Three Barstow Ex-Felons Arrested with Guns and Drugs During Motel Compliance Check

BARSTOW, Calif. (VVNG.com) — A parole compliance check at a Barstow motel led to the arrest of three ex-felons and the seizure of firearms and narcotics.

The incident occurred on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at approximately 10:45 a.m., when Barstow Police Officers and a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Parole Officer conducted a compliance check at a motel located in the 1300 block of East Main Street.

Officers contacted Matthew Barnes, 41, Robert Loaiza, 30, and Stephanie Gonzales, 35, all Barstow residents and ex-felons prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

During the search, authorities recovered a .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol, a .22 caliber rifle, two .223 caliber AR-15 style rifles, suspected methamphetamine, and suspected fentanyl for sales, according to a written statement from the Barstow Police Department.

All three suspects were arrested and booked into the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department High Desert Detention Center in Adelanto.

Barnes and Loaiza were booked for:

• PC 29800(a)(1) – Felon in Possession of a Firearm
• H&S 11370.1(a) – Possession of a Controlled Substance While Armed
• H&S 11351 – Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sales

Gonzales was booked for:

• H&S 11351 – Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sales
• PC 30305(a) – Felon in Possession of Ammunition

Anyone with information about this investigation is urged to contact Officer Anthony Miranda at (760) 256-2211 or via email at amiranda@barstowca.org. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the WE-TIP hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27469) or online at www.wetip.com.

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