Mokelumne Hill, CA..On Sunday 4/8/18 at approx. 1737 hours the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center received a 911 call of a motorcycle down near Highway 26 west of Mokelumne Hill. CHP units responded and fire/medics also arrived on scene. CHP contacted the Sherriff’s Office and advised that the injured male motorcycle rider appeared to be the victim of a gunshot wound. Sheriff’s Patrol Units and Sheriff’s Detectives responded to the scene to conduct a criminal investigation. Highway 26 between Mokelumne Hill and Paloma Road remained closed throughout the night and most of today as Sheriff’s Investigators worked at the scene.

The victim was transported to Mark Twain Medical Center in San Andreas however, he unfortunately did not survive. The victim has now been positively identified as Jack Edward Watts (age 43), a resident of the Manteca area. During the investigation into this matter a subject was arrested on unrelated narcotics and weapons charges and booked into the Calaveras County Jail with a bail of $75,000. Michael Lee Parkerson (age 56) of the Stockton area was arrested at the scene on charges including possession of a concealed handgun as a member of a criminal street gang and possession of a controlled substance while armed. Parkerson is not believed to be a suspect in the murder of Mr. Watts.

Calaveras County Sheriff’s Detectives are urging members of the public to contact the Calaveras County Investigations tip line at (209) 754-6030 with any information pertinent to this case. Anyone traveling on Highway 26 between Mokelumne Hill and Hwy 12 on 4-8-18 between the hours of 4:00 PM through 6:00 PM that may have information on this case are asked to call. All residents of the Hwy 26 corridor between Glencoe / Railroad Flat and Paloma Road that own video surveillance systems capturing Hwy 26 are urged to contact the Sheriff’s Office. The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office thanks you for your assistance in this matter.

Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Tip Line: (209) 754-6030.