BCSO DETECTIVES ARREST INDIVIDUAL FOR TWO MURDERS THAT OCCURRED IN THE GRIDLEY AREA
Photo: Ricardo Banuelos-Villareal
Originally published as a Butte County Sheriff’s press release –
“Gridley, CA – In November of 2021, family members of Ladexter Pelt, age 25, and John Dubose, age 20, contacted the Gridley Police Department and reported Pelt and Dubose missing. On November 13, 2021, the Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) was asked to assist the Gridley Police Department with the investigation surrounding the circumstances of Pelt and Dubose’s disappearance.
Alfredo Villareal
During the subsequent investigation, BCSO detectives determined Pelt and Dubose reside in Alabama. Detectives determined Pelt and Dubose had flown to Sacramento and then traveled to the Butte County area. Pelt and Dubose’s family members were concerned because they lost contact with Pelt and Dubose after they arrived in the Butte County area.
During the investigation, BCSO detectives, Butte Interagency Narcotics Task Force detectives, BCSO Special Enforcement Unit detectives, and Designated Area deputies located evidence that gave them cause to believe Pelt and Dubose were murdered at a residence located in the unincorporated area of Gridley. Detectives also located evidence that gave them cause to believe Ricardo Banuelos-Villarreal, age 30 of Gridley, and Alfredo Banuelos-Villarreal, age 35 of Gridley, murdered Pelt and Dubose, and hid their bodies.
Over the past three weeks detectives have interviewed individuals in Gridley, Marysville, Yuba City, Sacramento, the Bay Area, and the Los Angeles area. Detectives have authored and executed numerous search warrants related to this investigation. Detectives have also interviewed numerous friends and family members of Pelt and Dubose. The friends and family members provided additional evidence that all signs of life ended shortly after Pelt and Dubose arrived in Butte County.
Detectives are actively searching for the bodies of Pelt and Dubose. Detectives would like to interview anyone who has interacted or had contact with Ricardo or Alfredo within the past three months. Detectives would also like to interview anyone who observed suspicious activity on their property or farm within the past month.
On November 14, 2021, detectives contacted and arrested Ricardo at a residence in Yuba City. Ricardo has been charged with two counts of murder and is currently in custody at the Butte County Jail. During the investigation, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Alfredo for two counts of murder. Multiple law enforcement agencies are actively searching for Alfredo.
Photographs of Alfredo are attached to this press release. Detectives are actively searching for Alfredo and a 2008 Nissan Altima, California license plate number 6VAR204. If anyone has information about this investigation, the location of Alfredo, or the aforementioned Nissan Altima, they are encouraged to call detectives at 530-538-7671. This investigation is ongoing and additional information will be provided when available.”
