The names of the three persons who were killed in a traffic collision on Highway 50 near Fresh Pond last Sunday night were released by the Sheriff’s Coroner’s Office today. They were 32 year-old Jessica Downey of Indianapolis, Indiana, 34 year-old David Dean III of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Joanna Piccoli of Hesperia, California. The accident is still under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.
Lt. Tom Murdoch
On 08/27/15, the Western El Dorado Narcotics Enforcement Team (WENET) obtained a search warrant for a residence in the 2500 block of Hoboken Creek Road in Greenwood for a suspected illegal marijuana operation. Due to the extensive and violent past of associated suspects, the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team served the warrant. At the residence, WENET and Placer County Sheriff’s Department Special Investigations Unit (SIU) members found five different cultivation sites and over 150 marijuana plants.
Four subjects were contacted on the property. One subject, 23 year-old Dalton Gilman, was carrying a loaded handgun. Dalton had been arrested approximately one month ago for cultivation of marijuana with the intent to sell (see the press release dated 07/31/15).
More firearms were found inside the home. Evidence indicated persons with past criminal convictions had access to the weapons. One subject, who was not present, is being sought for questioning. A stolen motorcycle and a suspected stolen generator were also found on the property.
Arrested was 39 year-old Robert Murphy, 22 year-old Matthew Batchelder, and Dalton Gilman. Murphy was charged with conspiracy, cultivating marijuana, and possession of marijuana for sale. Batchelder was charged with cultivating marijuana. Gilman was also arrested for marijuana cultivation and carrying a loaded firearm in the commission of a crime. All three were booked into the El Dorado County Jail.
Murphy and Gilman were released from the Jail on 08/31/15. Batchelder is still in custody for an outstanding warrant.
Lt. Tom Murdoch
Booking photo of Robert Murphy
Booking photo of Matthew Batchelder
Booking photo of Dalton Gilman
Yesterday several Sheriff’s Office Detectives, Probation Officers, and DA Investigators interviewed football players, students, and some faculty members from Union Mine High School as part of the ongoing investigation into the collapse of two JV Football players last Friday night. One student, a 17 year-old male, was arrested and booked into Juvenile Hall on charges of providing/furnishing narcotics (Adderall) to another student.
Several search warrants were also served yesterday afternoon. The warrants were to search the student’s gym locker, his backpack, and his residence. More Adderall was recovered and booked into evidence. The narcotic was found at the arrested juvenile’s home in the 5900 block of Silver Ridge Lane in Pleasant Valley.
More interviews will be conducted today as detective’s follow-up on leads and information developed from yesterday.
Lt. Tom Murdoch