New murder charge – People v. Benjamin Piper
On Oct. 7, 2024, Benjamin Forest Piper, 39, of Quincy, was arrested for felony assault after neighbors called police having observed Piper beating and stomping on the victim. Piper was arrested after a foot pursuit and physically resisting responding deputies. On Nov. 15 the Honorable Douglas Prouty found Piper not competent to stand trial. Piper was referred to the Department of State Hospitals for their restoration of competency program and criminal proceedings were suspended. On Nov. 22 the victim died from complications from his injuries suffered in the alleged October assault. On Feb. 18, 2025, after an extended investigation and receipt of an autopsy report, the Plumas County District Attorney’s Office filed an amended criminal complaint accusing Piper of murder. The criminal proceedings remain stayed and a future court date of March 7 has been set for a progress report on Piper’s return to competence.
Theft from the Corner Store – People v. Nathan Brown
Nathan Joseph Brown, 50, of Susanville, is facing pending criminal charges stemming from allegations Brown passed counterfeit bills at the Corner Store in Chester. Brown is accused of later returning to the Corner Store dressed as a California Lottery worker and stealing cash and lottery tickets. Brown was scheduled to return to court Feb. 21 for a pretrial hearing. I want to thank the management at the Corner Store for their assistance and patience in the investigation and prosecution. I also commend efforts of Deputy Tyler Hermann for his multicounty investigation.
Assault and escape from jail – People v. Caleb Duerr
Caleb Lee Duerr, 40, of Johnsville, is currently in custody pending trial on a number of cases including felony domestic violence and felony escape from the jail. On Feb. 14, after receiving evidence from two doctors and during a court trial, the Honorable Randall White found Duerr not competent to stand trial and ordered criminal proceedings remain suspended and Duerr be referred for a restoration of competency program through the Department of State Hospitals. All criminal cases are now stayed pending Duerr being restored to competence. Judge White set a progress report to monitor the restoration process for March 14.
Felony domestic violence – People v. Christopher Simpson
On Feb. 7, Christopher John Simpson, 45, of Portola, was placed on five years of formal probation with terms including serving 365 days in county jail, attending domestic violence counseling and not consuming alcohol following his Dec. 20, 2024, conviction for felony domestic violence. The conviction stemmed from a Nov. 10, 2024, incident in which deputies were called to a residence on First Street in Portola concerning a couple arguing. Once Deputies Berg and Deaver arrived, they noticed approximately 100 droplets of blood along a 30-foot-long pathway leading to the residence. Upon contacting the victim they noticed the victim’s left eye was extremely swollen with a large black and blue ring around it, the victim’s nose was disfigured and the victim had a large amount of dried blood about her face. An investigation led to the defendant’s arrest. On arrest, the defendant had a blood alcohol level of 0.18. I want to thank Deputies Berg and Deaver for their quick response and thorough investigation in this case.
Embezzlement of Bucks Lake fire fighters funds – People v. Jeffery Iversen
On Dec. 16, 2022, Jeffery Michael Iversen, 64, now of Florida, was charged in a one-count criminal complaint with felony embezzlement. Iversen is alleged to have embezzled $302,395.70 from Bucks Lake Fire Department Inc. and Bucks Lake Volunteer Firefighters Inc. A preliminary examination was held Nov. 3, 2023, where the judge found sufficient evidence for Iversen to be tried on the charges. Iversen’s motion to dismiss the case was denied Jan. 5, 2024. The matter is now set for a five-day jury trial June 9, 2025.
Vandalism of a residence – People v. James Kaufman
On Jan. 24, James Andrew Kaufman, 31, of Quincy, was sentenced to three years in state prison following his felony vandalism conviction Dec. 6, 2024. Kaufman was arrested April 30, 2024, after getting into an altercation with the victim. The altercation resulted in Kaufman, and another, going to the victim’s residence and breaking the exterior windows as well as a television inside. I want to thank Deputies Driscoll, Hermann and Brubaker for their work during this involved, and often complicated, investigation.
Harmful matter sent to a minor – People v. Roderick Bolin
Roderick Tyler Bolin, 32, of Quincy, was held to answer at a preliminary hearing Jan. 24. Bolin is charged with sending harmful matter to a person he believed to be minor. Bolin was arrested May 31, 2023, when members of a group called Predator Poachers contacted the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office regarding an internet sting they had created where Bolin messaged a picture of his anatomy to a person he believed to be an 11-year-old girl. Bolin is presumed innocent and is scheduled for jury trial April 16.
Drugs and escape – People v. Aaron Jenkins
On Jan. 24, Aaron Richard Jenkins, 33, of Chester, was sentenced to three years and four months in state prison following his convictions for unlawful possession of a firearm and two counts of escape. Jenkins was originally arrested June 12, 2024, when a probation search found Jenkins to be unlawfully in possession of a firearm. While incarcerated, Jenkins was taken to Plumas District Hospital in Quincy where he escaped June 18. Deputy Chandler Peay caught Jenkins the next morning hiding by Gansner Field. After conviction and before sentencing, Jenkins was given the opportunity to attend a residential drug treatment program to address his addiction issues. After being admitted to the program Aug. 7, Jenkins escaped from the program Sept. 2, only to be taken into custody the next month. I want to thank Deputies Peay and Diltz for their repeated efforts to locate and apprehend Jenkins.
Lewd act upon a child – People v. Seth Rosecrans
Seth William Rosecrans, 18, of Loyalton, was charged Dec. 23, 2024, with committing a lewd act on a child involving an alleged relationship with a 13-year-old. Rosecrans was arrested following a joint investigation with the Plumas County and Sierra County sheriffs’ offices. Rosecrans pleaded not guilty Feb. 7, 2025, remains out of custody on bail and will next appear for a pretrial conference March 7.
Chester pursuit – People v. Daniel Schonrock
On Feb. 21, Daniel Eugene Schonrock, 26, of Susanville, was sentenced to 16 months in state prison following his Jan. 17 conviction for felony evading a police officer. Schonrock was arrested Aug. 28, 2024, after leading deputies on a chase through Chester at speeds of over 100 mph. The pursuit ended when Schonrock crashed his motorcycle and was apprehended. I want to thank Deputies Courtright and Johns for their efforts in safely apprehending the defendant and ending what could have been a very dangerous pursuit.
Sheriff’s association embezzlement – People v. Cassandra Lavley
On Oct. 11, 2024, Cassandra Beth Lavley, 39, of Quincy, was convicted of felony embezzlement. The crime(s) occurred during 2022 and 2023 and involved Lavley, a Plumas County sheriff’s dispatcher, embezzling funds within her capacity as the secretary/treasurer of the Plumas County Sheriff’s Employee’s Association. On Nov. 22, Lavley’s sentencing hearing was heard before the Honorable Douglas Prouty in Department 1 of the Plumas County Superior Court. Prior to the sentencing date, Lavley paid full restitution of $25,592.76. At sentencing, Prouty placed Lavley on two years of formal probation. Terms of Lavley’s probation included that she serve 270 days in the county jail. On Jan. 17, 2025, Lavley requested the court allow her to serve her sentence at her home, on electronic monitoring. After a lengthy argument, Prouty denied Lavley’s request and ordered her to surrender to jail Jan. 25. Lavley surrendered as ordered and is serving her sentence in a neighboring county’s jail.
HR conflict of interest – People v. Nancy Selvage
On Nov. 16, 2023, a three-count criminal complaint was filed against Plumas County Human Resources Director Nancy Louise Selvage, 68, of Quincy, stemming from a May 2022 incident where she is alleged to have negotiated and recommended a 43% pay raise on behalf of both herself and the county. The criminal investigation occurred over many months, drawing additional focus after the Plumas County Civil Grand Jury published its 2022-23 report. A preliminary hearing was held May 28, 2024, where the Honorable Raymond Giordano found sufficient evidence for Selvage to be bound over for trial. The case is now set for a two-week jury trial beginning March 25, 2025, before the Honorable Karen Dixon, visiting judge from Siskiyou County.
There is a great deal of promise and hope for all who live, work and play in Plumas County — it continues to be a spectacular place on many levels. On behalf of the district attorney’s office, it is an honor to serve Plumas County and we are all grateful for the opportunity to provide the highest level of service, in the most cost-effective manner. Thank you, again, for your support and efforts. Should you have any questions or comments please do not hesitate to contact me at the DA’s Office.
Information provided by Plumas County District Attorney’s Office
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