Full Notification

The Towns of Apple Valley, Victorville City, Hesperia City, and the City of Adelanto provided funding for Operation Desert Guardian.  San Bernardino County First District Supervisor Lovingood also allocated funds to support Desert Guardian for a total of 20 operations.  The budget allowed for eight deputies (two from the four high desert stations), one deputy from the High Desert Detention Center Transportation, one dispatcher from Desert Dispatch and one sergeant from the Victor Valley Station.
The Mission was to conduct criminal suppression operations and high visibility enforcement in the Victor Valley region during the summer months. This was done with the goal in mind of making the residents of the Victor Valley feel safer by arresting criminals and conducting high-profile patrol operations.
The High Desert area was the general target area.  Specifically, the cities of Hesperia, Apple Valley, Adelanto, and Victorville.
Operation Desert Guardian began in Hesperia on Friday, June 2, 2017.  Criminal suppression operations continued on multiple Friday and Saturday nights, with its conclusion on Saturday, September 16^th.    

• Victorville City Operations
  • Five Desert Guardian Operations.
  • 632 proactive contacts.
  • 232 arrests. (44 Felony – 188 Misdemeanor)
  • 102 Open Charge Arrests (pending review by the District Attorney’s Office)
  • 11 Probation/Parole arrests.
  • Five AB 109 related arrests.
  • 16 gang cards documenting gang members.
  • 20.51 grams of methamphetamine seized.
  • 2.0 grams of cocaine seized.
  • 4.0 grams Heroin/PCP seized.
  • Three stolen vehicles recovered. One suspect in custody.
  • 13 firearms seized.
  • Two Knives/Knuckles
  • 107 citations issued

 

• Hesperia Operations
  • Five Desert Guardian Operations.
  • 706 proactive contacts.
  • 179 arrests. (37 Felony –142 Misdemeanor).
  • 89 open charge arrests. (pending review by the District Attorney’s Office)
  • 11 Probation/Parole arrests.
  • Nine AB109 related arrests.
  • 27 gang cards documenting gang members.
  • 20.36 grams of methamphetamine seized.
  • 24.33 grams of cocaine seized.
  • 0.59 grams of Marijuana seized.
  • 1.0 grams of Heroin/PCP seized.
  • August 19^th -  Search Warrant served resulting in the seizure of over 300 various narcotic pills, approximately 20 grams of Marijuana honey oil and over $30,000.00 in cash.
  • Three stolen vehicles recovered. One suspect arrested.
  • Two firearms seized.
  • 75 citations issued.
• Adelanto
  • Five Desert Guardian Operations.
  • 747 proactive contacts.
  • 223 arrests. (32 Felony – 191 Misdemeanor)
  • 97 Open Charge arrests (pending review by the District Attorney’s Office)
  • 19 Probation/Parole arrests.
  • Nine AB109 related arrests.
  • 15 gang cards documenting gang members.
  • 13.5 grams of methamphetamine seized.
  • One pound of marijuana seized.
  • 80 various narcotic pills seized.
  • Six stolen vehicles recovered – 5 arrests made  
  • Five firearms seized.
  • 78 citations issued.
  • Information received on September 1^st led to the arrest of homicide suspect, Johnny Brown.
• Apple Valley Operations
  • Five Desert Guardian Operations.
  • 768 proactive contacts.
  • 200 arrests. (37 Felony – 163 Misdemeanor)
  • 80 open charge arrests.  (pending review by the District Attorney’s Office)
  • 11 Probation/Parole arrests.   
  • 12 AB 109 related arrests.
  • 21 gang cards documenting gang members.
  • 17 grams of methamphetamine seized.
  • 2.7 grams of cocaine seized.
  • 1.0 gram of Heroin/PCP seized.
  • One firearm seized.
  • Three knives/knuckles seized.
  • One stolen vehicle recovered
  • 53 citations issued.

 

•  Grand Totals:
  • 20 Desert Guardian Operations.
  • 2,853 proactive contacts.
  • 834 arrests (150 Felony – 684 Misdemeanor)
  • 368 open charge arrests.
  • 52 Probation/Parole arrests.
  • 35 A.B. 109 related arrests
  • Information received on September 1^st led to the arrest of homicide suspect, Johnny Brown.
  • 79 gang cards
  • 21 firearms seized. Several firearms were found to have been reported stolen.
  • Five knives/knuckles seized.
  • Approximately 71.37 grams of methamphetamine seized.
  • Approximately 29.03 grams of cocaine seized.
  • Approximately 1.59 pounds of marijuana seized.
  • Approximately 6.0 grams of heroin/PCP seized.
  • Approximately 20 grams of Marijuana honey oil seized.
  • 400 narcotic pills seized.
  • 13 stolen vehicles recovered.
  • Over $30,000.00 in cash seized.
  • 313 citations issued.

“We are very fortunate to have the support of the Board of Supervisors which, allows us to conduct these proactive enforcement operations. Twenty-one firearms were seized, making the streets a little safer for residents.  Public safety continues to be a priority for all of us.” stated Sheriff John McMahon
 
Full video of press conference available at:  https://youtu.be/EhQDw4A_QD0  

Refer:              Public Affairs Division
 
Phone No.:     (909) 387-3700
 
 JOHN MCMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department