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Friday's Internet Edition, November 21, 2008.
Weapons cache discovered near Galt
Probation search recovers 31 guns
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Michael James Sutton, 56, of Galt was arrested for illegal possession of 31 guns and four grams of methamphetamine at his Christensen Road home last Wednesday.
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By Rachael Ackerman
Herald Editor
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Making sure Sacramento County probationers and parolees adhere to the conditions of their release could be a full time job in Galt, if the department had the resources to hire additional officers.
Instead, police continue to work cooperatively with outlying agencies, following tips and conducting regular probation searches in and around the city when the opportunity arises, and initiating as much proactive investigation, on overtime, in the meantime as possible.
Adding to a mounting list of weapons, drug and gang violations recently discovered with Galt area probationers, detectives recovered 31 guns and four grams of methamphetamine in a Christensen Road home just outside of Galt last Wednesday.
Galt area resident Michael James Sutton, 56, was arrested on weapons and drug charges, including a federal offense for possession of a fully automatic pistol. He was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail.
According to Galt Police Sergeant Craig Walton, while in the area conducting routine compliance checks on probationers with the Sacramento County Probation Department, police got a tip that there was criminal activity going at the residence located at 14100 Christensen Road, one of 30 locations already on the radar for a visit that day.
Upon search, police discovered more than 30 weapons, including a fully automatic pistol and other assault weapons in the home and outlying buildings of the property.
In addition to the weapons and ammunition, police also discovered four grams of methamphetamine, said Walton.
“When the fully automatic pistol showed up, things changed significantly,” said Walton. “Now we’re talking big boy jail, with no bail.”
Walton said the pistol was reported stolen, but had been modified to become fully automatic after being stolen. According to Walton, possession of a fully automatic weapon is a federal offense, punishable, even on a first time offense, by up to 20 years in prison.
“These things shoot about 30 rounds in 30 seconds,” said Walton. “Only the SWAT team carries a fully automatic. It is a dangerous weapon that is impossible to control, that has no use as a firearm.”
Walton said the weapons cache, which likely includes weapons stolen from area homes, also included a variety of antique weapons and guns that obviously had sentimental value, if not monetary value, to former owners.
“There are probably thousands of dollars in antique guns, in addition to thousands of other guns,” said Walton. “If they come up reported stolen and owners can be identified, they will be returned. Otherwise, any unclaimed weapons will be destroyed.”
Although pleased with making progress through probation and parole search joint efforts, Walton said, if the Galt Police Department had the resources to hire more officers, the department could be even more proactive in following leads and conducting more compliance searches.
“We have just enough staff to run the streets,” said Walton. “There just aren’t enough officers to expand the proactive investigations. The officers are working on overtime a lot of the time as it is.”
Walton said passage of the proposed retail sales tax initiative could be the answer to even greater success with investigations.
“We need additional gang and drug officers,” said Walton. “The majority of what we are dealing with is drug related and gang related. The sales tax money is not to give officers more money. It is to hire more officers and put more officers on the street.”
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