Anderson man arrested after CHP finds fortified underground bunker, large cache of illegal firearms and 10,000 rounds
Michael Jay Kamfolt, 40, was arrested Jan. 20, 2026, after CHP uncovered an engineered underground bunker on his Anderson property that housed an illegal marijuana grow and a large cache of illegal firearms and roughly 10,000 rounds.
Key takeaways
- Search and seizure: CHP executed a search warrant Jan. 20, 2026, after a month-long probe into suspected illicit cultivation and discovered an elaborate underground bunker.
- Weapons cache: Officers seized 13 firearms, ~10,000 rounds of ammunition (including armor-piercing rounds), 30 high‑capacity magazines, and four soft body armor vests.
- Serious charges: Kamfolt faces nearly a dozen felony weapons counts including assault‑rifle and machine‑gun related offenses, ghost‑gun and short‑barreled rifle manufacturing counts.
- Sources and follow-up: CHP continues to investigate; original agency and local reporting provide further details and links below.
Investigation and discovery
The probe began in December 2025 after the California Highway Patrol’s Northern Division Canine Unit received a tip about suspected illegal marijuana cultivation. Following an overflight and roughly a month of investigation, the CHP Northern Division Warrant Service Team obtained and served a search warrant on Jan. 20, 2026.
Officers entered the hidden facility through a 100‑foot culvert and found an engineered space with electricity, ventilation, a concrete floor and drainage consistent with a long‑term, concealed cultivation operation rather than a temporary grow.
CHP description: the agency characterized the find as “an alarming cache of illegal firearms and ammunition” and emphasized the public‑safety concerns associated with the fortified site.
For the CHP news release, see CHP news release.
Bunker and weapons cache
Inside the bunker, investigators located a concealed cache and cultivation equipment. Law enforcement reported seizing:
- 13 firearms — including a sawed‑off shotgun, three AR‑15‑style rifles (one with an obliterated serial number), and two firearms reported stolen in 2016 and 1978.
- Approximately 10,000 rounds of ammunition, including rounds described by CHP as armor‑piercing.
- 30 high‑capacity magazines and four soft body armor vests.
The quantity and type of weapons and ammunition prompted immediate concern for officer and public safety during the seizure.
Local media coverage with additional descriptions is available from Fox News and Shasta Scout.
Charges and booking
Michael Jay Kamfolt, 40, was booked into Shasta County Jail on nearly a dozen felony weapons counts. CHP listed specific penal codes including:
- 30605(a) PC — possession of an assault rifle
- 30600(a) PC — manufacturing an assault rifle
- 33215 PC — manufacturing a short‑barreled rifle
- 32625(a) & (b) PC — possession and conversion related to machine guns
- 30315 PC — possession of armor‑piercing ammunition
- 32310(c) PC — possession of high‑capacity magazines
Bail: A superior court judge set bail at $50,000; county records show Kamfolt later posted bail and was released. Local records indicate no prior convictions listed in county databases.
Statements and reaction
CHP Northern Division Chief John Pinoli warned the operation “went far beyond an illegal grow,” stressing the risk posed by the combination of a hidden bunker and a large illegal weapons stockpile.
Public reaction in local reporting and social media ranged from alarm to dark humor, with some commenters likening the site to a “prepper” or apocalypse‑ready setup. Local leaders responded cautiously; for example, Shasta County Supervisor Kevin Crye, who has known Kamfolt, urged people to reserve judgment until more facts are established.
Context: reporting also noted Kamfolt’s prior political activity and that he reshared extremist content online, which sparked discussion in local forums and media accounts.
Implications for Redding and the region
The discovery highlights several local implications:
- Public safety and readiness: law enforcement in neighboring communities may reassess training and response plans for clandestine underground sites.
- Community trust: residents may demand clearer communication from agencies about risks and protective measures.
- Policy questions: the case raises enforcement and coordination issues between agencies when illegal cultivation and weapons manufacturing overlap.
- Property rights vs. enforcement: distinguishing lawful preparedness from illegal stockpiling or weapons manufacturing will remain a community and legal challenge.
Ongoing probe and how to report tips
CHP stated detectives continue to follow leads. As of the agency release, marijuana cultivation‑related charges had not been filed; the cultivation aspect remains under investigation.
Reporting tips: CHP asked anyone with information about the case or similar activity to contact the Northern Division or local investigators. Residents noticing unusual power usage, concealed construction, or suspicious deliveries at remote properties are encouraged to report those observations to local law enforcement.
Sources
This story cites official and local reporting including the California Highway Patrol news release, Fox News, and Shasta Scout.
Preserved facts include dates, seized items, cited penal codes, booking details, and original source links.
