Search Warrant Nets Rocket Launcher, Suspected Meth in Paramount

Two children and several Pit Bull puppies were removed from a Paramount home Wednesday after sheriff’s gang unit investigators found several weapons, rounds of ammunition and suspected methamphetamine during a search that ended in the arrests of four gang members, officials said.

A rocket launcher, silencer, assault rifle magazine loaded with live rounds, body armor, .357 caliber live rounds, and suspected methamphetamine were seized from the home in the 16400 block of Georgia Avenue (map), officials said.

The rocket launcher – an AT-4 (Anti-Tank) – was inoperable and the rocket launcher, which officials said appears to be a military weapon and does not have a serial number, was designed to be fired once and cannot be reloaded, according to a statement released Wednesday by the LA County Sheriff’s Department.

Sheriff’s Operation Safe Streets (OSS) Bureau gang detectives were tipped off to possible illegal activity while investigating a gang-related attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon, both in Paramount in May 2012, officials said.

That information led sheriff’s to serve eight search warrants Wednesday; six in Paramount, one in Compton and one in Long Beach.

Four men, all gang members, were arrested in the seizure, according to sherrif's officials:

Jose Gutierrez, 30, of Paramount, was arrested on suspicion of illegal possession of a rocket launcher, possession of a silencer, ex-felon in possession of ammunition and magazines, and possession for sales of methamphetamine;
Jimmy Regalado, 25, of Paramount, was arrested on suspicion of possession for sales of methamphetamine;
Armando Nunez, 34, of Long Beach, was arrested on suspicion of illegally possessing ammunition and vandalism;
Jorge Galvan, 29, of Paramount, was arrested for an outstanding warrant.

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