June 5, 2024 – Calaveras County Sheriff's Office officials report that on May 29, 2024, at about 10:00 P.M., deputies were conducting an extra patrol of the Valley Springs area when they observed suspect John Robert Blackwell, 37, of Stockton, parked at a gas station located in the 100 block of Highway 26. Deputies approached suspect Blackwell regarding two felony warrants issued out of the Superior Court of Sacramento County. Suspect Blackwell was contacted and placed under arrest for the warrants without incident.

Sergeant Buie deployed his cross-trained narcotic detection canine, Titan, to conduct a vehicle sniff. Titan, who is specifically trained and certified to detect the odor of narcotics, performed a sniff of Blackwell’s vehicle. During the sniff, Titan alerted, indicating the presence of controlled substances within. Deputies subsequently searched the areas of interest indicated by Titan. They located approximately 28 grams of suspected fentanyl, an illegal metal knuckle Taser device, burglary tools, and several articles of mail from multiple people. The amount of fentanyl located by the deputies was enough to provide a lethal dose to approximately 28,000 people.

Suspect Blackwell was placed under arrest and transported to the county jail, where he was booked on two Sacramento County warrants, possession of fentanyl for sale, transportation of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of burglary tools, and possession of a dangerous weapon.

Source: Calaveras County Sheriff's Office