On May 4, Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office patrol deputies executed search warrants at residences located in the 2800 block of Park Street and the 2100 block of 13th Street in Eureka. The warrants were issued following an extensive Problem-Oriented Policing investigation targeting suspected illegal firearms trafficking by two previously convicted felons, Stephen Wayne Owens Jr., 45, of McKinleyville and Gordon Dale Briggs Jr., 45, of Eureka.
Deputies successfully located both suspects without incident. During the execution of the search warrants, authorities seized an un-serialized firearm, commonly known as a “ghost gun,” along with ammunition, suspected methamphetamine, digital scales, and drug-related paraphernalia.
Briggs was subsequently arrested and transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility where he was booked for the following charges:
- Felon in Possession of a Firearm—PC 29800(a)(1)
- Felon in Possession of Ammunition—PC 30305(a)(1)
- Possession of an Un-Serialized Firearm—PC 24610
- Possession of a Controlled Substance with a Firearm—HS 11370.1(a)
- Possession of a Large-Capacity Magazine—PC 32310
Owens was also subsequently arrested and transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility where he was booked for the following charges:
- Felon in Possession of a Firearm—PC 29800(a)(1)
- Felon in Possession of Ammunition—PC 30305(a)(1)
- Possession of an Un-Serialized Firearm—PC 24610
- Possession of a Large-Capacity Magazine—PC 32310
- Violation of Probation—PC 1203.2
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia—HS 11395(b)
Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.
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Evidence seized | Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office