A Windsor man with gang ties was arrested and quickly freed on $30,000 bail Saturday after Sonoma County Sheriff’s deputies discovered three homemade explosive devices, a loaded handgun, ammunition, and more than 10 ounces of suspected methamphetamine inside his home — with formal charges still not filed as of Monday afternoon.
Deputies responded to the 900 block of Gemini Drive in Windsor on Saturday, April 4, where they found the cache of weapons and drugs belonging to Gabriel Torres, 43, whom authorities identified as a gang member. The severity of the discovery prompted the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Unit to respond and safely remove the homemade devices from the residence.
Torres was taken into custody on suspicion of possessing a destructive device, illegal gun and ammunition possession, and drug charges. According to the Press Democrat, deputies discovered Torres carrying additional drugs when he was being booked into jail — adding to an already serious list of alleged offenses.
Despite the nature of the arrest, Torres posted $30,000 bail on April 4 and was released. As of Monday, April 6, the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office had not yet filed formal charges, the Press Democrat reported.
The combination of improvised explosives, a firearm, and a quantity of methamphetamine consistent with distribution has raised public safety concerns in Windsor, a town of roughly 27,000 in northern Sonoma County. The 900 block of Gemini Drive is a residential neighborhood, and the presence of homemade explosive devices — which require deliberate construction — at a private home drew the attention of the Sheriff’s specialized bomb disposal team.
Improvised explosive devices in a residential setting represent a significant hazard not only to occupants but to neighboring homes and first responders. The Bomb Unit secured and removed the devices; no injuries were reported during the operation.
It remains unclear when the District Attorney’s Office will file charges, or what the timeline looks like for the case to proceed. Residents with information about the incident can contact the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office.
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