Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Oct. 5, 2023, at about 1:52 a.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies on patrol in the McKinleyville area conducted a traffic stop for a vehicle code violation in the area of North Bank Road and Hunts Drive.

Deputies contacted the driver and single-occupant of the vehicle, 57-year-old Lawrence Edward Vaughn, who was found to be driving with a suspended license. While speaking with Vaughn, deputies observed a firearm in plain sight.

Upon inspecting the firearm, deputies found it to be loaded. Deputies also located an additional firearm inside the vehicle and drug paraphernalia.

During a search of Vaughn incident to arrest, deputies located approximately 1.53 grams of methamphetamine.

Vaughn was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of possession of a controlled substance while armed (HS 11370.1(A)), possession of a controlled substance (HS 11377(a)) and possession of a controlled substance paraphernalia (HS 11364(a)).

Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.