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.
Police arrested the criminal then let him go. Gathered up all of drugs and firearms then displayed pictures of them in newspaper, but they let the guy go. This whole process seems backwards to. Why was he not still in custody on Sunday? Why was a picture of his paraphernalia shown and not a picture of the actual criminal? What a joke. They allow this individual to wander freely about our community.