Deputies Arrest Newspaper Co-Owner
The co-owner of the Antelope Valley Press, wanted for failing to appear for arraignment on drug and assault charges, was arrested Monday as he stood in the district attorney’s Lancaster office, Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies said.
A warrant was issued for William Walter Odett, 45, of Palmdale when he failed to appear for an arraignment scheduled Thursday.
Odett was originally arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and possession of 1.67 grams of cocaine on May 16, after he allegedly forced a Pacific Bell employee to leave his property at gunpoint.
Odett was seen in the district attorney’s office shortly before 1:30 p.m. Monday by Deputy Dist. Atty. Stephen L. Cooley, who is handling the case, sheriff’s Sgt. Bob Denham said. Cooley summoned county deputy marshals, who arrested Odett. It was not known what he was doing in the prosecutor’s office, deputies said.
He was transferred to the central jail in downtown Los Angeles, where he was scheduled to be released on $20,000 bond, deputies said.
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