Two Arrested Amid Investigation into Illegal Firearms in Shasta County
Evidence photo (Credit: HCSO)
SHASTA COUNTY, CA — “Recently, Shasta County Sheriff’s deputies from the Burney Station have been investigating information about illegal firearms in the Burney/Fall River area of eastern Shasta County. Based on this information, numerous probation searches have been conducted. Through these investigations, deputies gained information about a location in Fall River where firearms may be located.
On Tuesday, November 25, 2025, deputies responded to and searched a residence on the 24000 block of Long Street, Fall River. The residence belongs to numerous individuals, including 52-year-old Jennifer Leigh Newsome, who is on felony probation out of Lassen County.
Upon arriving at the location, numerous individuals were contacted and detained, including 22-year-old Ethan Keltner and 34-year-old Matthew Lee Huff. Huff, who had an active felony warrant, was searched, and deputies located counterfeit currency, methamphetamine, and narcotic paraphernalia.
During a search of the residence, an illegal assault rifle with an extended magazine and no stock was located in plain view in Keltner’s room. Numerous other firearms and extended magazines were also located in the room.
Newsome was cited for an active misdemeanor warrant and released.
Keltner was arrested and booked into the Shasta County jail on charges of 33215 PC Mfg/Import/Etc Short Barreled Rifle, 32310(a) PC Mfg/Sale/Etc Large Capacity Magazine. Keltner’s Bail was set at $25,000.
Huff was arrested and booked into the Shasta County Jail on charges of 475(a) PC Posses/Etc/Bad/Etc Check, 11377(a) HS Possess Controlled Substance, 11364(a) HS Possess Unlawful Paraphernalia, 1203.2 (a) PC Probation Violation. Huff’s Bail was set at $51,000.”
