The Lake County Sheriff”s Office (LCSO) Community Recovery Unit arrested five individuals at two locations in Clearlake Oaks that had reportedly been the objects of numerous visits by law enforcement during 2007.
Incident No. 1
* Lacey Blesio, age 25 — possession of drug paraphernalia, being under the influence of a controlled substance
* Anthony Pierce, age 25 — possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance, destruction or concealment of evidence and bringing a controlled substance into a correctional facility
Investigating Sergeant Brian Martin reported that on Wednesday, Jan. 9, Sgt. Chris Chwialkowski and Deputy Rich Ward, members of the Community Recovery Unit (CRU), along with deputies John Gregore and Joe Dutra, responded to the residence of Lacey Blesio and Anthony Pierce in the 12000 block of Lakeland Street. Blesio was on probation as a result of a prior court conviction.
Upon their arrival, the deputies contacted Blesio and Pierce inside the residence. Two large dogs were in the house and Pierce took them to a back bedroom to secure them. While in the bedroom, Pierce reportedly threw some drug paraphernalia out the bedroom window. The drug paraphernalia was recovered and Pierce was subsequently arrested. During a search of Pierce”s person after the arrest, he was found to be in possession of what Sgt. Chwialkowski recognized to be methamphetamine.
Deputy Ward detected a chemical odor in the air inside the residence. He believed that the odor was the smell of freshly smoked methamphetamine. Further investigation revealed that Blesio was under the influence of a controlled substance. A search of her residence also revealed that she was in possession of drug paraphernalia.
Blesio was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia, being under the influence of a controlled substance. Pierce was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance, destruction or concealment of evidence.
Both Blesio and Pierce were booked into custody at the Lake County Jail. During a booking search, a small amount of marijuana was found in Pierce”s possession, which led to an additional charge of bringing controlled substance into a correctional facility.
Incident No. 2:
* April Johnson, age 28 — possession of a controlled substance, destruction or concealment of evidence, trespassing, unlawful removal of lawful notification and delaying or resisting a peace officer
* Kelin Davis, age 33, of Vallejo — trespassing
* Prentice Thompson, age 38, of Oakland — trespassing, delaying or resisting a peace officer
On the evening of Thursday, Jan. 10, Sgt. Chwialkowski and Deputy Ward responded to the 13000 block of Ebb Tide Village in Clearlake Oaks. Lake County Code Enforcement Officer Allison Garrett informed them that a residence on that street had been served with a Notice of Nuisance or “Red Tag” on Dec. 18, 2007.
This residence was posted because the residence was deemed to be uninhabitable due to there being no water service provided at the residence. When there is no water service to a residence, use of the residence becomes unlawful because County Code Section 9-17.2 requires that there be a means for the disposal of sewage. A residence that lacks the proper methods for disposal of sewage can pose significant health and safety problems for anyone who occupies it and those who live near it.
Deputy Ward and Sgt. Chwialkowski knocked on the door to the residence. They found that the Notice of Nuisance had been removed from the residence and there were signs that the residence was currently in use. Deputies knocked on the door and a male voice answered them from inside. The deputies identified themselves and advised the occupant that occupation of the building was unlawful and they demanded entry. The person inside refused to allow deputies inside the residence and refused to exit the residence. Deputies forced entry where they found the house owner, April Johnson along with Kelin Davis and Prentice Thompson inside.
Johnson admitted that she had removed the Notice of Nuisance and that she had not yet had water service restored. Johnson claimed that she was going to pay the water bill the following day. During the investigation, deputies believe that Johnson attempted to dispose of some drugs in an effort to prevent discovery by law enforcement. Deputy Ward recovered what he recognized to be packaging material for drugs, and a small amount of what appeared to be cocaine.
Johnson, Davis and Thompson were arrested for the above charges at the house and removed from the premises. The investigation into the habitability of the residence is ongoing by County Code Enforcement.
The Lake County CRU is comprised of a sheriff”s deputy and sergeant. Their mission is to work in conjunction with other county agencies, such as Lake County Animal Care & Control, Lake County Code Enforcement and the Lake County Probation Department, to address issues within the community.
Working with other agencies allows a multi-pronged approach to enhance the quality of life in the communities in which the Community Recovery Unit works by developing solutions to ongoing problems, many of which are identified by members of that community.
The ultimate goal of the CRU is to work as a team to ensure a good quality of life for the community by addressing those issues that adversely affect people who reside within the community.
During 2007, the LCSO responded to the Lakeland Street address on 23 different occasions and to the Ebb Tide Village address on 28 different occasions for various reasons ? including reported disturbances, fights, medical assistance calls, warrant services and other incidents.
During some of those calls for service, neighbors in the residential areas expressed concern over the number of times that law enforcement had been called to the same location. At the time of those calls for service, the Community Recovery Unit was not yet in existence.
The CRU was formed with the intent to deliver services to communities and address those issues that adversely affect the quality of life of the citizens of Lake County. Martin reported that “The formation of this unit is sure to enhance and improve conditions in the communities which they serve.”
