August 28, 2025 – North San Juan, CA – Nevada County Sheriff’s Office officials report that Terry Lorraine Harkins, 31, of North San Juan, was arrested for multiple serious drug offenses on the evening of Aug. 26, 2025, following a routine traffic stop on Sweetland Rd. in North San Juan.

At approximately 8:59 p.m. on Aug. 26, two Nevada County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) deputies on routine patrol observed a vehicle being driven with an inoperable left brake light and no license plate light. They initiated a traffic stop and identified the driver as Harkins, who did not have a valid driver’s license, nor proof of insurance or registration for the vehicle.

During the contact, a third deputy with K9 Riggs arrived to assist. K9 Riggs, who is Peace Officers and Standards Training certified in narcotics detection, walked the vehicle and immediately alerted his deputy handler of suspected narcotics present. A search of the vehicle was subsequently performed; the deputies uncovered an abundance of individually packaged substances, suspected of being methamphetamine, among other individually packaged narcotics. A Glock 17 Gen-5 pistol, not registered to Harkins, was also located, along with a high-capacity magazine loaded with 31 rounds of live ammunition.

Harkins was arrested and booked into Wayne Brown Correctional Facility on the following charges: prohibited person in possession of a firearm - 29800(A)(1) PC; possession of a controlled substance while armed – 11370.1(A) HS; possession of a hard drug with two priors – 11395 HS; possession of a controlled substance – 11377(A) HS; possession of a narcotics-controlled substance – 11350(A) HS; carrying a loaded firearm in public or a vehicle – 25850(A) PC; carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle – 25400(C)(1) PC; operating a vehicle without a driver’s license – 12500(C) CVC; possession of unlawful paraphernalia – 11364(A) HS; and possession of a large-capacity magazine – 32310(A) PC.

Source & photo: Nevada County Sheriff’s Office