On August 9, 2014 a Tahoe Basin resident reported to The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office that her fourteen year old son had been receiving inappropriate sexual text and Facebook messages from a twenty-two year old male. The youth and adult had met at a camp in Tuolumne County in July of 2014. The adult had served as a camp staff member assigned as the boy’s Cabin Leader. Following the boys return to his home in El Dorado County the two had communicated via text and Facebook.

When the child’s mother detected that the communications had changed from innocent to inappropriate and sexual she contacted the Sheriff’s Office. Patrol Deputies out of the South Lake Tahoe Station conducted an investigation, and on August 11, 2014 a warrant was issued for the arrest of Brandon Moe of Sonora, Tuolumne County, CA. The warrant alleges a violation of California Penal Code Section 288.2(a)(1) – Distribution or Exhibition of Lewd Material to a Minor. Bail was set by the court at $1,000,000.00

Due to the facts of this case, and the employment of the suspect as a cabin leader at an overnight youth camp, the decision was made to dispatch El Dorado County Deputy Sheriffs to respond without delay to Sonora, Tuolumne County, join with Tuolumne County Deputies, and serve both the arrest warrant and search warrant. With the assistance of the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office this was accomplished by late afternoon on August 11th. Brandon Moe was transported to the El Dorado County Jail in South Lake Tahoe where he was booked and is currently being held.

Sgt. Michael Seligsohn

On 08-07-14, at approximately 0700 hours, SLEDNET agents served a search warrant at 3121 Fresno Avenue in South Lake Tahoe. The search yielded approximately 296 pounds of marijuana trimmings in large trash bags. The marijuana trimmings were being used to create concentrated cannabis oils via several methods including butane fuel extraction. Agents discovered 118 expended and 65 partially used butane fuel canisters all 300 ml in size. Agents seized 9 extraction tubes made of both glass and steel, which were used to process marijuana/hash oil. Agents also seized approximately 10 ounces of concentrated cannabis in various forms within the home during the search.

The primary resident of the home, Mr. Dwayne Crenshaw, age 37, was arrested and booked into El Dorado County Jail for possession of marijuana for sale and manufacturing of a controlled substance.

The extraction of THC from marijuana plant material utilizing a chemical catalyst such as butane fuel is a felony crime per California Health and Safety Code Section 11379.6. Butane hash or honey oil production, also known as BHO, is not protected under California’s compassionate use act (Prop 215). In addition to being illegal, BHO extraction is a highly volatile process. Butane fuel is colorless and odorless. Butane in a gaseous state is heavier than oxygen and collects close to the floor, especially in enclosed areas. When an ignition source such as a cigarette or pilot light comes into contact with the butane, an explosion will occur. The size and damage of the explosion are dependent upon the amount of gas present, but can cause serious injuries and death. Numerous BHO related explosions have occurred throughout California in recent years including one in South Lake Tahoe in 2013.

El Dorado County Sheriff John D’Agostini was recently contacted by concerned residents and business owners about transients and homeless in and around the Pollock Pines area. Sheriff D’Agostini and members of his staff have met with residents to address their concerns. The Sheriff”s Office has since deployed additional resources in the area. These resources include increased saturated patrol, business and building checks and foot patrol. The Sheriff also deployed the Special Enforcement Detail (SED) to develop additional resources and work with business owners within the community.

Sheriff D’Agostini is committed to working with our communities in providing a safe environment to live, work and play. The Sheriff would like residents to contact the Sheriff’s Office with any questions, concerns or ideas. He invites and encourages each member of our community to help us make El Dorado County a great place to live.