2 arrested in Humboldt County on elder abuse charges

By Kevin Sheridan

OROVADA, Nev. (KOLO) - Two people are under arrest in Humboldt County on elder abuse, drug, and fraud charges.

On Oct. 3, detectives with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received information that a 65-year-old man was possibly the victim of financial fraud. After an investigation was launched, it was determined an elderly man was being isolated from his family while being the victim of fraud, elder abuse, and theft.

Police identified two suspects, 56-year-old Dawson Barnes and 36-year-old Savannah Wilson of Orovada.

Around a week later, on Oct. 12, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, along with Nevada State Police, located the elderly man at a residence on South Valley Road in Orovada. Police found the man living in unsanitary and unsafe conditions, in a state of malnourishment, and lacking medical care or personal hygiene.

Further investigation determined he was being isolated from his family for around six months after he was deprived of his cell phone, laptop, and other communication devices. He was taken to Humboldt General Hospital.

A search warrant was subsequently obtained for two separate residences in the Orovada area, which resulted in the seizure of a large amount of methamphetamine, cocaine, stolen property, stolen credit cards and checks, and personal identifying information of the victim, as well as a numerous guns, including a sawed-off shotgun. They allegedly possessed these firearms despite being considered prohibited persons.

Barnes was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Detention Center on charges of abuse of an older or vulnerable person, being a convicted person who failed to register with local law enforcement, possession of a schedule 1 or 2 controlled substance with intent to sell, and eight counts of owning a firearm despite being a prohibited person, among other charges. His bail was set at $258,780.

Wilson was booked and charged with abuse of an older or vulnerable person, two counts of possession of schedule 1 or 2 controlled substances less than 14 grams, and using personal identity information of another to harm or for unlawful purpose, among other charges. Her bail was set at $58,140. 

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2 arrested in Humboldt County on elder abuse charges