Lake Isabella weapons investigation heads toward sentencing after no contest plea

A Lake Isabella man is awaiting sentencing after entering a plea in a felony case involving firearms, explosives and narcotics discovered during a search of his home.

Michael Loren Deatherage, 53, pleaded no contest Wednesday in Kern County Superior Court to 10 felony counts. Prosecutors say the plea exposes him to a possible sentence of 18 years and eight months in state prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 8.

The charges stem from a Dec. 26, 2024 search warrant served by Kern County sheriff’s deputies at a residence on Erskine Creek Road where Deatherage lived with his mother. According to court records, deputies quickly located a firearm, ammunition and methamphetamine in plain view inside the home.

By the end of the search, investigators had seized 31 firearms from the property, including weapons that appeared to be fully automatic rifles. Deputies also recovered about 95 grams of methamphetamine, several glass smoking pipes and materials associated with making explosive devices.

The discovery prompted a response from the sheriff’s bomb squad after deputies located explosive-related items during a more extensive search of the property. Authorities reported recovering two grenade-type devices. One was identified as a replica M61-style grenade, while the other was described as a Vietnamese stick grenade with a loose striker assembly.

Court documents also state deputies secured a container labeled “poison gas grenade” that reportedly held a gas grenade containing an unknown chemical agent along with paper and desiccant materials.

Investigators also reported finding a human skull inside the residence during the search.

Prosecutors originally filed 45 felony counts in the case. Under the plea agreement entered this week, Deatherage admitted to 10 counts that include charges related to explosive devices, assault weapons and possession of drugs for sale.

He remains in custody pending his April sentencing hearing.