On February 9, 2016, Kern County Sheriff’s deputies from the Kern Valley Substation received information that 45 year old Jonathan Porter was possibly in possession of stolen property that had previously been reported stolen to the Sheriff’s Office.

The property was reported to be at Porter’s residence in the 200 block of Piute Meadows Road in Walker Basin. Deputies also learned that Porter was a convicted felon.

When deputies arrived at Porter’s home they located a stolen riding lawnmower and two generators in plain sight in the driveway.

Deputies contacted Porter’s wife at the home but Porter was not present. Deputies also learned that there were possibly firearms inside the home.

Deputies obtained a search warrant for the property.

While searching the home deputies located several firearms, including an AK series assault rifle with several loaded high capacity magazines, a loaded semi-automatic handgun, ammunition, body armor, and equipment for staging and carrying ammunition.

Porter was stopped in his vehicle a short time later when returning to the residence. During a search of Porter he was found to be in possession of suspected methamphetamine.

Porter was arrested for 2 counts of ex-felon in possession of a firearm, ex-felon convicted of a violent crime in possession of a firearm, ex-felon in possession of ammunition, possession of an assault weapon, possession of body armor by an ex-felon convicted of a violent crime, 5 counts of possession of high capacity magazines, possession of a controlled substance, possession of stolen property, possession of a stolen vehicle, and destruction of evidence.

Porter was booked into the Sheriff’s Office Central Receiving Facility. His bail has been set at $297,500.