Sweep of Probationers’ Homes Nets 52 Weapons

Raids at the homes of 97 probationers in Los Angeles County netted 52 illegal weapons and drugs, Supervisor Mike Antonovich announced Wednesday.

The raids were carried out last month by a newly formed multi-agency task force that monitors weapons possession by convicted felons.

About eight pounds of cocaine and a pound of marijuana were seized. In all, 26 adults and juveniles were arrested as a result of the raids, he said.

“Following the tragic killing of the Chatsworth postal worker and the shootings of children and staff at the [North] Valley Jewish Community Center, it was revealed that the probation department was not confiscating guns from felons within its jurisdiction,” Antonovich said in a news release.

“Convicted felon Buford Furrow . . . did not have his guns confiscated by probation officials in Washington state as ordered by the court,” the supervisor added.

Furrow is charged with killing letter carrier Joseph Ileto and wounding five people at the center’s day-care facility, including three young boys.

Under California law, convicted felons may not possess firearms for the remainder of their lives.

State law also bars some misdemeanor offenders, such as those found guilty of domestic violence charges, from owning firearms for 10 years after the date of their convictions.

Washington state also bars convicted felons from owning firearms.