Two Arrested on Charges Related to Drug Sales Following Search Warrant Service 

June 25, 2025 – Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office officials report that on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at approximately 9:21 p.m., following an investigation into drug sales, TNT Detectives—assisted by Patrol Deputies—served a search warrant at a residence in the area of Camino Del Parque near Paseo De Los Portales in Sonora, CA.

Just prior to the warrant service, TNT Detectives stopped and detained 62-year-old Randall Banks of Sonora as he was driving away from the residence. A search of Banks found he was in possession of $1,005 cash. Once at the residence, detectives and deputies detained a second resident of the home, 67-year-old Stephen Gates of Sonora and two additional subjects who were later determined to be guests and released.

During the warrant service, TNT Detectives located approximately 4.5 ounces (approximately a quarter pound) of suspected methamphetamine, a small amount of suspected cocaine and psilocybin mushrooms. They also found additional evidence of drug sales and multiple items of drug use paraphernalia.

Banks was arrested and booked at the Dambacher Detention Center (DDC) on the charges of 11378 H&S– Possession of a controlled substance for sale, 11366 H&S – Maintaining a place for drug sales and 11364 H&S – Possession of drug paraphernalia. Gates was arrested and booked at the DDC for 11366 H&S – Maintaining a place for drug sales, 11377 H&S – Possession of a controlled substance and 11350(a) H&S – Possession of a narcotic controlled substance.

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We want to remind the public: a dedicated tip line is available for reporting information related to drug sales or ongoing investigations. Anyone with relevant information is encouraged to contact TNT Detectives at (209) 533-5884.

Source & photo: Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office