The Willits assault suspect captured in Fort Bragg, awaits extradition to Spokane
On June 29, 2023, at around 2:00 AM, a local transient man was found viciously attacked while sleeping near Main Street and East Van Lane in Willits, according to the Willits Police Department (WPD). The unidentified assailant left the victim with severe injuries.
WPD Sgt. S. Gray reported that an examination of surveillance footage revealed the suspect dressed in clothing with a distinctive logo.
In a startling turn of events, on the same day, WPD received an alert from the Spokane Police Department (WA) about felony warrants for the arrest of Charles Nutter, a 30-year-old resident of Spokane. Nutter was suspected of stabbing a transient in Spokane on June 6th, 2023.
Comparing surveillance images from local businesses with those provided by the Spokane Police Department, WPD officers were able to link Nutter to the assault in Willits, thanks to the distinctive clothing he was wearing.
On June 30th, with updated location information from Spokane PD’s Investigations Unit placing Nutter in Fort Bragg, CA, the Fort Bragg PD officers succeeded in arresting him on Spokane PD’s felony warrants. Remarkably, at the time of his arrest, Nutter was wearing the same clothing captured in the surveillance photos from both Spokane and Willits PD’s cases.
Currently, Nutter is being held at the Mendocino County Jail, awaiting extradition to Spokane, WA. The investigation into the assault in Willits is still ongoing, with the victim now reported in stable condition.
The Willits Police Department extended their gratitude to the Fort Bragg Police Department for their assistance in apprehending Nutter. They also appreciated the support provided by local businesses during the investigation.
Press Release:
DATE: July 3rd, 2023
RELEASE DATE: Immediate (707) 459-6122
FROM: Sgt. S. Gray
SUBJECT: Transient Willits Man Victim of Aggravated Assault While Sleeping
On June 29th, 2023 at about 02:00am, the Willits Police Department (WPD) was contacted by local transients reporting they had found a fellow transient violently assaulted in the area of Main Street and East Van Lane. The transient victim had been assaulted and severely injured by an unknown suspect while asleep. During the course of the investigation, a review of surveillance video revealed the suspect wearing clothing with a distinctive logo.
In the afternoon of June 29th, WPD received an alert from the Spokane Police Department (WA) regarding felony warrants for the arrest of Charles Nutter (30, Spokane, WA). Spokane Police Department’s Investigations Unit advised Nutter’s last known location was in the Mendocino County and Willits area that morning. Nutter is the suspect in a stabbing of a transient in Spokane on June 6th, 2023.
WPD Officers were able to match Nutter by his distinctive clothing from the surveillance photos received from Spokane PD alert with the surveillance photos obtained from local businesses.
On June 30th, Spokane PD’s Investigations Unit advised they had updated information that Nutter’s location was in Fort Bragg (CA). Fort Bragg PD Officers subsequently arrested Nutter on Spokane PD’s felony warrants. Nutter was wearing the same clothing seen in the surveillance photos from both Spokane PD’s case and Willits PD’s case. Nutter is currently being held at the Mendocino County Jail awaiting extradition to Spokane (WA). The investigation into the assault in Willits is still ongoing. The victim is currently reported in stable condition.
The Willits Police Department would like to thank the Fort Bragg Police Department for their assistance and apprehension of Nutter. The Willits Police Department would also like to thank local businesses for their assistance as well.
(Please note: All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.)
