Shasta man had illicit marijuana grow and underground bunker in addition to illegal weapons, CHP says – shastascout.org
A press release from the California Highway Patrol alleges that Michael Kamfort was operating an illegal grow when he was arrested on weapons charges, including manufacturing a “ghost gun,” on Tuesday in Anderson.
The California Highway Patrol has issued a press release about Michael Jay Kamfolt, a friend and supporter of Supervisor Kevin Crye, who was arrested Tuesday on numerous felony weapons charges.
CHP says its action on Jan. 20 followed a tip that led the agency to discover an illicit cannabis cultivation and underground bunker in Anderson, where it allegedly also discovered multiple firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition.
“This operation went far beyond an illegal grow,” Northern Division Chief John Pinoli said in CHP’s statement on the arrest. “The combination of a hidden bunker and an alarming cache of illegal firearms and ammunition highlights the threat posed to public safety.”
Prior to showing up on the property, CHP said it conducted an overflight of the area to confirm the information it had received. The press release indicated that CHP’s investigation leading up to Kamfolt’s arrest lasted about a month.
A day after the CHP operation, Crye published a Facebook video stating that he was unaware of the circumstances connected to Kamfolt’s arrest but viewed him as a friend and supporter. He encouraged the community not to rush to judgment on the allegations. Crye did not immediately respond to a request for comment after CHP’s press release.
CHP’s press release stated that during the search, officers discovered a 100-foot-long culvert that led to the underground bunker. The concrete-floored chamber was equipped with power, ventilation, drainage and necessary supplies to cultivate marijuana, CHP claims.
The press release also provides additional information on weapons found on the property, saying seized firearms include a sawed-off shotgun, three AR-15 style assault rifles and two stolen firearms. CHP also seized approximately 10,000 rounds of ammunition, including body piercing rounds and 30 high-capacity magazines as well as four soft body armor vests.
One of the charges that Kamfolt was arrested for was the alleged manufacturing of a “ghost gun,” a term that refers to a self-assembled firearm, unserialized and untraceable, which functions as lethally as a normal gun if properly made. A ghost gun can be assembled at home with a ghost gun kit composed of different working parts of a firearm or elements that are 3D printed.
Kamfolt was held in the Shasta County Jail overnight. Bail was set at $50,000, and he is no longer in custody, according to Shasta County Jail records. In California, bail amounts are set by superior court judges. According to California law, both the defendant’s right to be released on bail — in accordance with the seriousness of their crimes — must be considered alongside public safety concerns. A review of Shasta County court records show no history of criminal convictions for Kamfolt.
Shasta Scout’s reporting earlier today documented Kamfolt’s interest in local politics over the last few years. He has been particularly interested in how local elections were handled, showing up to the Shasta Election Office the day before the November 2024 presidential election, and assembling alongside known militia members three days later at a Shasta County board meeting, after a protester’s arrest. He also supported Crye when his business was targeted by protesters last May, after he voted to appoint Shasta’s current election official Clint Curtis.
Kamfolt is also an avid user of X, where he has recently re-shared pro-Nazi, antisemitic and Islamophobic content.
CHP says the investigation continues as detectives follow up on additional leads. The Northern Division indicated to Shasta Scout that no further information on the ongoing investigation can be released at this time, including why Kamfolt’s charges do not reference the illegal marijuana grow.
Do you have a correction to share? Email us: editor@shastascout.org.
Annelise Pierce is Shasta Scout’s Editor and a Community Reporter covering government accountability, civic engagement, and local religious and political movements.
“The combination of a hidden bunker and an alarming cache of illegal firearms and ammunition highlights the threat posed to public safety.”
Yes sir ree, I feel so much safer now the Shasta County’s Usama Ben Laden is off the streets. I heard through the grapevine he and his crew were getting ready to blow up the Senior Nutritional Program’s building.
I don’t see that he was charged with growing pot. And one of the guns was stolen before be was born. I’m not saying someone with a “villain” emblazoned bullet proof vest is a good guy, but if he is mostly charged with crimes that arent crimes in other states it doesnt exactly make him much more than a prepper. To enlighten those who arent gun people: Building a ghost gun was completely legal in CA until recently. The government doesnt like the face the kit parts dont all have serial numbers. Converting to a machine gun is probably making a rifle semi automatic. Every good ole boy in UCLA (upper cottonwood lower anderson) owns all of the above. Proudly. The tunnel w the bad oil color painting and a few bags of fertilizer is pathetic, granted, but having large magazine weapons that no one knows you own for a just in case scenario is the only true religion that works.
Ya but he has greenhouses. And cultivation equipment. Looks like they should add sales if there wasn’t any personal use. And in California you can’t have both.
Can’t have both of what?
“Kamfolt is an avid user of X where he has reshared pro-Nazi, antisemitic and Islamophobic content.”
But sure, no big deal that it was this type of person who had a bunker, tons of guns and ammo, and had a huge illegal grow. Way to go to try and normalize this like he is just some average, everyday citizen.
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