Kern County jury convicts man on five counts of assault, brandishing firearm at a peace officer

RIDGECREST, Calif. — A Kern County jury has convicted a man of five counts of assault with a firearm and five counts of brandishing a firearm at a peace officer.

Officials say on May 1 at around 4:10 a.m. Ridgecrest police executed a search warrant at the Knight’s Inn at 706 N. Balsam Street in Ridgecrest. When officials entered the motel room after numerous announcements, they found David Anthony on the bed extending both his arms out, pointing a children’s diaper at each of the officers as they came into the motel room.

After a brief standoff, the Anthony dropped the diaper which had a loaded Smith & Wesson 9mm semi-automatic handgun in it.

During Ridgecrest PD's search, officers found over 200 grams of methamphetamine, over 10 grams of heroin, and numerous other indicators of narcotics sales.

The case is scheduled for an additional hearing on August 12 related to an allegation that the defendant has had a previous qualifying “strike” felony conviction, at which time a date for formal sentencing will be set.

Anthony faces over 30 years in prison.