Sonora, CA…This week the Tuolumne Narcotics Team, with the assistance of Detectives and Tuolumne County Probation Officers, conducted a large scale operation that netted 14 suspects that were booked into the Tuolumne County Jail for various charges. The investigation focused on narcotics being smuggled into the Tuolumne County Jail via multiple methods ranging from personal letters, contraband being concealed in body cavities and contraband “drops” at the local court houses. Surveillance missions were conducted on multiple occasions during the last month at the Tuolumne County Superior Court buildings, and at least 4 packages were confiscated by Narcotic Agents and Jail Transport Deputies containing methamphetamine, marijuana and tobacco that were destined for the jail.

Tuesday morning, Dustin Stevens and Stormi Breseman were arrested for criminal conspiracy for attempting to smuggle narcotics into the jail.

Johnathon Gavi and Jillian Lawson Turiello were also located and arrested on local warrants during the sweep.

Kevin Sovereen, Richard Meza, Christopher Kitchen, Sooner Allen, Erika Olsen, Tiffany Morris, and Johnathan Shrader were already in custody and were booked for additional charges of criminal conspiracy for attempting to smuggle narcotics into the jail.

Kyle Birdsong was charged on August 25th for retrieving and concealing a package of contraband from the court house hand rail. Birdsong was in custody at the time and being transported to the court house for a child custody hearing.

Brian Shrader was arrested on August 28th when he was caught by Narcotic Agents placing a package of contraband on this same hand rail at the court house. Shrader was attempting to get the contraband to the next group of inmates destined for court in attempt to smuggle it into the jail. Christpher Welch who was with Shrader, was also arrested for being in possession of a controlled substance.

The investigation remains on going.

The Tuolumne County Narcotics Team would like to thank Jail and Court staff for their assistance in this investigation.

The Sheriff’s Office holds a zero tolerance policy regarding contraband when it comes to our Jail facility and Tuolumne County Superior Courts.

Anyone who sees anything suspicious in these areas are encouraged to report it to the Sheriff’s Office immediately at 209-533-5815.