Suspect Arrested with Nearly 1 Pound of Suspected Methamphetamine

“On August 2, 2021 around 11:49am, Officer Kelleher was conducting routine patrol in the area of Austin Road near Buckeye Street when he saw Michael Mitchell, 36, Clearlake, exit a silver 2007 BMW parked along the shoulder of the road. Officer Kelleher knew Mitchell to be on parole for drug trafficking out of Idaho. Officer Kelleher saw Mitchell look toward his direction and toss a backpack he had in his possession in an apparent attempt to conceal it.

Officer Kelleher contacted Mitchell, detained him, and conducted a parole search of the backpack. The search revealed the backpack contained two large Ziplock style bags filled with suspected methamphetamine, a digital scale, and a large sum of cash. The combined weight of the two bags of suspect methamphetamine was almost one pound.

Officer Kelleher arrested Mitchell on probable cause for possession of a controlled substance for sale and transportation of a controlled substance for sale. The charges from today did not meet the requirements for booking under the Lake County Superior Court emergency bail schedule.

Officer Kelleher contacted the Lake County Superior Court and requested for bail enhancement and an order for examination of any source of bail Mitchell would present. The Lake County Superior court authorized both requests and set the bail for Mitchell at $250,000. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation was also contacted and placed a parole hold on Mitchell. Mitchell was booked into the Lake County Jail to await further court proceedings.

Press Release completed by Sergeant R. Peterson”