What began as a traffic stop on Friday led to the seizure of a massive cache of guns, high-capacity magazines, destructive devices and drugs, along with three stolen cars, in Hesperia, law enforcement officials said.
The bust began on the afternoon of Feb. 20, when deputies from the Apple Valley Station Gang Enforcement Team, along with the detective bureau, pulled over a car while following up on an illegal firearms investigation, according the the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
The traffic stop took place in the 11000 block of Fourth Avenue in Hesperia, county booking records show.
The driver, identified as 32-year-old Colin Tanner Fant of Hesperia, was detained without incident, sheriff’s officials said in a written statement. He was found to have an un-serialized firearm, also known as a “ghost gun.”
Further investigation led to a home in the 10400 block of Fourth Avenue, where investigators encountered the second suspect, identified as 30-year-old Michael Anthony Sardegna, according to sheriff’s officials and records.
“[Sardegna] was contacted at the location and found to be in possession of firearms, suspected methamphetamine, destructive devices and high-capacity magazines,” the statement said. “In addition, there were three stolen vehicles located on the property. All items were recovered.”
A photo of evidence released by the sheriff’s department depicted at least 13 long guns, nine pistols and numerous high-capacity magazines.
The specific type of “destructive devices” seized by authorities were not disclosed.
Fant was booked on suspicion of carrying a loaded gun in public, possession of a high-capacity magazine, possession of a stolen vehicle and criminal conspiracy, jail records show. Bail was set at $30,000 pending legal proceedings.
Sardegna was booked on suspicion of possession of drugs while armed and possession of a destructive device. He was being held in lieu of $290,000 bail.
Anyone with any information was asked to contact the Apple Valley Police Department at (760) 240-7400, or Sheriff’s Dispatch at (760) 956-5001. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to the We-Tip hotline at (800) 782-7463.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Guns, drugs, ‘destructive devices,’ stolen cars seized in Hesperia bust
Reporting by Brian Day, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
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