Murder investigation leads to drug trafficking and child porn, Butte County deputies say

The Butte County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday announced the details of a December murder investigation which led to the discovery of a drug trafficking ring and child pornography.

According to a news release, deputies began investigating the killing of Jacob McArthur, 27, on Dec. 21, when he was found suffering from a gunshot wound in the 700 block of Craig Access Road in Oroville. Detectives obtained a search warrant for a home in the block and believed the killing was related to illegal marijuana sales.

Deputies identified a large drug trafficking organization and believed one or more of its members had a role in McArthur’s death, according to the release. Detectives served search warrants at 13 homes in Butte County, and Shaina Burnette of Chico was identified as the leader of the drug trafficking organization.

While serving a search warrant in Concow, electronic devices were discovered and processed, and child pornography was found, deputies said. The device belonged to Christopher Mack, 30, of Concow. He was arrested on suspicion of child pornography possession and several drug-related charges.

Search warrants served in relation the case led deputies to about 3,300 pounds of marijuana packaged for sale, 10 firearms, $140,000 in cash, $30,000 in silver coins, a number of cellphones and computers, according to the release.

Burnette, 39, was arrested and is accused of maintaining residences where narcotics are stored and sold, possession of marijuana for sale and illegal cultivation of marijuana.

Deputies also arrested Dylan Rice, 25, of Chico; Morgan Karno, 52, of Chico; Monique Bird, 53, of Chico; and Gabriel Bacon, 43, of Oroville. The four face myriad charges related to marijuana possession.

The investigation is ongoing. Deputies ask that anyone with information on the case call 530-538-7671.

This story was originally published January 7, 2020 at 8:19 PM.