El Dorado County Sheriff's Office drug investigation leads to arrest of two in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Two South Lake Tahoe residents were arrested on multiple charges after narcotics detectives from the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office (EDSO) served a search warrant on February 3, 2022.

According to EDSO Sgt. Eric Palmberg, the detectives served the search warrant at an apartment on Bonanza Avenue in South Lake Tahoe in relation to an ongoing narcotics investigation. Upon arrival, the primary suspect, Daniel Barnhart, 19, was detained outside the apartment in the complex's common area. He was found to have a loaded 9mm handgun with a 30-round magazine in his waistband. Palmberg said this firearm was found to be a “Ghost Gun,” meaning it was not serialized and untraceable.

Inside the apartment, Palmberg said detectives located a fully-loaded Uzi readily accessible on the couch of the living room. This firearm also had a large-capacity magazine loaded with 9mm rounds. Detectives also seized pills suspected of containing fentanyl, cocaine, and a large quantity of psilocybin. Evidence of alleged drug sales including packaging, scales, cash, and money straps was also seized.

Also arrested at the scene was 18-year-old Michelle Kennedy.

The pair is facing the following charges:
HS 11378 - possession of a controlled substance for sales
HS 11351 - possession of a controlled substance for sales
HS 11370.1(a) - possession of a controlled substance while in possession of a loaded firearm
PC 30605 - possession of an assault weapon
HS 11366.5(a) - maintaining a drug house
PC 182(a)(1) - conspiracy

Barnhart was also charged with:
PC 25800(a) - armed with a firearm during the commission of a felony

Both Barnhart and Kennedy are in the El Dorado County Jail in South Lake Tahoe on $250,000 bail holds.