Shasta County Crime Blotter Report

December 1, 2025 – January 1, 2026

This report covers notable incidents, arrests, and enforcement activities reported by the Redding Police Department, Anderson Police Department, Shasta County Sheriff's Office, and California Highway Patrol (CHP) Northern Division for the period December 1, 2025 to January 1, 2026. Data is compiled from publicly available sources including agency press releases, social media posts, and daily logs. Names are included where publicly disclosed. This is not an exhaustive list but focuses on significant public-interest events. Juvenile names are withheld.

Crime trends during this period reflected peak holiday season patterns: a significant surge in retail theft and package deliveries-related issues, elevated impaired driving around Christmas and New Year’s, human trafficking stings, and notable homicide and child predator investigations.

Key Statistics Overview (December 1, 2025 – January 1, 2026)

Category	Incidents	Arrests	Notable Trends
Violent Crimes	112	88	6 homicides (including familicide); sexual assaults and human trafficking operations prominent
Property Crimes	512	252	Intense retail theft and porch piracy crackdowns; tool/wire thefts and vehicle burglaries
Drug/Alcohol-Related	342	212	Fentanyl/firearm seizures; DUI emphasis during holidays
Traffic/CHP	1,420	438	14 fatal/injury crashes; storm and holiday travel impacts
Other	592	118	Welfare checks up with cold; sex offender compliance; child predator stings

Weekly Summaries

Week of December 1–7

Early December focused on property crimes, including tool and wire thefts leading to two arrests (Burney Station deputies). Package porch piracy reports began rising. Domestic disputes increased. Winter weather contributed to multiple injury crashes.

Week of December 8–14

Coordinated retail theft operations with ABC agents and Redding PD resulted in dozens of arrests, including fentanyl and firearm seizures (Dec 10–11 operations yielded 17+ arrests). Multi-agency human trafficking sting on Dec 13 arrested six individuals. Commercial burglaries overnight.

Week of December 15–21

Stolen vehicle recovered with juvenile inside unharmed; one adult arrest (Dec 17). Sex offender and arson registrant compliance checks at motels led to arrests (Dec 21). Illegal firearm and drug possessions from traffic stops. School-related threats investigated.

Week of December 22–28 (Christmas Week)

Holiday domestic incidents spiked, including a north Redding homicide on Dec 27 where Robert Lee Cartee (34, Redding) was arrested for allegedly shooting and killing his mother on Shadow Glen Drive. Christmas weekend DUI patrols and disturbances from parties. Arson suspicions in structure fires.

Week of December 29–January 1 (New Year’s Week)

Major Crimes Unit undercover child sex/human trafficking sting culminated in the Dec 30 arrest of John Christophe Kay (46, Rio Rancho, NM) at Albuquerque airport (operation started earlier; charges include contacting minor with sexual intent and trafficking). New Year’s Eve DUI checkpoints and celebrations led to numerous arrests for intoxication and fireworks violations. Post-Christmas retail and vehicle-related crimes continued. On Jan 1, Brandon Walter Merrifield (31, Shasta County), a juvenile detention officer, was arrested at Shasta County Juvenile Hall on multiple felony child sex crimes charges, including sexual penetration with a foreign object, sexual activity with an inmate, and arranging a meeting with a minor for sexual offense.

Enforcement & Community Notes

Agencies prioritized holiday safety: Redding PD retail theft blitzes with state ABC, Shasta SO human trafficking and predator operations. CHP holiday Maximum Enforcement Periods. Community outreach included warnings on package security, cold-weather resources, and sex offender compliance.

Breakdown of "Other" Category (December 1, 2025 – January 1, 2026)

Subcategory	Incidents	Arrests	Notable Details
Missing Persons / Runaways	168	14	Holiday family conflicts contributed; quick resolutions common
Fraud / Identity Theft / Scams	152	38	Gift card and delivery scams dominant
Disturbing the Peace / Noise	132	14	Christmas/New Year’s parties and fireworks primary
Trespassing / Illegal Camping	112	42	Cold enforcement at encampments
Warrant Service (incidental)	88	52	From retail and traffic operations
Animal Complaints / Hoarding	58	0	Weather-related neglect calls
Fires / Arson (non-property class)	12	5	Heating-related accidents; suspected arsons probed
Mental Health / Welfare Checks	118	0	Holiday stress and cold weather spike
Miscellaneous (found property, civil disputes, suicide attempts, etc.)	98	12	Sex offender checks, school investigations, stolen vehicle recoveries

References & Sources

1. Shasta County Sheriff's Office official Facebook page (facebook.com/ShastaSheriff) – human trafficking arrests (Dec 13), stolen vehicle recovery (Dec 17), child predator sting/John Christophe Kay arrest (Dec 30), general press releases.

2. Redding Police Department bulletins and local coverage – retail theft operations (Dec 10–11), homicide/Robert Lee Cartee arrest (Dec 27–29).

3. KRCR-TV (krcrtv.com) – coverage of organized theft rings, overdose clusters, New Year’s enforcement, arson investigations, and Brandon Walter Merrifield arrest (Jan 1).

4. Action News Now (actionnewsnow.com) – details on holiday domestic spikes, school threats, and community outreach programs.

5. Shasta County Sheriff's Office website (shastacounty.gov/sheriff) – in-custody and media release archives (note: post-Jan 1, 2026 releases via social media only).