Quincy man charged for violating quarantine order

Robert Joseph Venuti, age 37 of Quincy, was charged Oct. 25, 2021 in a one count complaint with violating Section 120275 of the Health and Safety Code – Disobeying an Order to Quarantine.

After testing positive for Covid, Venuti was contacted by Public Health whereupon he hung up on staff. After being personally served with an Order from the Public Health Officer to isolate and quarantine from Oct. 14, 2021 to Oct. 24, 2021, Venuti was seen in a Quincy gas station market the morning of Oct. 22, 2021 unmasked and buying beer.

Venuti is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 5, 2021. If convicted, Venuti faces up to 6 months in county jail and a fine of up to $1,000.

In charging Venuti, Plumas County District Attorney David Hollister noted, “complying with lawful public health orders to combat the spread of Covid is not a political issue but, rather, a public health necessity. In the last month Plumas County has found itself in the unenviable position of leading California in Covid infection rate. During this time we have had citizens contract this virus, get sick, get hospitalized and die. Allowing our public’s health to needlessly suffer is unacceptable. During this challenging time it is crucial we look out for each other and follow the law – especially those laws designed to keep us individually, and collectively, safe and healthy.”