A U.S. Navy sailor was arrested the morning of December 28 as Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) agents served a search warrant at his home and is booked into jail on three state charges relating to either possessing, manufacturing or transporting unlawful firearms.
Manuel Regalado, 34, was arrested on suspicion of possessing of an assault weapon, possessing or transporting a machine gun and possessing or manufacturing a short-barreled rifle, according to records obtained from the San Diego County Sheriff's Department (SDSO).
SDSO records show Regalado was booked into San Diego Central Jail just after 4 p.m. Thursday, several hours after his arrest, but was released from custody at about 2:30 a.m. Friday, shortly after posting bond. Those records also confirmed that Regalado was employed by the U.S. Navy at the time of his arrest.
"The Navy is aware of the arrest of Gunner’s Mate First Class Petty Officer Manuel Regalado, a student assigned to Center for Security Forces Detachment San Diego," CDR Leslie Hubbell, Director of Public Affairs for the Navy's Education and Training Command wrote in a January 3rd statement to NBC 7.
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"The Navy is cooperating with the San Diego County Sherriff’s Department in the investigation of the incident. The Navy maintains high standards for its personnel and holds accountable those who fall short," the statement added.
Division Chief Jeff Houston, a spokesperson for NCIS confirmed that their agency was conducting an investigation at the home supported by SDSO, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations. Houston refused to comment further while the investigation was ongoing.
A Customs and Border Protection spokesperson confirmed that "CBP’s Office of Field Operations’ Special Response Team (SRT) assisted [with the operation]."
Neighbors shared photos taken during the warrant operation with NBC 7 that show a large number of firearms atop cardboard boxes laid out under a temporary canopy in the driveway of Regalado's Tierrasanta home as NCIS agents were serving the warrant.
Late Thursday evening, agents continued to bring items out of the home and were also seen loading sealed pink plastic and brown paper bags in the back of law enforcement vehicles.
NBC 7 crews also observed more than four-dozen ammunition cases stacked in the front yard of the home. The cases were labeled with various descriptions including "MP7 MAGS," ".45 HK," and "AK74."
Attempts by NBC 7 to reach Regalado since his arrest have been unsuccessful.
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Regalado was expected to appear before a judge on January 4th, however, at the time of his hearing, a spokesperson for the San Diego County District Attorney's office confirmed that law enforcement did not file a criminal case with their office for prosecution, therefore there was no hearing.
Editors Note: This article has been updated since it was originally published with new information received from NCIS, Regalado's Navy command, and details regarding his initial court appearance. Additionally, it has been updated to reflect charges were never filed with the District Attorney's office.
