PALERMO, Calif. – A Palermo man was arrested by Butte County Sheriff’s deputies for ongoing sexual abuse of children, possession of assault weapons, and possession of a meth lab.

On July 23, detectives with the Butte County Sheriff’s Office said they received information that 38-year-old Jason Ashby, of Palermo, had molested a 13-year-old victim.

That same day, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Ashby for three felony counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14-years-old. Detectives also said they obtained a search warrant for Ashby’s residence, which is located in the 7600 block of Occidental Avenue in Palermo.

On the evening of July 23, Detectives and Butte Interagency Narcotics Task Force (BINTF) detectives served the search warrant at Ashby’s residence, where he was placed under arrest.

During the search warrant, detectives shared that they located several evidence items at Ashby’s residence to include a "clandestine methamphetamine laboratory," numerous firearms, three assault weapons, and two short-barreled shotguns.

That same evening, detectives said they located multiple witnesses who previously witnessed Ashby engage in inappropriate behavior with minors. Detectives also located an additional victim who had been sexually abused by Ashby over a five year period - when the victim was a minor.

Ashby was booked at the Butte County Jail. His bail was set at $1,100,000. Ashby is scheduled to be arraigned at the Butte County Superior Court on Monday, July 27.

The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with additional information about Ashby to contact Detective Jason Miller at 530-538-7671.