CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – The service of a search warrant by the Lake County Sheriff’s Investigations Unit has resulted in three arrests and the seizure of marijuana and multiple firearms.

Deputies arrested Clearlake Oaks residents James Edward Kinyon, 49, and his wife Cindy Laudero, 56, and 34-year-old Luther Wayne Hill, according to Lt. Steve Brooks.

Last Saturday, Sept. 21, at approximately 2 p.m., deputies were dispatched to a report of a robbery which occurred on Round Mountain Road in Clearlake Oaks. Brooks said the victim told deputies he was riding an all terrain vehicle on his friend’s property which is in the 1100 block of Round Mountain Road.

The victim explained that the ATV broke down near a neighboring property line, so he started to walk to his friend’s house to get assistance with the ATV, Brooks said.

While walking to his friend’s house, the victim was confronted by a male suspect, later identified as Kinyon, who allegedly pointed a handgun at the victim and ordered him to get down on the ground, according to Brooks.

An unidentified male suspect, who was in possession of two handguns, joined Kinyon. Brooks said the victim told deputies that both Kinyon and the unidentified suspect began to violently beat him as he lay on the ground.

The suspects allegedly stole the victim’s jacket and wallet and threatened to kill him and his family. Brooks said the suspects told the victim that his ATV was now theirs and told him to stand up and run away. The victim said he ran away and as he did, both suspects shot at him multiple times, missing him. Further investigation showed Kinyon was a convicted felon and was not allowed to possess firearms.

Detectives then took over the investigation and contacted Kinyon this past Monday, Sept. 23. Brooks said that during the contact, Kinyon turned over the property he had taken from the victim and admitted to assaulting him.

Kinyon claimed he assaulted the victim because he found him near one of his marijuana grows and believed the victim was going to steal from him. Brooks said Kinyon also admitted to possessing a firearm during the assault, but claimed it would not be found if detectives were to attempt to search his property. In addition, Kinyon admitted to hiring armed subjects to protect his marijuana plants.

On Wednesday, detectives secured an arrest warrant for Kinyon related to the robbery and assault. Brooks said detectives also were able to secure a search warrant for Kinyon, his residence and his vehicles.

On Thursday at approximately 6:30 a.m., the Sheriff’s General Crimes Detectives and narcotics detectives served the search warrant at Kinyon’s residence, which Brooks said is located in the 800 block of Round Mountain Road in Clearlake Oaks.

Detectives from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office were assisted by Drug Enforcement Administration agents, the California Highway Patrol, the Mendocino County SWAT Team and the Lake County SWAT Team with the service of the search warrant, Brooks said.

Kinyon and Laudero were located and detained without incident near the main residence on Kinyon’s property. During the search detectives located and detained Hill, who was working for Kinyon, inside a tent in one of Kinyon’s marijuana plots. Hill was found to be in possession of three loaded firearms, which were seized as evidence, Brooks said.

During the search of Kinyon’s residence, detectives located and seized a handgun and ammunition. A rifle and assorted ammunition were located and seized in various locations throughout Kinyon’s property, according to Brooks.

Brooks said a total of 208 marijuana plants and several pounds of processed marijuana were located and seized from Kinyon’s property. The investigation revealed that the marijuana was being cultivated for sales.

Kinyon was taken into custody for the arrest warrant related to the robbery case, which included robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, terrorist threats, being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and the willful discharge of a firearm in a negligent manner, Brooks said.

Brooks said Laudero and Hill were arrested for the cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sales and for being armed in the commission of a felony.

A separate case charging Kinyon with the marijuana grow and related crimes will be submitted to the Lake County District Attorney’s Office, Brooks said.

All three suspects were transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked, according to Brooks.

The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be reached through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Lake County Horse Council joins the Kelseyville Pear Festival this Saturday, Sept. 28, with live equine demonstrations and displays for the whole family.

This year’s venue will be located right on Main Street, between Fourth and Fifth Streets, next to the Kelseyville Fire Department.

Visitors can see nearly a dozen breeds of horses up close and talk to their owners about horse care, recreation and their unique personalities.

Demonstrations are scheduled in the round pen from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., including authentic mustang and Azteca horses, the lively stepping Tennessee Walking Horse, the Lake County Horse Council president’s own registered palomino Morgan, and the elegant Gypsy Vanner, handled by Joy and Jocelyn Bennett, Lake County’s own rodeo queens.

In addition to live horse demonstrations, a veterinarian will be on hand to demonstrate taking vital signs signs of a horse and a barefoot trimmer will show how to take care of horse feet without shoes.

There will be a kid’s corral for children to climb on saddles, play games and take home special prizes.

The Lake County Horse Council will hold a raffle during the event to help raise money to cover the expenses of the event and ensure its inclusion in future festivals.

Raffle prizes include tickets to the annual Lake County Rodeo Dinner and Dance and the 2014 Lake County Rodeo.

This year’s event is sponsored by John’s Market of Kelseyville, Lake County Farm Bureau, Lake County Rodeo Association and Ag Unlimited.

The Lake County Horse Council is a nonprofit membership driven organization that was founded in 2009. Its mission is to promote the equine industry and recreation in Lake County, and the group hosts educational events and partnerships with other horse organizations in the area.

Find out more at www.LakeCountyHorseCouncil.com or call 707 245-9091.

Acting to help California’s working families, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Wednesday signed AB 10 by Assemblymember Luis Alejo (D-Salinas), which will raise the minimum wage in California from $8.00 per hour to $10 per hour.

“It’s a special day to stand with workers who are laboring for all of us and laboring at a very low wage. Turning that wage into a $10 an hour wage is a wonderful thing,” said Gov. Brown prior to signing AB 10 in Los Angeles.

“It’s my goal and it’s my moral responsibility to do what I can to make our society more harmonious, to make our social fabric tighter and closer and to work toward a solidarity that every day appears to become more distant,” Brown said.

AB 10 will raise California’s minimum wage in two one-dollar increments, from $8 per hour today to $9 per hour, effective July 1, 2014, and from $9 per hour to $10 per hour, effective Jan. 1, 2016.

Gov. Brown worked with the bill’s author and legislative leaders over the past month to secure passage of AB 10.

He was joined at the bill signing ceremonies in Los Angeles and Oakland by Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez, Assemblymember Luis Alejo, and dozens of workers.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Seaplanes came buzzing into Lakeport on Friday to take part in the annual Clear Lake Splash-in.

The event runs through Sunday at the old Natural High School property in the 800 block of N. Main Street.

The splash-in is billed as the biggest event of its kind in the Western United States.

See some highlights from Friday's arrivals in the video above by John Jensen.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – As both chambers of Congress discuss federal spending for the next fiscal year, a group of Northern California members sent a letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior requesting specific information on past and future federal funding for the proposed Peripheral Tunnel project in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

The letter’s signatories also expressed strong concerns about the plan’s impact on Northern California’s economy.

The group has met with Interior Secretary Sally Jewell previously. In this letter, they requested another meeting with the secretary to discuss federal funding “to get an update from the agencies on their current work relating to” the Delta Tunnels project and to discuss how to find a more sustainable future for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

“By raising questions on the proposed $5 billion cost to the American taxpayer of the Delta Tunnels project, this letter is part of a productive dialogue on meeting California’s water needs. I have made clear the major flaws of the current plan. I look forward to continued discussion with Secretary Jewell about approaches that would meet the needs of all state residents, especially water conservation, recycling, and storage, respect for water rights, and strengthened flood protection,” said Congressman John Garamendi (CA-3), a former deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior.

“At a time when budgets are tight, we need to closely examine every dollar we spend. We’ve seen reports that show the proposed BDCP is not a workable solution to California’s water challenges. It’s rushed, not based on sound science, and hurts wildlife, sportsmen, farmers, fishers and small business owners. Until we have a transparent plan that is developed with all the stakeholders at the table, it would be reckless and wasteful to spend a single cent on a project that puts thousands of jobs at risk and could devastate the Delta and north-of-Delta communities,” said Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-5).

“As the BDCP moves forward, serious questions need to be answered about where the federal government would find the billions needed to pay for the BDCP plan. Due to our nation’s fiscal and political climate, the federal budget has seen deep cuts over the past few years, and we continue to see devastating cuts with sequestration. Critical infrastructure projects across the country are going unfunded because of the federal budget problems. Spending billions on the BDCP, which is headed in the wrong direction for California and especially those of us north of the Delta, just doesn't make sense,” said Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-06).

“We already know that Gov. Brown’s proposed plan for the Delta will devastate the region and is not based on sound science. It will cost California residents billions of dollars, and does not ensure a reliable water supply for all of California. Until we have a solution that is based on an effective cost-benefit analysis and sound science, and that will not harm our most precious water resource, the governor should not be rushing forward with his plan. The people of California deserve no less, and the people in the Delta region who stand to have their livelihoods decimated must be heard. With the potential investment of federal funding, the taxpayers of this country also deserve to know how much of their money will be dedicated to this project,” said Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-9).

“The governor’s BDCP financing plan makes too many assumptions about an enormously expensive project. It’s not reasonable for them to assume that other federal priorities will be pushed aside to finance a plan that does not create new water from local resources, does not include sufficient input from all stakeholders, and has been roundly criticized by federal and state agencies for being based on unsound science. Taxpayers deserve honest answers about where the money to finance this project will come from and what programs and regions will suffer as a result. I look forward to having that discussion with Secretary Jewell,” said Congressman George Miller (CA-11).

“I’ve consistently been concerned about the rush to implement the Bay Delta Conservation Plan before we look at all of our alternatives. Water is critical to California, and we must find a comprehensive, long-term solution that is based on sound science and doesn’t put south-of-delta interests ahead of everyone in or north-of-delta. In addition to those concerns, we must also understand how we’ll pay for any plan before committing to it. I’m very concerned about the availability of the substantial federal funds it could require to complete BDCP, and hope to discuss those costs with Secretary Jewell,” said Congressman Ami Bera (CA-7).

Text of the letter follows:

September 20, 2013

The Honorable Sally Jewell
Secretary
Department of the Interior
1849 C Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20003

Dear Secretary Jewell:

We write today to ask for information regarding federal funding for the ongoing Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) as proposed by California’s Governor Jerry Brown. Together with the California Department of Water Resources and Natural Resources Agency and a variety of other state and local agencies and organizations, the Governor has been working on this plan for over 6 years in an attempt to bring stability to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. However, we have strong concerns with not only the plan itself, but also with the availability of the necessary funding to complete the plan in its current form, which would require close to $4 billion from the federal government.

We have several questions regarding past and potentially future funding for the project:

1) How much federal money has your department spent thus far on the development of BDCP since the Memorandum of Agreement was signed in 2006? It is our understanding that some of the funding has come through CALFED’s Interim Federal Action Plan for the Bay-Delta, but we would like to know the specific accounts and amounts spent including and beyond CALFED. Has any additional money been spent to pay contractors to assist in the development of the BDCP, if yes, who are the contractors and how much were they paid?

2) The BDCP recently released financing documents for the plan and projected the amount of federal funding needed to complete the project. We are concerned that the substantial increases in federal spending that would be required under BDCP’s financing plan may not be realistic given the ongoing funding constraints at DOI. As you know, the House Appropriations Committee’s draft FY 2014 Interior/Environment funding bill would provide $2.9 billion less than the fiscal 2013 enacted level, and $4.3 billion less than competing legislation in the Senate. Given these financial realities, have you discussed the proposed funding with the California state government to determine the feasibility of meeting the needs they have listed in Chapter 8? How is the funding expected to be spread out over the 50-year period and how much is likely to be required up front or in the early years?

3) We are also extremely concerned that providing the level of funding requested for the BDCP could result in inadequate funding for critical water supply and fish and wildlife habitat programs. As such, do you anticipate a significant drop in funding needs for other activities in coming years? If so, what specific needs do you believe will diminish? Do you anticipate being able to achieve the fish doubling goal under the 20+-year old Central Valley Project Improvement Act, which has not yet been achieved, while dedicating significant funds to the BDCP? If you do not expect such a drop in funding needs, do you expect to have adequate budgetary flexibility in the years ahead to maintain adequate funding for other activities while providing for a substantial increase in funding for BDCP-related programs? Also, will the proposed level of funding affect environmental restoration projects outside the BDCP project area? Please be specific.

4) Finally, we would like to request a meeting to discuss your responses to these questions and to get an update from the agencies on their current work relating to BDCP.

We look forward to hearing from you and to our continued work as California tries to find a solution for a more sustainable future for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Please contact Elizabeth Crow, Senior Policy Advisor for Congressman Garamendi, at (202) 225-1880 to arrange the meeting or if you need additional information.

Sincerely,

JOHN GARAMENDI
Member of Congress

GEORGE MILLER
Member of Congress

DORIS MATSUI
Member of Congress

MIKE THOMPSON
Member of Congress

JERRY MCNERNEY
Member of Congress

JARED HUFFMAN
Member of Congress

AMI BERA
Member of Congress

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Police arrested three people following a brief high speed chase on Tuesday night.

Clearlake residents Shalonna Marie Perales, 33, and 25-year-old Daniel Douglas Wamback, and Jason Matthew Miller, 25, of Kelseyville were arrested after the pursuit through Clearlake, according to a report from Sgt. Rodd Joseph.

Joseph said that just before 10:30 p.m. Wednesday Officer Alan Collier was on patrol and observed a red Buick four-door pull out from a driveway in the 5600 block of Old Highway 53, directly in front of the path of another vehicle, nearly causing a traffic collision.

Collier decided to stop the Buick for the traffic infraction, but when he activated his emergency lights, the Buick fled at a high rate of speed and turned east onto Cypress Avenue, then made a quick left turn onto northbound Cottage Avenue, Joseph said.

Collier continued to pursue the Buick, which finally yielded in the 5600 block of Cottage Avenue. The pursuit last approximately two-tenths of a mile, according to Joseph.

Joseph said Clearlake Police officers and K-9 teams conducted a high risk traffic stop on the vehicle and its three occupants at gunpoint.

The rear passenger, identified as Perales, was found to have a misdemeanor warrant for her arrest. The right front passenger, Wamback, was found to be in possession of two illegally concealed fix bladed knives, Joseph said.

Wamback is currently on active parole and possession of these knifes is also a violation of his parole terms. Joseph said Wamback was charged with carrying a concealed dirk or dagger and with a violation of his parole.

The driver, later identified as Miller, initially was charged with evading police, Joseph said. Miller also was found to be on active parole.

Joseph said officers located a loaded handgun on the roadway edge near Miller’s opened driver’s window. Evidence was obtained which led officers to believe that Miller threw the gun out his opened driver’s window during the pursuit, just before pulling his vehicle over and stopping.

Due to Miller’s parole status and being a convicted felon, Miller additionally was charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, possession of ammunition by a prohibited person, carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle and a violation of parole, Joseph said.

All three suspects later were booked into the lake County Jail, Joseph said. The red Buick was towed from the scene.

All three remained in custody on Wednesday evening; Perales' bail was set at $20,000, and Wambeck and Miller were booked on no-bail holds.

Anyone with information or who may have witnessed this incident is asked to contact Officer Alan Collier at 707-994-8251. Callers should press No. 1 and then extension No. 505 when prompted. Callers may remain anonymous.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – “Lake County Live!” returns to the Soper-Reese Community Theatre in Lakeport on Sunday, Sept. 29.

The local variety show begins at 6 p.m. and will again be broadcast live on Lake County Community Radio KPFZ 88.1 FM.

“We had a technical failure last month, and the show was not broadcast,” said show creator and host Doug Rhoades. “We had a great show in the theater, but a simple phone cord malfunction at the studio prevented the show from being aired. We've corrected the problem, so we're good to go in the theater and on the radio at 6 p.m. this coming Sunday.”

September's show is partnered with the Famous Musician's Organ Bash, featuring the Hammond Cheese Combo, Steve Lucky and Carmen Getit, Wendy Dewitt, Kirk Harwood plus Paul Kemp and Machiko.

Additional entertainment features the return of the Ladies of the Lake, a visit with a pirate, a celebration of the Pear Festival and more.

After Lake County Live! the Organ Bash will continue with its own presentation at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for both shows are $20, or $5 for Lake County Live only and $15 for the Organ Bash only.

Tickets are available at the theater box office on Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and at the Travel Center, 1265 S. Main St. in Lakeport.

For more information on Lake County Live! go to www.facebook.com/lakecountylive .

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The service of a search warrant by the Lake County Sheriff’s Investigations Unit has resulted in three arrests and the recovery of stolen property.

David John Meyer, 28, and 50-year-old Randy Wayne Griffin, both of Loch Lomond, and Justin Paul Spellman, 30, of Lakeport were arrested during the search warrant service, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Brooks said that last Thursday, Sept. 19, a burglary was reported at a residence in the Clear Lake Riviera subdivision of Kelseyville.

During the initial investigation, the responding deputy spoke to the homeowner and found numerous items were taken from the residence. These items included cash, credit cards, personal and household items, including a sectional couch, Brooks said.

The homeowner also reported their 2009 Ford sedan had been taken from inside the garage. Brooks said deputies discovered the stolen vehicle had been towed the previous day, as it was found blocking a roadway in the town of Kelseyville.

During a search of the stolen vehicle, many items which had been taken from the residence were located inside of it. Brooks said evidence technicians from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office processed the vehicle for evidence related to the vehicle theft and residential burglary. Evidence located inside the vehicle provided detectives with a suspect lead.

During the course of the investigation, detectives obtained video surveillance from a local business, which showed one of the stolen credit cards being used. Brooks said the suspect in the video was recognized by deputies as Meyer.

This information and the evidence collected from the stolen vehicle were used to obtain a search warrant for Meyer’s residence, which is located in the 10000 block of Willow Drive in Loch Lomond, Brooks said.

This past Wednesday at approximately 8:50 a.m. detectives served the search warrant at Meyer's residence, Brooks said.

When detectives entered the residence they located and detained Spellman and Griffin, and found Meyer hiding inside a bathroom of the residence. Brooks said all three of the men were detained without incident.

During the search, detectives located and seized numerous items known to be taken during the burglary, including a three-piece sectional couch, Brooks said.

He said detectives also located and seized bank checks not related to the burglary, which were in the process of being forged, and seized methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia from inside the residence.

Detectives located evidence that Meyer also had a storage unit he was renting in Kelseyville. Detectives secured a search warrant for the storage unit which they also served on Thursday. Inside the storage unit, additional stolen property was recovered from the burglary, Brooks said.

Brooks said Meyer was arrested for burglary, possession of stolen property, possession of a controlled substance, conspiracy and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Spellman was arrested for possession of stolen property, conspiracy and being under the influence of a controlled substance. Griffin was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and possession of concentrated cannabis.

They were transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked, Brooks said.

Clearlake, Calif. -- Clearlake police are seeking witnesses to and suspects in an attempted Monday night break-in at the Mendo Lake Credit Union in Clearlake discovered Tuesday morning by bank employees.

During the night burglars unsuccesfuly attempted to make entry into the bank via the roof.

Surveillance video in police custody reveals three or four suspects prowling the business near the ATM at 11:38 p.m. Monday night.

In the video one or two suspects can be seen climbing onto the roof near the ATM while the other suspects appear to be lookouts.

The suspects, who appear to all be male, were wearing both light and dark colored clothing.

Bank employees arriving at work Tuesday discovered damage to the roof and alerted Clearlake police.

With assistance from the Lakeshore Fire District, Clearlake police officers accessed the roof where they discovered removed and damaged roofing tiles, removed attic vents and other roofing materials out of place.

According to Clearlake police, officers were able to obtain several sets of fingerprints from tampered areas of the roof and are hoping for suspect identification via the fingerprint evidence.

Video from the business indicates that possible witnesses to the crime were in the shopping center at the time.

Anyone with information or who may have been in the shopping center at the time of this crime is asked to contact Sgt. Rodd Joseph at 994-8251. Callers should press #1 and then extension #338 when prompted. Callers may remain anonymous.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Lake is amongst 55 California counties that will receive a financial award as the result of a settlement this week in a lawsuit against Rite Aid.

On Tuesday San Joaquin County Superior Court Judge Linda L. Lofthus ordered Rite Aid Corp. to pay more than $12.3 million to settle a civil lawsuit alleging that some 600 California Rite Aid stores unlawfully handled and disposed of hazardous materials.

Lake County District Attorney Don Anderson said the county will receive around $3,500. It has one Rite Aid store, located in Clearlake.

In neighboring Mendocino County, where there are four stores, District Attorney David Eyster reported that Rite Aid will pay $8,000 in civil penalties to the Mendocino County’s Environmental Health Division and a matching $8,000 in civil penalties to the District Attorney’s Office. The district attorney’s funds are earmarked for use in the enforcement of consumer protection laws.

“I applaud our environmental investigators and prosecutors working locally and across the state for their ongoing and deep commitment to keeping our communities healthy and for holding violators accountable for crimes against the environment,” Eyster said.

The judgment marks the culmination of a joint environmental protection lawsuit filed earlier this month in Stockton.

The suit originally was filed by the district attorneys of Los Angeles, San Joaquin and Riverside counties, which later were joined by two city attorneys and 52 California district attorneys – Lake and Mendocino – behalf of their cities and counties, respectively.

The case originated from an investigation by several local environmental health agencies acting independently in different counties during the fall of 2009.

The investigation expanded when prosecutors, investigators and environmental regulators statewide came together to conduct a series of waste inspections at Rite Aid facilities and at landfills throughout California.

The inspections revealed that during a six-and-a-half year period Rite Aid transported hazardous waste, disposing of it in local landfills.

The hazardous products allegedly discarded included pesticides, bleach, paint, aerosols, automotive products and solvents, pharmaceutical and bio hazardous wastes and other toxic, ignitable and corrosive materials.

Under the final judgment, Rite Aid must pay $10.35 million in civil penalties and costs. Additionally, the Camp Hill, Pennsylvania-based company must fund several environmental projects that further consumer protection and environmental enforcement in California.

Rite Aid is now bound under the terms of a permanent injunction prohibiting the retailer from committing future violations.

Throughout the course of the environmental prosecution, Rite Aid has cooperated with prosecutors and investigators, and has to adopted enhanced policies and procedures designed to eliminate the disposal of hazardous waste products in California.

Moving forward, stores will be required to retain their hazardous waste in segregated, labeled containers so as to minimize the risk of exposure to employees and customers and to ensure that incompatible wastes do not combine to cause dangerous chemical reactions.

California Rite Aid stores now work with state-registered haulers to document, collect and properly dispose of hazardous waste produced through damage, spills and returns.

Rite Aid also has implemented a computerized scanning system and other environmental training to manage its waste.

September 2013 Rite Aid Judgment

NORTH COAST, Calif. – Mendocino County Sheriff's detectives are investigating the Wednesday discovery of human remains in a state park.

Lt. Greg Van Patten said that just before 9:30 a.m. Wednesday a Mendocino County Sheriff's deputy was dispatched to Standish-Hickey State Park in Leggett on the report of the discovery of human skeletal remains.

Upon arrival the deputy confirmed the presence of the remains in a creek bed in the southern portion of the park near Highway 101, Van Patten said.

Cal Fire personnel conducting training exercises in the park found the remains, according to Van Patten.

Van Patten said a California State Parks representative requested the sheriff's office assume investigative control over the incident.

Sheriff's detectives were summoned to the scene and are in the initial stages of their investigation, Van Patten said.

He said Mendocino County Sheriff's detectives are being assisted by Mendocino County District Attorney investigators and California Department of Justice criminalists.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A vehicle stop conducted early Sunday morning by a Lake County Sheriff’s patrol deputy resulted in two arrests and the seizure of methamphetamine.

Lt. Steve Brooks said 38-year-old Steven Lynn Simpson and Daniel Brian Dolan, 40, both of Ukiah, were arrested.

On Sunday at approximately 3:10 a.m., a deputy was on patrol in the Upper Lake area, Brooks said. As the deputy was traveling southbound on Main Street, he noticed a vehicle in front of him make a right turn to travel westbound onto Highway 20.

Brooks said the deputy noticed several vehicle code violations and conducted an enforcement stop near the intersection of Highway 20 and Highway 29 in Upper Lake.

The deputy contacted the driver, identified as Simpson, and a second deputy arrived on scene to assist with the investigation. Brooks said Simpson told the deputies that his driver’s license was suspended for driving while under the influence.

Deputies also contacted Dolan, Simpson's passenger. Brooks said Dolan told the deputies that he was on parole with a search and seizure clause.

Central Dispatch conducted a records check on both Simpson and Dolan and confirmed that Simpson’s license was suspended and Dolan was on parole with a search and seizure clause. Brooks said Central Dispatch also advised the vehicle's registration was expired.

The lead deputy in the investigation conducted a search of Simpson and located a small clear plastic bag in his pocket, Brooks said. The plastic bag contained a translucent crystalline substance the deputy recognized to be methamphetamine. Simpson told the deputy that he had found the plastic bag on the ground earlier and picked it up.

Brooks said deputies also located a backpack in the vehicle, which Simpson claimed was his. While searching the backpack deputies located a clear glass straw or tube with white residue and burn marks, which is consistent with smoking methamphetamine.

As the deputy was talking to Dolan, he noticed Dolan had an odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from his person which intensified as he spoke. Brooks said the deputy asked Dolan if he had a no alcohol clause attached to the conditions if his parole. Dolan admitted he was not to consume alcohol.

Brooks said Dolan also exhibited symptoms of being under the influence of a central nervous system stimulant. He admitted to the deputy that he recently used methamphetamine.

Simpson was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, transportation of a controlled substance, possession of controlled substance paraphernalia and driving on a suspended license. Dolan was arrested for violating the conditions of his parole and being under the influence of a controlled substance. Brooks said both were transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked.

The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be contacted through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.