September 9, 2020 - Two Madera County Sheriff’s Officer Detectives made a notable arrest when they were actively patrolling the closed area within the mandatory evacuation zone this morning.

A 27-year-old man (Benjamin Bryant) and 26-year-old woman (Jessica Derrickson) from North Fork were arrested near the intersection of Road 224 and Quail Hollow Court. Bryant was arrested for possession of two illegal and unregistered guns, methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and bomb-making materials, a misdemeanor charge for being out and about in a closed area after receiving an order.

He is being held at Madera County Department of Corrections on $500,000 bail.

Derrickson was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of driving while unlicensed and two warrants totaling $30,000: DUI and false ID to a peace officer.

Fresno County Sheriff's Office is assisting with the bomb-making materials.

We have no reason at this time to suspect any further immediate danger posed to the area.

Our main concern is the safety of our community right now. Every available deputy (like these two hard working detectives) has been called in and we are receiving assistance from allied agencies. We want everyone who is evacuating to know we are here doing everything we can to keep their homes safe from opportunists.

Source & photo credit: Madera County Sheriff’s Office