Emery County authorities arrest man wanted in California on gun charges

ORANGEVILLE, Utah — A man wanted in California on several gun charges was taken into custody over the weekend by the Emery County Sheriff’s Office.

According to the probable cause statement, the Emery County Sheriff’s Office received information on Saturday that John Goodrich, 60, was living in a house in Orangeville, located at 145 East 100 South. Additionally, law enforcement discovered there was an outstanding warrant for his arrest in California.

Arrest in Emery County

The probable cause statement says Goodrich was facing numerous gun and drug-related charges in California. Additionally, the probable cause statement also says that Goodrich has “lengthy criminal history with several felony convictions on his record.”

The probable cause statement says his convictions go back as far as 2006, and the most recent in November of last year. He posted bail on the most recent charges he was facing and fled California. Since then, California has issued a $250,000 warrant for his arrest.

After running a criminal background check on Goodrich, the Emery County Sheriff’s Office sought a search warrant to take Goodrich into custody.

Upon entering the home, law enforcement, with the assistance of a K-9 unit, found Goodrich hiding in the bathroom of the master bedroom. The probable cause statement also stated police “could smell a strong odor of marijuana inside.”

During the search for Goodrich, law enforcement discovered several weapons and several rounds of ammunition in plain sight.

A second search warrant

Once Goodrich was in custody, law enforcement sought a second search warrant on the home to “obtain any and all illegal controlled substances, drug paraphernalia, along with any firearms and ammunition,” the probable cause statement read.

During the execution of the second warrant, law enforcement officials found several AR-style rifles, handguns, swords and a flame thrower. 

The probable cause statement further states that an AR-style rifle and a handgun that were found in the bathroom where Goodrich was hiding had ammunition in the chambers.

Additionally, several items of drug paraphernalia were found in the search. That included roughly 4 pounds of marijuana, roughly 1.5 pounds of meth individually packaged. Other items seized included a weighing scale, several items of THC Dab; a homemade THC Dab maker, several parts to build AR style guns.  None of the guns had serial numbers on them, according to the probable cause statement.

There was also nearly $29,000 dollars in cash and bullet proof armor, that were seized during the search.

According to the probable cause statement says Goodrich is facing 27 charges, including 14 charges of possession of a firearm by a restricted person. That charge is a third-degree felony. 

In the probable cause statement, the arresting officer stated that Goodrich should not be released on bail. He pointed out that if there is another encounter with him, it’s more likely it will end with a shooting.

Read more:

• Overnight SWAT standoff ends, suspect caught by K9
• Body of missing Montana man discovered in Emery County

 

 

 

 

 

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