Nevada County Sheriff's Office

10/30/2026

We spotted Rubble hard at work at his desk but he’ll be taking a break when the trick-or-treaters arrive. 🎃👻

10/30/2026

The Sheriff's Paw Patrol Crew can't wait to meet you! Trick-or-treat at the Sheriff's Office today and throughout the entire Eric Rood building from 3-5 p.m. Also stop by the adjacent library for extra Halloween fun until 6 p.m.

10/30/2026

- Our Deputies Don't Give Up

American Red Cross Recognizes Three Sheriff’s Deputies for
Rescuing Red Cross Volunteer

Three Nevada County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) deputies were hailed heroes earlier this week by representatives of the American Red Cross California Gold Country Region, who stopped by the Sheriff’s Office to meet and thank the deputies for their actions in person and to present them with a certificate of appreciation.

Their gratitude extends from an incident that occurred back on Aug. 28 when an American Red Cross volunteer transporting supplies from Yuba City to Reno, Nevada (who was not from the area), became lost and never made it to his intended destination. After no contact with the volunteer for nearly 12 hours, their team contacted NCSO for help and to file a missing person’s report at approximately 9:22 p.m.

Three NCSO deputies, Bryce Bouchard, Charles Raban and Kayla Ramos, immediately launched the search efforts. Through their investigation, they determined the volunteer had left his cell phone at a hotel in Yuba City and then tracked the vehicle’s GPS coordinates to a remote, rugged area off Lazy Dog Road in Nevada City. Using the department’s Jeep Wrangler for off-roading needs, a search on dirt trails carried on into the night and the volunteer and his disabled vehicle were successfully located on the side of a cliff at approximately 2 a.m. that next morning.

“On behalf of the California Gold Country Region of the American Red Cross, we extend our deepest appreciation for your extraordinary support in locating a lost Red Cross volunteer and vehicle in the woods of Nevada County,” said Nuriddin Ziyadinov, Regional Chief Executive. “Your swift response, dedication, and commitment to public safety were instrumental in ensuring a safe outcome.”

The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the American Red Cross for their recognition and thank Deputies Bouchard, Raban, and Ramos, for their due diligence in bringing the volunteer to safety.

Pictured top L to R: Deputy Bouchard, Deputy Raban & Deputy Ramos
Bottom L to R: Sheriff Moon, Deputy Ramos, Regional Chief Executive Nuriddin Ziyadinov, Deputy Raban, Deputy Bouchard & Tracie Wallace

10/29/2026

Our friends at Daily Donuts heard about our Pink Patch Project and wanted to help. They’ve donated us 4 dozen donuts for tonight’s Cheers for a Cure, taking place from 5:30 – 9 p.m. at Golden Era. Stop by Golden Era tonight to purchase pink patches and challenge coins in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and services in our community and enjoy delicious donuts too! In addition, Golden Era is offering a special Pink Martini tonight with proceeds supporting our cause as well. Thank you, Daily Donuts and Golden Era. We hope to see many community members tonight!

10/29/2026

Come get your patches! Support Breast Cancer Awareness Month while furthering services to locals battling breast cancer in our community. Proceeds benefit breast cancer programs at Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Foundation in Grass Valley and Tahoe Forest Health Foundation and Truckee. Stop by today!

Nevada County Sheriff’s Office
Location: 950 Maidu Ave., Nevada City, CA 95959
Time: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., M-F

Truckee Jail / Sheriff’s substation:
Location: 10879 Donner Pass Rd., Truckee, CA 96161
Time: 24 / 7

10/29/2026

Routine Probation Check Results in Man Rearrested for Several Alleged Fi***rm and Drug-Related Offenses

AUBURN, CA – On the morning of Oct. 28, personnel from the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) and Nevada County Probation Department conducted a probation search at a private residence in the 10000 block of Rincon Way in Auburn. The search was conducted pursuant to the probation and pretrial release conditions of Jeffrey Smith, 57, of Auburn, in connection with a pending criminal case involving possession of a fi***rm by a prohibited person.

During the search, deputies located several ri**es, disassembled fi***rms, fi***rm accessories, am******on, am******on reloading equipment, controlled substances, including methamphetamine, and evidence suggesting possible identity theft. (Picture reflects some, not all, of the evidence and items collected).

As a result of the investigation, Smith was taken into custody and booked into the Wayne Brown Correctional Facility with a no bail hold for Violation of Probation on the following violations:

 PC § 166(a)(4): Violation of a court order
 PC § 29800(a)(1): Felon in possession of a fi***rm
 PC § 30305(a)(1): Prohibited person in possession of am******on
 H&S § 11370.1(a): Possession of a controlled substance while armed with a loaded operable fi***rm
 H&S § 11377(a): Possession of a controlled substance
 H&S § 11364(a): Possession of drug paraphernalia
 PC § 148(a)(1): Resisting, delaying, or obstructing a peace officer
 PC § 12022.1: Commission of a felony while released from custody on a pending felony
 case
 PC § 1203.2: Violation of probation
 PC § 530.5(a): Unauthorized possession/use of another person's personal identifying information

NCSO remains committed to protecting the community through proactive enforcement, collaborative investigations, and partnerships with allied agencies.

10/28/2026

This week, we join communities across the nation in recognizing Red Ribbon Week, the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the country. The campaign serves as a reminder of the importance of making healthy, safe choices and encouraging our youth to live drug-free lives.

Our deputies and school resource officers are proud to support local schools and youth programs, reinforcing the message that a drug-free lifestyle leads to stronger, safer communities.

We'd like to thank Cottage Hill Elementary students for their enthusiasm for Red Ribbon Week (pictured) and for taking the time to flood our office with dozens of handwritten thank you notes, a few of which are pictured here.

10/26/2026

We will be back at Golden Era this Thursday night for Cheers for a Cure, taking place from 5:30 – 9 p.m. Patrons are invited to purchase pink patches and challenge coins for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Meet and mingle with members of our team and try your luck at our charity raffles too. See you soon!

10/26/2026

William Ferris faces a maximum sentence of 23 years to life in state prison after a local jury found him guilty of child molestation.

We thank Sergeant Oborne, the detective who led our investigation, for his thorough investigative work and dedication to this case and to seeking justice for the child victim.

We also thank the Nevada County District Attorney’s Office for prosecuting this case and seeking the maximum penalties allowed under the law, as well as the jurors for carefully considering the evidence presented and returning a guilty verdict.

We remain committed to protecting children and holding those who harm them accountable.

𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: 𝗝𝘂𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗺 𝗙𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗲𝘅𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱

NEVADA CITY, CA — On Thursday, October 21, 2026, a Nevada County Superior Court jury found William Ferris guilty on both counts as charged. The first count was oral copulation of a child 10 years of age or younger (Penal Code § 288.7(b)). The second was a lewd and lascivious act upon a child under the age of 14 (Penal Code § 288(a)). The verdicts came after a three-week jury trial and the jury's deliberations.

District Attorney Jesse Wilson prosecuted the case, with assistance from Deputy District Attorney Patrick Beauchamp. The Nevada County Sheriff's Office investigated the case, led by Sergeant Richie Osborne.

"Society has no place for individuals who prey on our most vulnerable population, and the law reflects that," said District Attorney Wilson. "We will be seeking punishment to the fullest extent of the law in this case. Our hearts are with the victim and the victim's family, and we hope today's verdict brings them a measure of closure as they continue to heal."

The District Attorney's Office sincerely thanks the members of the jury for their service. They reviewed the evidence carefully and with dedication throughout a lengthy trial and deliberations. The office also thanks its law enforcement partners at the Nevada County Sheriff's Office, and Sergeant Osborne in particular, and the Department of Justice, Bureau of Forensic Services.

Ferris faces a maximum sentence of 23 years to LIFE in state prison. That is 15 years to life on the § 288.7(b) count, plus a consecutive upper term of 8 years on the § 288(a) count. He will also be required to register as a s*x offender for life. A sentencing date is expected to be set soon.

In the interest of privacy, no further details about the victim will be released.