Photo: Stock Image
Originally Published By: Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office
“On Monday, November 27th, 2023, just before 3:00 in the afternoon, deputies responded to North Fork Road near Merrill Springs Road in Long Barn for a report of a subject who had entered private property and was still on scene.
When deputies arrived, they contacted 39-year-old Jonathan Johnson in a forested area of the property holding a metal detector. Deputies conducted a record check of Johnson and found he was on parole for burglary. Deputies searched Johnson and his vehicle and did not locate anything illegal. After releasing Johnson with a trespass warning, deputies continued to investigate and located bolt cutters and an electric grinder near a camping container with a door which had been forced open.
The following day, on Tuesday, November 28th, 2023, at about 9:30 in the morning, deputies responded to the area of Long Barn Road near Long Barn Lane in Long Barn after receiving information from Johnson’s Parole officer that Johnson was in the area. When deputies arrived, they searched the area and heard footsteps in a residence that appeared vacant. Deputies surrounded the residence and made announcements for approximately an hour, calling for Johnson to come out. Eventually Johnson exited the residence and was taken into custody without further incident. Deputies continued their investigation and located signs of forced entry into the residence. Inside the residence, deputies located Johnson’s backpack and a metal detector. Deputies also found methamphetamine, drug use paraphernalia and a round of ammunition belonging to Johnson.
Johnson was arrested and transported to the Dambacher Detention Center (DDC) where he was booked on charges of first-degree burglary, prohibited person in possession of ammunition, felony violation of parole, possession of a controlled substance, possession of controlled substance paraphernalia, possession of stolen property and obstructing or resisting a peace officer. Additionally, Johnson was booked on charges of second-degree burglary and felony parole violation from the Monday incident on Merrill Springs Road.
Later that day, around 1:30 in the afternoon, deputies and state parole conducted a compliance search of Johnson’s residence. While searching Deputies found additional ammunition and various other items including power tools and jewelry in Johnson’s residence which they believed to be stolen property. Deputies seized the items for safekeeping while additional follow-up is being done to determine the owners of the property. Deputies booked Johnson on the additional charge of a prohibited person in possession of ammunition.
This case is currently under investigation and no further information will be released at this time.”
