Yucca Valley man arrested for possession of narcotics with prior convictions

On the early morning of Monday, August 4, 2025, Edward George Berry III, a resident of Yucca Valley, California, was arrested by deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department on charges of possession of a controlled substance with two prior convictions.

At approximately 2:26 a.m., deputies encountered Berry at the Yucca Valley Community Park, adjacent to the Yucca Valley Community Center. During the encounter, Berry was observed attempting to discard a glass pipe containing a white crystalline residue consistent with drug paraphernalia, suspected to be methamphetamine. 

Following his detention for possession of drug paraphernalia, a search revealed a plastic baggie containing a similar white crystalline substance in his pants pocket.

A records check showed Berry had two prior convictions for possession of a controlled substance. 

Under the new legal framework established by Proposition 36, passed by California voters on November 5, 2024, and effective December 18, 2024, Berry was arrested for possession of a controlled substance with two prior convictions, now classified as a felony.

Proposition 36, titled “The Homelessness, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act,” reforms laws from Proposition 47 and introduces new penal and health and safety codes aimed at addressing increases in homelessness, drug addiction, and theft. The statute also allows deputies to apply enhanced sentencing and restricts cite release before court appearance in appropriate cases.

This arrest marks an application of the updated regulations under Proposition 36.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department encourages anyone with related information to contact the Morongo Basin Station at (760) 366-4175.