From the Kern County Sheriff’s Department
On December 11, 2025, at approximately 10:45 a.m., Kern County Sheriff’s deputies from the Rosamond substation discovered an illegal marijuana cultivation operation in a remote desert area near 150th Street West and Irone Avenue.
While patrolling the area near 150th Street West and Irone Ave, deputies observed a large tarped and fenced off area containing makeshift greenhouses. As deputies approached, they encountered two adult male suspects at the site. One suspect was armed with a short-barreled AR-15 style rifle with a high-capacity magazine. Deputies safely detained both individuals without injury and secured the firearms.
A search warrant was obtained, and subsequent search of the property revealed 562 marijuana plants, harvested marijuana, multiple gas generators, and chemicals commonly used in marijuana cultivation. Deputies also discovered the AR-15 style rifle was a “Ghost Gun” with no serial numbers along with an additional pistol recovered at the scene.
Both suspects JOSE HERRERA-TORRES and ELUTEREO TORRES-CALDERON were arrested and taken to the Mojave Jail for the following violations: Penal code 417.8 – exhibit firearm to resist arrest, Penal code 182(a)(1) – conspiracy, Penal Code 33210 – possess short barreled rifle, Penal Code 29180(c) – own firearm without a serial number, Penal Code 33215 – manufacture/short barrel rifle, Penal Code 30605(a) – illegally posses an assault rifle, Penal code 32310(a) – posses large capacity magazine, Heath and Safety Code 11359(b) – possess marijuana for sales, Health and Safety Code 11358(c) – cultivate marijuana over six plants.
