Location: Leland/Hillman & 1000 Block of W Sonora, Tulare

Incident Date: 12-6-16

Incident Time: 1500 hours

Case Number: 16-60047

Victim: State of California

City: Tulare

Posted by: Dispatch

Suspect #1 – Gonzalez, Manuel Gayton, 28 YOA

Charges: 11378 H&S-Sales of methamphetamine, 11379 H&S-Transportation for the sale of methamphetamine, 11366 H&S-Maintaining a drug house, 182 PC-Conspiracy, 29800A PC-Felon in possession of a firearm, 496 PC-Possession of a stolen firearm, 273A PC-Child endangerment

Suspect #2 – Morales, Jose Manuel, 21 YOA

Charges: 11378 H&S-Sales of methamphetamine, 11379 H&S-Transportation for sales of methamphetamine, 182 PC-Conspiracy

Suspect #3 – Leos, Bridgette, 24 YOA

Charges: 11378 H&S-Sales of methamphetamine, 273A PC-Child endangerment,

Additional Victims of 273A PC – 3 HFJ ranging in age from newborn to 4 YOA

On 12-6-16, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the Southern Tri-County High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force (STC HIDTA) and the Tulare Police Department ended a 4-month long investigation into the sales of narcotics and weapons.

During the 4-month long investigation Detectives from both agencies successfully negotiated and purchased methamphetamine and weapons from suspect#1 Manuel Gonzalez.

On 12-6-16, Detectives from both agencies successfully negotiated the purchase of 5 pounds of methamphetamine that ultimately led to the arrest of suspect #1 Manuel Gonzalez and suspect #2 Jose Morales in the area of Hillman and Leland, Tulare.

After the arrest, Detectives served a search warrant at suspect #1 Manuel Gonzalez residence located in the 1000 block of West Sonora, Tulare. During the search warrant, suspect #3 Bridgette Leos was contacted along with her three children, all female juveniles.

During a search of the residence, Detectives located an additional 1 ½ pounds of methamphetamine, which was unsecured and easily accessible to the juveniles living at the residence, and $900 in currency .

At the conclusion of the search warrant, the above three suspects were arrested for the listed charges. The three female juveniles were released to the custody of Child Protective Services.

Anyone with information on the suspects is encouraged to call the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at (559) 733-6218 or send anonymous information by sending a text or email to TCSO@tipnow.com or call (559) 725-4194.