DNA leads to arrest of Jerry Bivin charged with providing porn to a minor, stalking and annoying/molesting children

SUSPECT: Jerry Mac Bivin

288.2(2) PC - (providing pornography to a minor)
647.6 PC (annoying or molesting children)
313.1(a) PC (providing harmful material to a minor)
646.9 PC (Stalking)

During October of 2015, Deputies from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office were summoned to a residence located off of East Side Calpella Road regarding pornography left at a bus stop. Deputies learned a subject had left pornographic images for a juvenile female and her juvenile male cousin. Based on the information written in the note it was apparent the suspect was soliciting sexual encounters with the children.

Deputies learned of a similar case occurring on East Side Calpella Road approximately one mile from the initial victim’s residence, in which a female adult had also been receiving pornographic images as well as a letter which had vulgar sexual writing on them. Deputies compared the letters and found they appeared to be very similar in style and content. There were several hand-drawn images by the suspect which were nearly identical. The suspect also appeared to be soliciting a sexual encounter with this victim.

Deputies retained the letters for trace evidence to include fingerprinting and DNA. Deputies also began an intense covert surveillance campaign as well as high visibility patrols in the areas of the school bus stops, parks, and schools in the Ukiah Valley. Multiple items were sent to the Department of Justice Crime Labs for forensic testing. Deputies continued with surveillance and patrols hoping to identify or intercept the suspect.

During January of 2016 a third victim contacted the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office. This victim was a juvenile male. Deputies learned a letter had been left for this subject alongside his driveway and also contained vulgar sexual requests as well as hand drawn pornography.

During January 2016 the DOJ Forensic Laboratories contacted the Sheriff’s Office and advised they were able to extract DNA from locations on items of evidence which had been taken as evidence. The DNA was uploaded in CODIS (Combined DNA Index System), and a match was located.

Deputies learned the DNA had been matched with that of Jerry Mac Bivin, a 46 year old male, living in the Ukiah area. Further investigation revealed Bivin had been investigated and arrested for a similar offenses in the state of Missouri. Deputies received investigative reports from the State of Missouri and found more similarities between the Missouri investigation and the current crimes occurring in Mendocino County.

Upon learning of the suspect’s identity, deputies began surveillance of Bivin and were able to locate Bivin’s residence. Deputies received a search warrant for the residence of Bivin as well as an arrest warrant charging Bivin with providing harmful materials to a child, solicitation of a minor for sexual acts, stalking and annoying or molesting children.

On 02/01/16 Deputies served a search warrant at the home of Bivin. Located during the search was evidence that linked Bivin to the listed crimes which included vulgar letters and hand written pornographic images, pornography, writing materials, and more notes about the previous victims. Bivin was arrested on the listed charges and booked into the Mendocino County Jail where he is currently held on $1,000,000.00 bail.