Crime & Safety

Man Accused of Assaulting Temecula Girl Scout Due in Court

John Michael Dodrill is charged with assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly pointing a gun at a girl selling cookies.

A 59-year-old man is due in court Wednesday, charged with assault with a deadly weapon after pointing a shotgun at a girl who knocked on the door of his Temecula home, hoping to sell him some Girl Scout cookies.

John Michael Dodrill is due to appear at the Murrieta Southwest Justice Center after his arrest Sunday afternoon for the assault in the 31000 block of Strawberry Tree Lane.

Riverside County sheriff's Sgt. Daniel Decker said the incident was witnessed by the girl's father, who called police, around 11:25 a.m. Online jail records show Dodrill was in custody 90 minutes later.

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The Press-Enterprise reported that police seized both handguns and long guns from Dodrill's home after the arrest.

The 7-year-old girl is a member of the San Gorgonio Girl Scouts. Scouts spokeswoman Jua-Nita Houston said the girl was shaken by the incident, but planned to continue her fundraising activities.

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"She set very strong goals for herself, and she's going to meet those goals," Houston told the newspaper.


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