Placer County Cold Case Unit
Detectives from the Placer County Cold Case Unit (consisting of members from the DA’s Office and the Sheriff’s Office) in conjunction with detectives from the Roseville Police Department have made an arrest in connection with a homicide which took place in Roseville, CA in January 2000.
On January 21, 2000, workers found the body of John Semler Owens, a 46-year-old transient freight-train rider, on a gravel service road next to the Union Pacific Railroad tracks, near 1701 PFE Road.
Michael Elijah Adams, age 44, was arrested in Lane County, Oregon where he was in custody for unrelated charges. The arrest comes after Adams waived extradition to California, which cleared the way for Placer County and Roseville detectives to take custody of Adams and transport him to Placer County to face charges.
On May 24, 2011 the Placer County District Attorney’s Office filed a Felony Complaint which charged Adams with the murder of John Owens on January 21, 2000 in the City of Roseville. An arrest warrant was also issued that same day.
The Placer County Cold Case Unit is funded by a grant from the National Institute of Justice, Solving Cold Cases with DNA.
Adams was arraigned in Placer County Superior Court on June 20, 2011. He entered a plea of not guilty and is being held on no bail. His next court date is July 18, 2011 at 8:30 in Department 13.
(21+ years strong)
Welcome to the brighter side!