The following is a press released from Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office. The information has not been proven in a court of law and any individuals described should be presumed innocent until proven guilty:
On 12-05-2020 at 11:40 P.M. Mendocino County Sheriff’s Deputies were on routine patrol in the area of Highway 20 at Road A in Redwood Valley, California.
Deputies observed a vehicle traveling westbound on Highway 20 and noted a vehicle registration violation. The Deputies performed a traffic stop on the vehicle and contacted three occupants.
The driver was identified as Anthony Moron, the rear passenger identified himself as Brian Skaggs. The front passenger, who was later released without charges, was on active probation with search terms. There was also a strong odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle.
Deputies searched the vehicle and located a “billy club” in the front passenger compartment. A further search of the vehicle revealed a large amount of processed marijuana, items related to the sales of marijuana and stolen checks.
Christopher Skaggs (verbally identified himself as Brian Skaggs) was searched and found to be in possession of psilocybin mushrooms and a live ammunition cartridge. The Deputies continued their investigation and developed probable cause to believe that Skaggs provided them with a name of another real person (Brian Skaggs) in an attempt to elude prosecution for his suspected crimes.
The Deputies developed probable cause to believe Skaggs was in possession of marijuana for sale as well as possession of psilocybin mushrooms. Skaggs was found to be on active parole.
His Parole Officer was contacted and issued a parole hold for his arrest. Skaggs was found to be a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing ammunition.
Skaggs was arrested for 3056 PC (Felony Parole Violation), 529(a)(3) PC (Felony False Impersonate Another) and 30305 PC (Felony Possession of Ammunition by Prohibited Person). Skaggs was booked into the Mendocino County Jail where he was to be held on a No-Bail status.
Moron was arrested for 22210 PC (Felony Possession of Billy Club Weapon).
Moron was booked into the Mendocino County Jail. In accordance with the COVID-19 emergency order issued by the State of California Judicial Council, bail was set at zero dollars for Moron and he was released after the jail booking process.
Please visit the following link to hear Sheriff Matthew C. Kendall provide a Public Safety Message on the current COVID-19 emergency order related to zero bail:
The third passenger was released from the scene without charges.
