Threats Against DEA Agents Lead to Arrest of Tule Lake, CA Man

Suspect Arrested with Handgun, Ammunition and Bullet-Proof Vest

MAR 12 -- SACRAMENTO, Calif. —Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Assistant Special Agent in Charge Gordon Taylor and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Stephen C. Herkins announced today the arrest of a convicted felon who was in possession of a firearm, ammunition and a bullet-proof vest. Micha GODFREY, 37, of Tule Lake, CA, was taken into custody yesterday by U.S. Park Service Rangers at the Lava Beds National Monument, after allegedly waving a firearm in the air. At the time of his arrest, GODFREY was under investigation by the DEA for allegedly threatening to kill DEA agents and their families.

DEA Special Agent Gordon Taylor stated, “DEA takes seriously any threats against our employees and their families. Mr. Godfrey expressed the desire and had the means to carry out those threats. He was a danger to our community, and we can rest easier knowing that he is off the streets.”

On March 5, 2010, the DEA Sacramento Office received information that GODFREY allegedly sent several emails to a “medical” marijuana website in which he threatened to kill DEA agents and their families. GODFREY, who had previous ties to the Sacramento area, was reportedly living in Tule Lake, CA, located approximately 100 miles north or Redding, CA.

On March 11, 2010, while DEA agents continued their investigation into the alleged threats, U.S. Park Rangers received a report of a suspicious man, who was later identified as GODFREY, waving a handgun in the air on Medicine Lake Road at the Lava Beds National Monument, approximately 10 miles from Tule Lake. Park Rangers responded to the area and took GODFREY into custody. At the time of his arrest, GODFREY was in possession of a .45 caliber revolver, ammunition and was wearing a bullet-proof vest.

Earlier today, DEA, ATF, California Highway Patrol and Tule Lake Police Department Officers served a federal warrant at GODFREY’s residence located in the 500 block of 4th Street in Tule Lake, CA. As a result of that search, officers seized four firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition, a bullet-proof vest, a laptop computer and marijuana plants.

GODFREY had an initial appearance in front of a U.S. Magistrate at the Sacramento Federal Courthouse today. He was charged with violation of Title 18, United States Code, 922 (g)(1) – convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 26, 2010.

The DEA Redding and Sacramento offices worked this investigation in conjunction with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, U.S. Park Rangers, Tule Lake Police Department, Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Department, California Highway Patrol and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Sacramento.

The charges are only allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.