Kern County Authorities Arrest Three on Firearm and Narcotic Charges
Above: Items seized during investigation (Credit: Kern County Sheriff’s Office)
Authorities in Kern County have announced the arrests of three individuals on firearm and narcotics charges.
According to a press release by the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, authorities from the California Highway Patrol and the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Kern Valley Substation responded to a report of shots fired in the vicinity of Columbus Avenue and North Drive in Bodfish on July 12th. The incident occurred at approximately 8 AM.
Upon arrival at the scene, law enforcement officers reportedly located a suspect vehicle on the 100 block of Pioneer Place, which was occupied at the time. Inside the vehicle, they found the driver, identified as 46-year-old Jon Ruccinni from Wofford Heights. Ruccinni was found in possession of an unregistered loaded firearm, authorities said.
Further investigation led to the detention of two additional individuals: 53-year-old Dennis Fluhart from Caliente and 30-year-old Clenton Howard from Bakersfield. Deputies subsequently arrested Fluhart and Ruccinni, who were then booked on suspicion of firearms and narcotics offenses. Howard was also arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia.
The Kern County Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with additional information pertaining to this investigation, identified by case number 2023-00077999, to come forward and contact them at (661) 861-3110. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to Secret Witness at (661) 322-4040.
Authorities are diligently working to gather more details surrounding the incident as the investigation continues.
