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:
Recovered Stolen Handgun 
Lawrence Lawson 
Suspected Methampetamine
On 11-08-2021 at about 6:35 PM Round Valley Tribal Police requested the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office’s assistance on a traffic stop on Mina Road near Agency Road in Covelo, California.
Round Valley Tribal Police had conducted a traffic stop and contacted the driver, Lawrence Lawson, who was found to have an out of county felony warrant for his arrest.
During the stop Tribal Police Officers also noticed a firearm in the vehicle, which was found to be a loaded Glock 19 semi-automatic handgun.
As a Sheriff’s Deputy began responding to Covelo, they confirmed the out of county warrant and that Lawson was on PRCS (county parole) with numerous terms to include search and seizure and to obey all laws. Sheriff’s Office Dispatch further confirmed Lawson was a convicted felon and prohibited from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition.
Tribal Police Officers searched Lawson prior to detaining him in the back of their patrol vehicle and found him to be in possession of a live 12-gauge shotgun shell.
Tribal Police Officers further secured the Glock 19 which was found to be loaded with 14 live rounds inside a 17 round magazine. A records check of the firearm showed it had been reported stolen from Napa, California.
When the Deputy arrived a search of the vehicle was conducted. Inside the vehicle, the Deputy located more various caliber ammunition.
The Deputy also found a clear plastic baggie containing a white crystal type substance, suspected to be methamphetamine, behind the driver’s seat. The substance and packaging later weighed approximately 8.2 grams.
Lawson was arrested and booked into the Mendocino County Jail on the listed charges, where he was to be held on a No Bail status due to the out of county arrest warrant.
