Regional
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- Written by: GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday announced a $50,000 reward payment to three individuals who provided information leading to the arrest and conviction of Marvin Markle for the murder of De Anna Lynn Johnson.
In 1982, 14-year-old De Anna Lynn Johnson was found dead near her home in Vacaville. In 2003, then Gov. Gray Davis issued a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual responsible for her murder.
In 2017, investigators from the Vacaville Police Department and the Solano County District Attorney’s Office identified the suspect through witness statements. In 2025, he was convicted of 1st degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.
“After 43 years, justice has prevailed for De Anna Lynn Johnson — at just 14 years old, her life was taken far too soon. I am thankful that our law enforcement partners and prosecutors never gave up hope and spent decades in order to provide closure to her family, while honoring her memory,” said Newsom.
"The murder of De Anna Lynn Johnson, a young Vacaville student, rocked our entire community. I am grateful for the dedicated work of the men and women of the Vacaville Police Department and the Solano County District Attorney’s Office, who after all of these years, never gave up on the pursuit for justice,” said Solano County District Attorney Krishna Abrams. "I’m especially thankful for the citizens who were willing to come forward as they helped bring closure to De Anna Lynn’s loved ones after 40+ years.”
Help solve these murders
Gov. Newsom also announced that he has made available two $50,000 rewards for information leading to unsolved cases in Alameda and San Diego counties.
The rewards announced Monday involve the following cases:
Oakland, Alameda County — Antonio Nunez: Governor Newsom is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction for the murder of Antonio Nunez. In 2009, 16-year-old Antonio Nunez was fatally shot by an unknown assailant outside of his home. Investigators from the Oakland Police Department conducted interviews and pursued leads on possible suspects, but have not identified the assailants. The Oakland Police Department has exhausted all investigative leads and requested that a reward be offered to encourage anyone with information about this murder to contact Sergeant Yun Zhou at 510-238-3821. Anonymous tips can be submitted to 510-238-7950.
“We are grateful to the Governor’s Office for offering this reward. Even though this crime occurred 16 years ago, we hope this renewed attention will encourage anyone with information to come forward and help us solve this case, bringing long-awaited justice to the victim’s family,” said Interim Oakland Police Chief James Beere.
San Diego, San Diego County — Arthur Jordan: Governor Newsom is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction for the murder of Arthur Jordan. In 2018, 28-year-old Arthur Jordan was fatally shot by an unknown assailant while sitting in his car. Investigators from the San Diego Police Department have interviewed witnesses and potential suspects but have exhausted all leads. At the time of his death, Mr. Jordan was working as a barber at his family’s barber shop. The San Diego Police Department has exhausted all investigative leads and requested that a reward be offered to encourage anyone with information about this murder to contact Sergeant Joel Tien at 619-531-2323. Anonymous tips can be submitted to San Diego Crime Stoppers and 888-580-8477.
“We are very thankful for the Governor’s support in our efforts to find justice for Mr. Jordan and his family,” said San Diego Police Department Detective Chris Murray.
Governor’s rewards for unsolved cases
Under California law, law enforcement agencies may ask the governor to issue rewards in specified unsolved cases where they have exhausted all investigative leads, to encourage individuals with information about the crimes to come forward.
Public assistance is vital to law enforcement, and rewards may encourage the public cooperation needed to apprehend those who have committed serious offenses.
More information on the Governor’s Reward Program can be found here.
Authorities arrest Mendocino County journalist, high school teacher for online harassment of student
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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
NORTH COAST, Calif. — The Ukiah Police Department said it has arrested a Hopland man who works as a high school teacher and journalist for harassing a female high school student with sexually suggestive messages on social media and for contacting other minors as well.
Matthew Palmer LaFever, 37, of Hopland, was arrested on Monday following an investigation that began in mid-October, the Ukiah Police Department reported.
LaFever is a teacher at Ukiah High School, owner and operator of the MendoFever website — which appeared to have been taken down as of Monday night — a contributor to the Redheaded Blackbelt website and the SF Gate North Coast contributing editor.
Police said that on Oct. 16 they were notified by a concerned parent of a 17-year-old Ukiah High School student that LaFever, a journalism teacher at the high school, had made an inappropriate sexual comment towards her daughter.
Through the course of the initial investigation into that incident, Ukiah Police Department detectives learned that a different UHS student had information regarding LaFever contacting minors on social media.
Ukiah Police detectives conducted an interview with the female high school student, who told them she had conversed with LaFever on social media, informed him that she was a minor, and LaFever had persisted to make sexually suggestive comments about her and repeatedly asked her to send him inappropriate photographs.
Police said LaFever also sent the minor scantily clad and inappropriate photographs of himself.
The agency said its detectives obtained a search warrant for LaFever’s cell phone, computers and residence.
The following day Ukiah Police detectives located LaFever at the Ukiah High School campus and seized his cell phone and multiple laptops. LaFever declined to provide the detectives with a statement.
Police said LaFever's electronic devices were forensically downloaded, and detectives were able to confirm that the social media interaction described by the 17-year-old had occurred, and she had clearly informed LaFever that she was a minor.
Through the course of their investigation the detectives also located additional evidence that LaFever was reaching out to numerous minors throughout Sonoma and Mendocino counties; however, police said those victims have not been identified at this time due to the anonymity of social media.
On Monday, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for LaFever for the crime of knowingly annoying and or molesting a minor.
At approximately 7 a.m. Monday, the detectives went to LaFever’s residence, and he was taken into custody.
LaFever was booked into the Mendocino County jail for the misdemeanor charge at 8:17 a.m, with bail set at $10,000. Jail records showed he posted bail and was released just after noon on Monday.
Police said LaFever used numerous variations of the screen name “Johhnyender” across multiple social media platforms, and authorities are asking that any minors who had contact or received any messages from similar social media accounts contact them.
The Ukiah Police Department said it “remains committed to keeping the residents of Ukiah safe,” and it thanked Ukiah High School and the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance in the investigation.
- Details
- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
Three crew members on a REACH helicopter were injured on Monday when it crashed into a highway in Sacramento.
The California Highway Patrol reported that on Monday shortly after 7 p.m., the CHP’s Sacramento Communications Center received calls reporting a helicopter crash on eastbound U.S. Highway 50, west of 59th Street.
The aircraft, operated by REACH Air Medical Services, was functioning as a medical transport helicopter; however, no patients were on board at the time of the incident.
Three crewmembers were aboard, all of whom suffered major injuries and were transported to local hospitals for treatment.
No vehicles were involved in the crash.
Due to debris and the active investigation, eastbound U.S. 50 from the State Route 99 connector to the crash site was closed for several hours. All lanes were reopened at 1:22 a.m. Tuesday.
The CHP is assisting the National Transportation Safety Board, or NTSB, with the ongoing investigation.
“The California Highway Patrol extends its sincere gratitude to the motorists and first responders who stopped to render aid following last night’s crash. This is a complex investigation, and we will continue to work closely with the NTSB as they work to determine the cause of the crash,” said Chief Tyler Eccles, commander of CHP Valley Division.
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has dash camera footage of the incident is asked to submit information or videos to Sergeant Brodie Mitchell with the CHP Valley Division Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team at 916-731-6400 or via email at
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
NORTH COAST, Calif. — Over the past several years, Humboldt County has endured devastating impacts from the opioid crisis, first with heroin and now fentanyl.
The community continues to experience overdose and death rates among the highest in California.
In response, the Humboldt County Correctional Facility, or HCCF, developed a Medication Assisted Treatment, or MAT, program to provide opioid medications to incarcerated individuals struggling with addiction.
While effective during custody, many participants declined to continue treatment after release, often leading to relapse and, tragically, overdose.
To bridge this critical gap, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office is launching a new initiative that will provide Sublocade, a long-acting monthly injection designed to support individuals as they transition from custody back into the community.
Sublocade reduces cravings, blocks the effects of opioids, and significantly lowers the risk of overdose following release.
Until now, the high cost of Sublocade prevented HCCF from offering this treatment. Thanks to the advocacy of Sheriff William Honsal and his team, the Humboldt County Opioid Settlement Committee has approved $150,000 annually for the next three years to fund this life-saving program.
Beginning in October 2025, HCCF nursing staff will administer Sublocade injections to eligible participants in two priority groups:
• Individuals in the MAT program who are nearing release.
• Individuals with severe mental illness who struggle to maintain daily Suboxone treatment.
Sheriff William Honsal emphasized the importance of this new step forward.
“This voluntary program represents hope for those who desire help with their addiction,” Honsal said. “Too many lives in Humboldt County have been lost to fentanyl overdose. By providing Sublocade, we’re giving individuals leaving custody a real opportunity to break free from addiction and avoid overdose. This investment is about saving lives, protecting our community, and helping people rebuild their lives.”
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office said it remains committed to compassionate, innovative solutions that address the opioid crisis and safeguard the health and well-being of Humboldt County residents.
For more information about the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, please visit HumboldtSheriff.org.
