MADERA COUNTY – Sheriff’s deputies arrested an Oakhurst man last night, found to be in possession of potent prescription medication, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
Dominic Nathan Vanderhorst, 18, was taken into custody in a shopping center off Highway 49 after the Sheriff’s Office received reports of several juveniles loitering in the area just before 7 p.m.As Deputy Richard Gonzales pulled into the parking lot he saw three vehicles, five juveniles and could hear loud music blaring from one of the cars. Vanderhorst was seated in a Chevy Tahoe.
As Gonzales approached the Tahoe, he could smell a strong order of marijuana.
When asked if he had anything illegal, Vanderhorst said he had some marijuana, for which he does not have a medical card. He gave the deputy consent to search the interior of the vehicle for drugs, and during that search a Marlboro cigarette box containing hydrocodone and diazepam pills was found.
The suspect reportedly told the deputy that the controlled substance belonged to someone else, and he had forgotten he had it in his Tahoe. A small glass container of marijuana, along with a grinder and digital scale were also recovered.
Vanderhorst was taken into custody without incident and transported to Madera County Department of Corrections where he posted his $10,000 bond about an hour after his booking.
Anyone with information about suspicious illicit drug activity anywhere in Madera County can phone in tips to the MADNET hotline. Agents with the Madera County Narcotic Enforcement Team can be reached at 559-675-7776.
