Amador County – The Amador County Sheriff’s Department announced the late December arrest of an Amador City man after he allegedly pointed a shotgun in the face of a Jackson man. He was later charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, and also possessing a stolen gun.

Sheriff Martin Ryan’s office issued a release Wednesday saying Michael Shawn Smith, 35, of Jackson, reported going to the house of his ex-wife to check on her welfare because she had been ill. He visited the residence at about 11:30 p.m. on Dec. 30 on Highway 49 in Amador City.

“Smith reported that he was greeted by a Hispanic male,” who “pointed a shotgun at his face.”

Amador County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the home in Amador City, and deputies contacted Smith’s ex-wife, as well as Umberto Valencia, 28, of Amador City. The report said “Valencia denied brandishing a firearm at Smith, but admitted to possessing a shotgun, which was subsequently found hidden in his bedroom closet. The shotgun, a Mossberg pump action .12 gauge, was loaded with four rounds.”

The Sheriff’s Department said a “search of the Automated Firearm System showed the Mossberg shotgun was reported stolen from Modesto,” and “upon further investigation it was determined that Valencia is a convicted felon and as such precluded from possessing firearms.”

“Valencia was arrested and charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a stolen firearm,” the Sheriff’s office said. “Additional investigation is being conducted by sheriff’s detectives “in relation to the allegations that Valencia brandished a firearm at Smith.”

Valencia was booked into the Amador County Jail, where bail was set at $45,000.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.