Grand Theft Auto Crime Spree Defendant and Child Molester Sentenced
BCFAC News 12/5/2024 Butte County, CA – An Oroville man who had previously admitted charges of negligent discharge of a firearm, multiple vehicle thefts, robberies, and assaults with a firearm last spring was in court yesterday to be sentenced on those charges plus a child molestation charge for a total of 27 years in state prison.
William Phillip Kevil, 19, of Oroville, originally was facing 15 years in prison on 13 counts involved in his “Grand Theft Auto” crime spree in December 2023 (see attached May 15, 2024 press release).
After entering a no-contest plea to those original 13 counts, it was discovered Kevil had repeated video contact with a 13-year-old girl while he was housed in the Butte County Jail.
Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey said the Butte County Jail has a tablet communication system for inmates to use for video visits with family and friends in addition to telephone calls and in-person visits.
During one of the video calls on his tablet, Kevil requested and caused the minor to touch herself sexually while he viewed her. Kevil entered a plea to a single count of lewd act on a child and admitted the prior “strike” convictions he had accumulated in the “Grand Theft Auto” case, greatly increasing his overall prison sentence.
Ramsey said Kevil knew the minor before his incarceration and contacted the minor multiple times while in jail. Kevil had the girl set up a fake visitor profile to be able to use the video portion of the tablet. Sheriff’s investigators were able to pinpoint the dates and times of the video by connecting Kevil’s account usage and video chats with the girl. Once discovered, Kevil’s tablet privilege was revoked.
Restitution was also ordered for more than $55,000 for the five victims of his Grand Theft Auto spree. Additionally, the judge granted a 10-year protective order, precluding any contact between the minor girl and Kevil.
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PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
May 15, 2024
Grand Theft Auto Crime Spree Defendant Pleads
An 18-year-old Oroville man who had been charged with charges of negligent discharge of a firearm, multiple vehicle thefts, robberies, and assaults with a firearm, finally admitted guilt today in the Butte County Superior Court.
William Phillip Kevil, 18, of Oroville, pleaded no contest to 13 felony counts for his Grand Theft Auto Crime Spree that occurred on December 13, 2023.
Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey said Kevil and two others were arrested after the culmination of a roughly four-hour crime spree in both Oroville and Chico. One of the participants, Kaitlynne Lewis, 20, of Oroville, admitted her crimes on January 17, 2024, and was sentenced to a youthful offender probation program for vehicle thefts and being an accessory to the crimes charged against Kevil. The final participant was a 15-year-old juvenile who had similar charges filed against him in the Butte County Juvenile Court where he also admitted his participation and will be sentenced in that court.
Ramsey said the defendants stole their first vehicle in south Oroville in the early morning hours of December 13, 2023. Once the vehicle was stolen, Kevil and Lewis picked up their juvenile teenage friend, went to a remote area in Palermo, and began to fire off stolen guns negligently.
The trio then left Oroville and went to Chico. Once in Chico, the trio stole another vehicle and attempted to rob a female Chico State student in her car at the Arco Gas Station on W 9th Street. The victim screamed in fear and drove off, leaving the trio at the station.
The trio then went to 1st and Main Streets in Chico and confronted another female victim in her car in the street, pointed a stolen handgun at her, and demanded her property. This victim also sped away and managed to escape without injuries.
Next, the trio went to the DoubleTree Hotel in Chico where they stole another car and robbed a landscaper working outside of the hotel of his money when they pointed a gun at him and demanded he give them money.
The trio then went to the nearby Denny’s Restaurant and pointed a handgun at another female victim who was walking on the street. The victim screamed, which scared the trio into leaving, and headed back toward Oroville.
Ramsey said while heading back to Oroville, a Butte County Sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop the trio for speeding near Estates Drive. The trio ignored the deputy’s red lights and siren as the deputy pursued their vehicle from Chico to Oroville at speeds reaching 125 MPH before the deputy stopped the pursuit due to public safety concerns. The trio crashed their stolen vehicle near the intersection of Plumas Avenue and 12th Street in Oroville and fled the scene on foot. Shortly thereafter, Butte County Sheriff’s deputies surrounded and arrested the juvenile and the two adults.
Kevil pleaded to the 13 counts and stipulated to the maximum term in state prison. Kevil will be back in court on June 12, 2024, where the judge will sentence Kevil to 15 years in state prison for his crimes.