Willits Man Accused of Fleeing Police and Attempting to Sneak Meth Into the County Jail

On January 29^th, 2022 at about 0430hrs, Willits PD (WPD) attempted to conduct a traffic enforcement stop on a vehicle with expired registration. Instead of yielding, the driver fled westbound on Hwy 20, reaching speeds up to 80 mph.  The pursuing WPD Officer terminated the pursuit due to the unsafe speed and icy road conditions. 

MCSO Deputies in the area continued to search west on Hwy 20 for the suspect vehicle, ultimately locating it several miles west on Irmulco Road, having come to rest about 15 feet off the roadway into the woods. Prior to it being towed, items located inside the vehicle pointed to a possible suspect, identified as Jesse  Davenport. Davenport was also known to have an active misdemeanor, no-cite warrant for his arrest as well as a suspended license. 

The initiating WPD Officer conducted a follow-up investigation later that evening and gathered further evidence the suspect was indeed driving the vehicle during the pursuit. 

In the early morning hours of January 30^th, 2022, a WPD Sergeant conducted a  traffic enforcement stop on a vehicle for several vehicle violations. The passenger in the vehicle was the suspect, Jesse Davenport. 

Davenport made incriminating statements confirming that he was the driver of the vehicle that fled from the WPD Officer. Davenport was arrested for violation of  2800.2 VC, and the active local misdemeanor warrant. During a search incident to arrest, drug paraphernalia and evidence Davenport was driving the vehicle during the pursuit was located on his person.

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Davenport was given the opportunity to admit to possessing any further contraband hidden on his person prior to entrance into the county jail, which he denied. During the booking search, 2.3g of methamphetamine was located hidden on his person.

Davenport was ultimately booked for violation of 2800.2 VC (Felony Evading), 4573 PC (Bringing a Controlled Substance into a County Jail), 11377(a) HS (Possession of a Controlled Substance), 11364(a) HS (Possession of Drug Paraphernalia), and the local misdemeanor warrant.

Additionally, charges will also be filed for violation of 14601.1(a) VC (Driving on a Suspended License).

Willits Police Department would like to thank the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office for their valuable assistance in this case.