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Press release from the Butte County Sheriff’s Office:

Oroville, CA- On January 30, 2025, Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) deputies and CAL FIRE personnel were dispatched to a report of a burned vehicle in the area of Condor Road and Red Tape Road, Oroville. Upon arrival, deputies located two victims inside a burned vehicle. 

Detectives immediately began conducting an investigation. Based on DNA analysis, the two victims were identified as Juan Daniel Arreola-Solano, age 26, of Eureka, and Esequiel Valle-Arellano, age 22, of San Diego. A forensic pathologist conducted autopsies on both victims and determined they both died as a result of gunshot wound(s). 

BCSO detectives and CAL FIRE law enforcement personnel conducted a two-week investigation. Detectives determined the two victims traveled from Humboldt County to Oroville on the morning of January 30, 2025. Detectives located evidence Wesley Evans, age 45, of Rio Dell, and Samuel Ashley, age 43, of Ferndale, traveled to Oroville with the two victims.

Detectives located evidence Ashley and at least one of the victims were involved in a dispute about a recent gun and drug transaction. Detectives located evidence that Evans, Ashley, and the two victims traveled to Condor Road near Red Tape Road after they arrived in Oroville. Shortly after arriving on Condor Road, the two victims were murdered. The victims’ vehicle was then lit on fire. After the fire started, Evans and Ashley fled from the scene and eventually returned to Humboldt County. 

Detectives worked with the Butte County District Attorney’s Office and obtained arrest warrants for Evans and Ashley for murder. On February 10, 2025, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team, with assistance from BCSO detectives, CAL FIRE law enforcement personnel, and Butte County District Attorney Investigators, arrested Evans and Ashley in Humboldt County. The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team also served search warrants at Evans and Ashley’s residences. 

BCSO detectives, CAL FIRE law enforcement personnel, and Butte County District Attorney Investigators, spent a week in Humboldt County investigating this case. Evans and Ashley were transported to the Butte County Jail on February 14. They are scheduled to be arraigned at the Butte County Superior Court on the afternoon of February 18.