MAGA activist's home raided in California: Authorities discover 100-foot tunnel, secret bunker and illegal weapons

Authorities in Shasta County struck gold when, while searching for illegal marijuana, they accidentally came across a massive stash of illegal firearms and a secret underground bunker at the home of a MAGA activist.


On January 20, Michael Jay Kamfolt, 40, was arrested by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) after officers found an array of illegal firearms, including three AR-15-style assault rifles, a sawed-off shotgun, and more than 10,000 rounds of ammunition. He is, however, no longer in custody, according to county records.




CHP Northern Division Chief John Pinoli said in a statement that the scale of the ammunition indicated an imminent threat to public safety. He said, “The combination of a hidden bunker and an alarming cache of illegal firearms and ammunition highlights the threat posed to public safety.”

According to a report by Shasta Scout, Kamfolt is a conservative activist who has raised concerns about voter fraud. He also has a record of attending protests and County Board of Supervisors meetings. Shasta County has become a centre point of hard-right governance and election denialism in the current American context. The county board consists of a majority of staunch conservatives.


Kamfolt shares a close relationship with Kevin Crye, a county supervisor and MAGA supporter. He has described himself as a “good friend” of Crye who would “do anything to help him out,” while confronting protesters outside Crye’s business in May 2025.


Crye, a pro-Trump election denier, narrowly survived a recall effort in March 2024.


After Kamfolt’s arrest, Crye released a Facebook video stating that Kamfolt should not be judged until proven guilty. He said, “It came to my attention today that a supporter, and I’ll even say a friend of mine, was arrested last night, and my heart is truly broken.”


The CHP had received a tip in December about a suspected illegal marijuana grow at Kamfolt’s Anderson property. After securing a search warrant, authorities conducted reconnaissance for a month before finally searching the property on December 20. During the search, they discovered a 100-foot tunnel equipped with power, ventilation, a concrete floor, and built-in drainage.


The tunnel also featured a sprawling secret cavern that contained a home gym, an armchair, and a television. Among the decorations was a Bennington flag, one of the historical American flags carried by supporters of President Trump during the January 6 riot.


Officers also seized 13 firearms, four soft body armour vests, and 30 high-capacity magazines. Two of the guns were reported stolen, one in 2016 and the other in 1978, according to the CHP.


Kamfolt was arrested on suspicion of multiple misdemeanour and felony weapons-related violations. These included converting a firearm into a machine gun, manufacturing a ghost gun, possession of a stolen firearm, and possession of armour-penetrating ammunition.

The CHP’s investigation is ongoing and has been presented to the Shasta County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration, according to a department spokesperson.