Full Notification

MEDIA RELEASE


Contact: Sgt Chris Hewitt
Release Date: 04/17/12 Release Time: Immediate
Time: 1230 Release Number: 1


Mountain Ranch Man Arrested for Assault with a Deadly Weapon


(Jenny Lind, CA) On 04/16/12 at approx. 6:30 PM Calaveras Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the 10500 block of Knoll Drive in Jenny Lind for a report of an assault with a deadly weapon. Upon arrival the deputies contacted the suspect, Maurice Ryerson Ross (27) of Mountain Ranch, who was standing out front of the residence. Mr. Ross allegedly struck the adult male victim (name withheld) over the head with a machete, causing moderate but non-life threatening injuries. The victim was airlifted to a Modesto area hospital for his injuries. Sheriff’s Detectives were called to the scene to conduct the investigation. According to Mr. Ross, he and the victim were either horse playing or in some sort of altercation when the victim received an accidental cut on his leg from the machete. An argument eventually ensued which lead to Mr. Ross either kicking the victim in the head causing injury, or him striking him in the head with the machete. Both subjects were reportedly drinking quite heavily and were intoxicated. Investigators were not immediately able to interview the victim. Mr. Ross stated that the victim’s head injury resulted from him striking the victim with his fist or foot, resulting in the victim falling and hitting his head; not from a machete strike. Investigators were unable to locate the machete at the scene.

Mr. Ross was arrested and booked into the Calaveras County jail on the charge of 243 (d) PC (a felony). The investigation is on-going.