Photo courtesy of Monterey Police Department – Monterey Police seized these weapons during a probation search
MONTEREY — Two Monterey County residents were arrested Wednesday after police officers found more than 100 guns, ammunition, a live hand grenade and material for making explosives in their residence.
Paula Roman, 50, was on probation and not legally allowed to possess firearms or ammunition. She was charged with being a felon in possession of ammunition, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and a probation violation. Roman was booked into the Monterey County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bail.
John Panetta, 60, was arrested for possession of a destructive device, possession of destructive device materials, possession of an assault weapon, and maintaining a drug house. His bail was set at $50,000.
The investigation began when Monterey Police officers conducted a probation search at the residence on the 1200 block of Eighth Street in Monterey.
When they searched the Roman’s residence, officers located ammunition, narcotics and drug paraphernalia.
When they found a suspected hand grenade, the officers evacuated the residence and contacted the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad.
Despite the fact that the grenade was a practice device without explosive capabilities, it is still illegal to possess, the Monterey Police Department said.
After conducting the initial probation search, Monterey Police detectives and the Peninsula Regional Violence and Narcotics Team searched the entire residence.
Upon searching the entire residence, officers located 112 guns, including two illegal assault rifles, seven additional practice hand grenades, an improvised explosive device, and materials for making explosive devices.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad returned to the scene and conducted three controlled detonations in order to render hazardous materials safe.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Monterey Police Department at 646-3831 or the confidential tip line at 646-3840.
