Undercover Weapons Investigation Leads to Martinez Man's Arrest

MARTINEZ, CA - A man was arrested last week in connection with the sale of various firearms to undercover law enforcement agents in Martinez, Contra Costa County sheriff’s officials said today.

Richard Poor, 37, of Martinez, was arrested following an extended investigation by agents with the Contra Costa County Anti-Violence Support Effort, a task force targeting firearm-related violence and crimes, sheriff’s officials said.

The task force, a collaboration of local and federal law enforcement agencies, began investigating him in November for the alleged trafficking of guns. Poor is accused of selling a semi-automatic rifle, a .22-caliber rifle, a sawed-off shotgun and other firearms as well as ammunition to undercover agents during the months-long investigation.

He was arrested on suspicion of illegally transferring firearms and possessing firearms as a felon after search warrants were served at residences in Vallejo and Martinez, sheriff’s officials said.

Poor was booked into Martinez Detention Facility and is being held on $710,000 bail.

--Bay City News