The following is a press release issued by the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office. The information has not been proven in a court of law and any individuals described should be presumed innocent until proven guilty:
On 03-21-2022 at approximately 7:50 AM, Mendocino County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to a welfare check at a residence on Burrows Ranch Road in Fort Bragg, California.
Deputies arrived and contacted a 56 year-old female, who had visible injuries on her body consistent with a physical assault.
Deputies learned the adult female was in a romantic relationship with John William Bills, who was also present at the location. Deputies determined a domestic violence incident had occurred and Bills was detained.
During this investigation, Deputies were alerted to the presence of and seized a semi-automatic rifle that Bills had unrestricted access to possessing.
Bills was found to be prohibited from possessing firearms, as he had a previous felony conviction out of Washington State. As a part of this conviction, Bills was also prohibited, by means of a Washington State Court Protective Order, from having any contacted with the adult female in this case.
Bills was arrested for 29800 PC (Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon), 273.5 PC (Felony Domestic Violence Battery), and 273.6 PC (Violation of Domestic Violence Protective Order).
Bills was booked into the Mendocino County Jail where he was to be held in lieu of $25,000 bail.
