(Copperopolis, CA) On 05/26/12 at approx. 10:15 PM, Calaveras County Sheriff’s deputies assigned to the Special Enforcement Unit were patrolling the area of Copperopolis. While patrolling they received a tip from a citizen who reported illegal use of narcotics inside a vehicle in the 200 block of Thompson Lane in Copperopolis. Upon arrival at the location the deputies found a vehicle with two occupants, Christopher Staedler (21) of Monterey, and a 17 year old female. Upon further investigation the deputies learned that the suspects had been smoking marijuana. Additionally, the deputies found a bindle of suspected heroin in Mr. Staedler’s pants pocket along with evidence that the two suspects may have been smoking the suspected heroin. Mr. Staedler tried to conceal the heroin from the deputies prior to them finding it. The heroin was tested and confirmed. Upon being interviewed, Mr. Staedler stated that he had purchased the narcotic outside of Calaveras County.
Mr. Staedler was arrested and booked into the Calaveras County jail where he was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance (a felony), Resisting or Obstructing an Officer (a misdemeanor), Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor (a misdemeanor), and Destroying or Concealing Evidence (a misdemeanor).
The 17 year old female was taken into protective custody and turned over to Calaveras Child Protective Services.