UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The service of two search warrants by the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force on Wednesday resulted in two arrests, the seizure of marijuana and $1,900.
Sgt. Steve Brooks said William Jason Coleman, 53, and Robin Louise Johnson, 54, both of Upper Lake, were arrested for cultivation of marijuana and possession of marijuana for sale.
In August, the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force received information that Coleman had been arrested by the Texas Department of Public Safety for trafficking marijuana, Brooks said.
He said narcotics detectives subsequently conducted an overflight of Coleman’s property and located marijuana growing on the property.
On Sept. 17 narcotics detectives secured a search warrant for Coleman’s person, home and vehicle, and on Wednesday at approximately 8 a.m. detectives served the warrant at Coleman’s home, which is located in the 13000 block of Elk Mountain Road, Brooks said. When detectives entered the property they detained Coleman and Johnson without incident.
Narcotics detectives located and seized 38 large marijuana plants and 1.5 pounds of processed marijuana. Brooks said they also located and seized two firearms and $1,900.
Coleman told detectives that he grew marijuana for five other “patients,” but Brooks said Coleman had a difficult time remembering the names of those patients or where they lived, other than they all lived out of county.
Brooks said Coleman claimed he did not receive money for the marijuana, that he just grew it and gave it away. Coleman also allegedly said that none of the “patients” had ever been to his house or assisted him with the marijuana, even though he claimed to be a caregiver.
Narcotics detectives interviewed Johnson, who claimed that even though she lives with Coleman, she has nothing to do with the marijuana plants at the house, Brooks said.
He said Johnson told detectives that she had her own marijuana grow located on property she owns. Johnson claimed that she was growing the marijuana for “patients” but, like Coleman, could not remember their names. She also said she gives the marijuana away and does not sell it.
As a result of her statement, narcotics detectives secured a search warrant for Johnson’s property, which is located in the 13000 block of White Rock Canyon Road, Brooks said.
On Wednesday at 2 p.m. detectives served the warrant on Johnson’s property. Brooks said they located and seized an additional 51 marijuana plants and a firearm. Detectives were unable to locate any medical recommendations for the marijuana.
Coleman and Johnson were both arrested and transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked, Brooks said.
Bail was set at $15,000 for each of them. Jail records showed that they later posted the required percentage of bail and were released.
The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be contacted through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.