A man from Gerber led Tehama County Deputies and the CHP to search his home after a theft raised their suspicions about his activities. 49-year-old Matthew Willard Castelli was caught stealing a case of butane from a market. Large quantities of butane are used in a dangerous form of concentrated cannabis manufacturing, so deputies followed up and found a butane honey oil lab in Castelli’s barn. Castelli also stole a Kubota off-road vehicle that was found at his home. He was arrested and then released on his own recognizance pending court. He failed to make it to court, then stole a trailer that was tracked to his property. After pleading guilty to several felony charges, Castelli has been sentenced to 5 years in state prison.
-Steve Gibson