Suspect Booked for Ongoing Sexual Abuse of Children, Possession of Assault Weapons, and Methamphetamine Lab

PALERMO, CA (MPG) – On July 23, 2020, Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) detectives received information Jason Ashby of Palermo, 38, had molested a 13-year-old victim. BCSO detectives conducted an investigation and located evidence showing Ashby molested the 13-year-old victim. On July 23, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Ashby for three felony counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14-years-old. Detectives also obtained a search warrant for Ashby’s residence, which is located in the 7600 block of Occidental Avenue, Palermo.

On the evening of July 23, BCSO detectives and Butte Interagency Narcotics Task Force (BINTF) detectives served the search warrant at Ashby’s residence. During the service of the search warrant Ashby was contacted and placed under arrest. Detectives located numerous evidence items at Ashby’s residence to include a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory, numerous firearms, three assault weapons, and two short barreled shotguns.

On the evening of July 23, detectives located multiple witnesses who previously witnessed Ashby engage in inappropriate behavior with minors. Detectives also located an additional victim who had been sexually abused by Ashby over a five year period when the victim was a minor.

On the evening of July 23, detectives booked Ashby at the Butte County Jail. Ashby was booked for three felony counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14-years-old, one felony count of forcible rape, three felony counts of oral copulation with a child under the age of 14, one felony count of continuous sexual abuse of a child, two felony counts of possession of a short-barreled shotgun, three felony counts of possession of an assault weapon, one felony count of manufacturing a controlled substance, and one felony count of child endangerment. Ashby’s bail was set at $1,100,000. Ashby is scheduled to be arraigned at the Butte County Superior Court on Monday, July 27, at 3 PM. The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with additional information about Ashby to contact Detective Jason Miller at 530-538-7671.