Two Arrested After Deputy Locates 95 Marijuana Plants, Allegedly Stolen Jewelry Cabinet

This is a press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office. The information has not been proven in a court of law and the individuals described should be presumed innocent until proven guilty:

Shad Andreu Sovereign

On 06-09-2015 at 4:45 p.m. a Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Deputy was on routine patrol on Old Samoa Road, Arcata. The deputy noticed a black, 2001, Jeep, SUV partially parked in the grass at the intersection of Jackson Ranch Road. The deputy noticed two male adults outside of the vehicle. It appeared that they were having car issues. The deputy then parked his patrol vehicle and walked up to the two males to see if they needed any assistance.

The deputy identified the two males as 33 year old Shad Andreu Sovereign and 25 year old, Michael Wayne Ayer. When the deputy was speaking to them he saw several potted, growing marijuana plants inside of the vehicle. The deputy also saw a large jewelry cabinet lying in back of the vehicle.

The deputy then detained both suspects and ran their names through his communication center. The deputy learned that Sovereign was on State Parole with a search and seizure clause. The deputy then searched the vehicle. The deputy located 95 potted growing marijuana plants in the vehicle.

The deputy then looked through the large jewelry cabinet. The deputy discovered numerous pieces of jewelry along with paperwork in the cabinet with a possible female victim’s first and last name. The deputy then contacted his communications center to inquire if they could locate the telephone number for the victim. A few minutes later the deputy was provided a telephone number for the victim.

Michael Wayne Ayer

The deputy then called the victim on the telephone. The victim told the deputy she lives on Pigeon Point Road, Eureka. She told the deputy she just arrived home about (5) five minutes ago and discovered her home had been burglarized. The victim described the large jewelry cabinet that was missing from her home, which matched exactly to the jewelry cabinet in the vehicle. The victim said the jewelry cabinet contained $3,000 to $4,000 dollars in jewelry. The deputy had the victim respond to his location and she confirmed it was her jewelry cabinet and jewelry. The deputy then photographed the cabinet and jewelry and released those items back to the victim.

The deputy then placed Sovereign and Ayer under arrest for transportation of marijuana and possession of stolen property. They were both booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility. Ayer’s bail was set at $25,000 dollars. Sovereign was booked additionally for a no bail violation of parole.

Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.