October 25, 2023 - Kern County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on October 23, 2023, Deputies from the Sheriff’s Office Taft substation were dispatched to the 500 block of Ward Street in Taft regarding a stolen trailer. When deputies arrived, they located the stolen trailer and subjects on the property processing stolen copper wire to be recycled. Kern County Sheriff’s Office deputies and investigators from the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Rural Crime Investigation Unit served a search warrant at the residence.

Deputies located hundreds of pounds of stolen copper wire from the Taft and Mettler area on the property of the residence as well as suspect vehicles from numerous copper wire thefts. Deputies from the Taft Substation and Rural Crime Investigators arrested the following individuals for multiple charges including PC 487J- Grand Theft copper wire, PC 496A(A)- Illegal possession of copper wire, PC 182(a)- Conspiracy, and VC 10851(a)- Taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent.

Kyle Earsley (age 30),

Ryan Nolan-Gregory (age 30),

Noah Whittaker (age 22),

Michael Mora (age 58),

Misty Mojica (age 34),

James Wilson (age 52),

Jacob Noethens (age 28), and

Julia Munoz (age 25)

James Wilson, Michael Mora, Misty Mojica, Ryan Nolangregory, Jacob Noethens, and Julia Munoz were also placed under arrest for various outstanding arrest warrants.

Anyone with information regarding these investigations is encouraged to contact the Kern County Sheriff’s Office at (661) 861-3110 or Secret Witness at (661) 322-4040.

Source & photos: Kern County Sheriff’s Office