PRESS RELEASE

On January30th at about 4:00 PM Ukiah Police stopped a vehicle in the 600 block of South Main Street. The vehicle smelled strongly of marijuana, and one of the four occupants stated they possessed marijuana and had a medical recommendation, which was later confirmed. One of the vehicle’s passengers provided several differing names to the officer, and after being correctly identified as 23 year old Clemente Morado Barajas, was found to have a felony warrant for his arrest from Monterey County. Barajas was arrested and also charged with providing a false name to law enforcement. A search of the vehicle was conducted and a loaded handgun was located under another passenger’s seat. This passenger was identified as 26 year old Gregory Paul Velasquez, of Salinas, who was wearing an empty shoulder holster. Velasquez was arrested for possessing a loaded and concealed firearm, and after discovering he’d been previously convicted of a felony, Velasquez was additionally charged with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Also located inside the vehicle were numerous hydrocodone tablets which were determined to belong to Barajas, who as additionally charged with possessing and transporting narcotics. Both Barajas and Velasquez have been previously charged with participating in a criminal street gang, and were booked into the County Jail

Prepared by Captain Justin Wyatt