LAKE COUNTY — A probation search conducted by the Sheriff”s Narcotics Task Force in Lakeport Tuesday resulted in four arrests and the seizure of narcotic medications and narcotics paraphernalia.
On Tuesday at approximately 6:30 p.m., narcotics detectives conducted a probation search at the Polk Street home of Vince Edward Mussat, 31.
Mussat was on formal probation for a prior narcotics conviction. Uniformed sheriff”s patrol deputies and officers with the Lakeport Police Department assisted with the probation search.
As deputies approached the home, a woman started to open the front door and then slammed it shut when she saw law enforcement approaching. That woman was later identified as Tasha Lorraine Cattani, 30, of Lucerne.
The deputies immediately announced their presence and demanded entry to the home. After getting no response, deputies began attempting to force entry until Cattani eventually opened the door. She was detained in the livingroom while the rest of the home was searched for additional occupants.
While checking one of the bedrooms, deputies located a concealed door leading to the subfloor crawl space of the home. When deputies searched the crawl space, they located Richard Brendon Hinds, 31, and Michael Sean Shaffer, 27, both of Lucerne, hiding beneath the house. Both Hinds and Shaffer were on CDC parole and Shaffer was wanted for being a parolee at large. Both were placed under arrest.
A fourth subject, Michael Joseph Santos, 29, of Lakeport, was located near the back of the home. Santos was later determined to be under the influence of a controlled substance and arrested.
A search of the home revealed several glass meth pipes and hypodermic syringes located in one of the bedrooms. More narcotics paraphernalia was located inside of a backpack in the livingroom.
Cattani admitted to slamming the door on deputies because she knew Shaffer was in the home and that he was a wanted parolee at large. After she was arrested for being an accessory to a crime, she divulged to detectives that she had Vicodin pills concealed in her bra. She was allowed to remove a small pouch, which contained several of the narcotic medications.
All four subjects were transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility for booking. Hinds and Shaffer were both booked for parole violations and resisting or obstructing a peace officer. Cattani was booked for accessory to a crime, possession of a narcotic controlled substance, and resisting or obstructing a peace officer. Santos was booked for being under the influence of a controlled substance. Vince Mussat was not located at the home during the search.
The Sheriff”s Narcotics Task Force will continue its efforts to eradicate narcotics from the communities of Lake County and seize the suspected profits of drug trafficking for asset forfeiture whenever possible. Anyone with information that can assist the Task Force is encouraged to call the anonymous tip line at 263-3663.
