Photo: Timothy Wayne Johnson
Santa Barbara County – A 911 Emergency call late on the morning of July 27th came in concerning a man’s drunken threats. Deputies responded to a residence in the City of Solvang.
According to SBSD Public Information Office Kelly Hoover, witnesses on the scene described the suspect. Later identified as 57-year-old Solvang resident Timothy Wayne Johnson, he was “pointing a handgun at his victim’s head while making threats.”
Johnson’s arsenal
By that time, Johnson was nowhere to be seen, having driven away from the scene. Deputies then learned from witnesses that Johnson was “in possession of an AK-47 rifle and other firearms” and appeared to be intoxicated.
Johnson authored a social media post earlier, declaring “I’ll see you in the afterlife.”
Deputies then called for the support of a Santa Barbara County Sheriff Air Support helicopter. They also called for resources from the Buellton CHP station.
Shortly thereafter, officers found Johnson’s car at a Buellton gas station with him behind the wheel. Deputies conducted an at-gunpoint arrest pursuant to the report of a firearm in his possession.
As Deputies made contact with him, Johnson was initially non-compliant with their verbal commands. Over a period of time, however, “deputies were able to de-escalate the situation.” They took Johnson into custody without the use of force.
Deputies at the scene of the arrest discovered two loaded firearms in Johnson’s vehicle, including the reported loaded AK-47 rifle. At Johnson’s residence inve discovered “additional handguns, a large cache of ammunition, and a high capacity AK-47 ammo drum.”
Deputies booked Johnson these charges –
- making criminal threats;
- assault with a deadly weapon;
- possession of a silencer, possession of an assault rifle;
- possession of a large capacity magazine;
- carrying a loaded firearm in public.
Finally, his bail is $50,000.
Photos: Courtesy Santa Barbara County Jail Booking, SBSD
