Press Release: MCSO SWAT Team Arrests Subject Who Had Brandished a Firearm at Deputies

DATE/TIME: 3/10/25 at 10:00 AM

TYPE OF INCIDENT: Monterey County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team Arrests Subject Who Had Brandished a Firearm at Deputies

LOCATION: 16000 Block Avery Lane, Prunedale, California

MEDIA CONTACT: Andres Rosas, Commander; Phone: 831-261-5492; Email: rosasae@countyofmonterey.gov

Monterey County Sheriff’s Office SWAT deputies have arrested 83-year-old Frederick Pierce of Prunedale after a nearly 6 ½ hour standoff at a home in Prunedale.

On December 19th, 2024, Monterey County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the 16000 block of Avery Lane to serve Frederick Pierce with a civil eviction from the property. During the contact, Pierce failed to comply with the order and retreated back into the residence. When deputies attempted to contact him, Pierce armed himself with a rifle. Deputies retreated from the residence and no further action was taken on that day.

During the course of the investigation, Detectives learned that Pierce was a convicted felon who had multiple firearms registered to his name. Monterey County Sheriff’s Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Pierce for violation of charges including resisting an officer, exhibiting a firearm, felon in possession of a firearm and violation of a court order. The bail on the arrest warrant was set at $230,000.

Multiple attempts to take Pierce into custody away from his home were made with negative results.

Detectives were able to obtain a search warrant for Pierce’s residence after they learned he was likely in possession of a stolen firearm. Additional attempts to coordinate an arrest of Pierce outside of his home were made but were not successful.

At about 7:30 AM on Sunday March 9th, 2025, the Monterey County Sheriff’s SWAT team conducted an operation to serve an arrest warrant on the 16000 block of Avery Lane in an attempt to take Pierce into custody. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Crisis Negotiation Team, accompanied by Monterey County Behavioral Health were on scene and established contact with Pierce by phone. During the negotiation, it became evident that Pierce was not going to exit and SWAT team members made entry into the residence to take him into custody. During the arrest, Pierce threw a knife at SWAT team members. Pierce fought with the SWAT team members before being arrested without further incident. He sustained minor injuries and was treated at a local medical facility.

One Monterey County Sheriff SWAT team member sustained a minor injury during this operation and was treated at a local medical facility.

Frederick Pierce was booked into the Monterey County Jail for multiple violations including being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, resisting a peace officer, and assault with a deadly weapon. He was also booked on his outstanding arrest warrant. His combined bail was set at $395,000.