WILLITS >> One of the trimmers suspected by law enforcement in the killing of Jeffrey Quinn Settler, 35, from Bethel Island, California, was arrested in Willits and booked into Mendocino County jail, according to MCSO reports.
Twenty-Four-year-old Zachary Ryan Wuester of Haskell, New Jersey, was arrested in the 100 block of East Commercial Street in Willits on charges alleging murder and robbery. His bond was set at $650,000.
According to an updated MCSO report, deputies located Wuester at 9:25 p.m. on Monday after they were contacted by a Deputy United States Marshal who convinced Wuester to surrender himself to law enforcement.
Authorities said Wuester was found to have felony warrants out of New Jersey and Virginia, both of which were drug related offenses which law enforcement officials said have a “no bail” status.
Mendocino County Sheriff officials said the investigation is ongoing and detectives are still looking for the location of 27-year-old Frederick Gaestel, 34-year-old Gary Blank III, 23-year-old Gary Fitzgerald, 32-year-old Jesse Wells, 25-year-old Michael Kane, and 26-year-old Amanda Weist.
Officials said there is another suspect that has not yet been identified. Known only as “Richie”, he is described as a black male adult, approximately 25 years of age, possibly hailing from the San Diego area.
According to a previous MCSO account, four of the suspects had been recently employed at Settler’s property as marijuana trimmers, described as a rural parcel approximately five miles from Highway 101, on a dirt road. They were believed to have fled the property in the early hours of Nov. 11, with “Over 100 pounds of processed marijuana” following Settler’s violent assault.
The MCSO report stated during the investigation it was determined Settler was operating a commercial marijuana growing operation on the property.
A statewide Be-On-The-Look-Out (BOLO) was issued for the suspects. Law enforcement officials noted the investigation has shown no evidence that the marijuana growing operation was for medical purposes. Detectives believe it was “solely for the purpose of commercial gain.”
Deputies determined there are currently two outstanding vehicles associated with the listed suspects; a 1999 Honda Accord, California License No. 7LPN823 and a 2005 Volvo XC70, California License No. 7TVT318.
MCSO officials said they will not be releasing the cause of death of the victim at this time.
Anyone with information about the case, or the current whereabouts of the named suspects are encouraged to get in touch with the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office investigative services unit at 707-463-4111 or to call the Sheriff’s Office tip line at 707-234-2100.
