Detectives Arrest Suspect with 14 Firearms, One Pound of Methamphetamine
By Jim Emerson
SAN RAFAEL, CA — Marin County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested Jesse James Starr, a 52-
year-old handyman, recently released from prison.
Starr was booked on open charges for possession of 14 firearms, methamphetamine and other illicit drugs.
Starr was released from prison in 2023 after serving a 10-year sentence for a federal
narcotics-related conviction.
He became the subject of an investigation in February for allegedly manufacturing and selling methamphetamine in Marin County.
Recovered Evidence – Courtesy of MCSO
Starr was on probation when detectives arrested him at his San Rafael residence on March 27 at 5:44 p.m.
A search of his home and a storage unit in Richmond turned up firearms and a cache of
dangerous drugs.
Detectives found a suspected methamphetamine manufacturing laboratory and approximately one pound of methamphetamine. They also recovered 18 grams of
fentanyl, 12 grams of suspected ketamine, and 2 grams of heroin.
Besides the drugs there were also firearms found in Starr’s possession. The firearms that
detectives recovered include assault rifles and stolen guns. Some of the recovered firearms
appeared to be homemade—easily manufactured from kits.
Charges facing Starr include manufacture of a controlled substance, and possession of a
controlled substance for sale, while armed. He was also booked for possession of an assault
weapon, carrying a loaded firearm, and manufacture/sale/possession an undetectable
firearm.
Bond was set at $1 million for release from Marin County Jail. However, Starr is subject to a
detainer involving his federal probation.
