LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The service of a search warrant by the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force and continued investigation has resulted in one arrest and the seizure of 49.2 grams of methamphetamine and $21,500 cash.
Ralph Vincent Johns, 60, of Clearlake Park was arrested on Thursday, Jan. 2, in the case, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
Brooks said that on Oct. 1 narcotics detectives secured a search warrant for Johns' person, home and vehicle, serving the warrant at 7 p.m. that day at Johns' home, located in the 3000 block of 12th Street in Clearlake Park.
Detectives entered the residence and were unable to locate Johns or anyone else on the property, Brooks said.
During a search of the residence, detectives located numerous articles of indicia belonging to Johns, according to Brooks.
In the master bedroom detectives located a camouflage bag under the bed. Inside the bag was $21,500 in US currency, a digital gram scale and two plastic bags containing a large amount of a white crystalline substance, determined to be methamphetamine. Brooks said the two bags of methamphetamine had a gross weight of 45.2 grams.
Brooks said that during a search of the dining room, detectives located a 9 millimeter Beretta pistol which contained 17 cartridges. Johns is a convicted felon who is not allowed to possess or have access to any firearms or ammunition.
The methamphetamine was seized as evidence and the US currency was seized pending asset forfeiture proceedings, Brooks said.
Narcotic detectives were unable to locate Johns and submitted the report to the Lake County District Attorney's Office for complaint, according to Brooks.
Brooks said detectives learned that Johns moved from the residence soon after they served the search warrant. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office obtained an arrest warrant for Johns, with the amount of bail set at $120,000.
On Jan. 2 at approximately 4 p.m., a narcotics detective noticed Johns driving a black Chevy pickup. Brooks said the detective conducted an enforcement stop of the vehicle on Sulphur Bank Road between Clearlake Park and Clearlake Oaks.
During a search of the vehicle the detective located 4.10 grams of methamphetamine and a glass pipe, Brooks said.
Johns was taken into custody for the arrest warrant, Brooks said. He also was arrested for the possession of a controlled substance for sale and possession of controlled substance paraphernalia.
Brooks said Johns was transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked. Johns is currently still in custody and his bail is set at $135,000.
The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be reached through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.