Ridgecrest Police Department Mike Scott, Interim Chief of Police PREPARED BY: Sgt. R. Marrone September 24, 2023– On Sept. 19, the Ridgecrest Police Department conducted a search warrant in the 300 block of West Wilson Street. The search resulted in the arrest of William “Billy” Baer, a 30-year-old local Ridgecrest resident. Baer was arrested after police received a tip that he was selling various narcotics and possessing a firearm he allegedly used in a crime.
Eight individuals were contacted, including BaerBase, by officers and detectives. A search of the home yielded approximately 80 suspected fentanyl pills, suspected powdered fentanyl, suspected cocaine, suspected MDMA, a large amount of marijuana, over $1,000, and other items that would indicate that drug sales were occurring in the home, police said.
Officers also located three firearms, including one that had been reported stolen out of the Kern County Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction.
Baer is a convicted felon and is prohibited from owning or possessing firearms. Baer was arrested on multiple charges, including felon possessing a firearm and ammunition, assault with a deadly weapon, possession of narcotics with intent to sell, possession of stolen property, exhibiting a gun, and possession of marijuana for sale. He was booked at the Central Receiving Facility in Bakersfield.
