Stuck truck in Mt. Shasta leads to felon’s illegal weapons arrest – Second suspect also arrested
MT. SHASTA, Calif., — Authorities say a suspicious vehicle and trespassing investigation of an SUV found stuck on railroad-owned property led to the arrest of a felon and other subject after two firearms, ammunition, and methamphetamine were discovered inside the couple’s vehicle Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 25.
Multiple other items associated with drug trafficking, including weight scales, packaging, vacuum sealers, containers, and more were also seized as a result of the arrests, according to officials.
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Tuesday’s investigation began around 3:10 p.m. after a Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Sergeant conducting routine patrol in the Mt. Shasta area spotted a 1990 Chevrolet Blazer occupied by a man that appeared to be stuck on railroad-owned property, SCSO has since said of the incident and arrest.
After making his way up to where the Chevy was stuck and making contact with the driver, since identified as Jorge Lopez-Marquez, 31, of Seattle, the man told the Sergeant his wife, Mackenzie Paulino, had his ID and falsely identified himself as someone else.
Two people were arrested after a suspicious vehicle and trespassing investigation of an SUV found stuck on railroad-owned property led to the seizure of two firearms, ammunition, and methamphetamine, all of which were discovered inside the couple’s vehicle Tuesday afternoon. Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office photos
While the man continued his effort to get his vehicle unstuck, the Sergeant contacted Paulino, who said Lopez-Marquez’s ID had been stolen and that his name was actually Francisco Matinez.
“Suspecting she was lying to him, the Sergeant inquired further about how they knew each other and discovered the two were not even married,” SCSO went on to explain; saying, “The Sergeant called for assistance investigating what was going on.”
Lopez-Marquez was eventually able to get the Blazer unstuck and drove down to where Paulino and law enforcement officers were located. Lopez-Marquez was then asked if he had anything illegal in the vehicle, at which time he told officers he had an AK47 and shotgun inside the vehicle.
After confirming his real name, officials conducted a records check and learned Lopez-Marquez was a convicted felon and therefore prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
During a subsequent search of the Blazer, officials located and seized a loaded Mossberg shotgun and a loaded SKS-style rifle. Officials also located methamphetamine and multiple items associated with drug trafficking.
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Both detained subjects were then searched, at which time officials discovered Paulino was in possession of a methamphetamine smoking pipe and methamphetamine.
Based on their findings, officials arrested both subjects and Paulino and was later cited and released from the scene.
Lopez-Marquez was then transported to the Siskiyou County Jail and booked on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, two counts of carrying a loaded firearm, possession of an assault weapon, and possession of large-capacity magazines.
Online jail records indicate he remains in custody in lieu of $20,000 bail or bond.
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.
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