Fugitive Yuba County sex offender returned

Rick David Oliver, 47, of the 1800 block of First Avenue, Sutter, was arrested by the Yuba County Sheriff's Department at the Douglas County Jail in Nevada on suspicion of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, an allegation of great bodily injury and failure to appear on felony charges. He was booked into Yuba County Jail, where he is being held without bail.

Oliver had pleaded guilty last year to unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor and an allegation of great bodily injury because the girl became pregnant, said Yuba County District Attorney Pat McGrath. The crimes had not been committed by force.

Oliver was supposed to be sentenced Aug. 15, but failed to appear. He had pleaded guilty without a sentencing limitation and had been trying to get probation, but the court had received a recommended sentence of four years and four months in state prison.

An arrest warrant went out, and Oliver was found in Douglas County, Nev., with the help of a bail bond agency and the FBI and was arrested Feb. 17, McGrath said.

Oliver was arraigned in Yuba County Superior Court on Wednesday, and a sentencing date may be set during further proceedings Friday. His failure to appear combined with his conviction carries a potential sentence of eight years. Because of the nature of the crimes, he must serve his sentence in state prison, rather than in a county facility because of prison realignment.

He also has prior convictions for drug possession and driving under the influence.

CONTACT Ashley Gebb at agebb@appealdemocrat.com or 749-4783. Find her on Facebook at /ADagebb or on Twitter at @ADagebb.