Santa Barbara, Calif.  – A traffic enforcement stop in the early morning hours of October 31, 2025, led to the arrest of a felon found in possession of a loaded firearm and narcotics.

At approximately 12:22 a.m., a deputy initiated a traffic stop near the intersection of Las Positas Road and Rebecca Lane after observing a vehicle make an unsafe turn and with an unsecured load. The driver, later identified as 28-year-old Juan Fernando Rios, initially yielded, then suddenly reversed his vehicle, nearly striking the deputy’s patrol car.

During the investigation, deputies determined that Rios was a convicted felon and was carrying a loaded firearm that was not registered to him. He was also found in possession of methamphetamine, cocaine, and drug paraphernalia.

Rios was arrested for felonies including; carrying a concealed, unregistered firearm by a prohibited person, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a loaded, unregistered firearm by a prohibited person, possession of specified controlled substances while armed, felon in possession of ammunition as well as misdemeanors including; possession of methamphetamine, possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving with a suspended license due to DUI. Rios is being held at the Main Jail on $50,000 bail.