Hidden Bunker, Massive Weapons Cache Found at Anderson Property; 40-Year-Old Michael Jay Kamfolt Arrested
A fortified underground bunker and a massive weapons cache — including 13 illegal firearms, roughly 10,000 rounds of ammunition and body armor — were found on Jan. 20 at an Anderson property, leading to the arrest of 40‑year‑old Michael Jay Kamfolt.
- Arrest: Michael Jay Kamfolt, 40, booked Jan. 20 after CHP executed a search warrant following an illicit-grow tip; CHP news release and Fox News report.
- Cache: 13 firearms (including AR-15–style rifles and reported stolen guns), ~10,000 rounds (including armor‑piercing), 30 high-capacity magazines and four soft body armor vests; CHP release.
- Structure: Fortified underground bunker accessed via a roughly 100‑foot culvert with its own power, ventilation and drainage — built for long‑term concealment; CHP statement.
Investigation and arrest
The probe began in December 2025 when the California Highway Patrol’s Northern Division Canine Unit received a tip about suspected illegal marijuana cultivation on the Anderson property. CHP Air Operations performed an overflight and observed signs consistent with a grow, and after a month-long investigation officers obtained and executed a search warrant on Jan. 20. The search uncovered a concealed underground structure CHP described as a fortified bunker. CHP release.
Bunker description
CHP investigators said the bunker was reachable through a roughly 100‑foot culvert and featured an engineered interior with on-site power and ventilation, a concrete floor with built-in drainage and cultivation equipment. The design and finishes suggested deliberate, long-term concealment of both an illicit grow and a weapons stockpile. CHP statement and Fox News coverage documented the layout.
What officers found
CHP inventory lists a large collection of weapons, ammunition and protective gear removed from the bunker and surrounding property. Items recovered included:
- 13 firearms — including three AR‑15–style rifles (one with an obliterated serial number), a sawed-off shotgun and two firearms reported stolen in 2016 and 1978. CHP release; Fox News.
- Approximately 10,000 rounds of ammunition, which CHP said included armor‑piercing rounds. CHP release.
- 30 high-capacity magazines and four soft body armor vests. CHP release.
- Components consistent with ghost‑gun fabrication and at least one firearm with an obliterated serial number; detectives also identified firearms with prior theft reports. CHP release.
Charges filed
Kamfolt was booked on nearly a dozen weapons‑related counts under California law. CHP listed the specific Penal Code sections included in the booking information:
- 30605(a) PC: Possession of an assault rifle.
- 30600(a) PC: Manufacturing of an assault rifle.
- 33215 PC: Manufacturing of a short‑barreled rifle.
- 32625(a) PC: Possession of a machine gun.
- 32625(b) PC: Converting a firearm into a machine gun.
- 23920 PC: Possession of an altered firearm serial number.
- 24610 PC: Manufacturing and possession of an undetectable firearm.
- 496(a) PC: Possession of a stolen firearm.
- 29180(b) PC: Manufacturing of a “ghost gun.”
- 30315 PC: Possession of armor‑piercing ammunition.
- 32310(c) PC: Possession of a high‑capacity magazine.
CHP noted detectives are following additional leads as the investigation continues. CHP release.
Official response and public reaction
CHP Northern Division Chief John Pinoli stressed the public‑safety risk posed by the combination of a hidden bunker and a large weapons cache. In his statement he said:
“This operation went far beyond an illegal grow. The combination of a hidden bunker and an alarming cache of illegal firearms and ammunition highlights the threat posed to public safety. I am proud of the tireless work of our Northern Division personnel that led to this arrest.” — Chief John Pinoli, CHP
Social media reaction ranged from alarm to dark humor — some called the setup a “prepper” bunker — but local officials emphasized the immediate concern: hidden caches of illegal weapons and large quantities of ammunition can endanger neighbors and first responders. Fox News coverage.
Context: illicit marijuana cultivation and firearms
Illicit marijuana grows in parts of California have been linked to violent crime and organized illegal activity. Investigators say unlicensed grows can bypass safety standards and occasionally serve as cover for other criminal behavior, including weapons storage or trafficking. The CHP probe began with a cultivation tip but escalated after the bunker and weapons were found. CHP release.
Why the bunker mattered
Investigators highlighted elements of the bunker — long culvert access, independent power and ventilation, drainage and concrete finishes — as evidence of intentional, long‑term concealment. Such durable, hidden structures can shield illegal activity from casual detection and pose hazards that complicate law enforcement and emergency response.
Implications for Paso Robles
Local officials and residents in regions like Paso Robles should note several implications from the Anderson case:
- Public safety & readiness: Hidden fortified sites can appear in rural Northern California; coordination with state and federal partners and use of air and canine units are effective investigative tools. CHP release.
- Community risk: Illegal activity can lower property values, create liability and heighten danger during emergencies such as wildfires. Fox News reporting.
- Coordination: Share intelligence on illicit grows, stolen firearms and ghost‑gun manufacturing across agencies to detect broader patterns.
- Legal reminders: Unlicensed grows and illegal weapons carry serious penalties; report suspicious activity rather than confronting suspects. CHP guidance.
- Practical tips: Report unusual rural modifications — long culverts, new ventilation, remote power hookups — and notify law enforcement about suspicious odors, traffic patterns or noises.
Further investigation
CHP said detectives are following additional leads to determine whether the operation connects to wider networks, other stolen firearms or larger trafficking efforts. The agency’s release and media reports provide the base facts as investigators continue their work. CHP statement; Fox News.
