###

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Feb. 19 at about 1 a.m., a Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputy was on patrol near New Navy Base Rd. and Bay St. in Samoa where a vehicle investigation was initiated. While in contact with the vehicle’s occupants, the deputy observed methamphetamine paraphernalia in the vehicle.

The driver, identified as Ronald Patterson, 45, of Eureka, was detained for possession of paraphernalia (H&S 11364(a)) and notified the deputy that there was also an unregistered and loaded handgun in the vehicle.

Patterson admitted that he used methamphetamine and that he was in fact in possession of a loaded firearm in the vehicle.   Patterson also exhibited signs of being under the influence of a central nervous stimulant.  Patterson was subsequently placed under arrest without incident.   He was transported and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for the following charges:

• Carrying a loaded firearm, not registered owner—PC 25850(c)(6)
• Possession of firearm while under the influence—HS 11550(e)
• Possession of 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.