Category: Criminal Justice
Chico man in detention seeks asylum, relief
Immigrant detention swells to record high
Chico criminal defense attorney Kevin Sears remembers that day in late July in Butte County Superior Court when he heard what he describes as “awful screaming” outside the courtroom.
The bailiff told him that agents from Immigration, Customs & Enforcement (ICE) were outside. “I just about fainted,” Sears said. “I just had no clue they were there. It was the first time they had come.”
Sears acts as public defender for Butte County DUI cases, so on any given day he may have up to 50 clients in court. When he learned what was happening outside the courtroom, he thought immediately of one client in particular who had been anxious about ICE courthouse arrests around the state.
Should Mental Health Diversion expand?
Fewer than a third of defendants seeking Mental Health Diversion were admitted in Butte County
This story is second in a series on the Mental Health Diversion program and is supported by a USC fellowship.
Seven years ago, a 48-year-old Paradise area man was charged with misdemeanor assault with a vehicle. A medical report issued a few days after the incident stated that he was diagnosed with “bipolar disorder, mixed episode, with psychotic features.”
A year later, his attorney told him about the newly launched Mental Health Diversion program (MHD), which allows some mentally ill defendants to receive court-ordered mental health treatment instead of serving jail time. Successful completion of the program can lead to dismissal of charges. The man, who identified only as “John” in order to protect his privacy, applied.
Chico journalist sues DA over public records
Lawsuit claims law enforcement agencies withhold public documents
ChicoSol contributor Dave Waddell today sued Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey — as well as the Chico Police Department, the City of Chico and the sheriff — over withheld public records related to officer-involved shootings.
The lawsuit filed in Butte County Superior Court states that it “arises from the repeated and ongoing failure of the leadership of the law enforcement community” to comply with the California Public Records Act.
On the cop beat in 2025
Sunny interviews writer Dave WaddellIn this interview by podcaster Sunny, writer Dave Waddell talks about the stories he’s contributed to ChicoSol during the past year and his fight for public records. Waddell is writing a book about Butte County law enforcement. Sunny’s interview will be broadcast at 7 p.m. Dec. 11 as part of KZFR’s weekly news show. Correction to interview comment: Former Chico Police Chief Michael Dunbaugh wrote the memo referred to in this interview in 2015, not in 2025 as was inadvertently stated.
Chico officer suspended for receiving oral sex in patrol vehicle
Police chief cuts in half recommended suspension
A Chico police officer received only a two-week suspension in 2024 for having on-duty sex in his patrol vehicle in the parking lot of a church, according to newly released records.
The officer, Michael Vincent, was disciplined for receiving oral sex from a woman on multiple occasions while in uniform, records show.
Vincent did not respond to a message seeking comment on his suspension.
Police Chief Billy Aldridge reduced Vincent’s proposed punishment in a Feb. 26, 2024, “notice of final discipline” memorandum. Capt. Jeramie Struthers had recommended a four-week suspension without pay, but Aldridge halved that time, saying Vincent accepted responsibility for his actions and lacked previous disciplinary issues.