Probation Search Resulted in Arrest and Seizure of Marijuana, Cash

Public Information Release
January 10, 2014
Lieutenant Steve Brooks, Public Information Officer
A probation search conducted by the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force has resulted in one
arrest and the seizure of marijuana, cash and throwing stars.
On January 8, 2014 narcotics detectives received an anonymous tip, that 42 year old
James Michael Celozzi was growing marijuana at a residence located in the 3000 block
of Meadow Wood Drive in Kelseyville. It was reported that Celozzi was on formal
felony probation out of Los Angeles and failed to report to his probation officer that he
was residing in Lake County.
On January 8, 2014 at approximately 10:15 am, narcotics detectives responded to the
aforementioned address and contacted Celozzi in the driveway. Celozzi admitted he
was growing marijuana inside the residence. Detectives conducted a search and
located 340 growing marijuana plants in various stages of growth, approximately four
pounds of processed marijuana and $7,000.00 cash. The residence was a three
bedroom house and Celozzi was growing marijuana in two of the bedrooms, the guest
bathroom and two closets. Narcotics detectives also located packaging materials,
digital scales, ammunition and throwing stars.
Celozzi admitted to living in Lake County for the past three years. He said he would
drive to Los Angeles every month to check in with his probation officer, concealing the
fact that he was residing in Lake County. Celozzi was on probation for the cultivation
of marijuana and one of the conditions of his probation was not to use medical
marijuana.
Celozzi was arrested for the cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale,
being a convicted felon in possession of ammunition and possession of throwing stars.
He was transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked.
The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force will continue its efforts to eradicate narcotics from
the communities of Lake County and seize the suspected profits of drug trafficking for
the asset forfeiture whenever possible. Anyone with information that can assist the
Task Force with this effort is encouraged to call the anonymous tip line at 263-3663.