Murrieta Police Arrest Felon on Suspicion of Possessing Meth

A convicted Murrieta felon was back behind bars after he was allegedly found in possession of methamphetamine.

The arrest of Steve Bruce Helton, 35, occurred March 27 when the Murrieta Police Department Special Enforcement Team conducted a probation search in the 41000 block of Jonah Way in Murrieta, police stated in news release.

Helton was allegedly found hiding underneath a vehicle in the garage of the target residence, according to police.

Officers proceeded with their search, and allegedly found Helton in possession of 2.3 grams of methamphetamine.

Helton was arrested for narcotics violations as well as violating the terms of his Assembly Bill 109 release, police stated.

As of Thursday, Helton was being held on no bail at Southwest Detention Center near Murrieta, sheriff's jail records show.

In October 2012, Helton pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substances and was sentenced to three years probation, according to court records. As a part of that plea deal, the court dismissed an additional count of committing a felony within five years of serving prison time.

Under Assembly Bill 109—which took effect in October 2011—more low-level offenders are being sentenced to probation and/or county jail time in what has been called a "realignment" effort to reduce California's prison population.