Stolen iPad Recovered, Meth Seized, 3 Arrested in NSIB Busts

Three Napa men were arrested Wednesday as the result of separate search warrants executed by agents with the Napa Special Investigations Bureau.

The agents also seized methamphetamine and recovered a stolen iPad.

Arrested were:

--Daniel Rouse, 60, who was taken into custody on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance for sale during a search at a home in the 2200 block of Louisa Street in Napa.

--Kenneth Person, 54, who was taken into custody on suspicion of possession of a  controlled substance for sale and transportation of a a controlled substance at a home in the 1700 block of Pine Street in Napa.

--Gordon Martin, 35, a transient, who was taken into custody on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance, possession of stolen property and destruction of evidence.

NSIB Lt. Gary Pitkin said the information for the search warrants was uncovered earlier this month, when NSIB detectives received information that Rouse,  Person and Martin were allegedly independently involved in trafficking methamphetamine in Napa.

In their ensuing investigations, NSIB was able to develop probable cause, leading to the issuance of search warrants for all three suspects. On Wednesday, Aug. 28, NSIB served the warrants separately.

During the service of the first warrant on Rouse, NSIB agents contacted him in front of the apartment he has been staying at in the 2200 block of Louisa Street. Upon detaining and searching Rouse, NSIB Detectives allegedly recovered approximately 3.5 grams of suspected meth, commonly referred to as an “8-ball,” on his person.

A search of a car under his control, and parked nearby, allegedly yielded more than 10 individually packaged baggies of meth ready for sale. While conducting the search, NSIB Detectives contacted two customers who apparently arrived to  purchase drugs from Rouse.

Rouse was arrested without incident for possession of methamphetamine for sale and booked into the Napa County Department of Corrections.

Over $600 cash was seized from Rouse as suspected drug proceeds pursuant to asset forfeiture statutes.

In a separate surprise double-duty bust, Kenneth Person and Gordon Martin, both Napa residents and suspects in unrelated NSIB meth investigations, were stopped and arrested within about 150 yards of each other at approximately the same time in South Napa Wednesday night.

NSIB had developed probable cause to believe both were independently selling methamphetamine in Napa and secured separate search warrants for each.

NSIB’s investigation showed both suspects, independent of one another, were allegedly traveling to Vallejo, buying methamphetamine, transporting it back, and selling it to Napa-area residents.

On Wednesday night, NSIB Detectives doing surveillance tracked Person and Martin to Vallejo.

Ironically, both Person and Martin returned to Napa County around the same time, traveling in separate vehicles.

NSIB requested patrol officers stop both in separate vehicles in South Napa.

Upon searching Person, NSIB Detectives recovered almost a ¼ ounce of suspected methamphetamine. Detectives then drove to his residence in the 1700 block of Pine Street and served the search warrant, allegedly resulting in the seizure of more suspected methamphetamine.

Person was arrested without incident for possession of methamphetamine for sale and transportation of a controlled substance and booked into NCDC.

Upon searching Martin, NSIB detectives allegedly recovered a usable amount of methamphetamine Martin was trying to destroy and an iPad.

Checking the iPad’s "In Case of Emergency" contact, NSIB Detectives located a name and phone number.

Upon calling the ICE contact, detectives learned the iPad had been stolen in an auto burglary at a Napa County resort in July of this year.

Detectives arrested Martin without incident for possession of methamphetamine, destruction of evidence, and possession of stolen property. Detectives booked Martin into NCDC.

No residence was located for Martin, a Napa transient.

Residents are encouraged to call NSIB with information or complaints related to illicit drug use, sales, cultivation, or manufacturing at 707-253-4458 or our NSIB Drug Hotline at 224-DRUG (3784). Callers can remain anonymous.