Skip to main content

Modoc County Record - Jul 03, 2025

Page 1

HAPPY TH 249 BIRTHDAY AMERICA

The Modoc County Vol. 133, No. 15

RECORD Alturas, California

July 3, 2025

$1.00

Serving Modoc Since 1892 14 Pages

Three Arrested in Davis Creek Homicide Investigation

Christina Love-Photo provided by Modoc County Sheriffs Office

Benjamin Kiser-Photo provided by Modoc County Sheriffs Office

Durrell Chambers-Photo provided by Modoc County Sheriffs Office

Three people have been arrested and charged in connection with the death of a Davis Creek man whose body was discovered in a shallow grave near a campground in rural Modoc County. Authorities said 41-yearold Emmanuel Pochylski was reported missing on June 24, prompting a homicide investigation by the Modoc County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators said Pochylski was last seen alive on June 11. A search warrant executed

37. All three suspects are being held on bail ranging from $1.04 million to $1.065 million and are scheduled to be arraigned on July 14 in Modoc County Superior Court. Love has been charged with premeditated murder and multiple special allegations, including murder for financial gain, murder with exceptional depravity, and felony murder during the commission of mayhem. Additional charges include conspiracy to commit a

unrelated pending cases, officials said. The district attorney’s office, led by DA Nina Salarno, said it is assessing whether to seek the death penalty. The office is actively coordinating with the sheriff’s department and several state and regional law enforcement agencies. “This case has been advanced by the tireless efforts of our local and allied agencies,” Salarno said in a written statement Monday. “Our office is

at a residence on Highway 395 in Davis Creek led deputies to evidence suggesting he had been killed. On June 27, a rock hunter discovered human remains in a shallow grave near the Plum Valley Campground. The remains were later identified as Pochylski’s. The Modoc County District Attorney’s Office has filed charges against Christina C. Love, 39; Benjamin J. Kiser, 27; and Durrell J. Chambers,

crime, accessory after the fact, and inflicting injury on a cohabitant or intimate partner. She also faces several sentencing enhancements related to domestic violence, abuse of a position of trust, and committing the alleged offenses while on bail or parole. Kiser and Chambers face charges of premeditated murder, conspiracy and accessory after the fact. Chambers has also been charged with violating release conditions in

committed to ensuring justice is served.” Authorities said the homicide appears to be an isolated incident and that there is no ongoing threat to the public. The investigation remains active and additional charges may be filed. Anyone with information related to the case is asked to contact the Modoc County Sheriff’s Office at (530) 233-4416 or the Modoc County District Attorney’s Office at (530) 233-6212.

Modoc County Record: Exciting Ft. Bidwell Man Found Guilty Updates Ahead! Greetings from your Modoc County Record team! It’s been an incredible year of growth and progress, and we’re thrilled to share just how far we’ve come—and what’s coming next. Reaching More Readers Than Ever Let’s start with a few highlights we’re especially proud of: • Social Media Milestone: Our social media following has grown to nearly 4,000 followers, making us the second-largest audience in the county, right behind the Modoc County Sheriff’s Office. We’re now reaching over 50,000 people per month, with strong engagement not just in Modoc County, but also in Susanville, North Reno, and Klamath Falls. • Website Traffic is Up: Our redesigned website, modocrecord.com, now welcomes 7,000 visitors each month, generating over 135,000 page views—a strong sign that readers are turning to us for trusted, local reporting. • Email Newsletter Success: Our weekly (and twice-weekly during sports seasons) email

newsletter continues to grow, with nearly 2,500 subscribers, an open rate of 50%, and a clickthrough rate of 38%— numbers well above industry standards. All told, The Modoc County Record has grown into a regional news leader, serving not only Alturas but a wide network of surrounding communities. Coming August 1: The Newspaper Is Going Free We believe local news should be accessible to everyone. That’s why, beginning August 1, 2025, the Modoc County Record will be completely free to pick up at all local distribution locations. We hope this change makes it even easier for our community to stay informed and engaged. It’s also great news for our advertisers—wider circulation means greater exposure and more value from every ad placed. Free Paper for All— Delivery Still an Option While the paper will now be free to pick up, we understand that many of you appreciate the convenience of home delivery via USPS. To continue offering this service—and to keep

Nancy Richardson (L) and Chelsea Bacon (R) it sustainable—we are introducing a metered updating our pricing paywall. You’ll be able model. to read four free articles Beginning July 2025, per month, after which home delivery will be we encourage you to offered at $2.00 per issue, subscribe for just $25 or $104 per year. This per year to enjoy full, reflects the rising costs unlimited access. of postage and the earlyWhy It Matters morning effort our team At the heart of every puts in to prepare and change is our belief that package each edition— news works best when we’re in the office by 6:00 everyone has access a.m. every Thursday to to it. Whether you’re make it all happen. picking up the paper in Important Note: If you town, reading it online, subscribed or renewed or having it delivered to anytime through June your doorstep, our goal 2025, your existing rate is the same: keep our and subscription plan community informed, will be fully honored for connected, and strong. the remainder of your Here’s to another great current term. The new summer in California’s rate applies only to new Frontier. and renewing subscribers Thank you for reading, beginning in July. following, subscribing, Website Access: Low- and sharing— Cost, Full Access We’re proud to serve Since our website you. includes more content Warm regards, than what’s printed in The Modoc County the weekly paper, we’re Record Team

Mugshot provided by Modoc County Sheriff’s Office A Modoc County jury has found Ruben Martinez Williams of Fort Bidwell guilty of attacking a deputy and ignoring court orders, the district attorney’s office said. Jurors last week convicted Williams, 41, of felony battery with injury to a peace officer, misdemeanor resisting and obstructing an officer, and misdemeanor disobeying a court order. The charges stem from an April 4, 2025 incident that led to his arrest.

The trial lasted several days and included testimony from prosecutors, defense lawyers and witnesses. The jury returned guilty verdicts on all counts as well as the related special allegations. Sentencing is set for July 14 in Modoc County Superior Court. Because of prior convictions and what prosecutors called the seriousness of the case, Williams could face up to four years in state prison.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Modoc County Record - Jul 03, 2025 by Mirror Media Group/ Modoc Media/ Englewood Review - Issuu