“This year promises to be an equally challenging year for public safety,” said Plumas County District Attorney David Hollister. “Though some signs of promise are now visible, our local and state economies continue to be challenged. We continue to encounter complex and challenging cases in our efforts to safeguard our community.

  On July 1 of this year Plumas County will begin to encounter the second part of Assembly Bill 109/Public Safety Realignment, whereupon most parole hearing and housing obligations — including those involving serious, violent and sex offenders — will be transferred from the state to the counties.

  “It is, nonetheless, reassuring to know Plumas County has a talented and dedicated group of law enforcement professionals to combat these challenges,” Hollister said. “With our public safety partners and continued support from our citizens I have no doubt these challenges will be met and Plumas County will continue to be a safe place to live, work and play.”

  Following is a sampling of the cases the district attorney’s office has recently addressed. Hollister said he invites anyone with questions, comments or concerns to contact him directly at 283-6303.

People v. Sam Adams

  On Feb. 8, Sam Adams, 45, of Twain, was convicted of a felony violation of resisting an executive officer. Adams also entered into a “Harvey” waiver to allow the court to consider any dismissed charges in setting the appropriate sentence. Adams will be sentenced March 29.

  Adams assaulted an acquaintance in the parking lot of Plumas District Hospital in Quincy, then resisted arrest when officers responded.

People v. Bron Craghead

  On Feb. 8, Bron Craghead, 35, of Portola, was convicted of a felony violation of assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury. Craghead will be sentenced April 12.

  Craghead is accused of assaulting another man in the Bank Club in Portola. During the assault Craghead “headbutted” the victim, causing the victim to suffer a broken nose.

People v. Christopher Humphrey

  On Feb. 8, Christopher Humphrey, 21, of Portola, was convicted of a felony violation of using an access card without consent of the cardholder. Humphrey will be sentenced April 12.

  Humphrey was convicted of writing down the credit card number of a person he knew next to him in line at a local business. Humphrey then proceeded to purchase $1,131 in merchandise over the Internet using the stolen credit card information.

  Deputy Andrea Murana was able to track the purchases to Humphrey, then located a portion of the loss at Humphrey’s residence.

  “This type of crime is entirely too pervasive,” Hollister said. “In many larger areas there simply aren’t the resources to investigate this type of case. Here, in Plumas County, we will continue to devote available resources to combat identity theft but encourage our citizens to assist law enforcement by remaining diligent in safeguarding their financial information.”

People v. Max Mothershead

  On Feb. 8, Max Mothershead, 24, of Chester, was convicted of felony commercial burglary. Mothershead will be sentenced March 29.

  Mothershead was convicted following his arrest with George Fellos of burglarizing the Ranch House Restaurant, Maria Walker’s Mexican Restaurant and the Kopper Kettle in Chester.

People v. Kamron Williams

  On Feb. 8, Kamron Williams, 23, of Maybe, was sentenced to three years of formal probation on two separate felony cases. As terms of his probation, Williams was ordered to serve 270 days in county jail, along with other terms of probation, fines and fees.

  In addition, Williams was sentenced to an additional 180 days in county jail following his conviction for being under the influence of methamphetamine while in the county jail. Both Williams the inmate who supplied the methamphetamine were located, arrested and convicted and will serve additional sentences for their crimes within the jail.

  Williams had previously been convicted Dec. 17, 2012, of felony unlawful discharge of a firearm and felony domestic violence.

People v. Nathan Mlakar

  On Feb. 8, Nathan Mlakar, 36, of Quincy, was convicted of a felony violation of furnishing methamphetamine. Mlakar will be sentenced March 22.

  Mlakar was arrested following a probation search of his residence Dec. 21, 2012, by Sgt. Mike Meisenheimer, Sgt. Matt Beatley and Deputy Jacob Vickrey. During the search numerous items of contraband were recovered and Mlakar was determined to have traded methamphetamine to James Kaufman in exchange for a number of stolen chainsaws.

  Mlakar faces a sentence of up to three years in county jail and forfeited $1,465 in cash as part of his conviction.

People v. Samuel Johnson

  On Feb. 22, Samuel Johnson, 39, of Chester, was convicted of a felony violation of selling a controlled substance. Johnson will be sentenced April 5.

  In January, the Plumas County sheriff’s detectives division received a report Johnson was selling prescription pills out of a business in Chester. A “sting” was set up whereupon Johnson sold illegal prescription pills to an undercover detective. During the course of the investigation the business where the defendant was employed was fully cooperative with the detectives.

People v. James Kaufman

  On Feb. 22, James Kaufman, 20, of Quincy, was sentenced to 16 months in county jail following a finding he had violated his probation. Kaufman had recently been granted probation and given the opportunity to participate in Plumas County’s Adult Substance Abuse Treatment Court Program (formerly Drug Court). Kaufman violated the terms of probation and was subsequently sentenced.

  Kaufman was originally convicted for possessing stolen chainsaws, which he traded for methamphetamine.

People v. Keith Kaufman

  On Feb. 22, Keith Kaufman, 34, of Portola, was convicted of possessing drugs (methamphetamine) in jail. Kaufman waived a pre-sentence report and was sentenced to an additional term of two years in county jail.

  Kaufman was serving a 16-month term in the Plumas County Correctional Facility for possessing marijuana for sale. Kaufman’s conviction was from the incident involving Kamron Williams.

  Hollister extended his appreciation to the correctional facility staff. Hollister noted this event was symptomatic of the changing culture in the local jail as the result of AB 109. Hollister also added that those within the jail engaging in illegal activity should expect their conduct will be met with increased sentences.

People v. George Fellos

  On March 1, George Fellos, 24, of Chester, was convicted of commercial burglary and found to be in violation of his probation. Fellos is expected to be sentenced April 5 to two years and eight months in county jail.

  Fellos, along with Max Mothershead, was arrested following an investigation into a series of commercial burglaries in Chester. At the time of the crimes, Fellos was on felony probation.

People v. Corey Mitchell

  On March 1, Corey Mitchell, 23, of Chester, was convicted of two counts of possessing methamphetamine. Mitchell will be sentenced April 12.

  Mitchell was originally arrested in October 2012 for possessing methamphetamine following a contact by Deputy Mike Kincaid in Chester. Mitchell subsequently posted bail and was released from custody. After Mitchell missed a court date a warrant was issued for his arrest.

  Mitchell was apprehended by his bail bondsman, who brought Mitchell to the Plumas County jail. During the booking process Mitchell was found to have methamphetamine hidden in his hat. Mitchell explained to staff he owns “about a hundred” hats and had forgotten about the methamphetamine in the particular hat he was wearing when apprehended.