WARNING: This article contains written descriptions of sexual violence and graphic images of the assaulted women are at the bottom of the article underneath the editor’s note. Reader discretion is advised.
62-year-old Upper Lake man Arturo Gutierrez, a registered sex offender with a history of violence, is wanted by Lake County law enforcement for his connection to the brutal beating of a woman on the night of Thursday, August 18, 2022.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office announced via social media that a $500,000 warrant has been issued for his arrest. Authorities specified Gutierrez is known to frequent Willits, across the Mendocino County line.
Christy Mack Wisdom, a Willits resident and sister to the woman allegedly assaulted by Gutierrez, told us he grew up in Willits and has many connections throughout Mendocino County including Fort Bragg and Philo.
Wisdom continues to care for her sister a week and a half after her sister says Gutierrez beat her for three hours before she escaped. According to Wisdom, her sister managed to push Gutierrez down, flee, and hide in the wildland abutting Gutierrez’s property near the 1700 block of Bride Arbor Road. She was covered in bruises and contusions and suffered both a concussion and a fractured eye socket.
Gutierrez’s capacity for violence is documented. In 2012, he hired a 22-year-old developmentally-disabled man from Ukiah to trim cannabis on his Upper Lake farm. After the young man accidentally damaged Gutierrez’s vehicle, Gutierrez physically and sexually assault him for upwards of two weeks. At times, Gutierrez locked his victim in a cannabis-drying shed, beat him with firewood, and forced him to commit sexual acts.
Gutirrez would spend approximately seven years in prison for these crimes before emerging from prison as a registered sex offender considered “well above average risk” of reoffending, as per assessment results made public by California’s Megan’s Law.
Wisdom’s sister continues to heal after being assaulted. Her sister says she continues to suffer from panic attacks, anxiety, and confusion. Due to her fractured eye socket, she is seeing a specialist.
Gutierrez could be driving a black Harley Davidson motorcycle. He is approximately 5? 04? and 130 lbs. He has blue eyes, and graying hair, and recent photographs show him wearing a red hat.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office is requesting assistance from the community in locating 62-year-old Arturo Gutierrez. If you have any information as to his whereabouts, call their dispatch at (707) 263-2690.
Editor’s Note
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men experience sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetimes.
The following are domestic violence resources available in Mendocino County and surrounding areas:
- Mendocino County
- Contact a crisis counselor at Project Sanctuary by calling (707)463-4357.
- Humboldt County
- Call Humboldt Domestic Violence Services at (707)443-6042 or at 1-866-668-6543
- Trinity County
- Contact the Human Response Network at (530)623-2024
- Lake County
- Contact the Lake Family Resource Center community crisis line at 1(888)485-7733.
- Sonoma County
- Contact the YWCA Domestic Violence Hotline at (707)546-1234
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I swear I saw a guy similar to this on the same Harley in Ukiah’s South State Street and Airport Road
Did he have a mustache? I saw a guy yesterday very similar near the backside of Home Depot and the hospital in Ukiah.
*a large, thick mustache
Not sure really he had a full motorcycle helmet covering his face but the bike looked exactly the same. Then again that type of bike looks super common but he looked like he could barely hold up the bike
Last I read this guy was the last to see a woman that had gone picking blackberries then was reported missing near the golf course in cob. Is this that woman or is he connected to another case. Missing woman case?? I don’t remember her name.
The missing woman’s name is Goldie Morse, but I’ve not heard of any connection between the two. Although I will say that my mind did however go there when I read this article this morning.
I knew Goldie when we were much younger, she was a very sweet girl in those days and was very trusting. I am hoping upon hope that she is found safe and sound, and very soon.
He’s in lake county jail tonight.
In custody now
Was this his girlfriend? Was it domestic violence or friendship? Or was she just one of his trimmers?