Automatic and semiautomatic guns seized from group accused of illegal firing of weapons and poaching

  • Assault rifle and other weapons shown in photos from the Kern County Sheriffs Office, seized with fully automatic weapons on Paramount Farm land along with 12 people shooting illegally and allegedly poaching. The arrests and citations were a result of a joint action by KCSO and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. [KCSO photos]

    Image 1 of 3
    Assault rifle and other weapons shown in photos from the Kern County Sheriffs Office, seized with fully automatic weapons on Paramount Farm land along with 12 people shooting illegally and allegedly poaching. The arrests and citations were a result of a joint action by KCSO and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. [KCSO photos]

  • Assault rifle and other weapons shown in photos from the Kern County Sheriffs Office, seized with fully automatic weapons on Paramount Farm land along with 12 people shooting illegally and allegedly poaching. The arrests and citations were a result of a joint action by KCSO and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

    Image 2 of 3
    Assault rifle and other weapons shown in photos from the Kern County Sheriffs Office, seized with fully automatic weapons on Paramount Farm land along with 12 people shooting illegally and allegedly poaching. The arrests and citations were a result of a joint action by KCSO and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

  • Assault rifle and other weapons shown in photos from the Kern County Sheriffs Office, seized with fully automatic weapons on Paramount Farm land along with 12 people shooting illegally and allegedly poaching. The arrests and citations were a result of a joint action by KCSO and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

    Image 3 of 3
    Assault rifle and other weapons shown in photos from the Kern County Sheriffs Office, seized with fully automatic weapons on Paramount Farm land along with 12 people shooting illegally and allegedly poaching. The arrests and citations were a result of a joint action by KCSO and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The Kern County Sheriff’s Office has released this news briefing about seizing a cache of weapons:

The Kern County Sheriff’s Office North Area Substation was contacted by personnel from Paramount Farms regarding illegal shooting, poaching and trespassing taking place on the farm property.

Due to the concerns of Paramount Farms, the California Department of Fish and Game was contacted and a joint operation was planned for August 30, 2014. At approximately 7:43 p.m., North Area Deputies responded to the area of Hwy 33 and Weiser Rd with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife in an effort to combat the problem.

During the operation a group  was spotted shooting automatic weapons in the area. The California Department of Fish and Game Warden had also seen the subjects utilizing a spotlight to assist in shooting as they drove. A CDFW Warden conducted a traffic stop on a truck attempting to leave the area. Twelve southern California residents were detained.

During the traffic stop a total of eleven long rifles and several semiautomatic pistols were located. A fully automatic Glock 9mm pistol  was also located. It was determined that EDGAR RIOS-MEDINA (DOB 5-17-90) and AGUSTION REILLO RIOS (DOB 1-4-83) were each in possession of a AK-47 semiautomatic assault weapons. Both RIOS-MEDINA and RIOS were booked into the Kern County Jail without incident for being in possession of  assault weapons (PC 30605(a)). The CDFW warden also issued several citations for fish and game violations.

This is part of the August 29, 2014 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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