Moses Lake police seize guns, drugs in string of arrests

MOSES LAKE — A series of investigations by the Moses Lake Police Department's Street Crimes Unit led to four arrests, the seizure of multiple firearms and the recovery of illegal drugs during a week of enforcement activity in Moses Lake. 

The arrests involved convicted felons allegedly possessing firearms, suspected narcotics trafficking and investigations at locations known to law enforcement for repeated criminal activity. 

On Oct. 12, Street Crimes Unit detectives received information that Osvaldo Jesus Valdovinos, 28, was unlawfully in possession of a firearm despite being a convicted felon. Detectives, assisted by patrol officers, located Valdovinos and conducted a traffic stop. 

Police served a search warrant on the vehicle and recovered a short-barreled shotgun, according to the department. 

Jail records show Valdovinos was booked into the Grant County Jail on two Grant County District Court warrants, unlawful possession of a firearm and first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. 

Two days later, a separate investigation began when patrol officers responded to a report of a man asleep at a gas pump. 

According to police, officers contacted John Gill, 57, and observed him in possession of a firearm. Gill, who police said is a convicted felon, was arrested for unlawful possession of a firearm. 

During a search, officers recovered approximately 2 ounces of fentanyl and methamphetamine, according to MLPD. 

Information gathered during the arrest led Street Crimes Unit detectives to obtain a search warrant for a property known locally as "The Castle" on Airway Drive. 

The Moses Lake Regional Tactical Response Team assisted detectives in serving the warrant. Investigators recovered an additional firearm and evidence of drug sales from a camper associated with Gill, police said. 

Gill was booked into jail Oct. 14 on charges of second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm and two counts of possession, delivery or manufacturing of a Schedule I or II narcotic. 

Capt. Mike Williams said the Airway Drive property has long been familiar to law enforcement. 

"It's been a center for criminal activity for quite some time and needed some attention," Williams said. "We were able to get in there and take care of it on this occasion." 

Williams described the location as a repeat problem property. 

"The last time I was in there was over 20 years ago, and I don't think much has changed since then," he said. 

The third investigation occurred Oct. 16 when the Tactical Response Team assisted detectives with a search warrant at 1518 N. Buell St. 

The warrant stemmed from an investigation into Andre Vasquez, 21, who police said was involved in cocaine sales and unlawfully possessing firearms. 

Vasquez, whom police identified as a suspected Norteño gang member, was arrested and booked into jail for first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. Jail records also show he was booked on a Grant County District Court warrant and a charge of possession, delivery or manufacturing of a Schedule I or II narcotic. 

Police also arrested Manuel Olivarez, 18, for first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. 

Detectives recovered two firearms from the residence and said additional charges are expected for other suspects. 

Across the three investigations, officers recovered approximately five firearms, according to Williams. None have been identified as stolen. 

Williams said the Tactical Response Team is deployed only after investigators evaluate the risks associated with a warrant service. 

"It depends on the threat level and the complexity," he said. "Any combination of things that raises the threat level, we'll use the tactical response team." 

Both the Airway Drive property and the Buell Street residence have drawn repeated attention from investigators over the years, Williams said. 

"We're aware of it. We are working toward it," he said. "Both the castle and the address on Buell are repeat places that we've hit. We're not quitting. We're going to come after them." 

Williams also credited detectives assigned to both the Street Crimes Unit and Major Crimes Unit for their work on the investigations. 

"The amount of work, the amount of time that they are putting in to make Moses Lake a better place to live is incredible," he said. "We're lucky to have those detectives."