A Crestline man with a history of drug possession convictions was apprehended once more, this time under the shade of California’s revamped drug legislation. At about 2:09 p.m. on Sunday, deputies from the Twin Peaks Sheriff's Station executed a suspect contact that led to the arrest of Howard Shelton, 56, for possession of suspected methamphetamine. According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department's report, Shelton attempted to discard a clear plastic bag containing a white crystalline substance, suspected to be methamphetamine, by tossing it into nearby bushes.
The suspect was detained, and the deputies recovered the bag, which was found to contain approximately 14 grams of the substance. Subsequent investigation confirmed its identity and reinforced the troubled narrative of the accused, as a records check showed Shelton has multiple previous drug convictions, including for H.S. 11377 - possession of a controlled substance. In light of these past transgressions, Shelton’s encounter with the law elevated to a booking at the Central Detention Center for H.S. 11395, a provision that regards Possession of Controlled Substance with Priors.
This incident comes on the heels of voters passing Proposition 36 on November 5, 2024, also known as "The Homelessness, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act." This measure, which took effect on December 18, 2024, aims to amend aspects of Proposition 47, criticized for exacerbating issues of homelessness, drug addiction, and theft in the state. Proposition 36 enables law enforcement to apply new charges with the potential for enhanced sentencing and restrictions on the cited release of offenders before their court date.
In the case of Shelton, a suspect whose record bespeaks an ongoing battle with drug abuse, these revised legal stipulations may signify a starker reckoning with justice. Deputies exercised their newly endowed authority under Proposition 36, applying it in this arrest where Proposition 36 is applied, as detailed by the department's brief. No information has been disclosed on the potential length of Shelton's sentencing or what rehabilitation accommodations, if any, will be factored into his punishment—underscoring a continuing conversation around the effectiveness of incarceration versus treatment in battling the specter of drug addiction.
The Twin Peaks Sheriff's Station, responsible for the arrest, has provided a reference number (Case No. 052500431) for those seeking more information. Any inquiries can be directed to their office at 909-336-0600.
