May 29, 2026 – Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office officials report that Jonathan Mishael Bays is now in custody following a coordinated law enforcement operation conducted on 
Wednesday morning.
Deputies and assisting law enforcement officers saturated known homeless encampments throughout the area in an effort to locate Bays, who had been wanted in connection with an attempted murder that occurred on Saturday night, May 23, 2026, at the Creekside Apartments in the town area of Mariposa.
Bays was ultimately located hiding inside a tent with a female companion and was taken into custody without incident.
The attack is believed to be fueled by heavy drug use during a disagreement between Bays and the victim. The victim suffered serious injuries, including wounds to the hand, wrist, shoulder, and head, and is expected to endure lifelong repercussions from those injuries.
Bays has an extensive criminal history spanning Florida, Arizona, Alabama, and is currently wanted out of Idaho.
Bays is currently being held at the Mariposa County Jail on a no-bail warrant. He was arrested on a Ramey warrant and is being charged with:
- Attempted Murder
- Mayhem
- Failure to Register as a Sex Offender
During the investigation, deputies and detectives worked around the clock attempting to locate Bays while also protecting neighboring residents and the surrounding community.
Investigators were also able to recover the sword (pictured below) allegedly used during the attack, along with the clothing (pictured left) Bays was wearing at the time of the crime.
The Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank Madera County Sheriff’s Office, Merced County Sheriff’s Office, and Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance during this operation. Madera County assisted with additional drone resources, while Merced and Stanislaus counties provided helicopter support.
The Sheriff’s Office would also like to thank the community members who provided tips, possible sightings, and information regarding Bays’ potential whereabouts.
Mariposa County Sheriff Reports Suspect Wanted for Attempted Murder at Creekside Apartments (Video)
“This arrest was not just a win for Mariposa, this was a win for the rest of the country he has terrorized as well. Our deputies, detectives, and assisting agencies worked tirelessly day and night to bring this dangerous individual into custody. We continuously strive for our community to feel safe. With the inception of our MINT (Mariposa Interdiction and Narcotics Team) team and our heavy concentration on methamphetamine and fentanyl dealers, cooks, traffickers, and users, we are committed to getting these dangerous individuals off our streets and out of our county,” said Sheriff Jeremy Briese.
Source & photos: Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office
