22 Arrests Made in RPD’s Multi-Agency Crackdown on Drugs and Stolen Vehicles

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (MJP) — 

A multi-agency operation for those on active parole, probation, or post release community supervision resulted in 22 arrests in Ridgecrest, Buttermilk Acres, and Inyokern.

The Ridgecrest Police Department said on September 8, 2024, the department conducted compliance checks on people who are on either active parole, probation or post release community supervision (AB109) living within Ridgecrest and surrounding areas of Buttermilk Acres and Inyokern.

Police said the primary goal of the compliance checks are to deter criminal activity in the Indian Wells Valley.

The operation was comprised of about 37 law enforcement officers from:

• Ridgecrest Police Department
• Kern County Probation Department
• Wasco Police Department
• Kern County Sheriff’s Department
• Kern County District Attorney’s Office

During the operation, about 29 searches were conducted.

Ridgecrest police said they had about 100 planned targets with 14 non-target contacts, resulting in 22 arrests for various violations.

Police said they seized over 27.5 ounces of methamphetamine, about 27 grams of fentanyl, about two grams of cocaine, $5,350 and several methamphetamine pipes.

Ridgecrest police said two stolen motorcycles were recovered and three search warrants were served.

Those arrested were:

California’s Response to School Threats: Criteria for Student Arrests

• Duran Butler, age 44 – Keep place to sell controlled substances, possess narcotic for sales, possess controlled substance for sales, two counts of possession of stolen vehicle, possession of ammunition, possession of marijuana for sale.
• Amber Kobzeff, age 23 – Keep place to sell controlled substances, possess narcotic for sales, possess controlled substance for sales, two counts of possession of stolen vehicle, possession of ammunition, possession of marijuana for sale.
• Edgar Ruiz, age 35 – Post Release Supervision Warrant/possession of controlled substance, possession of paraphernalia.
• Nicholas Warden, age 39 – Felony burglary warrant, resist/obstruct/delay peace officer.
• Leah Amin, age 37 – Felony burglary warrant, resist/obstruct/delay peace officer.
• Jonathan Stanley-Ratto, age 32 – Felon in possession of ammunition, possession of controlled substance narcotic, possession of burglary tools.

• Joseph Rainwater, age 32 – Felony probation warrant for evading police in a vehicle, post release supervision warrant, misdemeanor warrants, resist/obstruct/delay peace officer.
• Rhonda Gentry, age 34 – Misdemeanor warrants, possession of paraphernalia.
• Jose Gaceta, age 28 – Possession of controlled substance, possession of paraphernalia, probation flash hold
• David Johnson, age 33 – resist/obstruct/delay peace officer.
• Guy Williams, age 44 – Under the influence of a controlled substance, probation flash hold.
• Novio Orozco, age 45 – Possession of controlled substance, possession of paraphernalia.
• Robert Deskin, age 38 – Misdemeanor warrant for resisting arrest and drugs.
• Daniel Miller, age 40 – Misdemeanor warrant for resisting arrest.
• Kody Becker, age 34 – Possession of paraphernalia.
• Alexi Flores, age 29 –Possession of paraphernalia.
• Connor Dean, age 27 – Felony warrant for possession of stolen property, misdemeanor drug warrant.
• Jordyn Reynolds, age 23 – Four misdemeanor warrants for traffic offenses.
• Amber Buffalo, age 40 – Possession of controlled substance, misdemeanor warrants.
• Arthur Herrera, age 37 – Possession of paraphernalia.
• Robert Lawler, age 55 – Possession of controlled substance, possession of paraphernalia, misdemeanor traffic warrant.
• Deborah Grotts, age 28 – Possession of paraphernalia.