Released on October 24, 2023.

On October 3, 2023 the Detective Division of the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received information that a 65-year-old adult male was possibly the victim of financial fraud. Based on this complaint, an investigation was initiated which developed probable cause an elderly male was being isolated from his family while being the victim of fraud, elder abuse, and the theft of his personal property by Dawson Barnes, a 56-year-old male residing in Orovada and Savannah Wilson, a 36-year-old female residing in Orovada.

On October 12, 2023, Detectives and Deputies with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office along with Detectives from the Nevada State Police – Investigation Division located the elderly male at a residence on South Valley Road in Orovada. Investigators contacted the victim through an open window and determined he was inside the residence, and due to him being unable to walk on his own, entry was made into the home. When located it was found the victim was living in unsanitary and unsafe living conditions, was in a state of malnourishment, and had not been provided adequate nutrition, medical care, or personal hygiene. It was further discovered he had been isolated from his family for approximately six months after being deprived of his cell phone, laptop, and any other communication devices. Due to the condition of the victim, he was transported to the Humboldt General Hospital where he was admitted for medical care.

During this investigation a search warrant was obtained for two separate residences in the Orovada area. The search warrants resulted in a seizure of a large quantity of suspected methamphetamine, cocaine, stolen property, stolen credit cards and checks, and personal identifying information of the victim, and numerous firearms which were being possessed by prohibited person(s), including a “sawed-off” shotgun.

As a result of this investigation Dawson Barnes was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Detention Center on charges of Abuse of an Older or Vulnerable Person, Convicted Person Fail to Register with Local Law Enforcement, Possession of Schedule I or II Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell, Own or Possess Firearm by Prohibited Person (8 Counts), Possess, Manufacture or dispose of short-barreled Rifle or Shotgun, Obtain Money, Property, Rent or Labor by False Pretenses (2 Counts), Utter, or Possess with Intent to Utter Fictitious Bill, Note or Check- Victim is an Older/Vulnerable Person, Obtain and Use Personal Identity Information of Another to Harm or for Unlawful Purpose (3 Counts), Obtain or Possess Credit or Debit Card without Cardholders Consent, Grand Larceny, Possess Schedule I or II Controlled Substance less than 14 Grams, Use or Possess Drug Paraphernalia and Conspiracy to Commit a Crime with a bail of $ 258,780.00.

Savannah Wilson was booked on charges of Abuse of an Older or Vulnerable Person, Possess Schedule I or II Controlled Substance Less than 14 Grams (2 counts), Own or Possess Firearm by Prohibited Person, Obtain or Possess Credit or Debit Card without Cardholders Consent, Obtain and Use Personal Identity

Information of Another to Harm or for Unlawful Purpose, Conspiracy to Commit a Crime, Use or Possess Drug Paraphernalia, and Conspiracy to Commit a Crime with a bail of $58,140.00

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Nevada State Police – Investigation Division, Humboldt General Hospital (EMS, Medical, and Social Services), Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles Investigation Division, and the financial institutions that assisted and cooperated with this investigation to have a positive outcome for the victim and his family.