The following is a press release issued by the 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 07-12-2021 at 2:40 A.M., Mendocino County Deputy Sheriff’s were on routine patrol when they observed an adult male riding a bicycle in the 1200 block of South State Street in Ukiah, California.
The Deputies observed a lighting violation on the bicycle. The Deputies performed a traffic stop and contacted the adult male subject, who they identified as Jose Ayala.
As the Deputies were talking to Ayala, they developed probable cause to believe he was under the influence of a controlled substance.
The Deputies attempted to administer field sobriety tests; however Ayala refused to cooperate with their investigation.
The Deputies developed probable cause to search Ayala’s person and they located a clear plastic bag containing a white crystalline substance. Through their training and experience, the Deputies believed the white crystalline substance to be methamphetamine.
Ayala was detained in handcuffs and the Deputies completed the search of Ayala’s person and backpack. The Deputies located a loaded, semiautomatic handgun in Ayala’s possession.
A Ukiah Police Department officer arrived on scene and assisted with the search. Another clear plastic bag was located on Ayala’s person. This plastic bag contained a commercial quantity of suspected methamphetamine.
Ayala was arrested for 11370.1(A) HS (Felony Possession of Controlled Substance While Armed With Loaded Firearm), 11378 HS (Felony Possession Of Controlled Substance For Sale), 11379 HS (Felony Transportation Of Controlled Substance For Sale), 12022(A)(1) PC (Felony Armed While In Commission Of Felony) and 25850(A) PC (Felony Carry Loaded Firearm In Public Under Specific Circumstances).
Ayala was transported to the Mendocino County Jail where he was to be booked on the listed charges.
During the reception process, Corrections Deputies located a commercial quantity of prescription or counterfeit prescription pills on Ayala’s person.
Ayala was to be booked on the additional charges of 4573 PC (Felony Smuggle Controlled Substance Into Jail), 11351 HS (Felony Possession Of Controlled Substance/Narcotic For Sale), 11352 HS (Felony Transportation Of Controlled Substance/Narcotic For Sale).
Ayala was subsequently cited and released by Corrections staff as a Pre-Trial condition after the jail booking process was completed.
