Man found dead in SUV thought to have shot self

Five arrested during probe; 2,000 pot plants found at illegal grow sites

FORBESTOWN » A man found dead in the back of an SUV is thought to have been shot at his father’s marijuana grow and his body was moved from the site, the Butte County District Attorney’s Office reported in a press release.

The body of Melvin GarciaVargas, 33, of Sacramento, was found by Butte County Sheriff’s Office deputies in an SUV without license plates in a rural area Sept. 11 on the side of Forbestown Road. The California Department of Justice helped with processing evidence from the SUV.

BCSO detectives believe Garcia-Vargas was shot in the lower body and his body was moved from where he was shot.

Detectives contacted Garcia-Vargas’ father, Carlos Garcia-Hernandez, 66, on Sunday, Sept. 12 at his home on the 700 block of Lindale Drive in Sacramento.

According to the release, they thought there was evidence at GarciaHernandez’ home and obtained a search warrant.

During the investigation, detectives discovered Garcia-Hernandez allegedly controlled a marijuana grow near Squaw Flat Road in Forbestown, according to the release. Detectives think Melvin Garcia-Vargas died at the marijuana grow, after which GarciaHernandez and his two sons, Juan Gracia-Vargas, 27, and Ronald Garcia-Vargas, 28, helped move and conceal Melvin Garcia-Vargas’ body after his death.

A search warrant was served the evening of Sept. 12 and detectives found a location where they believe Melvin Garcia-Vargas was shot.

They also allegedly found a firearm and 600 marijuana plants with help from the Butte Interagency Narcotics Task Force, the BCSO Marine Unit and the BCSO Special Enforcement Unit.

The next day, Monday, Sept. 13, detectives served a search warrant at additional marijauna grows they believed to be controlled by Garcia-Hernandez and his sons on seven parcels on Knob Hill Avenue in Oroville.

The District Attorney’s Office said they located

five more firearms and 1,400 more marijuana plants.

Detectives think Melvin Garcia-Vargas likely accidently shot himself while working at the marijuana grow in Forbestown, according to the release. His body was then moved by his father, brothers and a man named Juan Cruzcupido, 33, of Sacramento in what officials think was an attempt to hide the marijuana grow from law enforcement.

During the investigation and serving of warrants:

• Carlos Garcia-Hernandez was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor counts of illegal cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale and unlawfully moving and disposing of human remains.

• Juan Garcia-Vargas was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor counts of illegal cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale, and unlawfully moving and disposing of human remains.

• Ronald Garcia-Vargas was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor counts of illegal cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale and unlawfully moving and disposing of human remains.

• Cruzcupido was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor counts of illegal cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale and unlawfully moving and disposing of human remains.

• Edgar Najera, 50, of Sacramento, was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor counts of illegal cultivation of marijuana and possession of marijuana for sale.

The District Attorney’s Office asks anyone who may have information about the investigation to call Detective Tristan Harper or Zach Price at 538-7671.