CA - Timothy Sweeting, 27, found in shallow grave, Covelo, 17 May 2016

At 7:08 PM on 18 May 2016, Mendocino County Sheriff's Deputies answered a call from from Covelo, CA. They responded to reports of an assault in the 23500 block County Road 337D (also dubbed the Charlie Hurt Highway). Upon arrival, the deputies found themselves in an illegal commercial marijuana plantation of about 400 plants. The investigators found that Timothy Sweeting had been severely beaten by Joshua Richard Ruoff the previous day. The whereabouts of both Ruoff and Sweeting's 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe truck were both unknown. The two of them, and two other young men, were the plantation's workers. Although it commonly happens that disagreements concerning division of considerable sums of pot money are settled by violence, Ruoff and Sweeting were hired hands with no stake in the crop.

On 19 May 2016, Timothy's truck was found about a mile from the crime scene, at mile marker 32 on Mendocino Pass Road. This road is a continuation of CA Route 162, the road into Covelo; Mendocino Pass Road is a “back exit” from Covelo, passing through the Mendocino National Forest.

On 2 June 2016, Timothy's dog partially uncovered his body in the vicinity of the crime scene.

Mendocino deputies procured a murder warrant for Ruoff, who had fled back to New Hampshire. Ruoff was arrested by New Hampshire State Police and held in Merrimack County Jail. Mendocino deputies fetched him back via rendition.

Sources:

Ukiah (CA) Daily Journal, 21 May 2016: http:///www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/article/NP/20160521/NEWS/160529968

Ukiah (CA) Daily Journal, 3 June 2016: http:///www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/article/NP/160603/NEWS/160609936

Anderson Valley (CA) Advertiser, 9 June 2016: http://theava.com/archives/57148#9

Anderson Valley (CA) Advertiser, 13 August 2016: http://theava.com/archives/59223#2

Anderson Valley (CA) Advertiser, 1 December 2016: http://theava.com/archives/63493

Finger Lakes Daily News.com, 28 May 2016: http://www.fingerlakesdailynews.com/news/details.cfm?clientid=16&id=21945#.V5K29JMrJds

Santa Rosa (CA) Press Democrat, 3 June 2016: http://www.presssdemocrat.com/news/5692757-181/body-found-in-covelo-may?ref=most&artslide=o

Willits (CA) News, 14 June 2016: http://www.willitsnews.com/article/NR/20160614/NEWS/160619998

Lost Coast (CA) Outpost, 27 May 2016: no URL

On 9 December 2016, Joshua Ruoff began his preliminary hearing on the charge of murdering Timothy Sweeting. The linked story of this hearing is as riveting as its title:
“Flip the Muffins While I Beat ThisGuy To Death”: http://theava.com/archives/63605.

Joshua Ruoff attempted to plead Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity. Two psychologists have certified him as sane. His trial is scheduled for 24 October.

Anderson Valley Advertiser, 22 September 2017: http://theava.com/archives/73738#2

At the last moment, Ruoff's public defender declared a conflict of interest. His case goes to the Alternate Public Defender's Office. Expect a few months stall as a result.

Anderson Valley Advertiser, 8 November 2017: http://theava.com/archives/75529

Well, here it is being said that the trial will begin in a few days, on 18 June. We shall see: Justice Delayed & Delayed

Ruoff is found guilty of first degree murder. His sentence is expected to be 26 years to life.
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