Fernley man charged with sexually abusing child

Robert Perea, The Fernley Reporter

A Fernley man was arrested Dec. 15 on charges out of Butte County, Calif. of sexually abusing a child.

Morgan McDowell, 40, who had previously been a resident of Oroville, Calif., was arrested by U.S. Marshals after a criminal complaint was filed by the Butte County District Attorney’s Office charging McDowell with two counts of sexual penetration with a victim under the age of 14, one count of sexual penetration with a victim under the age of 16, five counts of sexual penetration with a victim under the age of 18, and two counts of oral copulation with a victim under the age of 18.

The investigation started in December 2020 when Butte County Sheriff’s Office detectives were contacted by a victim who reported continuous sexual abuse that occurred over several years. During the investigation detectives interviewed multiple individuals in California and Nevada. BCSO said detectives located evidence that gave them cause to believe McDowell sexually abused the victim for several years.

The Butte County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with additional information about this investigation to contact Detective Mary Barker at (530) 538-7671.