A routine traffic enforcement stop on Friday morning led to the arrest of a convicted felon found with a loaded firearm and narcotics.
Deputies say the incident happened around 12:22 a.m. on Halloween day near Las Positas Road and Rebecca Lane in Santa Barbara, when a car made an unsafe turn and was carrying an unsecured load. Officials say the driver, 28-year-old Juan Fernando Rios, initially pulled over but then suddenly reversed, nearly hitting the deputy’s patrol car.
During the investigation, deputies discovered Rios who is a convicted felon was in allegedly in possession of a loaded, unregistered firearm, along with methamphetamine, cocaine, and drug paraphernalia.
Rios was arrested on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges, including felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession of controlled substances while armed, and driving with a suspended license.
He’s currently being held at the Santa Barbara County Main Jail on $50,000 bail.
