UPDATE (Tuesday, Dec. 9) - The U.S. Marshals Service has identified the fugitive taken into custody Monday in Morro Bay as 43-year-old William Powell, the suspect in a murder that happened more than three years ago in New Orleans.
Powell was wanted for the murder of 38-year-old Ciara Bullock, who was found shot to death on March 19, 2022.
New Orleans police identified Powell as the suspect shortly after the murder, but believed he had fled to Mississippi. Investigators turned to the U.S. Marshals Service to help track him down.
In November of this year, investigators reportedly received information that Powell was in Morro Bay, and on Monday, authorities responded to a home on Mindoro Street where Powell was located. Officials say that after a brief standoff, U.S. Marshals entered the home and arrested him.
As of late Tuesday afternoon, Powell remained in custody at the San Luis Obispo County Jail. Officials say he will be extradited back to Louisiana to face the charges against him.
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(Monday, Dec. 8, 2025) - A wanted fugitive was taken into custody Monday in Morro Bay.
According to the police department, Morro Bay Police officers assisted the U.S. Marshals Service with the arrest. It happened at about 12:20 p.m. at a home in the 300 block of Mindoro Street.
Police say the fugitive was taken into custody “safely and peacefully.”
No other information about the arrest was provided. KSBY News has been in contact with the U.S. Marshals Service and is awaiting further information.
