2 La Honda Men Arrested Upon Weapons, Bomb Found With Child: SMC

LA HONDA, CA — Two La Honda men were arrested on suspicion of multiple gun charges including one involving possession of a bomb in a household with a child, the San Mateo County Sheriff's Department reported.

Deputies responded to the 800 block of Portola State Park Road in La Honda last Thursday at 6 p.m. on a parole search of Sean Collins, 33. While conducting a search of the La Honda home, they found evidence in a common room belonging to Collins' roommate Karl Waltenbaugh, 40, that revealed a firearm manufacturing operation, the sheriff's department said.

The county sheriff's department was joined by the Bomb Squad and a federal Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms unit.

Waltenbaugh was booked into San Mateo County Jail on charges related to accusations of possession of an assault rifle and destructive device while endangering a child — all felonies, the authorities added.

Collins was also booked on charges relating to suspicion of possessing ammunition by a parolee and a $15,000 warrant.

A hold was placed on the house and all occupants were detained for safety reasons. Deputies locked down the house with a search warrant for other rooms in the house. The search revealed a large amount of illegal assault rifles, ammunition, high-capacity magazines, body armor, an active pipe bomb and equipment for manufacturing firearms in Waltenbaugh’s room per the authorities.

Waltenbaugh kept his one-year-old child present in the room where these items were found, according to the sheriff's report.

The Bomb Squad was dispatched to the scene, which rendered the bomb safe. An ATF agent assisted in the collection of evidence.

Anyone with information regarding this case or those involved is urged to call the San Mateo County anonymous tip-line at 800-547-2700.