An unexpected discovery was made by San Bernardino County deputies last Saturday, when they responded to a call about a missing adult in Apple Valley. Deputies arrived at the 21000 block of Pah-Ute Road at approximately 8:04 p.m. During their search, a man bolted from the residence in question, disappearing into the night. While the initial call had nothing to do with the ensuing find, it led deputies to stumble upon possible methamphetamine, prompting them to secure a search warrant for the property, according to the official report from the San Bernardino Sheriff-Coroner Department.
With the warrant executed, the shifting layers of legality within the residence came sharply into focus. Deputies found not just narcotics, but also a cache of illicit items: a stolen vehicle, an unserialized firearm, ammunition, and the initial suspected methamphetamine. Frank Vasquez, a 69-year-old Apple Valley resident, was found at the scene and detained without incident. The layers of contraband in Vasquez's home, unraveling like a spool of unending thread, led to his booking at the High Desert Detention Center on multiple charges, including having a controlled substance while armed, possession of a stolen vehicle, and possession of a firearm and ammunition.
At the crux of this incident is the presence of an unserialized firearm – a "ghost gun." These weapons, known for their lack of traceable serial numbers, are rapidly becoming a focal point in the discourse on gun violence and crime. As reported by the San Bernardino Sheriff-Coroner Department's official release, Vasquez's hold on an unserialized firearm adds another layer of gravity to the charges against him.
After being brought in, Vasquez secured his release on bail, the sum of which has been provided as a temporary key to the shackles laid upon him by the law. The Apple Valley Sheriff’s Station urges anyone with further information on the case to come forward, providing multiple avenues for contact.
