“It’s important that law enforcement agencies have allied partners to assist them in situations such as this.  We thank CDFW officers for always being at the ready to help their local law enforcement partners and are grateful no one was hurt during the service of the warrant and arrest.”

– CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

TRINITY COUNTY – Around noon on February 28, 2024, the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant in the 100 block of First Avenue in Lewiston. The search warrant was specific to a previously issued arrest warrant for Derick Bletcher, 40.

According to the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office, while deputies were clearing the residence, a gunshot was heard from inside the home and deputies observed Bletcher attempting to flee the residence through a rear window.  Upon seeing the deputies, Bletcher retreated inside the residence and a second gunshot was heard.

Upon later inspection, it appeared that one of the gunshots had gone through a wall into an adjacent bedroom being cleared by deputies.  The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team then responded to the scene and located Bletcher hiding in a closet.  A Trinity County Sheriff’s Office K-9 (Crew) and his handler, assisted in apprehending Bletcher. Bletcher was unharmed and taken into custody without further incident.

Two firearms were located inside of the residence including a revolver in the closet where Bletcher had been hiding.

Bletcher was booked at the Trinity County Jail on the following charges:

261(a)(2) PC-Forcible Rape-Child Victim

288(a) PC-Lewd Act Upon a Child

288(c)(1) PC-Lewd Act Upon a Child

136.1(b)(1) PC-Dissuading a Witness

246.3(a)-Grossly Negligent Discharge of a Firearm

245(a)((2) PC-Assault with a Firearm on a Peace Officer

69 PC- Deter Executive Officer

30305 PC-Felon in Possession of Ammunition

29800 PC-Felon in Possession of a Firearm

Agencies involved:

Trinity County Sheriff’s Office

Shasta County Sheriff’s Office

CalFire

California Department of Fish and Wildlife

California Highway Patrol

Lewiston Fire Department

Trinity County Life Support