Police find AR-15 rifle during vehicle stop; 30 notebook computers stolen from school district also discovered
- Lake County News reports
- Posted On
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A Clearlake man was arrested earlier this week following a vehicle stop in which he was found in possession of weapons including an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle, with additional charges against him expected to be filed for the 30 notebook computers stolen from a local school district that police also found in his vehicle.
Kevin Leon Morris, 37, was arrested on Monday night, according to a report from Sgt. Rodd Joseph of the Clearlake Police Department.
Joseph said that just after 9 p.m. Clearlake Police Officer Michael Perreault conducted a traffic stop for a simple equipment violation – an inoperative taillight – on a black Mercedes in the 13400 block of Lakeshore Drive.
The Mercedes’ driver was identified as Morris, Joseph said.
The traffic stop led to a search of the vehicle, where a the AR-15 rifle and ammunition were located in the vehicle’s trunk. An additional small caliber semi-automatic handgun and ammunition were also found concealed in a backpack in Morris’ possession, according to Joseph.
In addition to the firearms found in the vehicle, approximately 30 Samsung brand notebook computers, previously stolen from the Konocti Unified School District, were located in the vehicle’s trunk, Joseph said.
Joseph said Morris has a conviction for a violent felony and is not allowed to possess firearms or ammunition.
Morris was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession of a concealed firearm, possession of an illegal short-barreled assault rifle, possession of a firearm with a violent felony conviction and transportation of an assault rifle, Joseph said.
Morris was booked into the Lake County Jail, where he remained in custody on Thursday. Joseph said Morris’ vehicle was towed from the scene.
A passenger in Morris’ vehicle, identified as 32-year-old Edward Collins, was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia. Joseph said Collins was cited and released on scene for a misdemeanor violation of possession of drug paraphernalia.
At this time, it is not believed that Collins was involved or had knowledge about the illegal weapons or stolen computers, Joseph said.
Joseph said that Clearlake Police School Resource Officer Stephanie Green is working with the Konocti Unified School District in obtaining details on the theft of the notebook computers.
Once that portion of the investigation is complete, Joseph said additional charges against Morris and anyone else identified in the theft will likely be forwarded to the Lake County District Attorney’s Office.