Latest news with #SolanoCountySheriff
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Vallejo man convicted in decades-old teen murder found with child porn, loaded gun
(KRON) — A 68-year-old Vallejo man convicted in the 1975 Union City murder of a 13-year-old girl was found with child pornography, narcotics and a loaded firearm, according to the Solano County Sheriff's Office. 8th grade South San Francisco teacher accused of 'lewd acts' arrested: PD SCSO said Marvin Mutch served 41 years of a life-without-parole sentence in the death of Cassie Riley before being paroled in 2016. The sheriff's office said authorities arrested Mutch at his home on Thursday during a search warrant and seized several electronic devices that are now being analyzed by forensic experts. 'The investigation stemmed from an ongoing investigation into illegal activities involving child sexual abuse material (CSAM),' said SCSO in a news release. Mutch was booked into the Solano County Jail and faces several charges, including possession of child porn, convicted felon in possession of a firearm, convicted felon in possession of ammunition, possession of a firearm by a convicted violent felon, and possession of a controlled substance while armed. He is being held on $300,000 bail, and the sheriff's office said more changes may be forthcoming. This remains an active case. SCSO added, 'The Solano County Sheriff's Office reminds the public that CSAM is a serious crime and encourages anyone with information about this case or similar activities to contact the Solano County Sheriff's Office tip line at 707-784-1963. All tips can remain anonymous.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Independent
13-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Meet Violeta! Oakland Zoo helps rescue adorable endangered spider monkey after drug bust
The Oakland Zoo has rescued a baby spider monkey after authorities found her in a drug bust earlier this month. They named the infant Violeta, who zoo staff say is in decent health and around 18 months old. After she was surrendered by her owner to the Solano County Sheriff's Office in Vallejo, California, Violeta was taken by an Oakland Zoo Animal Care staff member to the Zoo's Veterinary Hospital. Since then, veterinary staff have given her calcium supplements and begun ultraviolet light treatments. The staff is expected to perform a CT scan, bloodwork, and a more thorough physical exam of Violeta this week. 'Veterinary Hospital staff are taking measures to ensure Violeta's overall wellbeing and have reported that she is doing well in her temporary home where keepers have set up enrichment, along with blankets and toys to keep her comfortable and stimulated,' the zoo said. 'They are providing her with a healthy diet that includes a variety of fruits and vegetables, and she is drinking formula that will help to minimize the likelihood of pathologic bony fractures.' After she has recovered, the Oakland Zoo will work with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Wildlife Confiscation Network to find her an appropriate home in an accredited zoo or sanctuary, where she can grow up in a troop of other spider monkeys. Spider monkeys like Violeta are endangered, primarily due to habitat loss, hunting, and the exotic pet trade. They are one of the world's most trafficked animals. "Infant spider monkeys in the pet trade are often the result of their mothers and family members being shot down from the trees to capture the baby. Many times, the baby is killed or injured due to the fall,' Colleen Kinzley, VP of Animal Care, Conservation, and Research at Oakland Zoo, explained. 'Once they enter the pet trade, these animals typically do not receive a proper diet or adequate socialization with other monkeys, which can lead to lifelong physical and mental health issues.' Native to rainforests of Central and South America, black spider monkeys have seen a population decline of at least 50 percent over the past 30 years, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. It is difficult to determine how many are left, and the numbers vary by species, the International Fund for Animal Welfare notes. Of all the species of spider monkeys, black spider monkeys are the largest, according to the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center. They can weigh more than 20 pounds and live for up to 40 years under human care. It is illegal to own primates privately in California, although many people do. This is the second spider monkey rescue the Oakland Zoo has assisted with this year. In January, the zoo assisted in the rescue of a spider monkey named Azules on New Year's Eve. Azules was discovered in the front seat of a Rolls-Royce after a traffic stop conducted by the California Highway Patrol in Madera County. The zoo has received over 100 requests to assist with animal rescue efforts since 2021. They noted recently introduced legislation could help primates exploited through the exotic pet trade. 'It is crucial to raise awareness about the threats these animals face and to take action to end this deadly trade," said Kinzley.
CBS News
13-05-2025
- CBS News
California traffic stop leads to officers rescuing spider monkey, again
VALLEJO — An endangered species was uncovered after yet another traffic stop in California. This time, a spider monkey was found after a drug bust near Vallejo. The Solano County Sheriff's Office says a traffic stop turned into a rescue mission that now involves the Oakland Zoo. It's the second time in six months that a traffic stop ended with officials taking a spider monkey into their care. "We're seeing more and more of them coming up from South America and being brought into private homes, and it's just not appropriate for these animals," said Dr. Andrea Goodnight with the Oakland Zoo Veterinary Hospital. All primates, including spider monkeys, are illegal to own in California. Now in the care of the Oakland Zoo, the monkey rescued May 6 has been affectionately named "Violeta." While she appears to be doing well right now, zoo staff are giving her a full physical exam — including a CT scan— and bloodwork to make sure she has proper organ function. Last Tuesday's traffic stop saw Solano County deputies pull over a car and uncover a massive amount of meth. The next day, authorities searched the suspect's home — and that's where they found the spider monkey, along with two rattlesnakes. If the story sounds familiar, that's because it is. Earlier this year, during a different traffic stop in Madera, California Highway Patrol officers found a spider monkey riding in the passenger seat of a Rolls-Royce driving down Highway 99. The suspect was arrested on drug charges and for allegedly driving under the influence. The Oakland Zoo also took that Madera spider monkey into their care, saying it was not properly cared for and was malnourished. Zoo officials say this trend is disturbing. "They are wild animals," Dr. Goodnight said. "They need proper care and they should be in the wild." Wildlife trafficking is one of the largest illegal trades in the world. The Oakland Zoo is committed to helping save these animals and stop this trend. The zoo says they will work with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and other national organizations to help find Violeta a sanctuary or other zoo where she can live a healthy life after they're done caring for her.
