On May 10, 2022, deputies from the Taft Substation and the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division responded to a home in the 27000 block of Tank Farm Road in Taft to conduct a warrant service. The warrant was served in conjunction with the arrest of Joe Barraza, a Taft resident, who was the subject of an ongoing criminal investigation.
Barraza was arrested for an outstanding felony warrant for charges of Assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats, illegal discharge of a firearm, and domestic violence. Barraza was also found to be in possession of two loaded firearms at the time of his arrest.
As a result of the search warrant at Barraza’s residence, deputies located several operable assault rifles, handguns, numerous gun parts, ammunition, and methamphetamine.
Barraza was also arrested for multiple weapons violations, which include possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, carrying a loaded firearm, possession of ammunition by a prohibited person, carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle, possession of a short barreled rifle, possession of a controlled substance, amongst other weapons charges.
Barraza was booked at the Central Receiving Facility.
Anyone with additional information regarding this investigation is requested to contact the Kern County Sheriff’s Office at (661) 861-3110 or Secret Witness (661) 322-4040.
