Highway 12 probation search ends in gun find, two gang arrests

A probation investigation in the Sonoma Valley by a Sonoma County sheriff’s deputy turned up a sawed-off shotgun and two valley gang members under court order not to be hanging around each other, according to a sheriff’s official Monday.

The deputy pulled over a Crown Victoria on Highway 12 at Verano Avenue containing three men, all 21 years of Sonoma, and two of them subject to probation searches.

A search of the car Friday afternoon turned up a shotgun with the stock removed and the barrel cut to 12 inches, sheriff’s Sgt. Cecile Focha said.

It was under the front passenger seat where Miguel Gonzalez, was sitting. He also was carrying seven shotgun shells, Focha said.

She said Gonzalez is a known gang member on probation with orders not to associate with other gang members. Deputies arrested him on suspicion of carrying a concealed gun, possessing a short-barreled shotgun, violating his probation and participating in a criminal street gang.

He remained in custody Monday in the Sonoma County Jail in lieu of $26,000 bail.

Passenger Eliseo Garfia, was on probation and not to associate with other gang members. He was arrested, suspected of violating his probation and was released from jail after posting bail.

Driver Jose Jesus Mendoza Gomez wasn’t licensed and had a fake social security card. He was arrested on suspicion of using false citizenship documents and cited to appear in court next week, Focha said.