DATE/TIME: Monday, July 21, 2025, at approximately 02:45 a.m.
INCIDENT: Health and Safety Code 11395(b)(1): Possession of a Controlled Substance with Two Prior Convictions
LOCATION: 57646 Twentynine Palms Highway, Yucca Valley, CA 92284
SUSPECT(S): Steven Rodriguez, 63-year-old Transient of Yucca Valley
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:
On Monday, July 21, 2025, at approximately 2:45 a.m., deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, Morongo Basin Station, contacted Steven Rodriguez in front of the Ross store located at 57646 Twentynine Palms Highway in Yucca Valley. During the contact, Rodrguez informed deputies he was in possession of a methamphetamine pipe. Rodriguez consented to search.
Deputies located a pipe with a substantial amount of a crystalline substance suspected to be methamphetamine. During a records-check, Rodriguez was found to have prior convictions for HS 11377(a), Possession of a Controlled Substance, HS 11350(a), Possession of a Controlled Substance, and HS 11378, Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sales. Rodriguez was subsequently arrested for HS 11395(b)(1), Possession of a Controlled Substance with Two Prior Convictions, a felony, under California's Proposition 36 criteria.
Refer: Deputy O. Zavala
Station: Morongo Basin Station
Phone No. 1(760) 366-4175
Case No. 232501116
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
