SAN BERNARDINO, CA — On May 2, 2025, Richard Minks, a San Bernardino resident on probation for assault with a deadly weapon, was arrested after a vehicle search uncovered methamphetamine.
At approximately 8:24 a.m., Deputy Ramirez and Deputy Strathmann were conducting a routine safety and security check at the Work Release parking lot when they observed an SUV commit a vehicle code violation. After initiating a vehicle check, deputies discovered that one of the occupants, Richard Minks, was on probation for assault with a deadly weapon.
During the search of the vehicle, deputies found a glass pipe with a white residue, later confirmed to be methamphetamine, and a plastic baggie containing approximately one gram of suspected methamphetamine. Further investigation revealed that the contraband belonged to Minks.
Minks was arrested and transported to the Central Detention Center, where a booking search revealed an additional six grams of suspected methamphetamine hidden inside his shoe.
He was charged under Penal Code (PC) 4573(a) for possession of drugs on jail property and Health & Safety Code (H&S) 11395(b)(1) under Proposition 36 for treatment-mandated felony charges, considering his two prior drug-related convictions.
Proposition 36, which took effect on December 18, 2024, has introduced new measures to address homelessness, drug addiction, and theft in California, including enhanced sentencing and preventing offenders from being cited and released before their court appearance.
The San Bernardino County Work Release program, authorized by the Board of Supervisors, allows inmates to serve the community through manual labor and participate in rehabilitation programs while re-establishing ties with their families and employers. The program emphasizes public safety and accountability for inmates under California state laws.
Minks’ arrest highlights the ongoing efforts to address drug offenses and probation violations under the recently enacted reforms from Proposition 36.
