RIVERSIDE: Warrant uncovers child, 7, with access to weapons, narcotics, prescription drugs

RIVERSIDE — A 7-year-old boy was taken into protective custody and the child’s father was arrested Wednesday, Feb. 28, after authorities serving a narcotics sales-related search warrant found several firearms, including two illegal assault weapons, a substantial amount of illegal narcotics and prescription medications. The search warrant was served at the man’s home on the 9300 block of Shamouti Drive, in Riverside’s Orangecrest neighborhood.

As a result of the investigation, detectives arrested Timothy Werley, 24, of Riverside. He was booked into Robert Presley Detention Center Riverside for nine felonies and two misdemeanors, including possession of illegal narcotics for sales, weapons violations, two counts of possession of stolen property and child endangerment. He was also booked on an outstanding felony warrant.

Detectives arrested David Werley after finding him in possession of weapons, illegal narcotics and prescription drugs. RPD photo

Officials collected a substantial amount of illegal narcotics and prescription drugs. RPD photo

Riverside Police Department’s Narcotics Unit served the warrant at Werley’s home after developing information regarding drug sales occurring at the residence, Riverside Officer Ryan J. Railsback explained after the arrest. Based on that information, detectives obtained and served a search warrant at the house. They were assisted by the department’s Gang and Vice Units as well as Technical Services Unit, or bomb squad.

While searching the residence detectives located and seized “numerous firearms, including two, illegal assault weapons and a variety of narcotics that included LSD, cocaine, psilocybin – commonly known as shrooms, thousands of Xanax pills, hundreds of Norco and Tramadol pills, and a significant amount of Fentanyl,” Railsback explained.

During the warrant service bomb squad members were summoned to assist by using “laser testing devices to identify the Fentanyl and other narcotics,” said Railsback.

“Fentanyl is a dangerous and powerful Schedule II narcotic, which can be up to 50 times stronger than heroin,” Railsback explained. The drug can be absorbed through the skin, inhaled or injected, and can be deadly in very low doses.

Because of Fentanyl’s serious dangers and the risk of cross-contamination, depending on what form the drug is found in, many law enforcement agencies require a Haz-Mat response and cleanup overseen by Department of Environmental Health after it has been located.

Officials determined Werley’s young son was staying at the house with his father and had access to the narcotics and firearms. “The County of Riverside Child Protective Services was contacted and assisted with the investigation, eventually removing the child from this potentially dangerous situation,” said Railsback.

Anyone with information about this investigation is encouraged to contact Detective N. Asbury at (951) 353-5217.

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, who recently moved from Riverside County to Shasta County, runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for Riverside County based newspapers Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.