March 11, 2025 – Monterey County Sheriff’s Office officials report that the SWAT team has arrested Frederick Pierce, age 83 after a 6 ½ hour standoff at a Prunedale home.

On December 19, 2024, MCSO deputies attempted to serve Frederick Pierce a civil eviction from the 16000 block of Avery Lane. Pierce failed to comply with the order and went back into the residence. When deputies attempted to contact him, he armed himself with a rifle. Deputies retreated from the residence and no further action was taken that day.

During the investigation, Detectives learned Pierce was a convicted felon with multiple firearms registered to him. MCSO Detectives got an arrest warrant for Pierce for charges, including resisting an officer, exhibiting a firearm, felon in possession of firearm and violating a court order. Bail was set at $230,000.

Multiple attempts to take Pierce into custody away from his home were made with negative results.

Detectives also obtained a search warrant for Pierce’s residence after they learned he was likely in possession of a stolen firearm. Additional attempts were made to arrest Pierce outside of his home, but were not successful.

At about 7:30 A.M. on Sunday, March 9, 2025, the MCSO SWAT team conducted an operation to serve an arrest warrant on the residence to take Pierce into custody. The MCSO Crisis Negotiation Team, accompanied by Monterey County Behavioral Health, were on scene and established contact with Pierce by phone. During the negotiation, it became evident he was not going to exit and SWAT team members made entry into the residence. It was later determined during the arrest; Pierce had thrown a knife at SWAT team members but did not injure anyone. Pierce also fought with SWAT team members before being arrested without further incident. He sustained minor injuries and was treated at a local medical facility.

One MCSO SWAT team member sustained a minor injury during this operation as the door was breached open and was treated at a local medical facility.

Pierce was booked into the Monterey County Jail for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, resisting a peace officer, and assault with a deadly weapon. He was also booked on his outstanding arrest warrant. His combined bail was set at $395,000.

Source & photos: Monterey County Sheriff’s Office