Full Notification

Public Information Release
April 3, 2014
Lieutenant Steve Brooks, Public Information Officer


A vehicle stop conducted by the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force has resulted in one arrest and the seizure of an ounce of methamphetamine.

On April 2, 2014 at approximately 9:14 pm, a narcotics detective noticed a vehicle leaving the Shoreline Shopping Center in Lakeport, which was missing the front driver’s side lighting assembly. The detective followed the vehicle which was traveling southbound on South Main Street. The driver signaled to make a right turn where there was no road to turn onto and then continued traveling in the southbound direction. As they were approaching K-mart, the driver signaled again and moved to the right side of the road well before it would have been appropriate to make the turn. Based on the lighting violation and driving pattern, the detective conducted an enforcement stop.

The detective contacted the driver who was identified as 45 year old Rhae Anne Mills of Clearlake. While explaining the reason for the stop, the detective noticed Mills was extremely nervous and fidgety. When he asked to see her driver’s license, Mills searched through several wallets and bags in her purse but was unable to locate her license. When asked, Mills denied being on probation or parole. The detective noticed Mills was visibly shaking and maintained a rapid speech pattern while talking to her. Based on his observations, the detective believed Mills was under the influence of a controlled substance.

A second detective arrived on scene to assist with the enforcement stop and advised he had previously contacted Mills and knew she was on probation. Mills changed her story and admitted she was on probation with a search clause.

During a search of the vehicle detectives located a small coin purse hidden under the dashboard. Inside the coin purse detectives located four plastic bags which contained a white crystalline substance they recognized to be methamphetamine. One of the bags appeared to contain approximately one ounce of methamphetamine. The other three bags contained smaller amounts which appeared to be packaged for sales. All of the methamphetamine was seized as evidence. Detectives also located $627.00 which was seized pending asset forfeiture proceedings.

Mills was arrested for possession of a controlled substance for sale and transportation of a controlled substance. She was transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked. Mills is currently still in custody and is unable to bail, due to violating the conditions of her probation.

The methamphetamine was later weighed and determined to have a total combined weight of 33.2 grams. Detectives estimated the approximate street value to be $3,320.00 if sold in personal use quantities.

The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force will continue its efforts to eradicate narcotics from the communities of Lake County and seize the suspected profits of drug trafficking for the asset forfeiture whenever possible. Anyone with information that can assist the Task Force with this effort is encouraged to call the anonymous tip line at 263-3663.