Possession of a Firearm and Narcotics Arrest 

September 14, 2025 – Riverside County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on Friday, September 12, 2025, deputies from the Colorado River Sheriff’s Station Special Enforcement Team conducted a traffic enforcement stop in the 500 block of North 9th Street and Chanslorway, Blythe. While speaking with the vehicle’s occupants, a passenger, identified as 48-year-old Joshua Hampton, advised that he had a firearm. Deputies detained Hampton without incident and retrieved a loaded .22 caliber handgun from his person. During the investigation, deputies also located approximately 8 grams of suspected methamphetamine in Hampton’s possession.

Hampton was booked into the Blythe Jail for possession of a loaded firearm and felony possession of narcotics. This is an ongoing investigation, and no further details are available. Anyone with additional information on this incident is encouraged to contact Deputy Moreno or Deputy Ruvalcaba at (760) 921-7900. Callers can remain anonymous.

Citizens may also submit an anonymous tip using the Sheriff’s Crime Tips online form.

Reporting Supervisor: Sergeant Bryan Berryman

File # A252550014

Source & photos: Riverside County Sheriff’s Office