Welfare Check of Fort Bragg Woman Leads to Man Being Arrested on Firearm and Domestic Violence Charges

This is a press release from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office. The information has not been proven in a court of law and any individuals described should be presumed innocent until proven guilty:

On 03-21-2022 at approximately 7:50 AM, Mendocino County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to a welfare check at a residence on Burrows Ranch Road in Fort Bragg, California.

Deputies arrived and contacted a 56 year-old female, who had visible injuries on her body consistent with a physical assault.

Deputies learned the adult female was in a romantic relationship with John William Bills, who was also present at the location.  Deputies determined a domestic violence incident had occurred and Bills was detained.

During this investigation, Deputies were alerted to the presence of and seized a semi-automatic rifle that Bills had unrestricted access to possessing.

Bills was found to be prohibited from possessing firearms, as he had a previous felony conviction out of Washington State.  As a part of this conviction, Bills was also prohibited, by means of a Washington State Court Protective Order, from having any contacted with the adult female in this case.

Bills was arrested for 29800 PC (Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon), 273.5 PC (Felony Domestic Violence Battery), and 273.6 PC (Violation of Domestic Violence Protective Order).

Bills was booked into the Mendocino County Jail where he was to be held in lieu of $25,000 bail.

Domestic Violence

The alleged actions describe domestic abuse. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men experience sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetimes.

The following are domestic violence resources available in Mendocino County and surrounding areas:

• Mendocino County
  • Contact a crisis counselor at Project Sanctuary by calling (707)463-4357.
• Humboldt County
  • Call Humboldt Domestic Violence Services at (707)443-6042 or at 1-866-668-6543
• Trinity County
  • Contact the Human Response Network at (530)623-2024
• Lake County
  • Contact the Lake Family Resource Center community crisis line at 1(888)485-7733.
• Sonoma County
  • Contact the YWCA Domestic Violence Hotline at (707)546-1234