In what unfolded as a routine traffic stop, Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) officers initiated an encounter that swiftly escalated into an arrest for weaponry and narcotics violations. The incident, occurring yesterday, was triggered when the Special Enforcement Team (SET) pulled over a black Honda Civic at the intersection of Mendocino Avenue and Bicentennial Way. Driving the vehicle was 34-year-old Michael McGarvey, identified as a Santa Rosa local currently on probation for prior offenses.
Officers were permitted, due to the terms of McGarvey's probation, to delve into a quick search of his vehicle. Behind the bland facade of the driver's door panel, they stumbled upon a hidden compartment. Enclosed within were approximately 2.5 grams of what the officers suspected to be narcotics. This discovery led the SRPD to promptly proceed to McGarvey's home at the 2400 block on Dayton Street for a more thorough search.
The SRPD's probe at the residence unveiled equipment hinting at illicit manufacturing activities. Among the findings were two 3D printers, accompanied by six firearm precursor parts, as detailed in an official social media post from Santa Rosa Police. Most disturbing to the officers was the discovery of an unconventional .22 caliber pistol without a serial number or rifled barrel, 3D-printed and tucked away within the concealed innards of a zippered chair cushion.
McGarvey was subsequently arrested, facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges. As noted in the police account, they included possession of an unconventional pistol (PC 31500), possession of firearm precursor parts (PC 23920(b)), use of a 3D printer to manufacture such parts without proper licensing (PC 29010), and more. His allegations stretched to include the purposeful creation of a false compartment to secretly store narcotics (H&S 11366.8(a)), adding layers of violations to his recorded misconduct.
