An investigation that began with a domestic battery call in September escalated dramatically earlier this month, culminating in the arrest of two convicted felons and the seizure of 20 firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition and various illegal drugs at a residence in the southern part of the county.
Lassen County Sheriff’s Office Deputies initially responded to a residence near SR-70 in south Lassen County following a report of a domestic battery. Upon arrival, deputies found a victim with visible injuries to her head, neck and chest. The victim identified her boyfriend, Charles Godkin, as her assailant.
The altercation reportedly escalated when the victim attempted to leave the property with her firearms, which Godkin allegedly took by force before law enforcement arrived.
After several unsuccessful attempts to contact and arrest Godkin, the case was transferred to the LCSO Investigations Unit. Investigators quickly developed a profile of Godkin’s routine and confirmed he was a convicted felon, making the possession of any firearms illegal.
According to LCSO Detective Sergeant Michael Loflin, the investigation moved quickly once the necessary documentation was secured. After reviewing the suspect’s criminal history and confirming his status as a felon, they obtained a search warrant for the property and then coordinated with law enforcement partners to execute the high-risk operation.
On October 6th, an LCSO warrant service team, aided by officers from the California Highway Patrol, set up surveillance on Godkin’s residence. At approximately 4:40a.m., Godkin was observed driving his vehicle eastbound on SR-70. Deputies performed a high-risk traffic stop and took Godkin into custody without incident.
The subsequent search of Godkin’s property was highly productive. According to the LCSO report, deputies located 18 firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition, body armor and methamphetamine.
While on the property, deputies also encountered another man, identified as Timothy Foley and searched his trailer. Inside, they discovered two additional firearms, along with methamphetamine and psilocybin mushroom.
A criminal history check revealed Foley was also a convicted felon. He was immediately arrested and booked into the Lassen County Adult Detention Facility.
Godkin was arrested and booked on multiple charges, including domestic battery, robbery, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a controlled substance while armed, grand theft of a firearm and possession of a controlled substance.
Timothy Foley was arrested for felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a controlled substance while armed, and two counts of possession of a controlled substance.
The Lassen County Sheriff’s Office thanked CHP-Portola, CHP-Susanville, and the Lassen County District Attorney’s Office for their collaborative efforts in the investigation.
