January 22, 2026 – Sonora Police Department officials report that in the early morning hours of January 1^st, 2026, officers with the Sonora Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a White Chevrolet Silverado for traffic and equipment violations in the downtown area. Officers contacted the driver, 38-year-old Ryan Utterback, and a passenger, both out of the Arnold area.

A records check revealed the vehicle's registration had been expired since 2024, and Utterback's driver's license was suspended for a prior DUI. As the vehicle’s registration had been expired for an extended period of time, it was determined the vehicle could not be driven and was towed.

Due to Utterback driving with a suspended license, he was detained by officers. During a search of Utterback's person, officers located a small plastic bag, which contained narcotics suspected to be methamphetamine.

Utterback was transported to the Tuolumne County Jail, where he was booked for driving with a suspended license for DUI, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a controlled substance with two or more priors, which is a felony enhancement under Proposition 36 that allows certain drug possession charges with prior convictions to be charged as felonies.

Source: Sonora Police Department