Calaveras County: Weapons, ammo, paraphernalia, and more discovered during enforcement stop

“On November 6th, 2020 at about 4:15 PM a deputy conducted a traffic enforcement stop on a vehicle that was displaying expired registration tabs near White Pines Lake.

The deputy contacted the driver who stated he had recently purchased the vehicle in Nevada and could only produce a handwritten bill of sale. A records check of the driver Richard David Castillo (41 years of age Camp Connell), showed he had two misdemeanor warrants and one felony warrant issued for his arrest from Calaveras County Superior Court. In addition, his driver’s license was suspended. Castillo was placed under arrest without incident and placed in the rear of a patrol vehicle. The passenger Amanda Ruth Harper (40 years old Camp Connell), was asked to exit the vehicle to prepare it for towing.

When the deputies conducted a search of the vehicle they located two backpacks that contained methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia (syringes and needles). One of the backpacks was linked to Harper while the other was owned by Castillo. Deputies also located a loaded .22 caliber rifle with a cutoff stock and 37 rounds of live ammunition. Some of the ammunition was located inside of a tin marked “Castillo” on the floorboard of the vehicle.

Suspect Amanda Ruth Harper was issued a citation and released at the scene for Health and Safety 11364(a) possession of drug paraphernalia (misdemeanor) and Health and Safety 11377(a) possession of controlled substance (misdemeanor).

(SA) Richard was transported and booked into CCSO Jail for Penal Code 29800(a) prohibited person in possession of firearm (felony), Penal Code 30305(a) prohibited person in possession of ammunition (felony), Penal Code 25850(a) carrying loaded firearm in public place (misdemeanor), Health and Safety 11364(a) HS possess unlawful paraphernalia (misdemeanor), Health and Safety 11377(A) possession of controlled substance (meth -misdemeanor), felony warrant and two misdemeanor warrants. He is being held with a total bail of $35,000.00.”