Former CoCo Sheriff's Office Volunteer Charged In Illegal Guns Case

CLAYTON, CA — A Clayton resident and former volunteer for the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office pleaded not guilty this week to three felony counts in connection with possession of illegal "ghost guns," the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office said.

John Michael King was arraigned Tuesday in Martinez on two felony counts for possession of assault weapons and one felony count for manufacturing or assembling an unregistered firearm.

The 54-year-old was under investigation for possessing illegal firearms when in early January, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office, along with state and federal authorities, served a search warrant at his home and seized 132 guns, the DA's Office said.

Authorities allege they also found equipment used to manufacture unregistered firearms — or ghost guns — on his property.

Ghost guns are made using do-it-yourself kits where the components needed to make handguns
or rifles are almost complete. Those who buy the kits are often supplied instructions and parts to
complete the manufacturing of fully functional firearms. These untraceable weapons often do not
have unique serial numbers as required by California law.

It is alleged that King illegally manufactured or assembled a .22-caliber rifle and possessed a .223-assault rifle and a .556-pistol.

A sheriff's office spokesperson did not return a request for comment from Patch about where and for how long King served as a volunteer.

The investigation into King started when his ex-wife reported that for years, King was allowed to take thousands of gun parts and ammunition from a sheriff's gun range on Marsh Creek Road, according to The Mercury News.

Other items seized in the search of his home included sheriff's department evidence bags and a Contra Costa sheriff's badge, the newspaper reported.

King remains out of custody on a $200,000 bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 29 in Martinez.