There was a damper put on Christmas Eve for a Willits man and his friend, when he was arrested the night before, and booked on multiple charges with $25,000 bail on the morning of December 24.
On Tuesday, December 23 at about 10 pm, Thomas Lee Gallups, Sr. was driving though Willits on Meadowbrook Drive, near the Sherwood Valley Rancheria Casino, and about a mile from his home on Baechtel Road. According to the Sheriff’s office, Patrol Deputies noticed a lighting violation on the car and initiated a traffic stop.
The deputies addressed Gallups, and immediately noticed a strong odor of burnt marijuana. They also saw that his passenger, whom they did not identify, had an open container of alcohol.
They proceeded to search Gallups’ vehicle, and found a small quantity of marijuana, and a fully loaded Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum revolver. There was also other ammunition for the gun in the vehicle. A records check revealed the Gallups was a past convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.
Gallups, who just turned 53, was arrested and booked at the Mendocino County Jail on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possession of a concealed and loaded firearm. At the time, no additional charges were levied for the open container and marijuana, and his passenger was not arrested. He was released after posting bail on Friday, December 26, awaiting his court date. He’ll need to get that light fixed as well.
