February 20, 2025 – Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office officials report that on the afternoon of Friday, February 7th, 2025, a deputy stopped a pickup truck on Merrell Road near Hwy 120 in Groveland for multiple vehicle code violations, including failing to stop at a stop sign, expired registration and not wearing seatbelts.

The deputy spoke to the driver, 33-year-old Denzel Barnes, and passenger, who refused to identify himself, but was later identified as 32-year-old Mickey Ringer. The deputy had Barnes and Ringer exit the vehicle. Ringer admitted to having warrants for his arrest but continued to refuse to identify himself. 

During a search of the vehicle, the deputy found multiple used hypodermic needles, including one filled with a substance consistent with intravenous drug use. As the deputy issued Ringer a citation, he falsely stated his name was, “John Doe.” During a subsequent search of Ringer, the deputy found an empty handgun holster, a small bag of Methamphetamine and Ringer’s Driver’s License. A records check showed Ringer had several felony and misdemeanor warrants, as well as a parole hold warrant.

Deputies continued to search the vehicle and found a handgun with a loaded magazine beneath the passenger seat. The firearm did not have a serial number, commonly referred to as a “Ghost Gun.” 

Both Barnes and Ringer were arrested and transported to the Dambacher Detention Center. While being booked, deputies found additional methamphetamine inside a paper container in Ringer’s pocket. Ringer was booked on charges of 29800(A)(1) PC– Prohibited person in possession of a firearm, 148.9(A) PC Giving false identification to a peace officer, 4573.5 PC – Bringing a controlled substance into a jail, 11377(A) - Possession of a controlled substance, a seatbelt violation, and his warrants. Several additional charges related to possession of the unserialized handgun were recommended to the District Attorney. Barnes was booked on the charges of 11377(A) – Possession of a controlled substance and multiple traffic violations.

Source & photos: Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office