The Glock 22 belonging to Juan Baca, found loaded in the vehicle. Photo courtesy of Sutter County Sheriff’s Office

SUTTER COUNTY, CA (MPG) - On Friday, December 9th, 2023, at 11:42 p.m., Sutter County Deputies conducted a vehicle traffic stop on a 2015 White GMC Sierra, traveling south-bound on Highway 99 in Yuba City. The vehicle had dark window tint, reducing the driver’s clear view through the front windows of the vehicle. This is a California Vehicle Code Violation section 25708(a)(2). The SCSO Deputies initiated a traffic stop in the Burger King parking lot on Bogue Road in Yuba City. Deputies smelled alcohol when contacting the subject(s) of the vehicle. The driver was identified as 25-year-old Jose Figueroa and the passenger was identified as 22-year-old Juan Baca.

Baca was contacted in the passenger seat of the vehicle. Baca had several warrants for his arrest and was taken into custody without incident. While removing him from the vehicle, an opened “Hennessy” bottle spilt over onto the passenger floorboard. A search for additional open containers of alcohol led to a loaded Glock 22, semi-automatic handgun, being found underneath his seat. The handgun was unregistered in the State of California. Baca claimed the handgun to be his and said he carries it for protection. Baca was booked into the Sutter County jail on several gun charges and his warrant.

Deputies conducted a Field Sobriety Test on Figueroa. Figueroa blew a .036 BCA and was deemed under the legal limit of alcohol consumption while operating a motor vehicle. Figueroa was given a verbal warning for his window tint violation and released from the scene.