Weaverville search warrant leads to bomb squad response after explosive device discovered – Weapons, ammo, drugs seized

WEAVERVILLE, Calif., — Authorities say a search warrant service at a Weaverville home led to a multi-county, multi-agency response that included the Butte County Interagency Bomb Squad after officials discovered a suspected explosive device Jan. 19.

The device, which bomb squad members later confirmed to be a live explosive, was later rendered safe in a controlled detonation, according to the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office. Multiple firearms and ammunition, along with a small amount of methamphetamine, were seized as a result of the warrant service that led to the arrest of a local man.

LEADING THE SCNS HEADLINES:

Redding felon accused of stalking ex sought after shooting at woman’s teenage son

Citizens apprehend Oregon molest suspect after sexual battery of teen girl at Mt. Shasta Mall

Pipe-wielding man who smashed windows & threatened to kill Redding bar patrons arrested

Woman arrested, child taken into protective custody, after probation search at Anderson home

Multi-agency stolen vehicle pursuit and search ends with arrest of Anderson man

Redding search warrant uncovers 4 lbs of meth, illegal firearms – Two arrested

Trinity County sheriff’s investigators and California Highway Patrol officers served the search warrant at a residence and property in the 1400 block of Main Street.

During the service of the warrant, officials discovered small amounts of methamphetamine, a sawed-off shotgun, a short-barreled assault rifle, a .22 caliber rifle, several high-capacity magazines, numerous rounds of rifle ammunition and a suspected homemade explosive device.”

Based on the circumstances, officials requested additional resources to the scene, at which time members of the Butte County Interagency Bomb Squad and Weaverville Fire Department personnel were dispatched to the location.

After responding from Chico, bomb squad members inspected the suspected device, according to TCSO; who later said, “They determined the device was indeed an explosive, took necessary measures to render it safe and secured it for evidence.”

The renter of the residence and a portion of the property, since identified as 34-year-old, Edwin Bruce Heffington, of Weaverville, was later taken into custody and booked into Trinity County Jail on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance, possession of an illegally modified short-barreled shotgun, possession of materials used to manufacture an explosive device, illegal use or possession of an explosive device, and reckless possession of an explosive, destructive device.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office at (530) 623-2611. Callers can refer to incident file number 22-000064 and can remain anonymous.



Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 50, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source (RCNS) and Shasta County News Source (SCNS).

Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers Valley News, Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; the Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County; and Mountain Echo in Shasta County. He is also a regular contributor to Thin Blue Line TV and Law Enforcement News Network and has had his stories featured on news stations throughout the Southern California and North State regions.

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 30 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 18 grandchildren.