Photo: the confiscated gun
Originally published as a Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office press release –
“On 06-17-2021 at about 1:20 A.M., a Mendocino County Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 7000 block of North State Street in Redwood Valley, California.
The Deputy contacted the driver, identified as Nicholas Rea, and his female passenger. While speaking with Rea, the Deputy saw controlled substance paraphernalia sitting in the center console of the vehicle. The Deputy also saw a container he knew was commonly used to store heroin. Through conversations the Deputy learned there was heroin within the container.
A records check on Rea through Sheriff’s Office Dispatch advised Rea was on probation out of Sacramento County for 10851(a) VC (Vehicle Theft). Rea was also determined to have multiple previous felony conditions, prohibiting him from owning or possessing firearms.
Through further conversations the Deputy learned there was a loaded firearm beneath Rea’s seat.
A search of the vehicle and Rea’s person was conducted. During the search, the Deputy located suspected heroin, suspected methamphetamine, controlled substance paraphernalia and a loaded, .38 caliber revolver.
Based on his investigation, the Deputy arrested Rea for the listed charges.
Rea was booked into the Mendocino County Jail, to be released after the booking process on zero bail pursuant to COVID-19 bail schedule set forth by the State of California Judicial Council.”
