At approximately 3:50 AM, on Thursday, November 2, 2023, Sacramento County Sheriff’s deputies assigned to the Central Patrol Division were conducting routine patrol when they observed a house on fire on the 5200 block of Del Norte Boulevard in South Sacramento.  The Sacramento Fire Department responded and located a male victim inside the residence.  They were able to pull the victim outside and begin life-saving measures, but the victim, later identified as 65-year-old Michael Plog, was declared deceased at the scene. 

Upon further inspection, fire personnel discovered a gunshot wound to Plog’s torso, prompting further investigation from law enforcement.  Sheriff’s Homicide Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators responded to the scene, interviewed witnesses, and gathered evidence.  Based on their investigation, Detectives determined that 42-year-old Michael Wheat and 21-year-old Dominic Perez were responsible for Plog’s murder.

On Sunday, November 12, Homicide Detectives arrested Wheat in Sacramento County without incident.  He was booked into custody at the Sacramento County Main Jail, where he remains ineligible for bail. 

Sheriff’s Major Crimes Detectives located Perez in Long Beach (California).  With the help of the Long Beach Police Department, Perez was taken into custody without incident on Wednesday, November 15.  Perez is currently awaiting extradition to Sacramento County. 

Sergeant Amar Gandhi

Sheriff’s Spokesman