DATE/TIME: Thursday, July 3, 2025 / 9:03 a.m.
INCIDENT: H&S 11395(b)(1) - Possession of a Controlled Substance with Two Prior Convictions
LOCATION: 73690 Twentynine Palms Hwy, Twentynine Palms, CA
SUSPECT(S): Steve Rodriguez, 62-years-old, resident of Twentynine Palms
VICTIM(S): State of California
SUMMARY: On November 5, 2024, California voters passed Proposition 36 titled “The Homelessness, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act.” The proposition took effect on December 18, 2024, and reforms multiple laws from Proposition 47, which have been responsible for increasing homelessness, drug addiction and theft. Proposition 36 includes several new Penal and Health and Safety Codes that deputies will be able to apply during arrests when appropriate. These new charges can carry enhanced sentencing, as well as prevent offenders from being cite released prior to their court appearance. The following is an arrest where Proposition 36 is applied:
At approximately 9:03 a.m., Deputy Scot Schoolmeester responded to a call for service at the Starbucks in Twentynine Palms regarding individuals who had been inside the bathroom for an extended period of time. One of the individuals, later identified as Steve Rodriguez, was contacted outside the business and found to be in possession of suspected methamphetamine. Rodriguez was subsequently arrested and booked at the Morongo Basin jail for H&S 11395(b)(1) -Possession of a Controlled Substance with Two Prior Convictions.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Morongo Basin Sheriff’s Station, (760) 365-9413 / 366-4175. Callers withing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463), or leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.
Refer: Deputy Scot Schoolmeester
Station: Morongo Basin Station
Phone No. 760-366-4175
Case No. 202500870
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
