During 2020, Marin County patrol deputies and law enforcement agencies across the country began to see an increase in the number of “ghost guns” which were taken as evidence during enforcement contacts.
A “ghost gun” is essentially a non-serialized firearm that makes the firearm untraceable. The “ghost guns” are generally sold online as a Do It Yourself (DIY) kit and typically shipped as 80% complete. Buyers have to assemble the final 20% themselves. These types of firearms have become popular in recent years, and are lawful in many states, however California does not allow for these weapons to be self-manufactured or registered through CA Department of Justice. Since January of 2020, Deputies with the Marin County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division have removed 12 firearms from the streets of Marin County. These firearms were possessed primarily by felons who were prohibited from owning firearms and were concealed on their person or in vehicles during our contacts with them. Some of the firearms recovered were “ghost guns”.
In response to this evolving issue the Sheriff’s Office Adult Crimes Unit working closely with the Specialized Investigative Unit (SIU) developed a weapons manufacturing case using intelligence from the patrol related arrests.
On 1/27/2021, The Marin County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division executed multiple search warrants related to the weapons manufacturing case. This case stemmed from an extensive investigation focusing on James Palmer, a 36 year old male from Mill Valley, CA. Prior to this case Palmer was prohibited from owning, possessing or having access to firearms and ammunition, due to a past criminal conviction.
On 1/27/2021, Palmer was arrested for numerous Felony and Misdemeanor charges for his suspected involvement in the illegal manufacturing of weapons to include “ghost guns”. Based on evidence obtained via multiple search warrants detectives suspected Palmer had been manufacturing and illegally selling firearms and firearms accessories throughout Marin County. Many of the subjects believed to be purchasing illegal firearms from Palmer were known felons.
The Marin County District Attorney’s Office has filed numerous charges against Palmer including:
1. PC 29800(A)(1) POSSSESSION OF A FIREARM BY A FELON
2. PC 30600(A) UNLAWFUL ASSAULT WEAPON ACTIVITY
3. PC 25850(A)/25850(C)(1) CARRYING A LOADED FIREARM IN PUBLIC BY A FELON
4. PC 25850(A)/25850(C)(6) CARRYING A LOADED AND UNREGISTERED FIREARM IN PUBLIC
5. PC 25400A1/25400C1 CARRYING A CONCEALED FIREARM IN VEHICLE W/PRIOR FEL CONVICTION
6. PC 23900 ALTERING OR OBLITERATING THE IDENTIFICATION ON A FIREARM
7. PC 30305(A)(1) POSSESSION OF AMMUNITION BY A PERSON CONVICTED OF A SPECIFIED Offense
8. PC 32000(A) MANUFACTURING AN UNSAFE HANDGUN
9. HS 11359(B) POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA FOR SALE
10. PC 32310(B) POSSESSING A LARGE-CAPACITY MAGAZINE
Following up on the evidence discovered during the Palmer investigation detectives were able to obtain and serve additional search warrants where weapons believed to have been made by Palmer were recovered. During one of these search warrants Rollebert Caston, a 39 year old male from Mill Valley, CA was found to be in possession of four firearms, one of which was a “ghost gun”. Caston is currently in criminal court proceedings where he faces four counts of felon in possession of a firearm, one count of felon in possession of ammunition, one count of possessing a large capacity magazine and drug charges.
While the Palmer arrest made a significant impact, Southern Marin communities have still faced a concerning number of shootings in the past year. These include shootings on:
· 7/14/20 at 419 Drake Ave., Marin City which left one man dead
· 11/3/20 at 200 Drake Ave., Marin City which left one man paralyzed
· 11/15/20 at the intersection of Drake Ave./ Cole Dr., Marin City in which a female victim suffered a gun-shot wound
· 5/8/21 where a vehicle was hit with a bullet while driving on Shoreline Hwy. between Loring Ave. and Chamberlain Ct. in Mill Valley
· 5/30/21 at 200 Drake Ave., Marin City which left one man dead and a second man suffering from two gunshot wounds
· 6/19/21 at 59 Cole Dr., Marin City in which a male victim suffered a gun-shot wound.
The Sheriff’s Office has worked extensively to investigate these horrific incidents and will continue to work with our communities until all leads have been exhausted. Independent of these incidents the Sheriff’s Office Specialized Investigative Unit (SIU) in conjunction with the Sheriff’s Office Coordination of Probation Enforcement Unit (COPE) continues to proactively build and investigative weapons related cases throughout Marin County and beyond. Examples of these cases are described below.
On 1/20/21 the SIU served a search warrant on Bradley Van Dyke in unincorporated San Rafael, CA subsequent to a narcotics related investigation. The search warrant of Van Dyke’s person resulted in the seizure of several grams of methamphetamine and a black Sig Sauer P229 9mm handgun with the serial number scratched/carved off, one 15 round Sig Sauer magazine loaded with 14 9mm Luger ammunition rounds, one 15 round Sig Sauer magazine loaded with 12 9mm Luger ammunition rounds and one unloaded 15 round Sig Sauer magazine. Van Dyke was booked at the Marin County Jail for the following charges:
1. 11378 H&S POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE FOR SALE
2. 29800(A)(1) PC POSSSESSION OF A FIREARM BY A FELON
3. 30305(A)(1) PC POSSESSION OF AMMUNITION BY A PERSON CONVICTED OF A SPECIFIED Offense
4. 22810(A) PC FELON IN POSSESSION OF TEAR GAS
On 03/10/21, Kristopher Davis-Pillow was arrested by the Sheriff’s Office COPE Unit at his listed probation residence in Novato for possessing a 9mm handgun with no serial number (ghost gun). Davis-Pillow was booked into the Marin County Jail for several charges including:
1. 29800(A)(1) PC POSSSESSION OF A FIREARM BY A FELON
2. 30305(A)(1) PC POSSESSION OF AMMUNITION BY A PERSON CONVICTED OF SP OFFENSE
3. 530.5(C)(3) PC POSSESSION OF PERSONAL INFO WITH INTENT TO DEFRAUD
4. 11350(A) HS POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE
5. 1203.2 PC. VIOLATION OF PROBATION
On 3/31/21, During a COPE generated probation contact, Michael Mossi was found to possess a loaded Lorcin L25, .25 caliber firearm, nine rounds of .25 caliber ammunition and approximately 4 grams of methamphetamine. He was booked into Marin County Jail for multiple violations including:
1. 12022.1(B) PC COMMIT OFFENSE WHILE OUT ON BAIL
2. 11370.1(A) HS POSSESS CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE WHILE ARMED WITH LOADED FIREAM
3. 29800(A)(1) PC POSSSESSION OF A FIREARM BY A FELON
4. 30305(A)(1) PC POSSESSION OF AMMUNITION BY A PERSON CONVICTED OF SP OFFENSE
5. 11377(A) HS POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE
6. 1203.2 PC VIOLATION OF PROBATION
On 4/7/21 the SIU served a search warrant on Cristian Arrescurrenaga in unincorporated Novato, CA subsequent to a narcotics related investigation. This investigation produced the following charges:
1. 11352 HS- selling cocaine to an undercover Detective (2 counts)
2. 11352 HS- offering to sell cocaine to an undercover Detective.
3. 11351 HS- possession for sale of Cocaine and Oxycodone pills
4. 11378 HS- possession for sale of methamphetamine
5. 496 PC- possession of stolen firearm
On 4/27/21, Tyler Revels was booked into Marin County Jail subsequent to a COPE generated probation contact for weapons violations and for violating his Marin County Probation terms.
During a search of Revels a Smith and Wesson M&P M2.0 9mm firearm, nine Luger 9mm rounds, 2 extended magazines, a speed loader and 60 rounds of 9mm ammunition were located. Revels was booked for the following charges:
1. 12022.1 PC COMMIT OFFENSE WHILE OUT ON BAIL
2. 29800(A)(1) PC POSSSESSION OF A FIREARM BY A FELON
3. 30305(A)(1) PC POSSESSION OF AMMUNITION BY A PERSON CONVICTED OF SP OFFENSE
4. 496(A) PC POSSESSION OF STOLEN PROPERTY
5. 1203.2 PC VIOLATION OF PROBATION
On 5/26/21 the SIU served a search warrant on Keith Jackson in Novato, CA subsequent to a traffic stop conducted by the California Highway Patrol. This investigation produced the following charges:
1. 29800(A)(1) PC POSSSESSION OF A FIREARM BY A FELON
2. 18710(A) PC POSSESSION OF DESTRUCTIVE DEVICE
3. 30305(A)(1) PC POSSESSION OF AMMUNITION BY A PERSON CONVICTED OF SP OFFENSE
4. 466 PC POSSSESSION OF BURGLARY TOOLS
5. 21510(A) PC POSSESSION OF SWITCHBLADE
On 6/23/21 the SIU served a weapons related search warrant on LaBraun Wallace in Fremont, CA subsequent to an incident that occurred in Southern Marin. Wallace is prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions. During the search warrant SIU Detectives located a Glock pistol firearm with a loaded extended magazine inserted in the magazine well. Detectives also located a non-serialized (ghost gun) AR 15 .223 caliber assault rifle with ammunition which was located unsecured on the ground in an area easily accessible and likely frequented by his children. Additionally, SIU detectives located a high capacity Glock drum magazine and over 100 rounds of ammunition. Wallace was booked into the Marin County Jail on the following charges:
1. 29800 (A) PC- Felon in possession of a firearm
2. 30305(a)(1) PC- Felon in possession of ammunition
3. 30605(a) PC- Felon in possession of an assault rifle
4. 2800.2 CVC- Felony evasion
5. 24610 PC- Possession of an un-serialized firearm
6. 33215 PC- Possession of a short barreled rifle
7. 273a(a) PC- Child endangerment
8. 470(B) PC- Possession of a fraudulent ID.
Wallace’s bail is set at $1,000,000.
On 6/24/21 the SIU served a weapons related search warrant on Damien Hill-Crowder in Vallejo, CA subsequent to an incident that occurred in Southern Marin. Hill-Crowder is prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions. When contacted by SIU, Hill Crowder was armed with a 9mm pistol and a high capacity magazine. Hill-Crowder was arrested for the following charges:
1. 29800(A)(1) PC FELON/ADDICT POSS FIREARM
2. 25400(C)(1) PC CARRY A CONC WEAPON ON PERSON
3. 496D PC POSSESSION OF STOLEN VEHICLE
4. 30305(A)(1) PC FELON IN POSSESSION OF AMMUNITION
5. 25850(C)(6) PC CARRYING LOADED FIREARM
On 6/25/21 the SIU and COPE unit concluded a weapons related investigation subsequent to an incident that occurred in Southern Marin. Elijah Cooley, who is on Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS) and prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions was arrested for:
1. PC 29800(A)(1) POSSSESSION OF A FIREARM BY A FELON
2. PC 30305(A)(1) POSSESSION OF AMMUNITION BY A PERSON CONVICTED OF A SPECIFIED Offense
3. 12022.1 PC COMMIT OFFENSE WHILE OUT ON BAIL
4. 273.6 PC VIOLATE COURT ORDER
5. 1203.2 VIOLATION OF PROBATION
Cooley’s bail is set at $500,000
During this intensive effort to make our communities safer the Sheriff’s Office Patrol Deputies and Investigations Detectives have authored numerous search warrants and subsequently conducted numerous high-risk weapons related operations in which significant arrests have been made without incident during one of the most difficult times in the history of law enforcement.
Contact: Sergeant Brenton Schneider at b_schneider@marinsheriff.org