HAWTHORNE, CA—One of the best things about Southern California is the convenience that can be had most anywhere.

Felicia Richardson, 34, was picked up by Hawthorne police on Monday, January 27 at approximately 10:30 a.m. She was picked up for “possession of a controlled substance” and booked for a laundry list of warrants from area agencies.

She had one warrant with L.A. Police Dept. for “loitering with the intent to prostitute,” two priors with Hawthorne for “possession…” as well as “loitering with the intent to prostitute” and three warrants with the L.A. County Sheriff for  ”possession/purchase of cocaine base for sale,” “contempt of court” and “possession of a narcotic controlled substance with intent to sell.” The cumulative bail was set at $135,250.

Although it was Hawthorne police that picked up the Inglewood resident along the 300 block of West Hillcrest Boulevard in Inglewood, police spokesman would not say why the officers were in the sister city nor what they were doing with her.

Ventura County - The communities of Ojai and Casitas Springs, nestled in the foothills above Ventura are hardly a hotbed of crime.  Neighbors know each other and visitors, while frequent, are easily distinguished from the “locals”.  Aside from the occasional drug bust, crime is not what could remotely be defined as “rampant” or even frequent.

These are the communities where, it might be said, they truly do “roll up the sidewalks” when night falls, and with most people safe at home most evenings, nighttime residential burglaries are something of an anomaly.  But even anomalies do occasionally transpire, as evidenced by the 4:00 a.m. report of a burglary and theft of multiple motor vehicles on January 29^th.  Not only was the fact of the crime out of character for a community known for friendly neighbors, but the alleged perpetrator of the burglary made a mistake not usually committed by those engaged in crimes of stealth.

According to Detective Joe Mulrooney, spokesman for the Ventura County Sheriff’s Ojai Patrol, the ensuing investigation indicated multiple victims in the Casitas Springs area, who reportedly “found an identification card on their property near the location of the burglary.  Cursory investigation revealed that the card belonged to Mark Pulido, 45, a resident of nearby Ojai, who just happened to be the subject of an outstanding warrant on other charges.

Pursuant to that discovery, Ojai Patrol Officers went to Pulido’s known place of residence “and found him hiding in the attic,” Mulrooney reported.  At the residence, deputies recovered multiple items of stolen property, including one of the recreational motor vehicles stolen the prior night.  Pulido was promptly arrested on the warrant as well as for theft of a motor vehicle and residential burglary.  He was transported to Ventura County Jail where he was booked and charged with the property crimes as well as for being under the influence of a controlled substance, with his bail set at $10,000.

Photo: Courtesy Ventura County Jail Booking

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VCStar: Suspect arrested in Casitas Springs burglary

HAWTHORNE, CA—Did he cook up the wrong recipe to get her to warm up to him again?

Coty Tafoya, 24, was picked up by Hawthorne police on Thursday, January 23 at approximately 7:45 p.m. He had two warrants for his arrest.

The Hawthorne resident was popped at or near his residence of 13400 block South Cordary Avenue in Hawthorne for two apparently related charges: 646.9(A)PC and 243(E)(1)PC. The former is best described as “stalking” and the latter is “battery of a spouse/fiancé/mother or father of one’s child/person one is currently dating, etc.”

While the “battery” charge is described by many California attorneys as essentially the one misdemeanor domestic violence offense that is more commonly issued than any other, it nevertheless carried a hefty bail of $30,000.

The 250-lb., 5’8” man, whose race was described as “Other” by Hawthorne police, could not be reached for comment regarding which recipe for love he plans to use next.

SANTA ROSA – Super Bowl Sunday began with a lot of action for the Sonoma County Sheriff’s and SWAT team. They had a tip that a man currently out of bail was selling drugs and guns out of his house. They obtained a search warrant for the house on Leddy Avenue and went about their plans to serve it with a minimum of risk to themselves and the neighborhood.

Edward Alexis Martinez, 28, had been arrested in November for possession of methamphetamine for sale and possession of drug paraphernalia. According to Sergeant Michael Raasch of the County Sheriff’s Property Crimes Investigation Unit, Martinez was also a known gang member. He had a court date set for January 27, which he missed, resulting in a warrant issued for his arrest.

Due to the nature of his criminal history and the tip that he had weapons in the house, the Sheriff’s detectives used extra caution in calling the SWAT team out to assist with the serving of the warrants. They approached the house at 6:20 in the morning. As it turned out, they ended up needing additional help, as three pit bull terrier dogs greeted them aggressively when they arrived. Sonoma County Animal Control officers helped control the animals, which were detained in their vehicle.

The AK-47 Assault Rifle that was found in Martinez’ house.

The team also found eight people in the house, and detained all of them at least temporarily, and eventually. Martinez was identified, and true to form had some meth on him. Detectives also located an AK-47 assault rifle in his home that was linked to him. 25-year-old Nicholas Brian Hoffman, visiting from Healdsburg (18 miles north of Santa Rosa) was arrested pursuant to two felony no bail warrants. Another friend, Felix John Miller Jr., 25 of Santa Rosa, initially refused to leave the house in spite of the requests of the SWAT team and detectives. Miller had himself been arrested in October on drug charges. He eventually complied, but gave cause for an arrest on charges of delaying or resisting arrest. Additional charges may be added as detectives discern his motives for resisting. His bail, however, was set at a relatively low $2,500, indicating his reluctance to come out was more in line with his just being a troublemaker.

Edward Martinez, the original target of the actions, was arrested on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of an assault weapon, and possession of methamphetamine. His bail was set at $200,000, while Hoffman was not granted bail due to his felony warrants. The remaining 5 people were not detained, and perhaps found a quieter location to watch the Seahawks defeat the Broncos in the Super Bowl later that afternoon.

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Press Democrat: Three arrested in SWAT search of Santa Rosa home

Two Vacaville Police officers shot at a car that attempted to run them down the night of January 30, hitting a passenger while escaping injury themselves. The driver, Antonio Lopez Vasquez, 25 of Vacaville, and the car’s two other occupants, described as Hispanic, were arrested.

“It could have ended tragically,” said Vacaville Police spokesman Lieutenant John Carli.

The Hide-A-Way is at the end of Orange Road next to the Quality Inn

It all began at the Hide-A-Way Lounge when the suspects harassed several female servers. “It wasn’t just verbal. They were getting touchy,” said a witness. When the men were requested to leave one ripped a fire alarm off the wall.  Security escorted the men to an exit while the alarm blared. The suspects got into a silver Honda in the parking lot and “spun several donuts” before taking off.

Vasquez then spotted, across an open field, Vacaville police officers conducting an unrelated traffic stop on Walnut Road. Turning off the Honda’s headlights, he aimed the car at the officers and accelerated. The officers shot at the onrushing vehicle and jumped out of the way, narrowly escaping injury or death.

Vasquez did not go far before he spotted a police car across this field.

The Honda knocked over a PG&E high voltage receptacle, barreled between parked cars and finally stopped in Leisure Town Road. The officers assisted the occupant of the car they’d stopped and arrested the Honda’s three occupants. The passenger whom they’d shot suffered a non-life-threatening injury.

“It’s a very odd act,” said Carli, “No one understands why the car left the roadway.”

The Hide-A-Way witness said, “Those guys had a weird group dynamics, like they were egging each other on.” Investigation into the incident continues.

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Daily Republic: Officer-involved shooting leaves 1 with minor injuries

Photos: hideawaylounge-grill.com, Google Maps

Sacramento County Sheriff’s Homicide Detectives recently made two arrests in connection to the murder of a 34-year-old man on Marconi Avenue last month, according to an official press release.

Christopher Bernal, 33, and Jacob Reed Fisher, 20, were both reportedly arrested and charged with the murder of David Justin Gonzales of Citrus Heights. Both suspects are currently being held at the Sacramento County Main Jail without the possibility of bail.

According to Sac Sheriff, arrest photos of the two suspects will not be released due to detective’s ongoing investigation of the case.

Detectives reportedly believe a fight broke out between the two suspects and victim as a result of an ongoing personal dispute.

According to an earlier released press release, at approximately 7:25 pm on January 18, 2014, the Sheriff’s Communications Center had received numerous 911 calls of reports of a man who had been shot in the courtyard of an apartment complex in the 4700 block of Marconi Avenue. Upon arrival, deputies reportedly began life-saving efforts on the victim, who was soon declared deceased at the scene by medical personnel.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 916-874-5115.

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Celebrity Examiner: 2 Arrested for murder of Citrus Heights man

The Paso Robles Police have a man under arrest after he allegedly stabbed his roommate during a fight on Sunday.

According to PRPR, they received a call reporting two roommates fighting on the 1000 block of Pioneer Trail. The female caller said one of the involved parties had a knife and police should send medics.

Upon arrival, officers discovered one of occupants of the residence cleaning up a large amount of blood that was on the floor. The 21-year-old male victim had been transported to Twin Cities Community Hospital in Templeton by another roommate prior to officers’ arrival. The victim suffered several knife wounds to his abdomen as well as defensive wounds to his hands.

According to police, one of the wounds pierced his stomach, He required emergency surgery. The victim is listed in serious condition,  but is stable.

Police arrested suspect Guillermo Lopez, Jr., 35, of Paso Robles. He was located and arrested at a residence in the 300 block of Via Ramona. Police also recovered the weapon allegedly used by Lopez.

Lopez was booked at San Luis Obispo County Jail for felony assault with a deadly weapon.

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The Tribune: Paso Robles man arrested following knife fight with roommate

RIVERSIDE – Sex crimes that were committed by a former assistant principal spread into San Bernardino County, investigators reported on Tuesday.

Andrea Michelle Cardosa, 40, admitted to authorities, admitting “to having a sexual relationship” several years ago with a teenager who was likely as young as 14-years-old. On Monday, Cardosa was arrested and charged with 16 felony counts of aggravated sexual assault and lewd acts with a child under the age of 14. The case involves two victims.

One of Cardosa’s accusers publicly related in a YouTube video Cardosa’s confession that she molested the former student, Jamie Carrillo. Cardosa, who was an educator in both Riverside and Los Angeles counties, was interviewed by police after the victim posted secret recordings that were placed on YouTube. Cardosa admitted to investigators that the sexual occurrences took place in Riverside and Perris and continued when the victim moved to Victorville and Hesperia, cities located in the high desert area of San Bernardino County.

The case has received a high volume of publicity, including television, radio and print media coverage. Authorities appeared at Cardosa’s Perris home with a $5 million warrant. She is expected to be arraigned in Riverside County on Wednesday.

Carillo claimed that Cardosa began sexually abusing her in the late 1990s when she was in the eighth grade at a Riverside middle school. On Jan. 17, Carrillo posted a secretly-recorded phone conversation with Cardosa which over one million viewers saw before it was taken down. Reports stated that Cardosa and Carrillo first connected at Chemawa Middle School in Perris. Carrillo was reportedly 12-years-old when the sexual abuse first took place in a school locker room.

The other victim, who met Cardosa as a 14-year-old at Tomas Rivera Middle School in Perris, has been identified only as “Brianna” by investigators. Reports are that Cardosa abused her in 2009 and 2010 when the victim was a middle school student in Perris. She has since turned 18, coming forward after the publicity of Carrillo’s abuse had started.

Cardosa worked at three previous school districts before arriving at Alhambra in Los Angeles County. She served as an assistant principal and a girls’ coach.

Read More:

CNN: California educator accused on YouTube of sexual abuse charged with 16 felonies

KTLA: After YouTube video alleges sex abuse, teacher charged with 16 felonies

San Luis Obispo police have a woman in custody for allegedly colliding with a bicyclist last week and then running from the scene.

The incident occurred on Jan. 22 on Tank Farm Road at the Marigold Shopping Center around 11:15 a.m. According to SLOPD, they received a call regarding a a traffic collision between a vehicle and bicyclist near the entrance of the shopping center. Police say Ernie Brink, 68, of San Luis Obispo sustained moderate injuries and was transported and admitted to Sierra Vista Hospital.

Brink reported the vehicle that collided with him sped away from the scene.

According to SLOPD, the driver of the vehicle is identified as Dina Yassin, 27, of San Luis Obispo. Investigators say the vehicle that struck Brink was recovered and impounded. Yassin was arrested and charged with felony hit and run. She was booked at SLO County Jail and her bail was set at $50,000.

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CalCoastNews: Woman arrested for SLO hit and run

The Paso Robles Police Department is on the lookout for a man who allegedly masturbated in his car while driving his car past two high school girls last Wednesday.

According to PRPD, they received a call that an incident of an indecent exposure had occurred the previous morning at 7:45 a.m. According to the police report, two female juvenile students were walking to Paso Robles High School when they saw the suspect drive next to them in a vehicle near the intersection of Niblick Road and Rambouillet Road. The victims said when they looked toward the vehicle the suspect appeared to be masturbating. The female victims said the suspect drove away. He headed eastbound on Niblick Road.

Police say the victims proceeded to school but did not make the report until the next day. Police do not know why they waited to report the incident. The victims said the suspect did not address then verbally or try to get them in his vehicle.

The suspect is described as a white male adult in his 30s, clean-shaven with short brown hair He was last seen wearing a dark-colored shirt. The suspect vehicle is described as a newer dark-blue four-door sedan, clean with no distinguishing marks or stickers and no tinted windows.

PRPD contacted the school district regarding the incident.

Ventura County - On April 17, 2013, Silvia Serratos, 27, was arrested pursuant to evidence indicating that in October of 2012 she had left her 2 year-old son locked in her car on a Santa Paula street for several hours while she went to work.  With the heat of that day reaching 85 degrees, temperatures inside the car built to such a degree that the child suffered, according to Santa Paula Police Department reports at the time, considerable brain damage and faces a lifetime of institutional care in a skilled nursing facility.

The investigation that followed that tragedy ultimately brought charges of felony child endangerment to Serratos, and she has been held in Ventura County Jail since her arrest awaiting trial on a bail hold of $100,000.  If convicted of that crime, she faces a maximum sentence of twelve years.

But that potential sentence may be only the start of Serratos’ problems. According to media reports issued by Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Media Relations Officer Captain Don Aguilar, while Serratos remains in custody at VCJ, a routine search of her cell was made and she was found to be in possession of a “shank”, described as a weapon  “made from a razor blade and other materials”.

Serratos is now facing her original charges of felony child endangerment, child abuse causing great bodily injury, and possessing a weapon while in custody, with her bail remaining at $100,000.

Photo: Courtesy www.pinterest.com

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Santa Paula Times: Oxnard woman who left son in car in SP facing charge of making shank

KVTA: Trial ordered in incident where child left in car

On Monday, February 3 in Dept. 30 of the Hall of Justice in San Jose, 18-year-old Enrique Antonio Sandoval pleaded guilty to charges – H&S (health and safety code) 11550 – being under the influence of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, and for PC 148.9, making a false statement to a police officer. The next hearing has been set for March 18 in Dept 30 at 9:00 PM.  Sandoval is awaiting sentencing after his guilty plea.

A plea agreement has been set for a 6-month sentence in the country jail for the crimes after an extensive overview of the actions by the Sandoval prior to his arrest.  He is also expected to enter drug treatment for his use of methamphetamine when he is released from jail after serving his six-month sentence.

Sandoval was involved in joy riding in a stolen vehicle with five occupants while being under the influence of meth. He was arrested after a high speed chase involving a stolen 1996 Green Nissan Quest van in the City of Saratoga by Santa Clara Sheriff’s Deputies. The Deputy turned on his lights to stop the unknown driver of the vehicle. The driver told the occupants he was “scared when he saw the police officer behind [him] because the car was stolen”. That is when the driver tried to outrun Santa Clara Sheriff’s Deputies at a high rate of speed. It was reported that the driver had driven as fast as 90 mph during the pursuit.

The chase soon led deputies near Highway 85 towards Stevens Creek Blvd in San Jose. Sheriff’s deputies alerted the California Highway Patrol to the pursuit. The driver exited at Stevens Creek Blvd., and the jumped back onto Highway 280 towards San Jose, driving at speeds of more than 100 mph. The van exited into downtown San Jose near Vine Street, and the driver began to drive down the wrong way on one way streets, and then again on Almaden Expressway at rates of up to 60 mph. The pursuit ended near 399 South 12^th Street near Sunset Hall in San Jose, where the Hispanic male driver had parked the van and fled pursuing deputies.

SJPD officers noticed two female suspects hiding in the front yard of a residence near the van. Two male suspects had run away and were still being sought, and a third male suspect was located a block away. Sandoval was picked up and taken back to the scene, where he was then taken to regional medical center for treatment of a gun-shot wound to his leg he had received a few weeks prior to his arrest.  Sandoval admitted to being a Sureno gang member.

CLEARLAKE – LAKE COUNTY – A Clearlake Oaks woman thought she could get away with a little check fraud at a Kelseyville bank, but she got way too ambitious to have it go unnoticed.

Westamerica Bank in Kelseyville

On Monday afternoon Shannon Leann Flores came into the Westamerica Bank in Kelseyville. She presented a check that appeared to be made out to her from the City of Clearlake in the amount of $9,762.00. The teller, following standard procedures for a check of that size, contacted the City to validate the check. The bank representative was told that the check in question was supposed to be for $175.00, and had been issued to a business in Lakeport. They also said that the business had already reported the check was missing likley due to their mail being stolen.

According to Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff’s office, the bank employee contacted their office to report a possible fraud, and a patrol deputy was dispatched to the scene at 3 pm. The bank, after refusing to accept the check, returned it to the 32-year-old woman. The deputy then spoke with Flores and asked to see the check she was trying to cash. She showed the check, and explained that the city had recently purchased some land from her for road construction, and that she had just been mailed the check in payment. When challenged by the deputy, she changed her tale and said she wasn’t sure why someone would have sent her the check. Meanwhile, the Sheriff’s dispatch reported that Ms. Flores was currently on searchable probation for theft. She had also been recently arrested on October 22 of last year for probation violation and possession of burglary tools.

Along with fraud and identity theft evidence, Flores was carrying a loaded meth pipe.

The deputy conducted a search of Flores’ vehicle and found numerous checks, credit cards, ID cards and financial information from several different people. She was arrested and brought to Lake County’s Hill Road Correction facility for booking. On the way, she shared with the deputy that she had a pipe with her as well. When they arrived, a female correctional officer conducted a search of her person, locating a glass pipe, which was added to the pile of evidence. The deputy took a close look at the pipe and recognized it was “loaded” with methamphetamine (.42 grams) which was perhaps planned as a celebration for the successful cashing of a nearly $10,000 fake check.

Flores was booked for forgery, burglary, possession of stolen property along with possession of a controlled substance and paraphernalia.

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Lake County News: Check fraud investigation leads to Clearlake Oaks woman’s arrest on multiple charges

Yolo County Sheriff’s Deputies reportedly recently arrested a man during a traffic stop for a large amount of drugs found in his possession, according to an official press release.

Gerald Ray Osbourne, 56, of West Sacramento was reportedly arrested and charged with transportation for the sale of narcotics, possession/purchase for the sale of a controlled substance, transportation to sell a controlled substance, possess of marijuana hashish for sale, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of controlled substance paraphernalia. He was reportedly booked into the Yolo County Jail and is being held on $280,000 bail.

According to Yolo County Sheriff, on Tuesday, January 27, 2014, at approximately 11:49 pm, deputies made contact with the suspect during a traffic stop on Harbor Boulevard, south of Sacramento Avenue, in West Sacramento. During that time, deputies reportedly detected the strong odor of marijuana coming from the inside of the vehicle.

Osbourne was picked up on Harbor south of Sacramento/Reed Ave.

Upon further investigation of the vehicle, deputies reportedly found 73.56 grams of methamphetamine, 63.26 grams of heroin, 41.51 grams of marijuana, and non-prescribed pills.

Members of the San Luis Obispo Sheriff’s Office Gang Task Force and Officers of the Atascadero Police Department arrested a suspected gang member after serving a warrant on Wednesday.

According to a press release issued from the sheriff’s office, the team served the high-risk gang-related search warrant at 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday at a residence located on 2800 Block of Oak Street.

Also assisting in the service of the warrant were officers from the Paso Robles Police Department, California State Parks and a CHP helicopter.

Officers arrested 21-year-old Jorge Cruz of Paso Robles for undisclosed gang related charges.

Although initially deemed high risk, the arrest occurred without incident and other parties at the scene were compliant with law enforcement.

According to the press release, the investigation is ongoing and will continue.

It is unknown what gang Cruz has ties to or if other charges are pending.

Cruz remains in custody with arrest warrant bail set at $55,000.

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The Tribune: Three men arrested in North County gang sweep

VISALIA – A 17-year-old brother is behind bars in connection to the death of his older brother, which police were initially told was a suicide.

Last Friday, Visalia police were called around 3:30 p.m. to the scene of an alleged suicide on South Lovers Lane. They discovered 24-year-old Adolfo Vasquez bleeding from a gunshot wound to the chest. Vasquez’ 17-year-old brother told the responding officers that Vasquez had killed himself.

Vasquez was rushed to KaweahDeltaMedicalCenter, but he died from his injuries.

After receiving differing stories about what happened and examining the scene, patrol officers decided to call in homicide detectives. An investigation ultimately led to the arrest of the 17-year-old brother, who has not been named because he is a minor. He is being held on one charge of murder.

This was not the first incident for the family. Police had been called out to the home in the 1300 block of South Lovers Lane near Tulare Avenue several times in the past to resolve family disputes.

Read More:

ABC30: Visalia teen arrested for killing his brother

Visalia Times Delta: Visalia police arrest 17-year-old they say killed his older brother

Two Suspects were in the same Motorhome they were in when arrested on Jan 25

HOLLISTER—Usually, when a person gets arrested he or she learns a lesson and tries to mend their ways, even if it’s only a little bit of time.  That was not the case for 51-year-old Mark Cockfield and 50-year-old Donald Gemette Jr. of Hollister. The two were arrested for the second time within six days on the same charges and in the same vehicle as the first incident.

The pair were arrested (again) when their motorhome was parked on Prospect Ave.

During a routine patrol last Thursday, Hollister Police Officer Mike Paddy noticed a motorhome parked on the 800 block of Prospect Avenue. When the officer approached the vehicle a little after 7:00 in the evening, he discovered that both Cockfield and Gemette occupied it.  “Upon initial investigation Officer Paddy learned that Cockfield was on probation for various reasons.” Hollister Police Sergeant wrote in a press release. A search of the motorhome revealed methamphetamine and hypodermic needles inside.  They also found methamphetamine and hypodermic needles in the personal belongings of the two men.

Both Cockfield and Gemette were arrested on charges of possession of meth and hypodermic needles.  They were booked into the San Benito County Jail.

Following a more in-depth investigation, officers discovered that the two were arrested that previous early morning Saturday with four other people on the same charges.

Party in the Motothome! Mark Cockfield, Victoria Aiello, Michelle Lopez, Donald Gemette Jr., Donald Gemette III, and Joshua Martinez.

In that incident Officer Bill Hutchison had noticed the same motorhome driving down Park Street.  Officer Hutchison stopped the vehicle at 3:45 am, and it appeared that the occupants inside were trying to hide from him.  A search of the vehicle revealed methamphetamine and needles – sound familiar? In that incident, the pair were accompanied by 20-year-old Victoria Ann Aiello, 25-year-old Michelle Alyssa Lopez, 28-year-old Joshua Rene Martinez, and 22-year-old Donald Gemette III. Perhaps the younger Gemette brought his friends with him to party in his dad’s motorhome Friday night, and into the early morning hours of Saturday.

Records show that both Gemette and Cockfield have been arrested at least four times in the past 2 months on various drug related charges. The Hollister Police Department is investigating both of these recent incidents and is asking anyone with information to please call the Police Department at 831-636-4330.

Detectives with the San Luis Obispo Sheriff’s Narcotics Unit arrested a man last week for the manufacturing of hash oil.

According to a press release from the sheriff’s office, detectives served a search warrant at the residence located at 1749 Farrier Court in San Luis Obispo.

Michael Allan Siegfried

Investigators found a lab that converts marijuana into hash oil or honey oil.

According to the press release the process is extremely dangerous and can result in explosions.

These guns, cash and other items were also confiscated

Detectives found about 30 pounds of marijuana that was ready to be shipped. They also found 80 pounds of marijuana set aside for use in the honey oil extraction process.

An excess of $15,000 in cash and several assault-style weapons were also discovered.

Detectives arrested Michael Allan Siegfried, 28. He was charged with manufacturing a controlled substance, the sale of a controlled substance and assault on a peace officer.

Detectives believe Siegfried is part of an illegal operation that ships marijuana outside of California.

Read More:

Santa Maria Times: SLO man busted for operating ‘honey oil’ lab

The Tribune: Suspected drug lab found at SLO home

EL CENTRO  – The El Centro Police Department announced on Tuesday that the suspect killed at the scene of a law enforcement shootout was a parolee with a misdemeanor warrant for his arrest.

An El Centro Police Department press release revealed that Mark Anthony Ayala, 36, of El Centro had been involved in a prior altercation the night before his death. On the night of January 29, a citizen reported a man striking a woman twice in the parking lot of a motel at 670 Adams Ave. Officers were dispatched to the scene to investigate the battery in progress.

Upon arriving, officers witness the man in question fleeing the scene on a bicycle. When policed pursued the suspect, he reportedly brandished a fire arm, threatening the officers. At this time the suspect escaped, but was identified as Ayala.

On January 30, Ayala, who was reported to be a parolee with a misdemeanor warrant out for his arrest, again came in contact with the authorities. This time, a shootout ensued when the Imperial County Narcotics Task Force approached him in the 500 block of Woodward Avenue in El Centro. According to the press release, a total of five law enforcement officers from the U.S. Border patrol, Drug Enforcement Agency, and Imperial County District Attorney’s Office were involved in the shootout with multiple officers firing their weapons.

According to Imperial County Deputy Coroner Eric Frazier, Ayala died of multiple gunshot wounds at the scene. A cab driver was treated at the scene for injuries not related to the shooting and no officers were injured. At this time, the El Centro Police Department is taking the lead investigating the incident and collaborating with state and federal agencies.

The Police Department continues to encourage the community to contact the Investigations Division at 760-337-4525 with any information related to Thursday’s shooting incident.

Read More:

Imperial Valley Press: El Centro Man Identified as Suspect in fatal officer involved shooting

ARMONA – A man who allegedly posted an inappropriate picture of his stepdaughter on a pornography website is behind bars, thanks to a tip from federal agents.

Joshua Beiter, 33, of Armona, was arrested for allegedly making and distributing child pornography on the Internet.

During a nationwide investigation, the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations came across information about Beiter that they passed on to local law enforcement agencies.

Acting on the tip, officials from the Kings County District Attorney’s Office, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations, which are all members of the Central California Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, raided a home in the 10000 block of Sunflower Circle in Armona.

Beiter was arrested in connection to allegedly posting an inappropriate photo of his stepdaughter online and leaving comments suggesting that he wanted to sexually abuse the girl, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

Beiter is being held at the Kings County Jail with bail set at $52,000.

Authorities do not believe the girl in question was sexually assaulted.

Read More:

Hanford Sentinel: Armona man accused of child porn