Lassen County Man Arrested for Allegedly Assaulting Woman, Threatening Her with Shotgun
Originally published by the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office:
On November 30, 2023, at approximately 1344 hours, the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received a report of an assault with a deadly weapon in the Litchfield area. Sheriff’s deputies responded and contacted the victim. The victim stated John Lee Wilson, 60, of Litchfield, physically assaulted her and pressed the barrel of a shotgun into her face. Wilson fled prior to the arrival of Sheriff’s deputies in a white Dodge van. The victim told deputies Wilson has recently been staying at a residence near the Wayside Gas Station in Standish.
At approximately 1416 hours, deputies located the van, unoccupied, parked behind the residence where the victim described Wilson has been staying. With the assistance of officers from the California Highway Patrol, and Cal Fire Law Enforcement, Sheriff’s deputies set up a perimeter around the residence.
Utilizing a vehicle public address (PA) system, deputies began calling out to Wilson, directing him to come out of the residence. Deputies continually called out to Wilson on the PA, and called him on his cell phone. During this time, deputies learned Wilson’s friend, Teri Neal, 61, of Janesville, could be with him inside the residence.
After approximately two hours, and no response or movement from inside the residence, the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team was called out. At approximately 1730 hours, a search warrant was obtained to enter and search the residence and other outbuildings on the property for Wilson.
At approximately 1800 hours, SWAT Team members approached the front door of the residence, announced their presence, and demanded entry. After no response, SWAT Team members breached the front door, and deployed two CS gas aerosol cannisters into the residence. After approximately 15 minutes, and no response or movement from inside, SWAT Team members made entry into the residence. Finding no one inside the main residence, SWAT Team members approached and made entry into an outbuilding directly behind the main residence. After entry, SWAT Team members contacted and took Wilson and Neal into custody without incident.
Wilson and Neal were arrested and transported to the Lassen County Jail. Wilson was booked on charges of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Brandishing a Firearm, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Prohibited Person in Possession of Ammunition. Wilson’s bail was set at $60,000. Neal was booked on charges of Obstructing and Resisting a Peace Officer. Her bail was set at $10,000.
The Lassen County Sheriff’s Office would like to specially thank the officers from the California Highway Patrol, and Cal Fire Law Enforcement for their assistance in this incident.
