“Ghost gun” felon has additional charges added after suspected explosives found
A Yucca Valley man with several arrests for investigations into weapons charges is now facing additional felony charges after suspected explosives were found in his home.
On Wednesday (December 17) at around 3:30 p.m., San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of Twentynine Palms Highway and Kickapoo Trail in Yucca Valley. Deputies say a child inside of the car was not secured in a car seat. Deputies identified the driver as James Gagnon, 47, who is a convicted felon. Deputies say that Gagnon was found to be in possession of a rifle and an unserialized handgun, also known as a ghost gun. Gagnon is out on bail from a previous weapons-related arrest and was taken into custody.
Deputies continued their investigation into Gagnon, and searched his residence where they say they found several rounds of ammunition, rifle magazines, suspected controlled substances, and suspected explosive materials. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Bomb and Arson Detail responded to the residence and recovered the suspected explosive materials.
James Gagnon was arrested for weapons charges and is being held at the West Valley Detention Center. He was arraigned in San Bernardino County Superior Court on Monday (December 22) on eight charges of possessing a destructive device in a private habitation, two charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm, one charge of being felon in possession of a tool for felony intent, two charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and one count of possessing a controlled substance while armed. He is facing enhancements for prior felony convictions and committing a crime while on bail. He pled not guilty to all 14 charges.
This is the third time Gagnon has been arrested for investigation into weapons charges this year. He was arrested in Yucca Valley on November 12 as part of the Sheriff Department’s Operation Consequences.
