Three people were arrested after explosives were found in their car in Yucca Valley and home in Johnson Valley. Sheriff’s Deputy Carlos said Saturday, June 18 at 10:09 a.m. while on proactive patrol near the intersection of Twentynine Palms Highway and Old Woman Springs Road, he conducted a traffic stop on a white Ford Taurus for vehicle code violations.
The driver was identified as David Russell, 50, and the passenger was identified as Jeffrey Russell, 46. While the suspects claimed to be sovereign citizens, a records check identified both subjects as prohibited from owning or possessing firearms. Deputies found live ammunition, black gun powder, and an improvised military-grade explosive device inside the vehicle. The Sheriff’s Bomb and Arson Division was notified and safely disposed of the device in the nearby Paxton wash.
Continuing to investigate, deputies learned additional explosives were located on a property in Johnson Valley, and a search warrant was obtained. Investigators served the search warrant on a remote sovereign citizen compound in Johnson Valley. Venus Mooney, 54, was detained and a search was conducted. Additional military-grade explosives, ammunition, and firearms were found. Bomb and Arson Division handled the explosive devices and properly disposed of them.
David Russell, Jeffrey Russell, and Venus Mooney were arrested and booked at the Morongo Basin jail for investigation of possession of an explosive device and possession of a controlled substance while armed. The three suspects are being held without bail, pending a court appearance.
