On Friday, October 26, 2018, a series of suspected arson fires were reported in the Anderson area. The fires caused damage however, no lives were lost.
- At approximately 0300 hrs. a vegetation fire was set at the west end of Pleasant Hills Road in Anderson
- At approximately 0400 hrs. a fire was set to an outbuilding at 2270 South Street in Anderson
- At approximately 0420 hrs. a fire was set to an occupied residence at 3379 Nathan Drive in Anderson
- At approximately 0510 hrs. a fire was set to an occupied residence at 3050 Driftstone Drive in Anderson
Earlier in the week, detectives with the Shasta County Major Crimes Unit had developed a lead on a possible suspect vehicle, a red four-door compact that was seen on video surveillance in the area of recent fires on October 14th and 20th. As a result, detectives with the Major Crimes Unit assisted by Cal-Fire, Anderson Police and the Anderson Fire Protection District were conducting saturation patrols in the vicinity of today’s reported fires.
At approximately 0515 hrs. Detectives spotted a 2000 red Nissan Sentra leaving the area of Driftstone Drive in Anderson. Investigators checked the area and found an active fire that had been set at 3050 Driftstone Drive. A traffic stop was conducted on the red Nissan Sentra and detectives contacted the sole occupant, who was identified as 19 year old, Samuel Villa Scholfield of Cottonwood. Scholfield was interviewed and ultimately booked into the Shasta County Jail on a charge of arson for the fires reported early this morning. His bail is currently set at $800,000.00.
Detectives along with Investigators with the Arson Task force are examining a large amount of evidence including physical, biological and digital media regarding the over 40 arson fires,which date back to July. A search warrant was authored and being served at Scholfield’s residence at 3315 Chestnut Street in Cottonwood. The address on Chestnut Street is in the immediate area of the original 14 Cottonwood arson fires that began in July through mid October. One of the fires on Willow Street, in Cottonwood, claimed the life of 86-year-old Barcie Miller.
This investigation is ongoing and will continue to evolve over the next several days. If any residents in the above listed areas have video surveillance footage, please call the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit at 530-245-6135 immediately. If anyone has specific information about Samuel Schofield or his vehicle being seen in the vicinity of any of the recent fires, they are urged to call the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit at 530-245-6135 or email mcu@co.shasta.ca.us.
The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind residents to continue to remain vigilant, make sure all security systems; lights etc. are in good working order. These steps will help ward off anyone who might be targeting your home to commit a crime. Extra patrol staffing and surveillance of the Cottonwood and Anderson areas will continue until this case is resolved. Please report any suspicious activity to our dispatch center at (530) 245-6540 or if an emergency, 911.
