LLANO – Palmdale gang detectives say they were conducting a probation compliance check around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday when they discovered a shotgun, a rifle and three marijuana grow operations with more than 160 plants.
Jonathan Cheatham, 25, was arrested for cultivation of marijuana, and felon in possession of a firearm, while John Allen, 22, was arrested for forgery and fraud out of the state of Texas.
The following is a news release from the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station:
Members of the Operation Safe Streets (OSS) team were looking for Jonathan Cheatham who is an active probationer and currently has a no bail arrest warrant for cultivation of Marijuana.
When detectives attempted to contact Cheatham at his home near the 18200 Block of East Avenue S, Cheatham ran from the rear of the home into the open field out back.
A containment of the property was established and Cheatham was discovered and taken into custody a short distance from the residence.
The residence is located in a rural area and consists of a main home as well as shed like structures behind it. While conducting a probation compliance search of the residence, detectives discovered three additional occupants as well as a marijuana cultivation operation, a 12 gauge shotgun, and a M1 carbine.
The cultivation operation consisted of ballast and a watering system in a room inside of the home, containing approximately 50 plants. Another in one of the exterior sheds, containing approximately 75 plants, and a smaller grow in a camper shell in the rear of the property. In total over 160 plants were recovered along with the equipment used to cultivate the Marijuana. Detectives estimate the street value of the Marijuana to be approximately $10,000 to $20,000.
Jonathan Cheatham was arrested and booked for his outstanding no bail warrant, Cultivation of Marijuana, and Felon in Possession of a firearm. One of the three detained occupants of the home, John Allen, was also arrested on a no bail arrest warrant for forgery and fraud out of the state of Texas. The ongoing investigation will be handled by the Palmdale Station’s OSS Unit.
