Pill Press Located During Search Warrant

In July 2024, the Santa Rosa Police Department Narcotics Team began an investigation into a person distributing large quantities of MDMA and other counterfeit pills in Santa Rosa and its surrounding areas. The involved person was identified as 63-year-old Santa Rosa resident, John Halverson II, who resided in the 100 block of Leisure Park Circle.

On 07/23/24, at approximately 0938 hours, Detectives and a patrol officer responded to Halverson’s residence and executed the service of a search warrant. Halverson was not home at the time of the warrant service. Detectives searched the residence and located a disassembled electric pill press. The pill press had pink powdery residue all over it and had some pressed pills inside of it. The powder and pills were carefully fielded tested and tested positive for the presence of MDMA. There was also powder in other colors, however detectives did not get a positive result with field tests, which is indicative it was some other narcotic/controlled substance such as fentanyl.

Detectives found a large plastic container that contained pink powdery residue, a sifter, and scooper in the same room as the pill press. It is believed Halverson mixed the narcotics/controlled substances with binding agents and other chemicals in the large container. He then would place the mixture into the pill press hopper and turn the press on, which would manufacture complete pills. It is estimated the pill press could manufacture approximately 200 pills per minute.

Detectives also located a Spectrophotometer, which is used to measure the purity of narcotics/controlled substances. It is unknown if Halverson used this device before or after the pills were pressed.

Detectives seized the pills press and other evidentiary items and brought the evidence to SRPD. Detective were able to assemble the pill press and when turned on, it functioned properly.

To my knowledge, this is the first pill press ever located in Sonoma County. The police report will be forwarded to the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office for review.