California man arrested after CHP finds fortified underground bunker, large cache of illegal firearms and armor-piercing ammo
Michael Jay Kamfolt, 40, was arrested Jan. 20, 2026, after the California Highway Patrol found a fortified underground bunker on his Anderson property that contained an illicit marijuana grow and a large cache of illegal firearms and armor‑piercing ammunition.
- Arrest and search: CHP executed a Jan. 20, 2026 search of a concealed underground bunker reached via a 100‑foot culvert.
- Seized items: Authorities recovered 13 firearms, ~10,000 rounds of ammunition (including armor‑piercing rounds), 30 high‑capacity magazines and body armor.
- Charges and status: Kamfolt was booked on nearly a dozen felony weapons counts; bail set at $50,000 and he was later released. Investigations remain active.
Investigation and search details
The California Highway Patrol said the probe began in December 2025 after its Northern Division Canine Unit received a tip about suspected illegal marijuana cultivation on the Anderson property. CHP conducted an overflight to confirm grow indicators and carried out a month‑long inquiry before obtaining a search warrant, which officers executed on Jan. 20, 2026.
When officers entered the site they discovered a concealed underground bunker reached through a 100‑foot culvert. CHP described the bunker as fortified with power and ventilation systems, a concrete floor with drainage, and marijuana cultivation supplies inside. CHP Northern Division Chief John Pinoli said the setup “went far beyond an illegal grow” and that the hidden bunker and weapons cache posed a threat to public safety. For details, see the CHP release.
Weapons, armor and ammunition seized
Authorities reported a substantial weapons cache recovered during the search, including:
- 13 firearms, among them a sawed‑off shotgun, three AR‑15‑style rifles (one with an obliterated serial number), and at least one ghost gun (an unserialized, self‑assembled firearm).
- Approximately 10,000 rounds of ammunition, including armor‑piercing rounds.
- 30 high‑capacity magazines and four soft body armor vests.
- Two firearms recovered had been reported stolen (one in 2016 and another in 1978).
CHP characterized portions of the cache as illegal, noting firearms altered or manufactured to be untraceable. Additional coverage and context are available from Shasta Scout and national reporting such as Fox News coverage.
Charges and legal status
Michael Jay Kamfolt (also reported as Michael Kamfort) was booked on nearly a dozen felony weapons counts. CHP listed charges that include:
- Possession of an assault rifle (30605(a) PC).
- Manufacturing of an assault rifle (30600(a) PC).
- Manufacturing of a short‑barreled rifle (33215 PC).
- Possession of a machine gun (32625(a) PC) and converting a firearm into a machine gun (32625(b) PC).
- Possession of armor‑piercing ammunition (30315 PC).
- Possession of high‑capacity magazines (32310(C) PC), and related counts covering ghost guns and altered firearms.
Records available to local reporters showed Kamfolt had no prior convictions in Shasta County. He was booked into the Shasta County Jail; a superior court judge set bail at $50,000 balancing release rights with public safety concerns. The CHP said the investigation remains active and additional leads are being pursued. See the CHP news release for the official account.
No marijuana charges filed (so far)
Although the bunker contained marijuana cultivation supplies and the initial tip concerned an illegal grow, public reports indicate no marijuana‑related charges had been filed at the time of reporting. Investigators have publicly emphasized weapons‑related offenses, but authorities may continue to pursue any related cannabis violations as the probe proceeds. See local coverage at Shasta Scout.
Background and community reaction
Local reporting connected Kamfolt to political activity in Shasta County. He has been publicly associated with Shasta County Supervisor Kevin Crye as a supporter and attended election‑related events. Shasta Scout reported Kamfolt’s presence at a 2024 protest that included individuals identifying with militia views.
Social media posts tied to Kamfolt were reported to include extremist and hateful content, prompting local scrutiny. In response to the arrest, Supervisor Crye posted a video on Facebook calling Kamfolt a friend and urging people not to rush to judgment; Crye declined further immediate comment. Public reaction on social platforms ranged from viewers calling the site a “prepper” setup to others voicing concern over stolen guns, ghost guns and armor‑piercing ammunition.
How investigators describe the safety risk
“The combination of a hidden bunker and an alarming cache of illegal firearms and ammunition highlights the threat posed to public safety,” CHP Northern Division Chief John Pinoli said, noting the volume and types of weaponry complicated the public‑safety picture.
Officials expressed concern that firearms with obliterated serial numbers, ghost guns, high‑capacity magazines and armor‑piercing rounds could indicate trafficking, violent crime intent, or a stockpile for future attacks.
Implications for Las Vegas, Nevada
- Public safety and trafficking: Northern California weapons caches can signal wider illegal arms movement that may reach Nevada markets; ghost guns and altered weapons are hard to trace.
- Law enforcement cooperation: The case highlights value of tips, air surveillance and specialized units; Nevada agencies may strengthen coordination with California and federal partners.
- Policy debate: Incidents like this can renew conversations about ghost guns, magazine limits and enforcement of existing laws.
- Tourism and confidence: High‑profile seizures can affect perceptions; clear communication by city leaders and hospitality businesses can help reassure residents and visitors.
- Practical steps for residents: Report suspicious activity — unusual construction, hidden culverts or deliveries — to local police or hotlines.
Sources and reporting notes
This report draws on the CHP news release, local reporting from Shasta Scout, and national coverage such as Fox News coverage.
Reporting by Times Media Service in Anderson; sources as listed.
