Crime & Safety

Corona Parolee Accused Of Stashing Weapons Pleads Not Guilty

Russell Josiah Powell of Corona pleaded not guilty to various weapons charges.

A parolee allegedly caught with sawed-off shotguns, handguns, silencers and hundreds of rounds of ammunition pleaded not guilty today to felony charges.

Russell Josiah Powell, 41, of Corona was arrested on May 23 following a parole compliance check carried out by a Riverside County law enforcement task force.

Powell pleaded not guilty to one count each of being a convicted felon in possession of firearms, illegal possession of a gun, possession of a silencer, manufacturing illegal weapons and possession of a controlled substance.

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Superior Court Judge Helios Hernandez,Hernandez kept the defendant's bail at $25,000 and scheduled a July 31 felony settlement conference.

Deputies with one of the county's regional task forces paid a visit to the ex-con's apartment in the 500 block of Rapid Springs Lane and allegedly discovered a small quantity of methamphetamine.

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After learning the parolee was leasing a storage unit in Harbor City, deputies conducted a search there and located a total of 18 "sawed-off shotguns, hunting rifles and revolvers," according to sheriff's Sgt. Paul Mercado.

"Deputies also recovered homemade weapons, silencers, replica handguns and over 1,000 rounds of live ammunition," the sergeant said.

The contraband was seized, and Powell was booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside.

According to sheriff's officials, the defendant has prior convictions for possession of illegal drugs and guns.--City News Service



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