Full Notification

Public Information Release
August 3, 2012
Sergeant Steve Brooks, Public Information Officer


The service of a search warrant by the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force has resulted in two arrests, the seizure of 1.5 ounces of methamphetamine and the recovery of stolen property.

On July 26, 2012 narcotics detectives secured a search warrant for the person, home and vehicle of 40 year old Richard James Mills of Kelseyville. Later that day at approximately 4:10 pm, narcotics detectives located Mills driving his vehicle on Parallel Drive in Lakeport. With the assistance of a patrol deputy, detectives conducted an enforcement stop on Mills’ vehicle on Highland Springs Road. Mills and his passenger, 25 year old Trenton Lee Newton of Lakeport, were detained without incident.

During an interview with detectives, Newton admitted to having narcotics concealed in his groin area. Newton removed a black case and a translucent capped plastic canister from the front of his jeans. The containers contained 8 baggies of prepackaged methamphetamine, which had a combined weight of approximately 1.5 ounces of methamphetamine. The containers also contained a digital scale, 7 hypodermic needles, a glass pipe, two metal spoons coated with suspected methamphetamine and a sheet of paper with a list of pay/owes. Mills admitted that the methamphetamine located on Newton belonged to him.

During a search of Mills’ vehicle, detectives located an I Pad computer which was reported to be stolen. Detectives also located and seized $1,461.00 in US currency from Mills, which is pending asset forfeiture proceedings.

Mills was arrested for possession of a controlled sub stance for sale, transportation of a controlled substance, possession of stolen property, possession of hypodermic needles and for being under the influence of a controlled substance. Newton was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, under the influence of a controlled substance and concealing or destroying evidence.

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.