CLEARLAKE — On Wednesday the Lake County Sheriff”s Office (LCSO) Narcotics Task Force received information that Stephen Patrick Johnson, from the East Bay area, was in possession of an illegal assault rifle. It was also learned that Johnson allegedly detained and beat a female and threatened her with a 9-mm pistol. Johnson had an outstanding arrest warrant, according to the LCSO.
Narcotics Task Force detectives, LCSO SWAT Team members and several patrol deputies went to a home in Clearlake. After knocking and advising their presence, the deputies forced entry and confronted Johnson and his brother, Dreshon Markell Hunter, as they were exiting a bedroom.
In Hunter”s bedroom an SKS assault rifle and a 9-mm pistol, with the serial numbers removed, were located. Also found was a glass smoking pipe commonly used for the ingestion of controlled substances. Hunter is facing weapons charges in Oakland. Johnson is a convicted felon with a prior history of violence, making it illegal for him to be in a residence with firearms and ammunition.
Johnson and Hunter were transported to Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility where Johnson was booked on charges of inflicting corporal injury/domestic violence, false imprisonment, illegal possession of a firearm with a prior weapon conviction, felon in possession of ammunition, obliterating the serial number on a firearm and his arrest warrant. Johnson”s total bail was set at $565,000. Hunter was booked on charges of possession of an assault weapon, obliterating the serial number on a firearm, and possession of controlled substance paraphernalia. Both remain in custody of the LCSO.
Anyone with information that can assist the task force is encouraged to call the anonymous tip line at 263-3663.
