Gang Enforcement Team Arrests Two in Hesperia; Seizes Ghost Guns, Meth, Destructive Devices and Stolen Vehicles
Hesperia, California (High Desert News Online) – Two Hesperia men, Coltin Fant, 32, and Michael Sardegna Jr., 30, were arrested Feb. 20, 2026, after a Gang Enforcement Team probe that led to seizure of ghost guns, methamphetamine, destructive devices, high-capacity magazines and stolen vehicles.
Key takeaways
- Traffic stop led to initial detention: deputies found an unserialized firearm on the driver, Coltin Fant, during a stop tied to the probe.
- Search warrant yielded multiple seizures: a Fourth Avenue residence produced ghost guns, suspected methamphetamine, destructive devices, high-capacity magazines and three stolen vehicles.
- Both men booked into High Desert Detention Center: Fant faces conspiracy and weapons-related counts; Michael Sardegna Jr. faces controlled substance- and destructive-device-related charges.
Investigation and arrests
Detectives from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Apple Valley Station Gang Enforcement Team initiated the probe into illegal firearms possession. That inquiry prompted a traffic stop that identified Coltin Fant as the driver and produced an unserialized firearm often described as a ghost gun.
Fant was detained without incident. As the investigation progressed, deputies obtained and served a search warrant at a residence in the 10000 block of Fourth Avenue in Hesperia, where they contacted Michael Sardegna Jr. and conducted a search that uncovered multiple illegal items and stolen property.
Evidence recovered
Deputies recovered:
- Multiple firearms, including at least one unserialized firearm (ghost gun).
- High-capacity magazines associated with the firearms.
- Suspected methamphetamine packaged at the residence.
- Devices described as destructive devices by the department.
- Three stolen vehicles identified and recovered from the property.
All items were taken into evidence by law enforcement. The department’s written statement highlighted the presence of unserialized firearms and high-capacity magazines and noted concerns about traceability and public safety.
Charges, booking and detention
Both suspects were booked at the High Desert Detention Center. Authorities reported the following:
- Coltin Fant, 32, of Hesperia — booked on conspiracy, carrying a loaded firearm, possession of a large-capacity magazine, and possession of stolen property; held in lieu of $30,000 bail. (Source: Coltin Fant tag page)
- Michael Sardegna Jr., 30, of Hesperia — booked on possession of a controlled substance while armed and possession of a destructive device; held in lieu of $290,000 bail.
The sheriff’s department issued a written statement outlining the arrests and items recovered. No additional court dates or arraignment details were available at the time of reporting.
Source attribution and reporting
This article is based on reporting from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s written statement as covered by local media. Additional local coverage and suspect tag pages include the Coltin Fant tag page and regional reporting on Hesperia.
Context: ghost guns, high-capacity magazines and regional trends
Unserialized firearms, commonly called ghost guns, lack factory serial numbers and are more difficult to trace. Law enforcement across California has increasingly targeted these weapons because they can often be acquired or assembled with limited background checks. High-capacity magazines can increase lethality and are cited in enhanced charges by prosecutors.
The High Desert region has seen multiple operations targeting illegal firearms and drug trafficking in recent months. Multiagency task forces and gang enforcement teams continue to investigate stolen property rings, narcotics distribution and weapons trafficking; this case fits within that broader enforcement effort.
Legal and public safety considerations
Possession of destructive devices and illegal firearms can bring serious state and federal penalties. While charges remain allegations until proven in court, deputies emphasized the role of detectives and gang enforcement investigators in tracking weapon flows and stolen vehicles to prevent violent crime.
The high bail for Sardegna Jr. — $290,000 — reflects the severity of the reported charges, including possession of a destructive device and possession of a controlled substance while armed.
Implications for The High Desert
Economic impact: recovering stolen vehicles and seizing illegal drugs and weapons can reduce insurance costs and lower incentives for theft, stabilizing neighborhoods and encouraging investment.
Political and law enforcement consequences: the arrests may reinforce calls for funding targeted enforcement teams and justify resources for task forces tracking illegal firearms and stolen property.
Social effects: removing dangerous items from circulation can reduce immediate risks to families and first responders and may ease community fears about violent crime and drug activity. The department’s request for tips underlines the need for continued public cooperation.
If you have information
Readers with tips or information were asked to contact:
- Apple Valley Police Station: (760) 240-7400
- Sheriff’s Dispatch: (760) 956-5001
- Submit anonymous tips via We-Tip or call 1-800-78CRIME (27463)
All facts and source URLs are preserved from local reporting and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department statement as cited above.
