STANISLAUS COUNTY – A week-long operation targeting illegal marijuana grows and the associated crimes that come along with them revealed a myriad of concerns.
The May 31st to June 4th operation codenamed “Green Day” set its sights on over 60 properties across Stanislaus County in both residential and rural settings. The mission was a joint effort between various agencies including the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office, teams from the Bureau of Cannabis Control, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, County Animal Services, and police services for the communities of Waterford, Hughson, Patterson and Riverbank. Support was provided by the Stanislaus Regional 911 center, a team of crime and data analysts, special investigators, air support and SWAT.
In addition to the arm of law enforcement involved in the operation, representatives from Stanislaus County Public Works and code enforcement were on hand as well.
Each day began with a briefing, which consisted of a team meeting to formulate a plan to execute warrants at each given location. The briefing would analyze and assess threat risks, potential suspects that may be at the location, entry points to the properties, and assignments for each deputy. By 7:00am, each team was on its way to their location.
Thursday morning we were invited along to observe the CRU team. The first two locations happened to be on the same road, separated only by one house. The team opted to surround both properties simultaneously. The strategy paid off, as workers tending to the grow quickly attempted to flee on foot but were quickly detained. During a search of the properties, one person was found hiding behind sheets of heavy black plastic along a fence line. A handgun and pellet rifle were found at the properties.
Once the properties were secured, we were allowed to take a look at the grows. Each grow took up at least half the space on each property, totaling perhaps a half acre. Greenhouses were made of lumber and PVC pipe and covered in plastic. Electrical wiring into the grows was clearly unsafe and obviously not up to code. Deputies mentioned it was at least the second time they had served a warrant on these properties.
Inside of the houses, the living conditions were bad. Entering the home, there was a dirty old couch in the doorway. Much of the home had been cleared to dry and process harvested marijuana. Metal lines were tied from wall to wall to hang harvested plants.
In the kitchen sat a propane tank and a grill. Some leftover bacon and eggs sat in a pan, while against the opposite wall an open pack of cigarettes sat on a mini refrigerator. A pile of clothing sat nearby, but there was no table or chairs to sit on. There were cracks and holes in the walls and floors. The bathroom was located in the back of the home, in poor condition because of its disuse. The shower head was modified to route water out through a hole in the wall to the grow outside. Sadly, this was the cleaner of the properties we would see throughout the day.
Deputies counted and took samples of plants and photographed evidence gathered at the scene. Two friendly dogs were taken by animal services, and soon after a front loader was brought to destroy the grow operation on site. By this time the sun was peaking, bringing on the hotter part of the day.
Back at the command post in the sheriff’s office, analysts tallied data from each location. A dispatcher in the same room coordinated communications with the teams in the field.
After a short lunch break, the team held a briefing for its next location. The warrant was for a large compound in the west county area. At least one of the suspects connected to the grow was previously arrested at the first site. Images of the property showed trailers, outbuildings, and several greenhouses surrounded by tall metal sheet walls, as well as several broken down vehicles around the home.
A set of bolt cutters was used to open a large sliding gate. It was the only entry point for the property. A flash-bang device was used to divert attention as deputies made entry to begin their search, as a team off-site used a drone to watch from above. No one was located on this property, and half of the grow had already been harvested. One had already been replanted with cloned plants, while two others had fully mature plants. It is unclear why the property was left unattended.
This property was in a worse state of disrepair. The kitchen was very similar to the first locations, but there were plants and clones sitting on countertops and the floor. Dirt and mold covered the floor as with the previous home, but the stench of leaking sewage makes one wonder how anyone could stay inside.
In what would have been the family room of the home, deputies searched under a mattress and through luggage. A tightly packed suitcase held several changes of clothes. Most of it was jeans and sweaters. A coat and some shirts. The luggage was a clear indicator of a nomadic lifestyle, one thing deputies said was common among those working grow operations. They could manage multiple grows or bounce between communities, moved by those they work for. On a shelf sat two statues of Saint Jude with dollar bills pinned to them. A belief that the act would bring financial blessing to those who displayed it, according to one deputy. Also a common sight at marijuana grows.
In the next room over, deputies searched through another piece of luggage. A pink wallet revealed two passports from Mexico. One belonged to a man and the other a woman, barely about 21 years old. It was unclear how they ended up working here, but officials said the possibility that they were being trafficked was very real. Some immigrants who are smuggled across the border can be placed to work in grow operations to pay off a debt. These operations are typically tied to cartels, and often times prevent the workers from leaving the properties they are tending.
In other grows, deputies found an unresponsive elderly woman who required hospitalization. She had been neglected and had bed sores. There were also child endangerment issues, after children had been found at some of the grow sites. Emaciated animals at another property. In the airport neighborhood, authorities arrested an out of compliance sex offender.
None of the grows raided were operating within legal limits. Six plants per property is the permitted amount, and the grow cannot be outdoors. Many were stealing utilities. Most, if not all complaints came from neighbors near the grows.
“Oftentimes, they are the targets of violent, take-over style home invasions where people are armed with weapons,” read a press release from the Sheriff’s Office. “Shootings, robberies, aggravated assaults, kidnappings and burglaries are some of the unintended victimization consequences for those trying to profit from the sales of black-market marijuana.”
In total, 64 properties were searched. The operation resulted in just over 74,000 marijuana plants eradicated with an estimated street value of nearly $100 million dollars. Nearly 1700 pounds of processed marijuana was found, 46 firearms and over $172,000 in cash was seized. Utility companies shut off power to 26 locations, and 16 code enforcement referrals were made. Unsafe and dangerous living conditions resulted in arrests for both child and adult endangerment. 83 individuals were either arrested or cited during the operation.
Carlos Rodriguez is an Emmy Award winning photojournalist specializing in public safety and natural disasters. His passion for local news stems from a deep commitment to his community, with a selfless mission to inform the citizens of the valley. As he worked on assignment for 19 days at the devastating Camp Fire in Paradise, California, he spent most of his time helping survivors contact their loved ones to let them know they were ok. Carlos is a veteran of Univision, FOX, and Telemundo TV stations and a native of Modesto, California.
STOCKTON – Police investigated the fatal shootings of two people Saturday evening.
The first shooting happened at about 6:30pm near the area of South Aurora Street and East Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard. Stockton Police Officers responded to a report of gunfire and found a 46 year old man who had been shot. He was taken to a hospital where he died from his injuries.
The second shooting was reported at about 8:47pm on the 1700 block of West Fremont Street. Police say a 22 year old woman was shot there and taken to a hospital where she died. No suspect description was available in this case.
Detectives are investigating both incidents. Anyone with information regarding either of these shooting can contact the Stockton Police Department at (209) 937-8377 or Crime Stoppers at (209) 946-0600 where callers can remain anonymous.
TURLOCK – James Hooker, the man who gained national attention after it was revealed that during his time as a teacher had been in a relationship with one of his students, was arrested by police Tuesday night on charges of lewd acts with a minor.
Hooker, 54, had been under investigation by the Turlock Police Department since May 17th. The victim in this case who is now an adult, was in contact with authorities on an unrelated matter when she disclosed to police that her relationship with hooker began when she was a 15 year old middle school student. The victim told authorities that they had met on social media, and their relationship continued until she turned 18, when they were married. Turlock authorities then began their investigation.
Evidence and statements were gathered by Detective Navarro, which led to the issuing of an arrest warrant for Hooker. He was arrested Tuesday by the Ceres Police Department and booked into the Stanislaus County Jail. As of time of publication, he did not appear in jail records.
Because of the attention Hooker gained previously, including an appearance on the Dr. Phil Show, authorities believe there could be additional victims, and are asking for anyone who may have come into contact with Hooker to come forward.
“Getting James Hooker off the streets is a victory for the community and especially for potential victims who may have been at risk,” said Detective Navarro in a press release. “This is an important step, but our work is far from over. We believe there could be other victims out there, and we will continue to follow every lead to ensure justice is served.”
Hooker faces charges of lewd acts with a minor 14-15 years old and possession of material depicting sexual conduct of a person under 18.
Below is a video of an interview we shot with James Hooker during his first investigation.
MODESTO – A man broke in to the Queen Bean Coffee House overnight, causing damage to the building and stealing the register.
A heartbreaking message was posted on the business’ social media pages, reporting the incident.
“We were robbed last night! This is devastating news. They ransacked the back of house and stole our register and Clover POS system. We have called the police and will be dealing with this terrible news today. Unfortunately, we will be closed until further notice. We have no register to ring up customers and we have damages to clean up.”
“If this individual looks familiar please report him or let us know. He appears well dressed with a groomed beard and jewelry, white jacket and a beanie. We will be looking at our other cameras to find more pictures of this terrible person. Anything you could do to help is appreciated.”
New owner Sam Pierstorff recently purchased the business with his wife, much to the enthusiasm and support of the community. The patio was recently undergoing removal to make way for a new build.
Anyone with information regarding this individual is encouraged to contact the Modesto Police Department and refer to incident number MP24025995.