Shasta man had illicit marijuana grow and underground bunker in addition to illegal weapons, CHP says
A press release from the California Highway Patrol alleges that Michael Kamfort was operating an illegal grow when he was arrested on weapons charges, including manufacturing a “ghost gun,” on Tuesday in Anderson.
The California Highway Patrol has issued a press release about Michael Jay Kamfolt, a friend and supporter of Supervisor Kevin Crye, who was arrested Tuesday on numerous felony weapons charges.
CHP says its action on Jan. 20 followed a tip that led the agency to discover an illicit cannabis cultivation and underground bunker in Anderson, where it allegedly also discovered multiple firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition.
“This operation went far beyond an illegal grow,” Northern Division Chief John Pinoli said in CHP’s statement on the arrest. “The combination of a hidden bunker and an alarming cache of illegal firearms and ammunition highlights the threat posed to public safety.”
Prior to showing up on the property, CHP said it conducted an overflight of the area to confirm the information it had received. The press release indicated that CHP’s investigation leading up to Kamfolt’s arrest lasted about a month.
A day after the CHP operation, Crye published a Facebook video stating that he was unaware of the circumstances connected to Kamfolt’s arrest but viewed him as a friend and supporter. He encouraged the community not to rush to judgment on the allegations. Crye did not immediately respond to a request for comment after CHP’s press release.
CHP’s press release stated that during the search, officers discovered a 100-foot-long culvert that led to the underground bunker. The concrete-floored chamber was equipped with power, ventilation, drainage and necessary supplies to cultivate marijuana, CHP claims.
The press release also provides additional information on weapons found on the property, saying seized firearms include a sawed-off shotgun, three AR-15 style assault rifles and two stolen firearms. CHP also seized approximately 10,000 rounds of ammunition, including body piercing rounds and 30 high-capacity magazines as well as four soft body armor vests.
One of the charges that Kamfolt was arrested for was the alleged manufacturing of a “ghost gun,” a term that refers to a self-assembled firearm, unserialized and untraceable, which functions as lethally as a normal gun if properly made. A ghost gun can be assembled at home with a ghost gun kit composed of different working parts of a firearm or elements that are 3D printed.
Kamfolt was held in the Shasta County Jail overnight. Bail was set at $50,000, and he is no longer in custody, according to Shasta County Jail records. In California, bail amounts are set by superior court judges. According to California law, both the defendant’s right to be released on bail — in accordance with the seriousness of their crimes — must be considered alongside public safety concerns. A review of Shasta County court records show no history of criminal convictions for Kamfolt.
Shasta Scout’s reporting earlier today documented Kamfolt’s interest in local politics over the last few years. He has been particularly interested in how local elections were handled, showing up to the Shasta Election Office the day before the November 2024 presidential election, and assembling alongside known militia members three days later at a Shasta County board meeting, after a protester’s arrest. He also supported Crye when his business was targeted by protesters last May, after he voted to appoint Shasta’s current election official Clint Curtis.
Kamfolt is also an avid user of X, where he has recently re-shared pro-Nazi, antisemitic and Islamophobic content.
CHP says the investigation continues as detectives follow up on additional leads. The Northern Division indicated to Shasta Scout that no further information on the ongoing investigation can be released at this time, including why Kamfolt’s charges do not reference the illegal marijuana grow.
Do you have a correction to share? Email us: editor@shastascout.org.
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News flash Jack, everybody’s grand dad fought actual Nazis. There was a whole great generation of Nazi fighters. Hitler killed millions and millions along w half of my family in Prussia, but I have to read comments on the daily that Trump is a fascist. He’s a spoiled brat, not another Hitler (remember when they said the same about Bush Jr?). Are you one of those overacting babies? This guy that got arrested had a bunch of wannabe tough guy stuff you can buy online… some guns, some ammo, no weed, some dukes of hazzard memorabilia, and a homoerotic cave. Stop acting like El Chapo or the KKK Grand Dragon was captured.
Nah, man.
You go ahead and act like it’s just normal stuff and no big deal.
And if you think I’m overreacting because some racist has an underground bunker with guns and ammo, get over yourself buddy.
You go ahead and accept it as normal. I won’t.
It’s funny that I have never mentioned Trump at all, but somehow YOU have to bring him up. If there’s anybody overreacting here, it’s you.
All this stuff that’s been happening in Shasta county over the last couple of years isn’t normal, bud. And I can say that because I’ve actually been to a lot of different places as a traveler. And no, it’s not because somehow I was born super wealthy. I used to train hop, and hitchhike and sometimes I think it’s remarkable that I’m still alive. But somehow, coming from a dirt poor background I’ve still been able to do something with my life and travel the world.
So hell no, I won’t accept this as casually normal.
Party on, bro.
I was repying to Christian also. He’s got the Trump deramgement and white guilt. You are the guy who overreacts. Two different guys.
Oh burn. Dang, you got me.
Keen observation. You, sir, are very astute. You understand character like no one else.
I can only imagine what this ‘overreacting’ will do to my good name and reputation. I’m now going to go hang my head down in shame.
/s
Christian, no comments on this article? You usually write a book. Glad I didn’t have to read your comments but however I never do.
Lol. Too right. Unfortunately he has an incoherent comment below. He just changed his screen name.
TM, whoever that is. I guess some people don’t know how to connect the dots…🕉️
In 2004 the average American gun owner had 6.6 firearms. In 2014 they owned 8.1. I haven’t seen an update from 2024, but I’d estimate around 10…
12 random firearms with an unbuilt lower does not an arsenal make…
And as a gunowner, i can assure you that every gunowner i know has a few off the books.
Did they also have underground bunkers where they had illegal grows and re-share pro-Nazi, antisemitic and Islamophobic content?
Nah, didn’t think so.
No they did not. What’s Islamaphobic? Saying that you don’t like terrorists?
Nah, bruh. Read the article again.
Or is it okay to be racist as long as you call everyone of that ethnicity a terrorist?
Got to stock up on those guns and ammos to protect yourself from all those terrorists that are swarming over here, right? And get yourself an underground bunker and a grow while you’re at it, huh?
As a gun owner myself, I got to tell you that it’s paranoid as hell.
Bunker guy is creepy and pathetic. You didnt really understand my comments, and that’s ok.
When we planned a metal canopy (designed for car storage), we had to pay fees, submit plans to Shasta County and wait, and wait and wait. After several months, we got a permit, and in two days had the structure installed. When the inspector came, he asked why am I here- there is not electrical, plumbing or permanent footings. We answered we had no idea why he was here but said the local company doing to canopy said we had to go thru the county. Inquiring minds want to know if the structure involved had gone thru similar process? I’m thinking NO.
As for Supe Crye, I repeat the old saying “If you lie down with feral dogs, don’t be surprised that you catch fleas.”
Why did the CHP not give the “tip” to the Office of Sheriff of Shasta County. CHP officers are partial peace officer who effectively have full peace officer authority on ALL publicly maintained roadways in California, but there primary function is law enforcement on those roadways, the protection of some modern-built courthouses, State of California buildings–and people therein or thereabouts–as well as certain public officers. The citizens of Shasta County need the answer to the question herein more than they need Supervisor Crye to answer the question of his full relationship to Mr. Kamfolt.
CHP Officers are not “Partial” anything, they are full fledged law enforcement officers everywhere in the State of California, period. They are California’s State Police.
I think it was said best elsewhere, CHP was probably involved because our local law enforcement has shown a bias towards dealing with the Cottonwood Militia, AKA Gravy SEALS Meal Team Six.
Be concerned. Locally and nationally, the actions of far-right extremists should be of deep concern to all of us. Corkey thanked the militia, “I’m so glad you’re here, it makes me feel safer.” Kelstorm at times mussed about his good friend Woody, leader of the white nationalist neo-confederacy militia (the original nazis who lost in the American Civil War, and in World War II), and Crye cries, “Don’t rush to judgment?”
Mr. Crye, Cookery and Kelstorm, the American people have already judged! Nazis and white nationalists are Un-American. And Mr. Crye, Clint Curtis, Kelstorm, Patty Plumb, Chriss Street, and all New California – JOS folks, your dream of secession and splitting California in two, so you can have a neo-confederate paradise, is not going to materialize, and I doubt your political and social avatar, the guy JD. Vance, called an “American Nazi,” will come to your rescue.
The Nazi-KKK-far-right and white nationalist Jefferson State have been a fixture for years in the Far Northern California region; this is well documented. But over the last 10 years, JD Vance’s “American Nazi” has provided the local (and national) far-right extremists with a permission structure for their activities that threatens democracy, our elections, and the very civility of the American people. And many far-right extremists act as if they have impunity. (Is that why it was the CHP that had to investigate and arrest this guy, not local law enforcement?)
Sorry, Mr. Crye, Corky, and Kelstorm, but real Shasta County’s leaders need to stand up and clearly state that there’s no room for Nazis or Nazi sympathizers in Shasta County government or in the national government! Keep your protected First Amendment rights, sure, but keep Nazis and Nazi sympathizers out of our government!
“The combination of a hidden bunker and an alarming cache of illegal firearms and ammunition highlights the threat posed to public safety.”
Yes sir ree, I feel so much safer now the Shasta County’s Usama Ben Laden is off the streets. I heard through the grapevine he and his crew were getting ready to blow up the Senior Nutritional Program’s building.
If he is just a good guy with a bunch of guns, why is Crye trying to distance himself from him? Why is Kamflot apologizing to Crye for his arrest? Did Crye bail him out of jail? Do birds of a feather flock together?
In High School Kevin was not a gun guy. He wasn’t a cowboy, he was a pretend jock. He was not well liked and he deserved it.
So you’re saying he hasn’t changed?
Like everybody, he is a product of his family. Not a good scene. His brother was the nice one that everyone liked but got hooked on drugs and you know how that ended. I think he probably had to become a total d bag to have the discipline to deal w that upbringing. Doesnt mean he should get a pass, just some insight and portrait of a character from 40 years ago. The group of people from back then are somewhere between nauseous disbelief and grudging respect for his tenacity.
Dope- West Coast East Coast. That spells “armed interstate drug traffickers”.
That sounds like a Hollywood movie. What it really looks like is a guy who will maybe make $30k having some old person drive an RV to the midwest or make $15k having them pick it up out here. A major waste of time.
Naw, I heard it through the “crew” that the Militia has 50 cal machine guns and illegal explosives at their disposal and were mad as hell when Obama got elected. Just what we need….A bunch of hayseeds from Anderson /Cottonwood playing Rambo with illegal weapons… A bridge here in Shasta County ready to blow should the need arise? I know about that as well…
Obama? Lol, that’s not exactly breaking news. Im more fascinated with the oil, landscape painting that was hanging down there. What’s the back story on that? “Hi, yes, I’ll take 10,000 rounds of ammo, some fertilizer, and that Bob Ross painting.”
Oh Nick. A Crye apologist. The body armor has markings from the sheriff dept. you clearly can’t be advocating stealing from the county. Oh ya Nevermind. You are good friends with Kevin who has also paid 2.6 million in taxpayer funds to another “good friend.” I think that needs to be revisited. Keep talking. I got more.
I don’t see that he was charged with growing pot. And one of the guns was stolen before be was born. I’m not saying someone with a “villain” emblazoned bullet proof vest is a good guy, but if he is mostly charged with crimes that arent crimes in other states it doesnt exactly make him much more than a prepper. To enlighten those who arent gun people: Building a ghost gun was completely legal in CA until recently. The government doesnt like the face the kit parts dont all have serial numbers. Converting to a machine gun is probably making a rifle semi automatic. Every good ole boy in UCLA (upper cottonwood lower anderson) owns all of the above. Proudly. The tunnel w the bad oil color painting and a few bags of fertilizer is pathetic, granted, but having large magazine weapons that no one knows you own for a just in case scenario is the only true religion that works.
Ya but he has greenhouses. And cultivation equipment. Looks like they should add sales if there wasn’t any personal use. And in California you can’t have both.
Can’t have both of what?
Not in the state of California. Plus I heard he was bragging all over the place he sells his weed he grows on the east coast.
You have to sell it there because there is no money in California for it. This guy had a big mouth which means he probably wasnt very successful. If youre wearing a trucker hat in your 40’s because youre bald, you probably shouldn’t play at being a arch criminal. Meanwhile… The marijuana business is gross. It’s a horrible drug that ruins ambition, causes lung cancer, causes high blood pressure, and destroys the environment.
“Kamfolt is an avid user of X where he has reshared pro-Nazi, antisemitic and Islamophobic content.”
But sure, no big deal that it was this type of person who had a bunker, tons of guns and ammo, and had a huge illegal grow. Way to go to try and normalize this like he is just some average, everyday citizen.
I didnt say i want him for a son in law.
No, but you sure are trying to pass this as normal.
My granddad fought actual Nazis, and I won’t accept casual racism.
But party on bro.