An investigation that began with a traffic stop accelerated when investigators found multiple firearms, firearm suppressors, high-capacity magazines, ammunition, firearm manufacturing components and methamphetamine in a Monterey County residence.
Richard Orin Johnson was charged with manufacture or possession of an undetectable firearm, assembling a firearm without a serial number, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possession of a silencer, methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and stolen property.
He was booked into Monterey County Jail on $50,000 bail, but was not in custody Sunday afternoon, jaiol records showed.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office received information that Johnson, a convicted felon, was believed to be in possession of ammunition.
The investigating deputy who conducted the stop then obtained a search warrant for his residence on the 13000 block of Pope Lane.
During the search, deputies found:
• Multiple functional handguns, including two Springfield Armory pistols and a Smith & Wesson revolver without a serial number
• Unserialized firearms and firearm components commonly referred to as “ghost guns,” including Glock-style components
• Three firearm suppressors
• High-capacity magazines
• Multiple boxes of ammunition and additional loose ammunition
• Firearm conversion kits, 3D-printed firearm parts, jigs used in the completion of unfinished receivers, and other firearm-manufacturing components
• Replica or prop firearms that showed indications of attempted modification or conversion into functional firearms
• A usable quantity of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia
During the investigation, deputies determined that one of the recovered Springfield XD9 handguns had been reported stolen to the Palm Springs Police Department.
