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 12-07-2020 at approximately 11:18 P.M. a Mendocino County Sheriff’s Deputy was on routine patrol in the 6300 block of North State Street in Redwood Valley, California.
The Deputy conducted a vehicle check on a vehicle which was parked on the side of the road with one male at the trunk of the vehicle.
The Deputy approached the vehicle and asked the male if everything was alright. The male quickly got back into the passenger side of the vehicle.
The Deputy contacted the driver of the vehicle and asked if everything was alright.
While talking to the driver of the vehicle the Deputy noticed a person in the back seat of the vehicle. The Deputy requested the driver to roll down the back window for officer safety. When the driver rolled the window down the Deputy observed an open bottle of alcohol inside the vehicle.
The Deputy requested the response of a backup Deputy and advised the occupants of the vehicle they were being detained for an open container inside the vehicle.
Once back-up arrived the Deputy had the juvenile female driver exit the vehicle. The female was searched with no contraband being found.
The Deputy then had the rear passenger on the driver’s side of the vehicle exit. The male juvenile was searched and when the Deputy was searching the male juvenile he observed a firearm sticking out from under the driver’s seat.
The Deputy advised other Deputies on scene and a total of four occupants of the vehicle were detained in handcuffs.
The male subject who was first noticed at the trunk of the vehicle was identified as being Dreven Valencia. The three other occupants of the vehicle were juveniles (one female and two males).
A search of the vehicle was conducted and an AA Arms Semi-Automatic 9mm pistol was located with a high capacity magazine. The firearm serial number was checked by Mendocino County Dispatch and it was determined the firearm was reported stolen from Ventura County, California.
During the investigation it was determined the two juvenile males and Valencia were associated with a Criminal Street Gang. One male juvenile was also on felony probation with terms to obey all laws and do not associate with gang members.
Valencia was placed under arrest for 186.22 PC [Participate in Criminal Street Gang], 182(a)(1) PC [Conspiracy], 25800(a) PC [Carry Loaded Firearm], 25400(a)(1) PC [Carry Concealed Firearm in Vehicle], 496(a) PC [Receiving Stolen Property].
Valencia was subsequently booked into the Mendocino County Jail where he was to be held in lieu of $25,000.00 bail.
The two juvenile males and juvenile female were arrested and booked into the Mendocino County Juvenile Hall.
