White supremacist arrested on weapons, drug charges

A white supremacist gang member was arrested after deputies found him with heroin and a rifle modified "for offensive use," Yuba County Sheriff Steve Durfor said Tuesday.

At about 11 p.m. Monday, two deputies saw a sport utility vehicle parked in a field near the Yuba Gardens Apartments in the 1800 block of Hammonton-Smartville Road in East Linda.

Because of recent reports of drug use and sales in the area, the deputies approached the occupants, gang member David Alan Waterbury Jr. of Linda and Brian Keith Alfrey of Olivehurst, both 23 years old.

Because Waterbury was on probation and Alfrey on parole, the deputies were able to search the SUV and found a .22-caliber rifle on the floor and ammunition in the driver's door grip, Durfor said.

The rifle's serial number had been scratched off and the stock replaced with a pistol grip. Waterbury admitted painting the gun black.

Waterbury said he bought the rifle for $20, "which meant it was probably stolen," said Durfor.

The ammunition had been modified to mushroom on impact in order to inflict greater injury, the sheriff said.

The modifications to the rifle and ammunition indicate they were not intended for self-defense or hunting, Durfor said.

A small bag of heroin and a binder containing gang-related slogans and artwork were also found in the SUV.

White supremacists believe whites are superior to other races.

In a 2008 interview, John Summers, Yuba County's director of family court services and a chronicler of area gang activity, said white supremacist gangs, including Another Order and New Order, may be the fastest growing in Yuba County.

Waterbury was arrested on possession of heroin and a gun with an altered serial number and committing a felony as a gang member. Alfrey is charged with possession of a gun and ammunition by a felon.

The records of both men include convictions for theft, said Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Melanie Oakes.

Waterbury and Alfrey were being held Tuesday in Yuba County Jail on $20,000 and $25,000 bail, respectively.

Contact Appeal-Democrat reporter Rob Young at 749-4710 or at ryoung@appealdemocrat.com