KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – A Southern California man was arrested this week and detectives seized marijuana, cash and weapons following a probation search.
James Michael Celozzi, 42, was arrested as a result of the search on Wednesday morning, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
Brooks said that on Wednesday narcotics detectives received an anonymous tip that Celozzi was growing marijuana at a residence located in the 3000 block of Meadow Wood Drive in Kelseyville.
It was reported that Celozzi was on formal felony probation out of Los Angeles and failed to report to his probation officer that he was residing in Lake County, Brooks said.
At 10:15 a.m. that day narcotics detectives responded to the aforementioned address and contacted Celozzi in the driveway. Brooks said Celozzi admitted he was growing marijuana inside the residence.
Detectives conducted a search and located 340 growing marijuana plants in various stages of growth, approximately four pounds of processed marijuana and $7,000 cash, Brooks said.
Celozzi was growing marijuana in two of the home's three bedrooms, as well as the guest bathroom and two closets, according to Brooks. Narcotics detectives also located packaging materials, digital scales, ammunition and throwing stars.
Brooks said Celozzi admitted to living in Lake County for the past three years. He said he would drive to Los Angeles every month to check in with his probation officer, concealing the fact that he was residing in Lake County.
Celozzi was on probation for the cultivation of marijuana and one of the conditions of his probation was not to use medical marijuana, Brooks said.
Celozzi was arrested for the cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale, being a convicted felon in possession of ammunition and possession of throwing stars. Brooks said Celozzi was transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked.
Jail records indicated his bail was set at $15,000. He later posted the required 10 percent of bail and was released.
The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be reached through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.