Early Morning Traffic Stop Leads to Arrests for Drug Possession and Vehicle Theft in Alturas
“Two Arrested on Drug Charges & Stolen Vehicle
Alturas, California, Sunday, July 7, 2024, at approximately 4:40 am, Sheriff’s Deputies conducted a traffic enforcement stop of a vehicle for expired registration in the City of Alturas. During the stop deputies discovered that the driver, Arthur Craig Valenzuela, 63 of Van Nuys, California had a felony warrant issued for his arrest out of Los Angeles County for violation of his Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS) terms and conditions. A female passenger, Alicia Marie Messoria, 48 of Cedarville, California was found to be in possession of approximately 2 ounces of methamphetamine.
Through further investigation deputies found that the vehicle in which Valenzuela and Messoria were traveling had a fraudulent license plate and the vehicle was stolen.
Both Valenzuela and Messoria were arrested and booked into the Modoc County Jail. Valenzuela was booked for possession of a stolen vehicle, transportation of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for sale, and on his warrant for violation of his Post Release Community Supervision terms and conditions. He is being held on $110,000 bail.
Messoria was charged with possession of a controlled substance for sale, transporting a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. She is being held on $26,000 bail.
Valenzuela and Messoria are expected to be arraigned on their charges Tuesday.”
