UMHS Student Arrested

On 08/31/15 at about 9:35 AM, sheriff’s detectives arrested a 17 year-old Union Mine High School student for furnishing or providing narcotics to another student. The arrest is related to the two Union Mine High School football players who collapsed after last Friday night’s game. The juvenile has been booked into the El Dorado County Juvenile Hall. The investigation is still ongoing.

Lt. Tom Murdoch

Body found in the American River

On 08/24/15 at about 7:20 PM, deputies responded to assist a California State Parks Ranger regarding a missing person. In the area of the Marshall gold discovery site, the deputy learned that 33 year-old Luke Matson of Vail Colorado went swimming about 3 hours prior and had not returned. Matson was last seen by friends floating downstream from Sutter’s Mill. He did not appear to be in distress.

The deputy asked CHP helicopter H20 to fly the river in search for Matson as they checked shore area. By dusk, no one matching the description of Matson was found by air or land. Late in the day, deep parts of the river and shaded areas were difficult to see into. A secondary search was conducted late into the night. Matson was not located then either.

On 08/25/15 deputies from the Office of Emergency Services (OES) called-in the Swift Water Rescue team, part of the County’s Search & Rescue. Eight members of the unit responded. At about 11:35 AM, a deceased male was located in the American River. The body was under about 12 feet of water, about 20 feet off shore, in the area of North Beach in Coloma State Park. Swift Water team members recovered the body and brought him to shore. The Coroner’s Office was called in to investigate and the decedent was identified as Luke Matson.

A preliminary report lists the cause of death to be accidental by drowning. The final cause will be determined after the autopsy and toxicology reports are completed.

Lt. Tom Murdoch

Luke MatsonThe photo of Luke Matson was provided by the family.

Burglar Arrested

On 08/26/15 at about 8:00 PM, deputies and CHP Officers responded to a burglary in progress at a residence in the 3000 block of Lo-Hi Court in Placerville. The suspect was reportedly being detained by the homeowners. On arrival, CHP Officers and Sheriff’s Deputies took custody of 19 year-old Tryston Alvarez-Ross of Placerville.

The victims stated they were only gone a couple of hours. They left their house locked and when they came home, noticed lights were now on. Getting out of their vehicle, Alvarez-Ross came walking out of the house.

The deputies found the house had been ransacked, the TV turned on, and alcohol consumed. Male clothing that reportedly belonged to Alvarez-Ross was found on the bathroom floor adjacent to a bathtub that had been defecated in. Alvarez-Ross was also wearing a pair of woman’s pants belonging to one of the victims.

Tryston Alvarez-Ross was arrested for burglary and transported back to the El Dorado County Jail. He had been arrested for burglary and drug charges on 08/24/15 and released on 08/26/15 at 5:15 PM. He had been out of custody less than 3 hours. He is in custody in lieu of $50,000.00 bail.

Lt. Tom Murdoch

Tryston Alvarez-Ross