Stockton man found buried on Butte Co. property | Crime

YANKEE HILL, CA - A body found in the backyard of a Butte County home has deputies on the search for a suspect from Stockton.

Paul Edward Moreno, 34, of Stockton, is wanted in connection to the murder of David Groves Jr., 26, from Stockton, after his body was found at a home on Lower Gulch Road in Yankee Hill, Butte County sheriff's Sgt. Jason Hail said.

Deputies served a search warrant at the home on Aug. 28 and found a butane honey oil lab, several firearms, a stolen vehicle and meth.

Hail said during the search deputies also found freshly turned dirt and a bad smell. When they dug up the area, they found Groves' body. An autopsy report found that Groves died of a gunshot wound.

During the investigation, detectives confirmed Moreno as a suspect in Groves' murder. Hail said an arrest warrant was issued for Moreno for murder, manufacturing drugs, growing and selling drugs, possession of a weapon and ammunition and vehicle theft.

Moreno is described as a white man about 5'9", weighing 175 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He is considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Butte County Sheriff's Office at 530-538-7036 or 530-538-7671.