"Stolen keepsake flags found at Bella Vista home"

2015-08-13T11:55:09-04:00

From: Redding.com

Deputies said they found three stolen, keepsake U.S. flags an airman in Afghanistan mailed to his family as Christmas gifts during a search of a Bella Vista man’s home Wednesday.

They also found other stolen property when they searched the La Honda Lane home of Traver Farner, 27, Wednesday, said Sgt. Jason Barnhart of the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office, which participated in the raid.
At Farner’s home, they found three folded American flags, along with Air Force literature and certificates, Barnhart said.

“The certificates authenticated that each American flag was flown in military aircraft over the skies of Afghanistan during November of 2014 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom,” he said.

According to the certificates, a C-130 plane, assigned to the 774 Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, flew the flags across Afghanistan’s skies Nov. 30 on a combat mission.

“Each of the three certificates were addressed to residents living in Shasta County,” Barnhart said. “Their son (a U.S. airman stationed in Afghanistan) had packaged the flags together and mailed the flags home during December of 2014 as Christmas gifts to family members.”

The family said they never got the flags, believing they were stolen from their mailbox, Barnhart wrote.
At Farner’s home, deputies also found a utility trailer stolen from Palo Cedro in October, a license plate stolen during a commercial burglary in Redding, and a gun and ammunition stolen from a home in Cottonwood, he said.

Farner is on felony probation out of Shasta County for narcotic and stolen property offenses, Barnhart said. Thus, he cannot legally own a gun.

Other stolen property, and drugs and drug paraphernalia, were found at the home, Barnhart said.

Eight other people were found at Farner’s home, including Christopher Rosa, 22, and Shawna Julian, 38.

Farner, Rosa and Julian were taken to the Shasta County Jail after being arrested on suspicion of charges, including being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of stolen property and drug possession.

The flags are being processed as evidence, but they will be given to the family, said Sgt. Logan Stonehouse.
He said the search occurred about 10:15 a.m.

The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office AB 109 team and the Shasta County Probation performed the search, he said.

http://www.redding.com/news/local-news/deputies-felon-found-with-3-stolen-flags-us-airman-sent-home-as-christmas-gifts

Deputies: Felon found with 3 stolen flags U.S. airman sent home as Christmas gifts

Authorities allegedly found three stolen, keepsake U.S. flags an airman in Afghanistan mailed to his family as Christmas gifts during a search of a Bella Vista man’s home today.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Aug 13 at 2015 11:59 AM

2015-08-13T11:59:24-04:00

A shame they were stolen but good to hear they were recovered.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Aug 14 at 2015 3:12 AM

2015-08-14T03:12:51-04:00

Why the hell would anyone want to steal an American flag???

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2015 2:36 PM

2015-08-14T14:36:24-04:00

I actually know these type of flags well as they were doing this when I was there I just never got a chance to have one flown. I think he was just a mail thief in general and was hoping some of those big packages from Afghanistan would have some jewelry. I sent some stones home last year and received my kicker box but the stones were gone. Shame that someone tried to debo this guys memories.