Suspect Facing Multiple Charges after Reported Violation of Restraining Order in Laytonville
LAYTONVILLE, CA — “On 08/17/2026 at approximately 3:12 A.M., Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to the Laytonville area regarding multiple reports that Benjamin Miller was attempting to gain access to a residence.
Sheriff’s Deputies learned Miller was the restrained party in an active restraining order and was prohibited from being on the property. Miller was also reportedly in possession of a .22 caliber rifle.
While Sheriff’s Deputies were responding, the reporting party advised that Miller had entered the residence while armed with a firearm and was looking for a flashlight in the home. Miller left the area prior to the arrival of Sheriff’s Deputies.
Over the next several hours, the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office received multiple calls from concerned citizens reporting sightings of Miller throughout the Laytonville area. Sheriff’s Deputies conducted extensive searches for Miller but were unable to locate him.
During the morning of 08/17/2026, two arrest warrants were entered into the system for Miller after he failed to appear in court on a previous case. Sheriff’s Deputies were aware Miller had been released from custody on his own recognizance on 08/07/2026 and was subject to court-ordered terms prohibiting him from possessing firearms or ammunition and requiring him to obey all laws.
On 08/18/2026 at approximately 5:52 P.M., Sheriff’s Deputies received information from a citizen who reported seeing Miller approximately 1 hour earlier near a creek south of Lucas Lane in Laytonville.
On 08/18/2026 at approximately 8:05 P.M., Sheriff’s Deputies were searching the area for Miller when they heard movement coming from a wooded area near the creek. Sheriff’s Deputies entered the area and located Miller lying on the ground. A loaded .22 caliber rifle was observed by Sheriff’s Deputies within Miller’s immediate reach.
Sheriff’s Deputies gave Miller commands to surrender, but he failed to comply and attempted to walk past them. After a brief struggle, Sheriff’s Deputies were able to take Miller into custody.
Miller was subsequently arrested for two outstanding warrants and the following charges:
29800(a)(1) PC – Felon in Possession of a Firearm
30305(a)(1) PC – Prohibited Person in Possession of Ammunition
459/460(a) PC – First Degree Burglary
12022.1(a) PC – Commit Felony While Out On OR Release
148(a)(1) PC – Resisting, Delaying, or Obstructing a Peace Officer
647(h) PC – Loitering on Private Property
273.6(a) PC – Violation of a Court Order
Two counts of 166(a)(4) PC – Contempt of Court.
Miller was transported to the Mendocino County Jail where he was booked on the above-listed charges and warrants, to be held on a no-bail status pursuant to his felony arrest warrant issued in Mendocino County.
The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the residents of the Laytonville community who promptly reported sightings of Miller and provided information that assisted Sheriff’s Deputies in locating and safely taking him into custody.
Anyone with information related to this incident is requested to contact the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office at 707-463-4086 (option 1). Information can also be provided anonymously by calling the non-emergency tip-line at 707-234-2100.”
