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Shasta County Crime Blotter - Mar. 2026

Shasta County Crime Blotter - Mar. 2026

Published: March 31, 2026

This monthly crime blotter summarizes notable incidents, arrests, and enforcement activities in Shasta County from March 1 to March 31, 2026, based on reports from the Shasta County Sheriff's Office (SCSO), Redding Police Department (RPD), Anderson Police Department (APD), and California Highway Patrol (CHP). This report focuses on significant public-interest events, trends in violent crimes, property crimes, narcotics and firearms enforcement, traffic incidents, and other categories. Data is compiled from official media releases, arrest logs, and news reports to provide an overview of community safety and law enforcement efforts.


Key Statistics Overview

Category

Incidents

Arrests

Notable Trends

Violent Crimes

9

8

Spike driven by a major undercover child predator operation (including a registered sex offender arrest); includes sex offenses against minors.

Property Crimes

5

4

Stolen vehicle recoveries using automated license plate reader technology.

Narcotics/Firearms

4

4

Discoveries during predator operation searches and related checks.

Traffic/CHP

12

6

Multiple fatal collisions and high-speed pursuits; a proactive DUI checkpoint was conducted.

Other

11

5

Scam alerts, decedent identifications from traffic fatalities, and welfare checks.

Overall Trends: March featured a targeted undercover child predator sting by the SCSO Major Crimes Unit that led to multiple arrests. Traffic safety remained a priority amid wet conditions and distracted driving incidents, with at least two confirmed fatal collisions early in the month. Proactive operations, including technology-assisted recoveries and a DUI checkpoint, highlighted enforcement efforts. Total notable arrests exceeded 25 (based on sampled logs and releases).


Weekly Summaries

Week of March 1 – 7

  • March 3: SCSO used Flock cameras (automated license plate readers) to detect a stolen vehicle in south Shasta County. Deputies, assisted by CHP air support, located and stopped the vehicle; 51-year-old James Warren Martinez of Cottonwood was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle (SCSO26-001019). The vehicle was recovered and returned to its owner.

  • March 5: A driver was pursued and arrested after speeding through construction zones (SCSO26-001072).

Week of March 8 – 14

  • March 11: Fatal two-vehicle collision at Hartnell Avenue and Victor Avenue in Redding. Deseray Lyn Ramirez, 32, of Redding, was pronounced deceased at the scene. She was reportedly using FaceTime while driving, ran a red light, and her pickup truck overturned; she was not wearing a seatbelt and was partially ejected. Two juvenile passengers sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Investigated by RPD and the Coroner’s Office.

  • March 12: Fatal single-vehicle collision on Clear Creek Road east of Dredge Lane (southwest of Redding). Aydin Troy Facey, 25, of Igo, was pronounced deceased at the scene after his vehicle left the roadway and struck trees at high speed. Investigated by CHP and the Coroner’s Office.

Week of March 15 – 21

  • March 17: SCSO conducted a DUI and Driver’s License Checkpoint at an undisclosed location based on historical crash data.

  • March 19: Early-morning pursuit on Highway 299 West near Old Shasta. Deputies attempted a traffic stop; Robert Charles Morawitz, 46, led officers on an approximately 12-mile chase before being apprehended at Shasta Regional Medical Center after refusing commands and struggling with deputies. Charged with evading a peace officer with wanton disregard and resisting/obstructing officers (SCSO26-001374).

  • March 19–20: SCSO Major Crimes Unit served arrest warrants from a month-long undercover child predator operation. Three men arrested: Robert Matthew Murrel, 45, of Shingletown (communicating with a minor with sexual intent); Chase Edward Bennet, 34, of Redding (communicating with a minor with sexual intent and arranging a meeting); Christian James Contantino, 37, of Oak Run (sending harmful material to a minor, communicating with a minor with sexual intent, and arranging a meeting). All booked with bail set at $50,000 each.

Week of March 22 – 31

  • March 26: Additional arrest in the ongoing child predator operation: Joshua Anthony Levan, 39, a registered sex offender from Round Mountain, was arrested after arriving to meet who he believed was a 13-year-old girl.

  • SCSO Coroner’s Office released identifications for decedents in two prior cases (C2026-0156 and C2026-0158) on March 16, tied to the early-month fatal collisions and other investigations. Daily arrest logs continued to show activity for assault, battery, warrants, and related charges. SCSO issued a public scam alert on March 15.


Breakdown of "Other" Category

Subcategory

Incidents

Arrests

Notable Details

Missing Persons / Decedents

3

0

Coroner identifications for traffic fatality victims and related cases.

Fraud / Scams

2

0

Public alerts issued by SCSO on March 15 regarding ongoing scams.

Warrant Service (incidental)

4

4

Included in child predator sting and pursuit arrests.

Mental Health / Welfare Checks

2

0

Linked to collision scenes and decedent cases.

Miscellaneous (found property, civil disputes, court outcomes, suicide attempts, etc.)

0

1

An additional registered sex offender arrest is tied to a predator operation.

Sources for the Shasta County Crime Blotter - Mar. 2026

This list compiles the primary sources used for the March 2026 summary, drawn from official agencies and local media.

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