A traffic stop ended with one man in jail yesterday after a Lassen County Deputy Sheriff pulled over an all-terrain vehicle on a street in Westwood. According to the Sheriff’s Department the Deputy, prior to stopping the all-terrain vehicle, knew the driver Michael Hammontree had a suspended driver’s license.
After pulling over the ATV the Deputy suspected Hammontree was under the influence of a controlled substance and requested agents with the Lassen County Narcotics Task Force respond to assist.
Task Force agents arriving on the scene evaluated Hammontree, determined he was under the influence and placed him under arrest. A search by agents found a small amount of Methamphetamine.
The Sheriff’s Department reports that Hammontree later told agents he possessed approximately four ounces of methamphetamine in his apartment bedroom. During a search of Hammontree’s residence, agents found a large Ziploc baggie of methamphetamine, a loaded Smith & Wesson semi-automatic .40 caliber handgun, several baggies and pill containers of marijuana, a large Ziploc baggie of psilocybin mushrooms, a digital scale and a box of sandwich baggies.
Hammontree was arrested and booked into the Lassen County Jail for Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sale, Transportation of a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substances While Armed with Loaded Firearm, Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance, and Driving without a License. Hammontree’s bail was set at $20,000.
In all, according to the Sheriff’s Office, agents seized roughly 1/4 pound of methamphetamine, 2.4 oz. of marijuana, 1 oz. of psilocybin mushrooms and Hammontree’s 1986 Yamaha all-terrain vehicle. The estimated street value of the methamphetamine is $11,800. The estimated street value of the marijuana is $500.
