Man who 'circled' victim outside fast food restaurant before running her over with truck and 'leaving her for dead' is sentenced

A 41-year-old California man was sentenced to 24 years in state prison on Monday after pleading no contest to voluntary manslaughter and admitting to a separate felony sexual battery charge in connection with the 2023 death of Amery Sweany in Marysville, California.

The sentencing, handed down by Yuba County Judge Julia Scrogin, concludes a multi-year investigation into the death of Sweany, whose body was discovered following an incident that prosecutors say involved stalking, theft, and a vehicular assault in an orchard.

Incident Overview

According to the Yuba County District Attorney's Office, the sequence of events began on April 26, 2023, after Sweany parted ways with a witness in Yuba City and traveled to a parking area near a Habit Burger and an ampm convenience store in Marysville. Surveillance footage showed Ricky Singh Lasher repeatedly circling Sweany, approaching her, and eventually taking her bag, which contained all of her belongings, and driving away.

Sweany remained in the area for roughly 50 minutes before walking down an alley and east on 8th Street, where surveillance cameras captured Lasher's truck traveling in the opposite direction. Investigators said Lasher later persuaded Sweany to enter his rented truck by offering her drugs, drove her to an orchard, and attempted to sexually assault her. Prosecutors stated that Sweany fought back and fled on foot, at which point Lasher followed her in his vehicle, veered off the road, and ran her over between rows of trees before leaving the scene.

Timeline of Events

1. April 26, 2023: Amery Sweany spends the evening with a witness before visiting a parking area near an ampm convenience store in Marysville, where surveillance video captures Ricky Singh Lasher circling her and stealing her bag.
2. April 26, 2023 later: Sweany walks away from the area, and the final recorded sighting shows Lasher's truck driving past her on 8th Street.
3. 2024: Following a tip from a witness who read about the case in the Appeal-Democrat, investigators make an arrest in the case approximately one year after Sweany's death.
4. Monday: Yuba County Judge Julia Scrogin sentences Lasher to 24 years in state prison following a plea agreement.

Suspect Information

The suspect is identified as 41-year-old Ricky Singh Lasher. Court records and prosecutor statements indicate that Lasher pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter and admitted to a separate 2024 felony sexual battery charge. He was initially charged with murder. As part of his sentence, Lasher must register as a sex offender for life, and his California driver's license has been suspended for life.

Victim Information

The victim in this case is Amery Sweany. Sweany's sister described her publicly as compassionate, strong-willed, nurturing, and confident, and expressed deep gratitude to investigators and other women who came forward to establish a pattern of behavior.

Police Response

Initial responding units arrived following the discovery of Sweany's body in an orchard, where physical evidence including tire tracks through grass and injuries to the body indicated she had been struck by a vehicle. Investigators subsequently utilized witness tips, surveillance footage, and forensic evidence to develop a suspect and execute an arrest.

Investigation

The investigation was conducted by local authorities and prosecutors from the Yuba County District Attorney's Office. Investigators examined shoe impressions, tire markings, grass and debris recovered from Lasher's rented truck, and surveillance footage, alongside witness statements from individuals who came forward after media coverage in the Appeal-Democrat.

Evidence Collected

• Shoe impressions and tire tracks along the orchard road
• Tire markings on the victim's body
• Grass and debris recovered from Lasher's rented truck
• Surveillance footage from area businesses and street cameras
• Witness statements and testimony regarding a pattern of behavior

Arrest Details

Ricky Singh Lasher was arrested in 2024, approximately one year after the death of Amery Sweany, following information provided by a witness who came forward after reading a local news report in the Appeal-Democrat.

Charges Filed

• Voluntary manslaughter: A lesser charge accepted via a plea agreement, involving the unlawful killing of a human being without malice aforethought.
• Felony sexual battery: A charge admitted to by the defendant involving non-consensual sexual contact under specific statutory aggravating factors.
• Murder: The initial homicide charge filed against the defendant before being resolved through the plea agreement to voluntary manslaughter.

Court Information

The case was heard in Yuba County before Judge Julia Scrogin. The docket and case numbers were not released in the initial public reports.

Statements from Authorities

According to a news release from the Yuba County District Attorney's Office, video evidence demonstrated that Lasher left and returned multiple times, circling the victim before stealing her belongings. Prosecutors stated that evidence showed Sweany fought and ran before being run over, and noted that Sweany's family agreed to the voluntary manslaughter plea to guarantee a prison sentence rather than risking a trial.

Public Safety Information

Authorities and support organizations encourage anyone experiencing stalking, domestic violence, or sexual assault to seek assistance immediately. Confidential help is available through national resources such as the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. In an immediate emergency, always dial 911.

What Happens Next

With the sentencing complete, the criminal case concludes in the trial court, subject to any post-conviction appeals or administrative mandates such as the defendant's lifetime sex offender registration and permanent driver's license suspension.