Two felons caught with firearms during traffic stop in Lassen County

JANESVILLE, Calif. — Lassen County deputies arrested two felons in the Janesville area last Friday after a traffic stop led to the discovery of firearms and drug paraphernalia.

Officials with the Lassen County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) said their deputies stopped a vehicle on Friday night, Feb. 3, for code violations. Deputies learned the driver of the vehicle, John Earl Colton Smith, 23 of Doyle, had a suspended license. They also identified the passenger as Larry Lewis Stratton, 45, of Janesville, who was on active Post Release Community Supervision with search terms, according to LCSO.

Due to the terms of Stratton's parole, the LCSO said their deputies decided to search the vehicle. Inside, they said they found a loaded firearm concealed behind the front seat. Deputies also found two glass smoking pipes with white residue believed to be methamphetamine.

Smith was arrested for being a felon/addict in possession of ammunition, being a prohibited person in possession of ammunition, drug paraphernalia and driving with a suspended license. Stratton was arrested for being a felon/addict in possession of a firearm, being a prohibited person in possession of ammunition, and revocation of his parole.

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