During a high-risk traffic stop, police officers arrested an adult male driver with an outstanding felony warrant for assault with a deadly weapon, according to the Huntington Beach Police Department.
Officers also located an unserialized handgun concealed inside the vehicle.
While the calendar may change, the HBPD’s mission does not. The Huntington Beach Police Department remains committed to keeping our community safe, just as we did last year, and every year.
The New Year didn’t start off quite as planned for some; spending Day One of 2026 in jail isn’t exactly a recommended resolution.
Pro tip for 2026: Don’t commit crimes in Huntington Beach.
Penalties faced by the suspect
Based on the charges described by the Huntington Beach Police Department on January 1, 2026, the suspect faces significant legal penalties under the California Penal Code.
Assault with a Deadly Weapon (ADW)
Because the suspect had an outstanding felony warrant for this charge (PC 245), they face:
- Imprisonment: A felony conviction for ADW typically carries 2, 3, or 4 years in California state prison.
- Enhanced Sentencing: If the assault involved a firearm, the sentence can range from 2 to 12 years depending on the type of weapon (e.g., semi-automatic or assault weapon).
- Fines: A maximum fine of up to $10,000.
- Three Strikes Law: ADW is often considered a “strike” offense. A conviction can count against California’s Three Strikes Law, potentially doubling future sentences or leading to 25 years to life if it is a third strike.
Possession of an Unserialized Handgun (“Ghost Gun”)
The discovery of a concealed, unserialized handgun (PC 29180) in the vehicle adds further penalties:
- Misdemeanor or Felony: Possession of an unserialized handgun can be charged as a misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail) or a felony (up to 3 years in state prison).
- Additional Firearm Bans: New laws effective January 1, 2026, prohibit individuals convicted of certain ghost gun offenses from owning or possessing any firearm for 10 years.
- Concealed Weapon Charges: Carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle (PC 25400) is a felony if the individual is not in lawful possession of the gun or has a prior felony conviction, punishable by 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in jail.
Warrant-Related Penalties
- Failure to Appear: If the felony warrant was issued for failing to appear in court, the suspect could face an additional 3 years in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
- Probation Violation: If the suspect was already on probation for a previous offense, this arrest would likely trigger a revocation, leading to immediate incarceration for the remainder of that original sentence.