On Friday, 12/01/17, a search warrant was served in the 1000 block of Old Franke Mine Road, related to this investigation. Items included in the search warrant include additional human remains, as well as electronic devices. (Cell phones, computers, etc.) Members of the Calaveras County Sheriff's Office, Calaveras County Probation, and the Angels Camp Police Department assisted with the service of the search warrant. Three people, including Davis, were detained during the service of the search warrant.
Some bones were located on the property, however they do not appear to be human remains, and may possibly be animal remains. Several cell phones, and other electronic devices were seized, as well as several types of weapons and ammunition that Davis is prohibited from possessing. Further investigation will determine whether or not the bones recovered are human.
Additionally, several county code violations were observed on the property, to include numerous vehicles, building code violations, and people inhabiting travel trailers parked on the property. Calaveras County Code Enforcement was contacted and responded to the scene.
The same day of the search warrant service, 12/01/17, the Angels Camp PD was notified by the Calaveras County Coroner's Office that the human skull that was recovered on 11/22/17 is believed to be remains from a Native American. During the service of the search warrant Davis provided information to the investigating officer as to the location where he recovered the human skull he was originally arrested for. Davis advised that he found the skull at a construction site in Angels Camp, which was cordoned off until representatives from the Miwok Tribe of Calaveras County could be notified.
On 12/01/17 Deborah Grimes, of the Calaveras County Miwok Tribe was notified, and she is currently spearheading efforts to determine if the location where Davis recovered the skull is a Native American burial site. Construction work at the site has stopped until that determination can be made.
Davis was transported and booked into the Calaveras County Jail on an outstanding warrant that was issued for his arrest on 12/01/17, and on additional fresh charges related to weapons violations. The other two people that were detained during the service of the search warrant were released on scene.
The investigation will continue, to determine the origin of the additional bones that were found, as well as whether there is any information related to this investigation on any of the seized electronic devices.
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CORRECTION: This traffic stop occurred on November 22, at approximately 11:30 PM. The original notification included the incorrect date of November 23rd. Our apologies for the error.
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On November 23, at approximately 11:30 PM, an officer from the Angels Camp PD made a traffic stop on a vehicle for a violation of the Vehicle Code, failing to stop at the limit line at a stop sign.
The front seat passenger was observed by the officer driving the vehicle earlier, and he initially refused to identify himself. He was subsequently identified as Joshua Davis, a 41 year old Murphys resident. Davis' driving privilege is currently suspended, and a subsequent inventory search of the vehicle, prior to towing it, revealed the following; a recently unearthed human skull in a bag in the trunk of the vehicle, as well as methamphetamine concealed behind the fuel door of the vehicle. Davis was arrested and booked on the following violations;
1) 1203.2(a) PC-Violation of Probation
2) 14601.1(a) VC-Driving on a Suspended Driver License
3) 11377(a) H&S-Possession of Methamphetamine
4) 7050.5(a) H&S-Disturbing or Removing Human Remains
Davis invoked his Miranda rights and refused to explain how he came to be in possession of the human skull. Officers from the Angels Camp PD are conducting follow-up investigation to attempt to determine the identity associated with the remains and where they came from. The remains are currently in the custody of the Calaveras County Coroner's Office, pending follow up investigation.
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