The investigation is on-going and additional arrest(s) are being considered

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - On July 6^th, 2021 Gridley Police Officers were dispatched to a reported sexual assault of a minor. Officers obtained a statement from the reporting party, a minor had disclosed to them the minor had been sexually assaulted by their father.

Officers made contact with the victim who disclosed they had been sexually assaulted by their father, multiple times.

Based upon the nature of the allegations, and the safety of all children residing at the house, they were all placed in the care of Butte County Children Services. The suspect was identified as, Marlin McElroy, 41 years of age, out of Gridley, California. At the time of the Officer’s initial contact with McElroy, he refused to provide a statement.

Based upon the details of the investigation, Gridley Police Department Detectives took over as the Primary Investigating Officers. Forensic interviews with the victims were coordinated and conducted by Butte County Department of Children Services, in conjunction with the Butte County District Attorney’s Office. Based upon those findings, a warrant for McElroy’s arrest was filed through the Butte County Superior Court, for the following charges: aggravated sexual assault of a child, sodomy of a child, oral copulation of a child, and sexual penetration of a child.

On July 28^th, 2021, the Butte County Superior Court reviewed and approved the Warrant of Probable Cause for Arrest of McElroy on the above referenced charges. When GPD Detectives attempted to locate McElroy, it was determined that McElroy had left the state. GPD Detectives with the assistance of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), were able to locate McElroy’s whereabouts in the State of Virginia, at the residence of McElroy’s adult son.

On August 20^th, 2021, the NCIS Fugitive Recovery Unit, located and arrested McElroy for his active warrant, and he was booked into the Portsmouth Police Department Jail, Portsmouth Virginia.

The Gridley Police Department and the Butte County District Attorney’s Office Investigations Unit coordinated McElroy’s transport back to Butte County. Investigators with the District Attorney’s Office safely and flawlessly, transported McElroy to the Butte County Jail, where he was booked for the previously mentioned charges.

McElroy is currently in custody with a bail of $4,000,000. The investigation is on-going and additional arrest(s) are being considered. If anyone has any further information that could assist in this investigation they are asked to contact Detective Mike Mitchell (530) 846-5670. Further questions regarding this investigation, are directed to contact Lieutenant Ruben Quihuiz (530) 846-5670.