husband a "person of interest" in death of 82-year-old woman

12 p.m. update 9/2/15:

Douglas County Sheriff’s investigators have released the name of the deceased woman found in a home at 1471 Edlesborough Circle in Gardnerville, NV.

She has been identified as 82-year-old Phyllis Lewis.

The man who barricaded himself inside his residence where his wife was found is William Lewis, 86. He is currently being treated at a local hospital for unspecified medical issues.

An autopsy will be completed on Phyllis to determine the cause death. William Lewis has been named a person of interest in his wife's death.

Another bear killed by Nevada officials, this time on Kingsbury Grade

For the second time in a week the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) has had to euthanize a black bear that was found near homes.

The bear was trapped overnight in the Kingsbury Area of Douglas County, and was put down because it was a danger to the public.

South Lake Tahoe paddle boarders honor Deputy Francies

"Although he was off duty, Deputy Carlos Francies died doing what he was sworn to do: putting himself in harm's way to protect the life of another." Those were the words of Robin Bender as she spoke to the crowd gathered at El Dorado Beach and Lakeview Commons to remember Francies who drowned in Lake Tahoe on August 13.

Bender, the CFO of South Tahoe Stand Up Paddle, along with owner Chris Brackett, spoke, and Sammantha Bender sang as people with their paddle boards headed off shore to have a paddle-out, the surfing tradition that honors the life of a fallen comrade.

Officer identified in South Lake Tahoe shooting

The name of the South Lake Tahoe Police Officer involved in the June 15 shooting of 22-year-old Kris Jackson has been released.

Officer Joshua Klinge was the officer who responded to a 2:40 a.m. call about a woman screaming and crying at the Tahoe Hacienda Inn on Lake Tahoe Blvd. The officer shot Jackson in the torso after feeling threatened according to earlier reports. Jackson died shortly afterwards at Barton Memorial Hospital.

Man arrested in South Lake Tahoe linked to Vallejo kidnapping

A disbarred attorney arrested in South Lake Tahoe has been accused of kidnapping 29-year old Denise Huskins of Vallejo, CA on March 23, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) confirmed today.

Cut up coyote pelt left on car with anti-hunting note in South Lake Tahoe

It wasn't your normal call into the El Dorado County Sheriff's Department on Wednesday morning.

At some point during the night of June 30-July 1, 2015, a person or persons left a cut up coyote pelt on top of a car on Player Drive, just off of Pioneer Trail.

The pelt appeared to be an older one as it was tanned according to Sgt. Michael Seligsohn of the sheriff's office. He said that it may have even been a rug.

There was a note left with the pelt that made anti-hunting comments against the owner of the car, who is a hunter.

There are no suspects.

Man dies while jumping off cliffs at Angora Lake

A vacation turned into tragedy on Wednesday when a 21-year-old man from Libertyville, Illinois died after jumping from the cliffs at Angora Lake.

Cameron Gillen was visiting relatives and enjoying a day at the lake located just west of South Lake Tahoe.

"He jumped from a location where he was unable to clear the rocks," said Sgt. Michael Seligsohn of the El Dorado County Sheriff's Department.

Several calls were made into 9-1-1 just after 6 p.m. July 1 as there were may witnesses to the jump.

Seligsohn said there is no reason to believe that alcohol or drugs were involved.

4th of July sobriety check point on South Shore

There will be a State of Nevada Law Enforcement DUI check point in the Douglas County portion of South Lake Tahoe on Saturday, July 4.

There is a large increase in both vehicular and pedestrian traffic along the area's roads due to the fireworks display and holiday parties. The increase in law enforcement presence at Lake Tahoe will help deter motorists and pedestrians from entering the roadways while impaired.

Multiple Fires sparked In Carson Valley; 7,000 without power

9:00 p.m. update:

This just in from the Douglas County Sheriff's Department: On June 27, 2015, at approximately 6:17 p.m., the East Fork Fire District in Douglas County responded to a report of several wildland fires along the east side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

There have been reports of six fires along the west side of the Carson Valley.

East Fork Fire, along with the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) have responded to the multiple fires and are working to access each of the fires.

Prescription Drug Take Back Day in Meyers on July 12

Event Date: 
July 12, 2015 - 12:00pm

Prescription Drugs are potentially dangerous when they fall into the wrong hands. The abuse of certain prescription drugs— opioids, central nervous system (CNS) depressants, and stimulants—can lead to a variety of adverse health effects, including addiction.

To get unwanted, unused and expired prescription drugs off the street, the El Dorado County Sheriff's Department will be holding a Drug Tahoe Back Day in the county on Sunday, July 12, 2015 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at several locations.

Alpine County fire figures updated again: 16,543 acres burned

1:35 p.m. update on 6/23/15

The fire figures were updated this afternoon. At 8 a.m. they report almost 16,000 acres, then downsized a bit at noon to 13,562 after analyzing infrared reports. The 1:35 p.m. update is as follows:

The Washington Fire is actively burning. It is spreading due to both fuel-and-slope-driven forces and in some some drainages off of the East Fork Carson River. It has also spread to the north and to the east.

Fire is burning in hazardous and inaccessible terrain and approaching an increasing number of structures and impacting travel corridors.

Loud "booms" heard on West Slope caused by planes on maneuvers

Several residents on the west slope of El Dorado County have periodically made calls into law enforcement about "loud booms" heard over many days so the Sheriff's Department investigated several possible sources.

It turns out that the sounds were created by Naval Air Station Fallon and Hawthorne Army Depot maneuvers over the County, mostly heard in the area of Swansboro. The daily ordinance explosions and high speed fighters and bombers breaking the sound barrier have been determined to be the cause of the noises.

Victim identified in Monday's officer involved shooting in South Lake Tahoe

Some details have been released about Monday's officer involved shooting at the Tahoe Hacienda Inn in South Lake Tahoe.

Kris Jackson, 22 and from Sacramento, was the young man killed by an unidentified officer from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department in the early morning hours of June 15.

Phone scams hitting Douglas County residents

The Douglas County Sheriff's Department is warning residents of a series of scams that have been targeted at residents. Even though the recent reports have been in Douglas County, all people should be aware as the criminals know no county, or state lines.

Tahoe Wellness Cooperative and owner's home raided Monday

A large team made up of members from multiple agencies served a search warrant on both the Tahoe Wellness Cooperative and owner Cody Bass's South Lake Tahoe home early Monday morning.

Agents from the Franchise Tax Board (FTB), Board of Equalization, Department of Insurance, South Lake Tahoe Police Department, and El Dorado County Sheriff's Department (EDCSO) were on scene at the co-op according to Tami Grimes, Information Officer with the FTB in Sacramento.

"The contents of the search warrant are sealed," said Grimes.

Counterfeit bills on rise in El Dorado County; One arrest made

Several counterfeit bills have been used for transactions on the west slope of El Dorado County, even days after the arrest of one suspect. On May 8, the Sheriff Deputies were called to the Round Table Restaurant in Pollock Pines after a man tried to buy food with a counterfeit $100 bill. He and a woman left before deputies arrived but a description of the pair and their vehicle was provided to EDCSO.

Mental Health Awareness: Law enforcement on front lines with mentally ill

Many times law enforcement officers are the first people a mentally ill person comes in contact with. In South Lake Tahoe, police officers and sheriff's deputies are forced to become front line mental health workers, and since they are on the front lines, Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) is an important part of their job.

El Dorado County received a grant for the Sheriff's Department to receive the training, and, to date, four sergeants and 18 deputies have been trained. While most patrol the west slope, South Lake Tahoe has three CIT officers (two sergeants and one deputy).

Craigslist ad leads to arrest of two South Lake Tahoe men

Members of the Western El Dorado Narcotics Enforcement Team (WENET) arrested two South lake Tahoe men on Thursday, April 30 after a week long investigation into circumstances surrounding a Craigslist ad.

David Anthony Reading of South Lake Tahoe responded to the ad of a motorcycle for sale on the west slope of El Dorado County. A county resident posted the ad and was contacted by Reading who offered the seller illegal narcotics as payment for the motorcycle.

The concerned citizen contacted the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office.

Counterfeit ring broken up in El Dorado County

El Dorado County Sheriff's deputies arrested five Bay Area residents on Thursay who are accused of being part of a counterfeit credit card ring.

On April 30, 2015 at about 1:00 p.m., deputies responded to Red Hawk Casino for a fraudulent use of a credit card. Red Hawk casino security reported two persons inside the casino attempted to use forged or stolen credit cards in an attempt to obtain cash. One was described as an adult Hispanic man and the other as an adult African American woman.

Upper Truckee Marsh closed to dogs starting May 1

Upper Truckee Marsh will be closed to dogs from May 1 through July 31 because it is a critical breeding habitat for special, threatened and endangered species such as Yellow Headed Blackbirds.

The Tahoe Conservancy announced the annual seasonal closure today but wanted to remind dog owners that their Cove East property just west of the river remains open for year-round, leashed dog access.

Local CHP officers trade in handcuffs for menus and aprons at Applebee's

Event Date: 
April 30, 2015 (All day)

Local law enforcement will trade in their handcuffs and badges for aprons and menus at Applebee’s restaurants in South Lake Tahoe and Northern Nevada on Thursday, April 30 as part of a Tip-A-Cop® event benefiting Special Olympics.

The South Lake Tahoe California Highway Patrol (CHP) will have officers at the Applebee's located at 3987 Lake Tahoe Blvd for both lunch and dinner.

First Responder Community Hero Award: Ron Elges

Tahoe Douglas Rotary has been a part of the South Shore community since 1962, and, as are the other 1.2 million Rotarians in the world, are bound by a commong purpose, Service Above Self. The club felt it was an ideal fit to recognize police and fire professionals in the community who make sacrifies every day to serve and protect.

During the week, South Tahoe Now will highlight each of this year's winners of the inagural First Responder Community Hero Award.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Crime Log

El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county.

The following are calls that only pertain to the South Shore.

10/18
12:18 a.m. - Sutter Trail - VACATION RENTAL VIOLATION

1:08 a.m. - Sutter Trail - VACATION RENTAL ORDINANCE COMPLAINT

3:22 p.m. - Emerald Bay Road - BURGLARY: DEPUTIES WERE DISPATCHED TO A WINDOW SMASH BURGLARY FROM A VEHICLE. THE SUSPECT WAS DISCOVERED A SHORT TIME LATER AND POSITIVELY IDENTIFIED BY WITNESSES. THE MALE WAS ARRESTED.

10:43 p.m. - Sutter Trail - VACation RENTAL ORDINANCE. VERBAL WARNINg.

Firefighters have put a line around 89% of the King Fire

9/28/14 10:00 p.m. update: 4,420 firefighters and support staff are still on the scene of the 97.099 acre King Fire which is now 89% contained.

After 4 days of precipitation with accumulations of 1-3 inches, fire spread has been halted, however heat remains in the heavier fuels and in the heavy duff sheltered from the rain under the dense timber canopy. As the weather turns warm and dry over the next several days, expect to see an increase in fire activity and smoke production; however spread potential is extremely low, doe to the successful suppression efforts.

Douglas County Sheriffs looking for man who skipped drug court

A 19 year old man is being sought by the Douglas County Sheriff's Department. Seth Daniel Rogers is wanted for failing to appear in drug court and for a warrant for traffic offenses.

DCSO is asking for the public's help in locating Rogers. He is described as having green eyes, being 5'10" tall and weighing 155 lbs.

El Dorado County Sheriff Deputies and Officers to star in own reality show

Sheriffs....El Dorado County is a new television show staring the men and women of the Sheriff's Department. Fox40 and Foothill 7 Television have filmed 26 episodes so far, the first of which airs on Saturday, September 20 on Fox and Fox 40.

Viewers will follow the real officers and deputies of the department as they are involved in drug busts, Meth lab raids and pulling over drivers under the influence. You never know who you might see on an episode, perhaps a neighbor or two?

Two people have minor injuries after helicopter crash lands in Douglas County

A helicopter with two occupants crash landed near the Horsebend area of Gardnerville on Tuesday afternoon.

The pilot, Doyle Holden and his passenger, Karen Cole, had been fishing on the nearby Carson River. After fishing, they attempted to take off and experienced a malfunction and crashed landed. Holden and Cole suffered minor injuries, and contacted another pilot who flew in and transported them out of the area.

Douglas County Sheriff's Department was notified after Holden and Cole arrived at the Medical Center.

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