Traffic Stop Leads to Firearm and Drug Charges Near Ukiah

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

On 05-20-2021 at about 4:06 A.M, a Mendocino County Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a pick-up truck on Highway 20 near Road 144 in Ukiah, California.

The Deputy contacted the driver, Juan Granados, and passenger, Rogelio Avalos.  While speaking with the subjects, the Deputy saw a clear plastic box sitting on the floorboard of the truck.  Within the box, the Deputy saw what he recognized as a glass methamphetamine smoking pipe.

The Deputy requested Avalos exit the truck so the Deputy could further investigate the presence of unlawful drugs and drug paraphernalia.  Avalos refused and began reaching towards the center console area.

Avalos was asked to exit the truck and was controlled by the Deputy’s firm grasp on his arm.  Avalos exited the truck but continued to resist, attempting to free himself from the Deputy’s grasp.

During a pat search for weapons, the Deputy felt what he recognized to be a handgun magazine in Avalos’ pant pocket.

A second Deputy had arrived on scene and maintained security on the truck and Granados, who was still seated in the driver seat.

That Deputy saw a handgun on the floorboard beneath the front passenger seat Avalos was seated in.  Avalos was detained in a patrol vehicle.

Granados was ordered out of the vehicle and he complied.  Granados was detained in a patrol vehicle as well and a search of the truck was conducted.

The handgun located beneath the front passenger seat, a .45 caliber semi-auto, was discovered loaded, with a live round located in the chamber and the hammer cocked (ready to be fired).

A second handgun, a loaded .40 caliber semi-auto, was discovered beneath the driver seat, immediately accessible to Granados.

Neither handgun was legally registered, nor did Granados or Avalos possess a valid concealed carry permit.  Avalos was later determined to be a previously convicted felon, prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

While preparing Avalos for transport to jail, it was discovered he had discarded a suspected controlled substance in the prisoner compartment of the Deputy’s patrol vehicle.  While preparing Granados for transport to jail, he was found to also be in possession of a suspected controlled substance.

Both subjects were arrested and booked into the Mendocino County Jail for the above listed charges.

Avalos was released after posting $25,000.00 bail, to appear in Mendocino County Superior Court at a later date.

Granados was released on zero bail after the booking process in accordance with the COVID-19 bail schedule set forth by the State of California Judicial Council.

Charges: Rogelio Avalos:

29800(b) PC  (Convicted Felon in Possession of a Firearm)

30305(a) PC  (Possession of Ammunition by a Prohibited Person)

25850(c)(6) PC  (Carry a Loaded, Unregistered Firearm)

11370.1 HS  (Possess a Controlled Substance while Armed with a Handgun)

11377(a) HS  (Possession of a Controlled Substance)

11364(a) HS  (Possession of Controlled Substance Paraphernalia)

148(a)(1) PC  (Resist/Obstruct/Delay a Peace Officer in Performance of his Duty)

Charges: Juan Granados:

25850(c)(6) PC  (Carry a Loaded, Unregistered Firearm)

25400(a)(1) PC  (Carry a Concealed Firearm within a Vehicle)

11370.1 HS  (Possess a Controlled Substance while Armed with a Handgun)

11377(a) HS  (Possession of a Controlled Substance)

11364(a) HS  (Possession of Controlled Substance Paraphernalia)