Six Arrested in Porterville Drug and Identity Theft Investigation
PORTERVILLE, CA —
“Incident:
Manufacturing and Processing a Controlled Substance
Possession of a Controlled Substance
Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance
Operating and Maintaining a Drug House
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Possession of an Unprescribed Prescription Medication
Resist/Delay/Obstruct Police Officer
Identity Theft
Criminal Threats
Date/Time: February 20, 2025 at 4:35 P.M.
Location: 1000 block of West Montgomery Avenue, Porterville, CA
Suspects:
Matthew Ward, 40-Year-Old, Porterville Resident
Robert Atchison, 42-Year-Old, Porterville Resident
Darin Morgan, 43-Year-Old, Porterville Resident
Amanda Smith, 35-Year-Old, Porterville Resident
Rigoberto Miranda, 54-Year-Old, Porterville Resident
Cody Douglas, 29-Year-Old, Porterville Resident
Summary:
On February 19, 2025, Porterville Police Officers responded to the 1000 block of West Montgomery Avenue to attempt to contact Matthew Ward regarding a Criminal Threats investigation. Upon arrival at the location, Ward and an additional subject, Robert Atchison were contacted at the residence trailer. Ward’s trailer was searched for weapons and other illegal items per the court-ordered terms and conditions of his Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS).
During the search, suspected narcotics were located within the trailer in addition to narcotic manufacturing material and equipment, along with tax documents, and business payroll forms from various local businesses and subjects living in the area, who may be possible victims of fraud. Fresh charges for operating and maintaining a drug house, possession of a controlled substance, manufacturing and processing of a controlled substance, and identity theft were added to Ward and Atchison’s charges. Ward and Atchison were arrested and transported to the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office South County Detention Facility.
Ward was booked for Operating and Maintaining a Drug House, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Manufacturing and Processing a Controlled Substance, Identity Theft, and Criminal Threats. He is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail.
Atchison was booked for Operating and Maintaining a Drug House, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Manufacturing and Processing a Controlled Substance, and Identity Theft. He is being held in lieu of $120,000 bail.
Following the arrests, on February 20, 2025, detectives from the Porterville Police Department’s Narcotics Investigations Unit obtained a search warrant for the property after they were briefed on the location of a methamphetamine conversion lab. Detectives, with the assistance of High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) taskforce detectives, responded to the residence to serve the search warrant.
During the warrant service, detectives contacted and detained Darin Morgan, Amanda Smith, Rigoberto Miranda, and Cody Douglas. Douglas initially fled from the residence on foot, but with the assistance of the Porterville Police Department Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Unit and the TCSO Tribute 1 aircraft, he was taken into custody in the 1000 block of South Wisconsin Street. Douglas was found to be in possession of methamphetamine upon his arrest.
Detectives conducted a search of the property and located drug paraphernalia, which included methamphetamine pipes, syringes, burnt foil, and opioid overdose reversal kits. Detectives also located Fentanyl Powder and Methamphetamine inside the residence. Detectives seized the Methamphetamine conversion equipment, which included numerous pots and pans, glass cookware, liquid separation chemicals, burner plates, and sifting equipment. All items were seized as evidence.
Morgan and Smith were transported to the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office South County Detention Facility and face multiple charges, including Possession of a Controlled Substance, Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance, Operating and Maintaining a Drug House, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of Unprescribed Medication.
Douglas was transported to the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office South County Detention Facility and faces multiple charges, including Resisting/Delaying/Obstructing a Peace Officer, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Operating and Maintaining a Drug House, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Miranda was transported to the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office South County Detention Facility and faces charges, including Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance and an active warrant for his arrest.”
