Firearms, Meth Lab, Fentanyl And More Found In San Rafael Home: Police

SAN RAFAEL, CA — Marin County detectives discovered 14 firearms, a suspected meth lab as well as methamphetamine, fentanyl, ketamine and heroin during their search of a San Rafael man’s home on Thursday, police said.

In February 2025, detectives began investigating Jesse James Starr, suspecting him of manufacturing and selling methamphetamine, according to police. They learned Starr had served nearly 10 years in prison for a narcotics-related conviction and that he was currently on federal probation.

At around 5:45 p.m. on Thursday, detectives coordinated a probation search of Starr’s San Rafael residence at the 100 block of Vista Del Mar and a Richmond storage unit.

Detectives located a suspected methamphetamine lab as well as one pound of methamphetamine, 18 grams of fentanyl, 12 grams of suspected ketamine, and 2 grams of heroin, according to a news release from the Marin County Sheriff's Office.

Additionally, they discovered 14 firearms, including assault rifles, stolen guns and guns that appeared to be "personally manufactured," the news release said.

“I’m no gun aficionado, but yes from my understanding [some were probably ghost guns]. He probably had parts that he was assembling to make the guns,” Stephanie Ware, a Marin County Sheriff's deputy, told Patch.

Detectives arrested Starr and booked him into the Marin County Jail on approximately 10 felony charges. A request for bail enhancement was submitted and authorized in the amount of $1 million.