Felon in possession of firearm, armor commits crime while armed

On 03-01-2016 at 7:01 AM Deputies from the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office with assistance from law enforcement personnel from the Mendocino County Major Crimes Task Force, County of Mendocino Marijuana Eradication Team, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the California Department of Justice executed a search warrant at a residence located in the 46000 block of Fisherman Drive in Laytonville, California.

During the execution of the warrant, Nicolas Scarberry was seen to have a handgun in his waistband and was confronted by law enforcement personnel.  Scarberry was given verbal commands, which he failed to follow.

Sheriff's K-9 "Ruddick" was deployed at which time Scarberry was apprehended without injury to the K-9 or law enforcement personnel.  It was later determined that Scarberry was in possession of a loaded handgun.

During a search of the property personnel located over 100 pounds of processed marijuana, an active hash oil lab, processed hash oil, over 1,000 butane canisters, a small amount of heroin, numerous prohibited firearms and bullet resistant body armor.

Johnathan French and Armando Quiroga were contacted at the scene resulting in them being placed under arrest for the manufacturing of hash oil and committing or attempting a crime while armed with a firearm.  French and Quiroga were subsequently booked into the Mendocino County Jail where they were to be held in lieu of $50,000.00 bail.

Scarberry was arrested for possession of hash oil, possession of a controlled substance, manufacturing hash oil, being a felon in possession of a firearm, possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony, felon in possession of body armor and being in possession of prohibited weapons.  Scarberry was booked into the Mendocino County Jail where he was to be held in lieu of $100,000.00 bail.

In addition, the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office has received information that Scarberry may have been involved in the commission of numerous thefts while posing as a law enforcement official.  If you have any information regarding this potential activity then please contact the Sheriff's Office tip line by calling 707-234-2100 or at crimetip@mendocinosheriff.com(mailto:crimetip@mendocinosheriff.com) by email.