August 21, 2026 – Monterey County Sheriff’s Office officials report that a proactive investigation by a Monterey County Deputy led to the arrest of a convicted felon and the seizure of multiple firearms, firearm suppressors, high-capacity magazines, ammunition, firearm manufacturing components, and methamphetamine.
The investigation began after a Monterey County Sheriff’s Office deputy received information that Richard Orin Johnson, a convicted felon, was believed to be in possession of ammunition. The deputy investigated the information and developed probable cause to prepare and obtain a search warrant for Johnson’s residence
On August 19, 2026, deputies contacted Johnson during a traffic stop and took him into custody. Deputies and detectives then served the search warrant at a residence in the 13000 block of Pope Lane.
During the search, deputies located and seized numerous firearms, firearm components, ammunition, and other items. Among the items recovered were:
- Multiple functional handguns, including two Springfield Armory XD pistols and a Smith & Wesson revolver without a serial number
- Unserialized firearms and firearm components commonly referred to as “ghost guns,” including Glock-style components
- Three firearm suppressors
- High-capacity magazines
- Multiple boxes of ammunition and additional loose ammunition
- Firearm conversion kits, 3D-printed firearm parts, jigs used in the completion of unfinished receivers, and other firearm-manufacturing components
- Replica or prop firearms that showed indications of attempted modification or conversion into functional firearms
- A usable quantity of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia
During the investigation, deputies determined that one of the recovered Springfield XD9 handguns had been reported stolen to the Palm Springs Police Department.
Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto stated, “This investigation demonstrates how information provided to deputies, combined with proactive investigative work, can lead to the removal of illegally possessed firearms and ammunition from the community.”
Johnson was transported to the Monterey County Jail and booked on the following charges:
- 24610 P.C. – Manufacture/Possession of an Undetectable Firearm
- 29180(f) P.C. – Assemble Firearm Without a Serial Number
- 29800(a) P.C. – Felon in Possession of a Firearm
- 32310(a) P.C. – Possession of a High-Capacity Magazine
- 30305(a) P.C. – Felon in Possession of Ammunition
- 33410 P.C. – Possession of a Silencer
- 11377(a) H&S – Possession of Methamphetamine
- 11364(a) H&S – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- 496(a) P.C. – Possession of Stolen Property
Bail was set at $55,000.00
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to investigating prohibited persons who unlawfully possess firearms, ammunition, or other weapons and taking appropriate enforcement action when probable cause exists. These proactive investigations are an important part of our ongoing efforts to keep our communities safe and prevent illegally possessed firearms and other dangerous weapons from being used to harm others.
Source & photo: Monterey County Sheriff’s Office
