A routine traffic stop on Soledad Canyon Road on Monday turned into a weapons arrest, after deputies say a 35-year-old Riverside man handed over an ID that clearly was not his, then turned out to have a loaded handgun and ammunition inside his vehicle.
Deputies Say Wrong Face on ID Led to Gun Discovery
According to a post from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station, the driver first gave deputies a license with a photo that did not match his appearance. Deputies say they later found his actual driver's license inside the vehicle, along with ammunition and a loaded firearm. The station also noted the man has a suspended license and prior felony weapons convictions.
He was arrested on misdemeanor counts of providing false identification and driving on a suspended license, as well as felony charges for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, according to the station.
What State Law Says About Felons and Firearms
California law bars people with felony convictions from owning or possessing guns. Under California Penal Code section 29800, a conviction can bring years in custody, financial penalties and long-term loss of firearms rights. Prosecutors could also seek additional counts tied to having a loaded gun in a vehicle, depending on how the final case is filed.
Soledad Canyon Keeps Drawing Gun-Related Stops
The Soledad Canyon corridor has been on deputies' radar for similar incidents in recent years, with traffic stops and calls for service turning up weapons and reports of armed individuals. Local coverage has tracked some of those cases, including a July 2024 report of a person with a gun covered by The Signal, and a January stop that nabbed a convicted felon with weapons. Together, they show how what starts as a simple traffic check can quickly overlap with broader gun enforcement in the area.
In its social media post, the sheriff's station said the suspect in Monday's case was taken to the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station jail for booking and remains in custody with no bail. General information about the SCV booking facility and its jurisdiction can be found on the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station website.
