On Thursday, October 9, 2014, San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon and San Bernardino County First District Supervisor Robert Lovingood held a joint press conference at the Hesperia Police Department. The focus of the press conference was to reveal the overwhelming success of three months of criminal suppression operations and high visibility enforcement in the Victor Valley Region.
The Towns of Apple Valley, Victorville City, Hesperia City, and the City of Adelanto provided funding for Operation Desert Guardian. San Bernardino County First District Supervisor Lovingood also allocated funds to support Desert Guardian for a total of 21 operations. The budget allowed for 11 deputies and one sergeant.
The Mission was to conduct criminal suppression operations and high visibility enforcement in the Victor Valley region during the summer months. This was done with the goal in mind of making the residents of the Victor Valley feel safer by arresting criminals and conducting high-profile patrol operations.
The High Desert area was the general target area. Specifically the cities of Hesperia, Apple Valley, Adelanto, Victorville and the unincorporated areas covered by the Victor Valley Station.
Several divisions of the Sheriff’s Department participated with the operation; SMASH, Narcotics, SANCAT, SED, Project Hope, Desert Dispatch, and High Desert Detention Center Transportation.
Guardian was supported by outside agency personnel; San Bernardino County Probation, California Highway Patrol, and Law Enforcement Medical Services.
Operation Desert Guardian began in Victorville on Friday July 11th, 2014 with a multi-agency SMASH Operation. Criminal suppression operations continued every Friday and Saturday night, with its conclusion on Friday October 3rd.
Victorville City Operations
- Five Desert Guardian Operations.
- 1,114 proactive contacts.
- 339 arrests. (140 Felony – 199 Misdemeanor)
- 29 probation searches with 18 holds issued.
- 20 gang cards documenting gang members.
- 114 deputy report numbers drawn.
- ¼ pound of methamphetamine seized.
- Two pounds of marijuana seized.
- Two stolen vehicles recovered.
- Felon with a firearm.
- Suspect arrested for child pornography.
- Three suspects arrested for carjacking and kidnapping.
- Operations to continue thru the remainder of the year utilizing funding available from Prop 30
Hesperia Operations
- Six Desert Guardian Operations.
- 1,312 proactive contacts.
- 265 arrests. (122 Felony – 143 Misdemeanor)
- 68 probation searches with 3 holds issued.
- 22 gang cards documenting gang members.
- 106 deputy report numbers drawn.
- One pound of methamphetamine seized.
- One ounce of marijuana seized.
- Two stolen vehicles & a chop shop.
- Four firearms recovered.
- Four dangerous weapons recovered.
Adelanto & Victor Valley Operations
- Four Desert Guardian Operations.
- 783 proactive contacts.
- 230 arrests. (94 Felony – 136 Misdemeanor)
- 41 probation searches.
- 16 gang cards documenting gang members.
- 77 deputy report numbers drawn.
- Two ounces of methamphetamine seized.
- Two ounces of marijuana seized.
- 63 balloons of heroin.
- One stolen vehicle recovered.
- Four firearms recovered.
- One dangerous weapon recovered.
Apple Valley Operations
- Six Desert Guardian Operations.
- 987 proactive contacts.
- 302 arrests. (128 Felony – 174 Misdemeanor)
- 52 probation searches.
- 14 gang cards documenting gang members.
- 102 deputy report numbers drawn.
- Three ounces of methamphetamine seized.
- Two ounces of marijuana seized.
- Stolen vehicle recovered.
- Four firearms recovered.
- Three dangerous weapons recovered.
Grand Totals:
- 21 Desert Guardian Operations.
- 4,196 proactive contacts.
- 1,136 arrests. (484 Felony – 652 Misdemeanor)
- 190 Probation searches.
- 72 gang cards
- 399 deputy report numbers drawn.
- Six stolen vehicles recovered.
- 13 firearms recovered.
- Approximately 2 ½ pounds of methamphetamine recovered.
- Approximately 2 ¼ pounds of marijuana recovered.
“The operation proved to be very successful, and I believe has made the streets a little safer. I would like to add that we are very fortunate to have the support of our Board of Supervisors. Public safety continues to be a priority for all of us.” stated Sheriff John McMahon
“The additional funds we allocated for these special operations helped deputies make more than 1,100 arrests, identify 72 gang members and take more than two pounds of meth off our streets. I will continue to support efforts like “Operation Desert Guardian” and all the Sheriff’s deputies who are making an impact on our communities every day,” stated Supervisor Robert Lovingood.
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