Teen Firearms Fanatic Arrested Leaving Sonoma Park With Loaded Gun in Waistband

A 16-year-old Sonoma Valley boy who bragged about his gun manufacture and modification prowess was arrested last week on weapons charges.

The teen was seen Friday leaving Maxwell Farms Regional Park near Sonoma with a gun in a belt under his shirt, sheriff’s Sgt. Cecile Focha said.

When deputies detained the teen, he admitted having a loaded gun and ammunition in his pockets, Focha said.

The teen bragged about his knowledge about guns and claimed to be an amateur gunsmith, Focha said. He also told the deputies he is a Norteno gang member and carries a gun for protection against Sureno gang members, Focha said.

The teen also said he had become paranoid from smoking marijuana and has sold several guns to people on the street just to get rid of the weapons, Focha said.

There also were videos of the teen shooting guns and photos on Facebook of him holding firearms, Focha said.

Deputies and detectives searched the teen’s home when he said he had more weapons and ammunition there, and found pellet guns modified to shoot .22-caliber bullets and homemade firearms in different stages of construction, Focha said.

Hundreds of rounds of ammunition were removed from the home, Focha said. The teen did not appear to realize the severity of the weapons offenses he admitted and boasted about his popularity because of his ability to produce firearms, Focha said.

The teen was arrested on eight weapons charges and booked into the Sonoma County juvenile hall, Focha said.

--Bay City News