Shooting suspect back in Yuba County Jail after extradition

A Linda shooting suspect is back in the Yuba County Jail, nearly a year after authorities said he shot a man in the face during an argument on Woodland Drive.

Useph Thao was transferred back to Marysville from Nevada on Thursday to face an attempted murder charge, Yuba County Undersheriff Jerry Read said.

"They (Nevada law enforcement) called and said they were ready for us to come get him," Read said.

Thao, 30, is the prime suspect in the March 4 shooting of Jason R. Webster in the 5900 block of Woodland Drive in east Linda. Webster, 32, was shot in the face, but recovered.

Thao was picked up 10 days after the shooting just outside Elko, Nev., with more than half a pound of methamphetamine in his vehicle. Local officials waited for Nevada authorities to finish the drug case against Thao before extraditing him, authorities said.

The outcome of the drug case was not available on Friday.

Conflicting information about the March shooting has made it difficult for detectives to understand exactly what Webster and Thao were fighting over, Read said.

Investigators, however, have ruled out any gang-related motives, Read said.

Thao appeared briefly Friday in Yuba County Superior Court, but it was not clear if he entered a plea. He is charged with a slew of felonies, including attempted murder, using a firearm, and being an ex-felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Thao is due back in court Feb. 27 and remains in custody on $1 million bail.

CONTACT Rob Parsons at rparsons@appealdemocrat.com or 749-4785. Find him on Facebook at /ADcrimebeat or on Twitter at @ADcrimebeat.