Originally published as a Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office press release –
“On 01-05-2022 at about 10:07 PM a Mendocino County Sheriff’s Deputy was patrolling Covelo, California.
The Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a small truck for vehicle code violations near the intersection of Crawford Road and Biggar Lane.
The Deputy contacted the driver (Christian Mendoza) and the passenger (Jorge Campos-Diaz). The Deputy noticed numerous open containers of alcoholic beverages inside the truck.
The Deputy requested a records check on both subjects.
Sheriff’s Office Dispatch advised Campos-Diaz had (4) four warrants for his arrest issued by Mendocino County Court, with (1) one warrant being a felony and the other (3) three being misdemeanors.
Campos-Diaz was arrested pursuant to the Mendocino County Arrest Warrants.
A probable cause search was conducted of the vehicle. In the vehicle, the Deputy located an unloaded semi automatic handgun under the driver’s seat, along with a spent .22 caliber cartridge on the front floorboard.
The Deputy learned Mendoza was the possessor of the truck and he had detailed the truck’s interior earlier in the day.
The Deputies arrested Mendoza for carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle based upon a probable cause belief that he was in possession of the firearm.
Mendoza was booked into the Mendocino County Jail where he was to be held in lieu of $15,000.00 bail.
Campos-Diaz was booked into the Mendocino County Jail where he was to be held in lieu of $25,000.00 bail.”
