Palm Desert Felon Arrested in Palm Springs Raid

A Palm Desert felon was back behind bars Monday, after he was arrested when Palm Springs police served a search warrant for suspected drug sales.

28-year-old James Stokes was among five people who were arrested Friday when the Palm Springs Police Department's DEA Task Force served a warrant at an apartment in the 200 block of S Belardo Road, Sergeant Mike Kovaleff said Sunday.

Kovaleff says PSPD had been watching the apartment for some time after getting an anonymous tip that drugs were being sold from the location.

"After conducting surveillance of the location over a period of time, PSPD officers developed enough information to secure a search warrant for a specific apartment," Kovaleff said.

Stokes-- currently on probation for a home invasion conviction-- was nabbed when seen leaving the apartment in question.  

"Stokes was also found in possession of methamphetamine and marijuana," Kovaleff said.

Besides the Palm Desert man, another four people were arrested during the service of the warrant.  Those included the resident, Jerry Capler-- also a felon-- who allegedly had a loaded handgun in his bedroom, according to the sergeant.

Dewayne McGaughy of Palm Springs, who was on probation for sales and transportation of methamphetamine, was arrested for possessing "a small amount of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia," Kovaleff said.

Troy Verdult of Palm Springs, identified only as a "wanted felon," was also arrested, in addition to Francisco Lopez of Palm Springs who had two outstanding misdemeanor warrants for his arrest, according to Kovaleff.

Stokes was being held at the Banning jail on $30,000 bail, according to records.