A normal traffic stop Feb. 24 escalated when two Butte County deputies found multiple assault rifles and loaded high-capacity ammunition magazines in a pickup truck.

Christian Jesus Lambera Pimentel, 21, and Jorge Mardanado Castaneda, 28, were arrested after the stop, according to a Butte County Sheriff's Office news release.





















Both were charged with having a concealed firearm in a vehicle, carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle, two counts of illegally possessing a firearm and two counts of possession of large capacity magazines.

On the night of the arrest, Deputies Matthew Galvez and John Barker were patrolling near Esplanade and Aspen Glen Drive when they spotted a pickup truck without a working license plate light.

The officers decided to pull over the truck. During the stop, Galvez saw what looked like a gun hidden under clothing on the floor in the back.

The two suspects were then put into custody before officers continued searching the vehicle.

Both were taken to Butte County Jail. Bail was set at $64,000.