Felon found in parking lot with gun, cops say

A man standing in the parking lot of a busy Oceanside hotel on a Friday afternoon was actually a felon in possession of a 9mm Ruger handgun, according to testimony today, Thursday June 21, 2018.

Oceanside police officer Paul Caporaso said he approached a man suspected of being a felon with outstanding warrant at the Ramada Inn at 1440 Mission Avenue after 1 p.m. on March 2, 2018.

The suspect confirmed his identity was Kimbra Kelley, according to the officer’s testimony. Kelley admitted knowing there was a current warrant out for him, the cop said.

The cop said he looked into the black computer case that belonged to the man, and found a handgun and ammunition. The cop said the case also contained six cell phones and a WeighMax scale and a glass pipe commonly used to smoke meth. It was unclear if the cop found any computer in the case, he could not recall when asked today, more than three months later.

Officer Caporaso said he found another glass meth pipe on the suspect’s person, it was wrapped in paper towels and secured with a rubber band.

Kimbra Lynn Kelley, 54, pleaded not guilty today to two felonies: felon in possession of firearm and felon in possession of ammunition, plus one misdemeanor: possession of drug paraphernalia.

Prosecutor Joshua Brisbane claimed that Kelley has two prior felony convictions for meth sales, those from 2014; plus two current misdemeanor drug cases; plus the newest offenses alleged today.

Defendant Kelley is currently at liberty on bond.