Pair arrested on drug, weapons charges in Santa Rosa
Published: Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 7:49 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 7:49 a.m.
A Santa Rosa gang member, out of prison and under the scrutiny of police detectives, was jailed Wednesday on suspicion of gun and drug charges.
Mario Ochoa-Gonzalez, 26, had been out of prison for less than a year and living in Santa Rosa, said Sgt. Ray Navarro.
Because of his parole status and gang affiliation, detectives were watching him for signs of criminal activity, Navarro said.
They pulled him over Wednesday afternoon as he drove in west Santa Rosa. They also stopped the car directly behind him, registered to Ochoa-Gonzalez and driven by his girlfriend.
She was carrying about two ounces of methamphetamine, Navarro said.
Detectives also searched the couple's St. Paul Drive apartment where they found a handgun, heroin, more than a half-pound of methamphetamine and more than $5,000 cash, said Navarro, who supervises gang investigations.
Ochoa-Gonzalez has been known to Santa Rosa police since his teen years for incidents that include an arrest at 16 on suspicion of involvement in a gang-related homicide.
He was one of five defendants in the murder trial. Four were convicted of murder. Ochoa-Gonzalez was acquitted, but convicted of being an accessory after the fact.
He served at least three years in state prison, was released, then sent back after getting into trouble again, Navarro said.
Since his latest release, detectives contend he's been an active gang member and involved in drug sales.
Ochoa-Gonzalez now is being held without bail in the Sonoma County Jail on a parole hold.
He's due in court today for arraignment on the felony charges, including being a felon with a gun, possessing dangerous drugs for sale and acting as a gang member.
Elena Rae Ontiveros, 23, also was set to appear in court on suspicion of possessing heroin and meth for sale, transporting narcotics, conspiracy to commit a felony and acting as a gang member.
She remained in custody Thursday in lieu of $60,000 bail.
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