Observant deputy’s traffic stop leads to two arrests

On Tuesday June 23 a Lassen County deputy sheriff observed a vehicle being driven by Winston Luna. The

deputy knew Luna had a suspended driver’s license and conducted a vehicle stop on Johnstonville Road. During the traffic stop, the deputy located and recovered approximately ½ ounce of methamphetamine, a 9mm firearm with loaded magazine on the floorboard, marijuana and open alcohol containers. Winston Luna and vehicle passenger Michelle Sader were both arrested and booked into the Lassen County Jail.

On Wednesday June 24, the Lassen County investigation team served a search warrant at Luna’s residence in Standish. With the assistance of Modoc County K9 officer Ridgeway and Lassen County K9 officer Meier, narcotics were discovered inside the residence.

Deputies also discovered a possible improvised explosive device — a pipe bomb — in the residence. Deputies pulled out of the residence and requested assistance from the Washoe County Consolidated Bomb Squad. The Standish-Litchfield Fire Department also responded to the scene.

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Members of the bomb squad responded to the scene and examined the device. Bomb squad personal confirmed the device was active, volatile and dangerous. The device was disabled and parts of it were maintained as evidence.

Investigators also recovered narcotics, gunpowder, ammunition, gun magazines and drug sales indicia.

Luna was held on charges including possession of a controlled substance while armed, conspiracy, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, as well as other charges. Luna was held on $1,000,500 bail.

Sader was held on a charge of conspiracy, as well as other crimes with a bail amount of $80,000.

According to a statement from the LCSO, “We want to thank Standish Litchfield Fire and the Washoe County Consolidated Bomb Squad for their assistance in this investigation.”