Fourteen weeks after the The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department initiated “Operation Consequences,” intended to suppress criminal operations perpetuated by the community’s already identified criminal element, efforts to target those residing in the county who are violating the conditions of their parole or probation continue.
According to the sheriff’s department, the program is intended to focus in particular on the High Desert, where the sheriff’s department provides law enforcement service on a contractual basis to the cities of Hesperia, Victorville and Adelanto, the Town of Apple Valley and the unincorporated county areas surrounding and in between them, as well as those places surrounding the City of San Bernardino, which includes the unincorporated county areas there and the cities of Highland, Grand terrace and Loma Linda.
The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors authorized funds to assist with county-wide crime suppression. “The intent is to provide additional funding to the Sheriff’s Department, allowing for increased law enforcement services related to quality-of-life issues affecting the communities in our county,” said Sheriff Shannon Dicus.In October, Dicus said that in addition to his department’s gangs and narcotics divisions, the operation is to include personnel from the department’s specialized enforcement division and patrol stations, along with the California Highway Patrol, the San Bernardino County Probation Department, and investigators with the Department of Homeland Security. Dicus said the effort was meant “to curb violent crime, disrupt and dismantle targeted criminal street gangs, and locate and arrest criminals who are illegally possessing, manufacturing, and trafficking firearms.”
Between January 7, 2023, and January 13, 2023, investigators from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s gangs/narcotics division, along with deputies from patrol stations, served 20 search warrants and contacted suspects, at various locations in San Bernardino, Redlands, and Muscoy, including in the  6800 block of Orange Street in San Bernardino; the 700 Block of South Lassen Ave in San Bernardino; the 7900 Block of Primrose Lane in San Bernardino; the 2100 Block of Kern Street in Muscoy, the 1000 Block of Parkford Drive in Redlands; the 1500 Block of Hardt Street in San Bernardino; the 200 Block of E Highland Ave, San Bernardino
While serving those service of search warrants and making additional contacts during the one week period, investigators seized 11 firearms, recovered 1.12 ounces of fentanyl, 15.68 ounces of methamphetamine, and 1.76 ounces of heroin. Seventeen felony arrests were made.
Between January 14 and 20, 2023, investigators from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s gang and narcotics division in concert with patrol station deputies served 14 search warrants and contacted suspects in Loma Linda, San Bernardino, Bloomington, Yermo and Morongo Valley. The search warrants were served at residences or locations in the 25800 block of Redlands Boulevard in Loma Linda; in the 2300 block of West First Avenue in San Bernardino; in the 1600 block of West Union Street in San Bernardino; in the 1200 block of Date Street in San Bernardino; in the 18800 block of San Bernardino Avenue in Bloomington; in the 600 Block of West  20th Street in San Bernardino; in the 400 block of West Williams Street in Yermo; and in the 49500 block of Twentynine Palms Highway in Morongo.
During the service of those search warrants and additional contacts, investigators seized 10 firearms, two of which were ghost guns, and recovered 1.5 pounds of fentanyl and half of a pound of cocaine. Additionally, 13 felony arrests were made.
On January 23, 2023 in deputies served a search warrant in the 800 block of East Country Club Boulevard in Big Bear City, during which John Kimbell, a 46-year-old resident of Big Bear City and Lisa Martinez, a 48-year-old resident of Big Bear City were identified and detained. Deputies located eight firearms, multiple baggies of suspected methamphetamine, suspected codeine, numerous scales, blank checks, printers with blank checks inside, drug paraphernalia, numerous empty baggies, and over 100 rounds of live ammunition.
Kimbell and Martinez were found to be convicted felons and prohibited from possessing firearms and/or live ammunition. Kimbell was also found to have been released from custody on bail for an active felony case.
Kimbell was arrested for HS 11370.1(A) – possession of controlled substances while armed, HS 11378 – possession of controlled substances for sale, PC 29800(A)(1) – being a felon in possession of firearms, PC 476 – making fictitious checks with intent to defraud and PC 12022.1 – committing a felony while on bail.
Martinez was arrested for HS 11370.1(A) – possession of controlled substances while armed, HS 11378 – possession of controlled substances for sale, PC 29800(A)(1) – being a felon in possession of firearms and PC 182(A)(1) – conspiracy to commit a crime.
Kimbell and Martinez were booked into custody at Big Bear Jail. Kimbell is currently being held on $250,000 bail and Martinez is currently being held on $40,000 bail. Kimbell and Martinez have an arraignment hearing in this matter set for January 26, 2023, in San Bernardino County Superior Court.