COME ON
The Modoc County Vol. 133, No. 3
RECORD Alturas, California
April 10, 2025
Serving Modoc Since 1892
$1.00
18 Pages
Modoc Man Re-Arrested Hours After Release in Stalking Case By Chelsea Bacon A Modoc County man facing felony stalking charges was re-arrested Friday, just hours after being released from jail under court order, according to the Modoc County Sheriff’s Office. Christopher Allen Cavnar, 40, was taken into custody again for allegedly violating the terms of his supervised release, which had been granted the previous day by Modoc County Superior Court Judge Wendy Dier. The decision to release Cavnar was made over the strong objection of the Modoc County District Attorney’s Office. After consolidating some of his charges, Cavnar has five open cases with charges including one count of felony stalking, six counts of disobeying domestic relations court orders, and 17 counts of making annoying or harassing phone calls between May 2023 and June 2024. He
had been in custody since July 2024 and underwent a two-month psychiatric treatment program. Despite a victim impact statement expressing fear for their safety during a January hearing, the court granted Cavnar supervised release effective April 4. Conditions included participation in behavioral health treatment, warrantless searches, a criminal protective order, and potential GPS monitoring. Cavnar was released from the Modoc County Jail at approximately 9 a.m. Friday. By midafternoon, deputies had received a complaint indicating he had violated the court-imposed release conditions. He was arrested again and booked into the jail on new charges of sending harassing phone calls and violating court orders. The Modoc County District Attorney Nina
Salarno took to her Facebook to provide clarification, stating: “To clarify on our post from yesterday, Christopher Cavnar’s three felony stalking charges were previously consolidated into one charge, along with several misdemeanor charges due to a determination of ongoing behavior, adjusting the open case count from six to five. Per the press release below from the Modoc County Sheriff’s Office, Mr. Cavnar returned to custody less than 24 hours after being placed on Supervised OR by Modoc Superior Court after violating the terms of his release and making annoying or harassing phone calls confirming the validity of the prosecutions argument that Cavnar should remain in custody.” Cavnar’s bail has been set at $25,000. He is expected to be arraigned on the new charges early next week.
“This man has continued to show a blatant disregard for court orders aimed at protecting his victim,” District Attorney Nina Salarno said. “Our office is tremendously
concerned that even the terms put in place with Mr. Cavnar’s release cannot ensure the safety of his current victim or prevent future victims.” “Christopher was released on Monday
April 7th on the same
By Chelsea Bacon Modoc County officials have confirmed that human remains discovered last year belong to Nicholas Robert Patterson, a member of the Pit River Tribe who went missing in January 2020. Patterson was 26 years old at the time of his disappearance. His remains were found May 24, 2024, in a remote area near Lookout, Calif., according to the Modoc County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies responded to the scene and later conducted a search of the area with assistance from the Modoc County Sheriff’s Posse. Following forensic analysis, the remains were positively identified, and Patterson’s family was notified on July 25, 2024. At the request of the family and due to the ongoing investigation, no public announcement was made until recently. Patterson was known to frequent several regions in Northern California, including Burney in Shasta County, Big Valley in Lassen County, and the Lookout area of Modoc County. He was last seen sometime after Jan. 4, 2020. The Modoc County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding his disappearance. Authorities are encouraging anyone with information to contact Sgt. Nessling
at the Modoc County Sheriff’s Office at (530) 233-4416 or the Pit River Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Tip Line at (530) 335-6325. On Saturday, local officials and community members honored Patterson during the kickoff of Modoc County’s 2025 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. District Attorney Nina Salarno joined Sheriff Tex Dowdy, tribal representatives, and residents in a press conference and prayer walk to remember Patterson and raise awareness for missing and murdered Indigenous people. While Sheriff Dowdy addressed the crowd, Salarno quietly joined hands with a grieving member of Patterson’s family — a powerful gesture symbolizing the unity and compassion of Modoc County’s closeknit community. Dowdy also acknowledged the broader crisis affecting Indigenous communities. “Native Americans are among the highest demographic for missing and murdered individuals in the country,” he said. “In California alone, the state sees an average of 14 missing or murdered Indigenous people each year.” He expressed appreciation for the collaboration that led to recent progress in Patterson’s case.
“With the developments in this case, it’s clear that progress is only possible when everyone works together,” Dowdy said. “There are many organizations that have been incredibly supportive throughout this process.” He specifically recognized the California Department of Native Affairs and the Pit River Tribe for their steadfast support and partnership. Members of Patterson’s family also took the stage during the ceremony, expressing their deep gratitude to the Modoc County Sheriff’s Office for pursuing every lead and maintaining close communication with them throughout the investigation. “I just wanted confirmation that he either was or he wasn’t — and now we got it,” said Patterson’s maternal grandmother. “Now I want justice. The people who did this to him need to be brought to justice.” District Attorney Salarno reflected on the national significance of the week and the local unity on display. “Victims’ Rights Week is one of the most important weeks in our nation,” Salarno said. “It’s where we honor the voice of the voiceless — those that are missing, those who are murdered, those whose lives have been decimated by crimes, violent crimes. We honor them and we
give them a voice.” She also spoke to this year’s national theme of “Kinship, Community, and Healing.” “I can’t think of a more shining example, probably in this nation, than all of you here today,” Salarno said. “By all of us coming together — from the tribal communities, law enforcement communities, and the communities throughout Modoc — we can make a difference. Not only can we honor our loved ones, not only can we honor Nick, his mother and his family, but we can also show, by coming
together, the resilience that only a victim of crime can understand. I know that firsthand.” Salarno shared her own experience as a survivor. “I’m also a victim of domestic violence,” she said. “And I watched my mother — who’s here today, 92 years old — demonstrate the resilience that all of you are showing today. By coming together, by not forgetting Nick, by not forgetting any missing Indigenous persons, by not forgetting any victims of crime, but rather uplifting — today, we celebrate your resilience. We celebrate our kinship
in coming together to make a difference, not only in this beautiful community of Modoc, but truly a difference within our nation.” The event brought together members of the Pit River Tribe, law enforcement, survivors, and community members to reflect, heal, and recommit to justice for all crime victims. As the ceremony concluded, Sheriff Dowdy reaffirmed his office’s commitment to the investigation. “We will investigate every lead we have in this case,” he said.
existing
terms
as
Wednesday
of
morning,
April
and 9th,
has not violated his terms.”
Remains of Missing Pit River Tribe Member Identified; Honored During Victims’ Rights Week in Modoc County