Menifee traffic stop leads to weapons, drugs, arrest

MENIFEE — A felon was found in possession of a loaded handgun and over an ounce of methamphetamine during a Menifee traffic stop yesterday afternoon, Thursday, Dec. 27. Members of Menifee PD’s Special Enforcement Team who made the discovery later served a search warrant at the driver’s home and uncovered another handgun, ammunition, and “additional drugs,” according to sheriff’s officials.

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Deputies assigned to Menifee PD’s SET conducted the traffic enforcement stop just after 4 p.m., near the intersection of McCall Blvd. and Bradley Rd., Riverside Sheriff’s Sgt. Sam Morovich explained after the traffic stop, search warrant, and arrest.

During that initial stop, deputies discovered the driver, later identified as Freddie Josef Castro, 28, of Menifee, was in possession of a loaded handgun and methamphetamine.

“Officers later served a search warrant at Castro’s residence, located in the 29000 block of Buena Tierra, Menifee,” said Morovich. “Additional drugs, ammunition, and a revolver, were located during the search of the residence.”

Based on their investigation, SET deputies booked Castro into Cois Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance while armed with a loaded weapon, possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, and being a felon in possession of weapons and ammunition. He was also booked on prior state prison enhancements.

Jail records indicate Castro remains in custody on $1 million bail and is scheduled to be arraigned at Riverside’s Hall of Justice, Dec. 31.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact Deputy R. Thornock at the Perris Sheriff Station at (951) 210-1125, or by email. Callers can refer to incident file number ME183610113 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

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Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 47, moved last year to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle, and Anza Valley Outlook; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and Mountain Echo in Shasta 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. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s 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.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 28 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 15 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.