Man arrested when explosive substances found during investigation

NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042, JHallock@ocsd.org; Emily Osterberg, 714.647.1840, EOsterberg@ocsd.org

Suspect Arrested for Possession of Substances Identified as Precursors to Homemade Explosives

LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif. – (September 2, 2014) – On Tuesday, September 2, 2014 at approximately 12:45 a.m., Orange County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a domestic violence incident at a residence in the 100 block of Fairlane Drive, Laguna Niguel. During the course of the domestic violence investigation, deputies observed numerous weapons, military ordinances and potentially explosive substances. The Sheriff’s Department’s Hazardous Device Squad (HDS) responded to evaluate and collect the items.

At approximately 12:30 p.m., Sheriff’s investigators and HDS technicians entered the residence following execution of a search warrant. Orange County Fire Authority Hazardous teams and Orange County Health provided support for the operation and assisted with identification of substances located inside the residence. Investigators recovered approximately 30-40 rifles, several inert military ordnance and substances determined to be precursors to homemade explosives. Personnel from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Orange County Fire Authority and Orange County Health remain on scene and the investigation is ongoing.

Juan Jesus Martinez, 56, Laguna Niguel, was arrested on charges of domestic violence and possession of substances with intent to create a destructive/explosive device and booked into Orange County Jail. Martinez is being held on $500K bail and is expected to appear in court on Thursday, September 4, 2014. The investigation involving the weapons and military ordinances is ongoing.

Anyone with additional information is asked to call the County Sheriff’s Department at (714) 647-7000. Anonymous tips may also be submitted to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or at occrimestoppers.org.

# # #