Police in Santa Rosa seize machine used to make fake pills

Detectives and a patrol officer with the Santa Rosa Police Department seized this pill press machine while executing a search warrant at the residence of John Halverson II, 63, in the 100 block of Leisure Park Circle in Santa Rosa, California, on July 23, 2024. Detectives also discovered a spectrophotometer, which is used to measure the purity of narcotics/controlled substances. (Santa Rosa Police Department via Bay City News)

(BCN) — Police in Santa Rosa on Tuesday seized a suspected pill-pressing machine from a man accused of distributing large quantities of counterfeit pills.

Santa Rosa investigators began investigating an individual who allegedly distributed MDMA and other counterfeit pills throughout the city and surrounding areas. Police identified 63-year-old John Halverson II as the suspect.

On Tuesday morning, police executed a search warrant at Halverson’s apartment in the 100 block of Leisure Park Circle. Investigators reportedly found a disassembled pill press that was covered “everywhere” with pink, powdery residue and used to press pills.

According to police, an on-site test of the substance came back positive for the presence of MDMA, also known as ecstasy or “molly.” Officers also suspect that powder in other colors may contain other narcotics.

In the same room as the pill press, investigators also allegedly found a large plastic container containing pink powdery residue, a strainer, and a spoon. Police believe the suspect mixed the narcotics/controlled substances with binding agents and other chemicals in the large container.

He then filled the mixture into the hopper of the tablet press and switched on the press, which then produced the finished tablets. The tablet press was estimated to be able to produce about 200 tablets per minute, police said.

They also found a spectrophotometer, which is used to measure the purity of narcotics/controlled substances. Police seized the pill press and other evidence.

A Santa Rosa police spokesman did not respond when asked if Halverson was in custody, but said a police report in the case would be forwarded to the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office for review.

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