The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department continues to alert residents to the effects of the recently passed Proposition 36 after a man was arrested on drug possession charges early Friday morning.
Proposition 36, officially called the Homelessness, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act, was passed by voters in November by a wide margin and went into effect on December 18th. Among other things, the bill includes several new charges, including enhanced sentencing and legislation. It can prevent certain criminals from being charged and released before appearing in court.
Since the law went into effect, law enforcement agencies in the region have spread the word in a variety of ways, including releasing a video late last month showing suspects discussing the new law from the back of a patrol car.
‘Is it a felony?’ Shoplifting suspect discusses California’s new law in the back of a police car
The latest incident with new implications of Proposition 36 occurred just before 9 a.m. Friday when a 54-year-old Apple Valley resident was contacted by deputies in the area of Bear Valley Road and Algonquin Road.
The man, John Michael Laughlin, was found to be in possession of illegal drugs and arrested, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
He was booked into the High Desert Detention Center on drug possession charges from a previous conviction and traffic warrant. He is being held in lieu of $30,000 bail.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Deputy E. Natty at the Apple Valley Sheriff’s Office at (760) 240-7400 or the Sheriff’s Dispatch Bureau at (760) 956-5001.
Callers who wish to remain anonymous are encouraged to call the We-Tip hotline at 1-800-78CRIME (27463). Alternatively, you can leave your information on the We-Tip website.
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