Home Courts Former Sheriff’s Volunteer Arraigned On Illegal Firearms Charges Tuesday

Former Sheriff’s Volunteer Arraigned On Illegal Firearms Charges Tuesday

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From the Office of the District Attorney:

Martinez, Calif. – Clayton resident John Michael King was arraigned today in Martinez on two felony counts for possession of assault weapons and one felony count for manufacturing or assembling an unregistered firearm.

Mr. King entered a plea of not guilty. The 54-year-old former volunteer with the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office was under investigation for possessing illegal firearms. In early January 2022, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office, along with state and federal authorities, seized 132 guns from King’s home after serving him with a search warrant. Authorities also found equipment used to manufacture unregistered firearms — or ghost guns — on his property.

Ghost guns are made using do-it-yourself kits where the components needed to make handguns or rifles are almost complete. Those who buy the kits are often supplied instructions and parts to complete the manufacturing of fully functional firearms. These untraceable weapons often do not have unique serial numbers as required by California law (PC31900-321000).

King illegally manufactured or assembled a .22 caliber rifle and possessed a .223 assault rifle and a .556 pistol. His next court appearance is scheduled for August 29th, 2022 at 8:30 am in Martinez.

The People of the State of California v. John Michael King, Docket Number: 0131046493

  • Count 1 – Possession of an Assault Weapon – PC30605(a)
  • Count 2 – Possession of an Assault Weapon – PC30605(a)
  • Count 3 – Manufacture or Assemble of Unregistered Firearm PC29180(g)

5 COMMENTS

  1. “seized 132 guns from King’s home after serving him with a search warrant.”
    Clearly, 132 is not enough guns. I wonder what the magic number would be? Maybe 133? 233?
    Cultivating butterflies would be a worthwhile alternative, I think. More legal, less lethal.

  2. So out of 132 firearms he possessed 3 that ware considered illegal to possess. Not defending him but obviously he is both a collector of firearms and probably a gunsmith hobbyist. It costs a lot more to build a firearm from parts. Not sure why the press release lists how many legal firearms he owns other then grandstanding. I’d be much more worried if he intended to sell them or had his own criminal intent.
    His mistake was buying the parts and assembling them in CA, should have taken them back apart after building.

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