riversideca.gov

TRAFFIC STOP LEADS TO ARRESTS OF DRUG TRAFFICKERS

Published: 02/17/2023




TRAFFIC STOP LEADS TO ARRESTS OF DRUG TRAFFICKERS

 

RIVERSIDE, CA – Recently on Saturday, January 28, 2023, two patrol officers assigned to the Riverside Police Department’s Field Operations Division conducted a traffic stop at Magnolia Avenue and Park Sierra Drive on a Jeep Grand Cherokee.  While contacting the driver, they observed a handgun in plain view, and then learned he was currently on probation out of Riverside County.  The officers conducted a lawful search of the driver and vehicle where they located a significant quantity of suspected methamphetamine, cocaine, ecstasy, and fentanyl, along with a second handgun, ammunition, scale, and large sum of money. 

 

38-year-old Nathan Rena Johnson was arrested and booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center for various drugs, weapons, and probation violations.  He was released just several hours later on $100,000 bail.

 

Detectives with our Narcotics Unit continued this investigation and obtained a search warrant for a related house in the 27000 block of Basalt Way, located in the city of Moreno Valley.  On Wednesday, February 8th, they, along with the METRO Team and two patrol officers, served the search warrant at the residence.  They located a large amount of suspected methamphetamine and cocaine, three semi-automatic handguns, three rifles, various caliber ammunition, and other items indicia of illegal narcotics trafficking.  As a result, two additional suspects were arrested. 

 

38-year-old Marcus Cole Carpenter was booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center for various drugs and weapons violations, and violation of his parole.  He is still in custody on 1 million dollars’ bail.  34-year-old Patricia Duprea Grayes was booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center for various drugs and weapons violations.  She was released later the same day on $35,000 bail. Due to both suspects possessing illegal narcotics and unsecured weapons that were easily and readily accessible in this house where they live together with three children, charges of child endangerment were included and Riverside County Child Protective Services was contacted.

 

“Our patrol officers are out every shift, every day being proactive in their constant efforts to rid our neighborhoods of criminal activity,” said Captain Chad Milby, who oversees the police department’s Field Operations Division.  “Whether the current laws will hold a drug dealer who peddles these illegal drugs accountable or not, our officers and detectives will continue utilizing all available resources to keep our community safe from these dangerous felons.”

 

If you suspect illegal drug activity in your Riverside neighborhood, you can submit an anonymous tip by downloading the Riverside Police Department’s “Atlas 1” mobile app and utilizing the “Send a Message” feature to send us the information.  Our app can be downloaded at:

 

 



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