On Sunday May 5th, 2013 – murder suspect Jerred Raymond Hernandez was arrested in Ensenada, Mexico and booked into the San Diego County Jail for the April 2nd, 2000 murder of Michael Williamson of Ukiah.
This arrest marks the end of a twelve year and eight month investigation into the murder of Michael Williamson in his Carolyn Drive home, in Ukiah.
Michael was discovered dead, after firefighters responded to a reported fire within the Carolyn Street house, just after 7 AM on August 2nd, 2000. Michael Williamson was 44 years old, and had been staying at his parents’ home while they were out-of-state on vacation. The fire, started in the home’s hallway, was believed to be started in an attempt to disguise the murder of Williamson.
Based on the investigation conducted by the Ukiah Police Department, a federal arrest warrant was issued in the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of California on August 9, 2000 after Ukiah Police Department investigators determined that Hernandez fled Ukiah, and a no-bail felony arrest warrant issued in Mendocino County for his arrest on August 11th, 2000. The Mendocino County no-bail warrant was issued while working with the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office, charging Hernandez with suspicion of murder, arson of an inhabited structure, first-degree robbery and first degree burglary.
At the time of this horrific event, Michael Williamson – a recovering drug addict – was trying to mentor other addicts including Jerred Hernandez. Investigators determined that Williamson died from severe blunt trauma to his head, and that a fire was set to conceal the horrific crime. Jewelry, credit cards, and personal checks belonging to Michael Williamson’s parents were also stolen from the home.
Since August 9th, 2000, the Ukiah Police Department has been attempting to locate and arrest Hernandez for these crimes. In 2010, Detective Rick Pintane, who helped with the initial investigation, was assigned as the lead detective in this case.
In 2012, Detective Pintane obtained the assistance of the television show “America’s Most Wanted” to highlight the investigation and help seek leads from the public to help find Hernandez and bring him into custody.
Ukiah Police Department investigators have worked extensively with the Santa Rosa FBI Field Office, Sonoma County District Attorney Investigators, Mendocino County District Attorney Investigators, FBI San Francisco, Toronto Police Department, Michigan State Police Department, Burbank Police Department, and the Los Angeles Police Department in our attempt to locate Hernandez.
Hernandez’s arrest is the result of a joint collaboration by the following agencies: Ukiah Police Department; FBI San Francisco; FBI San Diego and the Border Liaison Program; FBI Legal Attaché Mexico City; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of California; and Policia Estatal Preventiva, Baja California State Police.
The Ukiah Police Department wishes to thank all of the agencies who selflessly offered their assistance and resources to our investigation. Without their assistance, our department would have had difficulty in finding and locating Hernandez. Specifically, the department desires to thank Santa Rosa FBI Supervisor Dale Dutton and Sonoma County District Attorney Investigator John McCutcheon for their tireless assistance in this investigation.
Most importantly, Detective Rick Pintane, and the Ukiah Police Department Detective Division have worked extremely long hours, holidays and weekends in their search for Hernandez; their efforts are very much appreciated and should be applauded.
This morning, on May 6th, 2013, Detective Rick Pintane and Detective Sergeant David McQueary from the Ukiah Police Department interviewed Hernandez in the San Diego County Jail, and arranged for his transportation back to Ukiah in connection with his no-bail warrant charges of murder, arson of an inhabited structure, first-degree robbery and first degree burglary.
Police Chief Chris Dewey said, “We are extremely fortunate to have located and arrested Hernandez. This was one of our department’s most lengthy and complex investigations and I am glad to bring into custody; a person we suspect of committing such horrific crimes. We are extremely grateful of our partner agencies, especially the FBI and Mexico authorities that shared their information and limited resources to assist our department. Our department is extremely lucky to have so many experienced and dedicated personnel. The Department’s lead investigator, Rick Pintane and the other Detectives worked tirelessly on this investigation to bring Hernandez into custody to face these serious charges. As a Police Chief, I can’t be prouder of our department’s personnel and their commitment to make Ukiah safe.”
Anyone who observed, or has information about this investigation is asked to contact the Ukiah Police Department Detective Bureau at (707) 463-6262. Further information about this incident can be obtained from Ukiah Police Chief Chris Dewey at (707) 463-6262.
Chief of Police, Chris Dewey
