Sonora, CA… On Saturday night, the Police Department arrested 42-year-old Brandon Hamilton Blas of Sonora for multiple charges, including being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, carrying a loaded and concealed firearm within a vehicle, and providing false identification to a peace officer.

Just before 11:30 pm on Saturday, February 13, one of our officers was patrolling Forest Road when he spotted a suspicious vehicle parked just north of Sylvan Lane. The black 1998 Toyota sedan was not displaying license plates. When officers contacted Blas, he appeared to be sleeping in the driver’s seat, but officers could see he was holding a suspected drug pipe in his hand. Officers could also see what later turned out to be a replica firearm on the seat next to Blas, so they immediately removed him from the vehicle and placed him in handcuffs.

Blas provided a false name to the officers, but they were later able to confirm his identity after discovering his California ID Card. A records inquiry revealed Blas had seven outstanding felony and misdemeanor warrants and that he was a convicted felon.

Further investigation by the officers led to the discovery of a concealed, loaded shotgun, methamphetamine, and additional drug paraphernalia. The firearm had been reported stolen to the Sonora Police Department on February 5, 2021.

Blas was booked at the Tuolumne County Jail for several felony and misdemeanor charges. He was also booked on several outstanding warrants for a prior felon in possession of firearm charges, drug charges, spousal battery, vehicle theft, arson, and drug-related offenses.