On September 6, 2012, detectives from the Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Detail served a search warrant at a home in the 10800 block of Browning Street in Placer County.
This operation was conducted with the Placer County Sheriff’s Department, and was pursuant to information that was developed by the Sacramento County Sheriff’s IMPACT Division, suggesting that firearms were being sold from the residence.
This operation resulted in the arrest of two individuals and the seizure of a large number of stolen firearms, as well as illegally grown marijuana plants. In all, 118 guns were taken from the home and 520 marijuana plants were found. The street value of the marijuana is approximately $2.5 million dollars.
The resident of the home, Steven Goodell, 46, was arrested for charges including the unlawful use of a dangerous weapon during the commission of a felony, possession of marijuana for sale, unlawful cultivation of marijuana, criminal conspiracy, possession of stolen property, and child endangerment. Another man, Cameron Sorensen, 29, was charged with criminal conspiracy, possession of marijuana for sale, and unlawful cultivation of marijuana. Both subjects were booked into the Placer County Jail.
Goodell is believed to be associated with a criminal group that subscribes to a “white-power” ideology. Detectives believe that the firearms were maintained for the purpose of selling them with drugs to other members of this particular criminal group.Â
