CLEARLAKE, Calif. –

A Clearlake man was arrested by Lake County Sheriff’s Narcotic Task Force detectives last week on drug and immigration charges.

Juan Rodriguez-Sandoval, 34, was arrested on Friday, Aug. 5, according to Lake County Sheriff's public information officer Michelle Gonzalez. Gonzalez said the arrest warrant for Rodriguez-Sandoval stemmed from a May 19 undercover drug operation in the city of Clearlake. That operation had involved, according to Gonzalez, a half-ounce sale of methamphetamine and another subject, Michael Tremell Mitchell, 26. Mitchell had been taken into custody by undercover drug agents, as Lake County News has reported.

Clearlake Police, in whose jurisdiction the operation was taking place, wasn't notified of it and after receiving a report of a potential hostage situation sent four officers. They arrived with weapons drawn, with one of the detectives finally telling them they were undercover sheriff's deputies. From that operation Gonzalez said narcotics officers secured a search warrant for Rodriguez-Sandoval’s person, residence and vehicle, which resulted in the seizure of approximately 531 marijuana plants and two firearms. One of the firearms, a .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol, was reported stolen during a burglary in Clearlake, Gonzalez said. During the ongoing investigation, Gonzalez said Rodriguez-Sandoval was identified as being responsible for the illegal marijuana grow and possession of the stolen firearm.

On the afternoon of Aug. 5 the Narcotics Task Force located Rodriguez-Sandoval as he drove northbound on Highway 53 in Clearlake. Gonzalez said narcotics detectives arrested Rodriguez-Sandoval and executed the search warrant. Detectives located a half pound of nonmedical marijuana and $7,321 in cash, Gonzalez said. Rodriguez-Sandoval was arrested for the illegal possession of marijuana for sale and the warrant of arrest in the previous case. Gonzalez said the $7,321 was seized for asset forfeiture. Rodriguez-Sandoval remains in the Lake County Jail on charges of possession of marijuana for sale and cultivation of marijuana. His bail amount is $20,000, but he is being held on a separate no-bail illegal entry immigration hold.

Approximately 531 marijuana plants allegedly were found at the Clearlake, Calif., home of Juan Rodriguez-Sandoval, 34. Two firearms, one of them a .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol allegedly stolen during a burglary, were allegedly found at the Clearlake, Calif., home of Juan Rodriguez-Sandoval, 34.

http://lakeconews.com/content/view/20952/919/