Anderson bunker arrest: Michael Jay Kamfolt held after underground bunker and large cache of illegal firearms found on property
Michael Jay Kamfolt, 40, was arrested Jan. 20, 2026, after CHP discovered an underground bunker on his Anderson property containing an illicit marijuana grow and a large cache of illegal firearms, ammunition and body armor.
- Arrest and search: Kamfolt was arrested Jan. 20, 2026, following a search that uncovered a fortified underground bunker and an illegal grow. (Sources: CHP, Fox News, Shasta Scout)
- Seized weapons and ammo: Officers recovered 13 firearms, ~10,000 rounds (including armor‑piercing), 30 high‑capacity magazines and four soft body armor vests.
- Charges and custody: Kamfolt faces nearly a dozen felony weapons charges; he was booked at Shasta County Jail and released after posting $50,000 bail.
Investigation and arrest
The California Highway Patrol’s Northern Division Canine Unit began investigating a tip in December 2025 about suspected illegal marijuana cultivation on the Anderson property. Authorities used an overflight to confirm signs of a grow, conducted a month‑long probe, and then obtained and served a search warrant on Jan. 20, 2026. (Source: CHP)
“It went far beyond an illegal grow,” said CHP Northern Division Chief John Pinoli, pointing to the bunker and weapons cache as a threat to public safety. The CHP released images showing the bunker entrance, the long culvert and the firearms seized. (See CHP release.)
Bunker layout and the weapons cache
Officers described a hidden, fortified space accessed through a roughly 100‑foot culvert. Inside they found a ventilated, powered area with concrete flooring and drainage, cultivation equipment and a deliberately concealed layout designed to mask activity.
Seized items, as listed by CHP and local reports, included:
- 13 firearms, including three AR‑15‑style rifles (one with an obliterated serial), and a sawed‑off shotgun; two firearms were reported stolen (one stolen in 2016, another in 1978). (Sources: CHP, Fox News, Shasta Scout)
- Approximately 10,000 rounds of ammunition, including armor‑piercing rounds. (Source: CHP)
- 30 high‑capacity magazines and four soft body armor vests. (Source: CHP)
Law enforcement emphasized the risk posed by the variety and volume of weapons, including an AR‑15‑style rifle with an obliterated serial number and weapons modified or converted to increase lethality.
Charges and legal status
Kamfolt was booked on multiple felony counts under California law related to assault weapons, machine guns, armor‑piercing ammunition and high‑capacity magazines. CHP listed specific charges including:
- 30605(a) PC — possession of an assault rifle;
- 30600(a) PC — manufacturing an assault rifle;
- 33215 PC — manufacturing a short‑barreled rifle;
- 32625(a) PC — possession of a machine gun;
- 32625(b) PC — converting a firearm into a machine gun;
- 30315 PC — possession of armor‑piercing ammunition;
- 32310(c) PC — possession of high‑capacity magazines;
- Additional counts for manufacturing a ghost gun (an unserialized, self‑assembled firearm).
He was booked into the Shasta County Jail, held overnight and released after posting $50,000 bail. Reporters found no prior Shasta County convictions on record. CHP said the investigation into the weaponry and bunker remains active and that additional leads are being followed. (Sources: Shasta Scout, Fox News, CHP)
Marijuana operation and related probes
Although the search originated from a tip about illegal marijuana cultivation, prosecutors had not filed grow‑related charges at the time of reporting. CHP and local authorities said the marijuana component remains under investigation; the discovery of the weapons cache expanded the scope of the case. (Source: Shasta Scout)
Background, public reaction and local ties
Local reporting linked Kamfolt to regional political activity; he was noted as a supporter of Shasta County Supervisor Kevin Crye and attended election‑related events where militia members were present. Supervisor Crye described Kamfolt as a friend and urged patience while the investigation proceeds. (Source: Shasta Scout)
Reporters also documented that Kamfolt had reshared extremist and hateful content on X (formerly Twitter), including posts described as pro‑Nazi, antisemitic and Islamophobic. Public comments varied: some labeled the bunker a “prepper” setup, while others flagged it as a clear public‑safety hazard.
Implications for United States
Public safety and rural communities: The discovery underscores concerns about how isolated properties can mask illicit activity, and the increased risk to officers serving warrants when fortified spaces are combined with heavy weaponry.
Law enforcement coordination: What began as a cannabis tip evolved into a weapons investigation, illustrating the need for interagency coordination; evidence such as armor‑piercing rounds and converted weapons could prompt federal interest.
Legal and policy questions: The seizure of ghost‑gun parts, weapons with obliterated serial numbers, high‑capacity magazines and armor‑piercing ammunition highlights enforcement challenges and fuels debate over balancing lawful gun ownership with preventing illegal arms circulation.
Community trust: Local ties between the suspect and public figures show how arrests can ripple into local politics; clear communication from authorities remains vital to sustaining community trust.
For rural residents: report suspicious activity, secure property, and cooperate with tips to help detect illegal operations before they escalate into more dangerous situations.
Reporting and sources
This article is based on reporting and statements from the California Highway Patrol and local news accounts. See the CHP’s news release for details and images from the scene. Additional coverage: Fox News and Shasta Scout.
