Willits man arrested for possession of narcotics for sale while armed with a firearm
Around midnight this morning, two Lakeport Police Officers made a traffic stop of a vehicle on Lakeport Blvd with the driver identified as Henry Arturo Gonzalez, 18, of Willits CA. The vehicle was also occupied by three subjects identified as minors. During the stop an officer saw a rear seat passenger concealing a loaded high capacity firearm magazine. High risk stop procedures were initiated, with Lake County Sheriff Deputies and California Highway Patrol officers assisting, and a modified rifle with a pistol grip was located in the vehicle. All subjects were detained and a further search was conducted with psilocybin, (a hallucinogen) possessed for sale, marijuana and other evidence being located. Gonzalez was arrested and booked for felony possession of a narcotic for sale, felony being armed in the commission of a crime, felony child endangerment under circumstances or conditions likely to produce great bodily harm or death, carrying a concealed firearm and possession of alcohol by a minor in public. The three minors were released to parents and Lake County Child Welfare Services at the scene.
These are very dangerous stops for police officers and suspects, especially in the dark of night with limited visibility but we are fortunate that the arrest could be safely made and we got dangerous drugs and a dangerous firearm off our streets.
As of this morning, Gonzalez remains in custody at the Lake County Jail on bail on $75,000.00
A new California law, passed by the legislature and signed by the governor in July, prohibits the posting of a booking photo on social media so none is being released.
A photo of the firearm, magazine, drugs and other evidence is included.
We appreciate our communities support as we work hard to keep Lakeport safe!
Chief of Police
