In a startling discovery that has raised significant public safety concerns, law enforcement officers in northern California have uncovered a clandestine 100-foot tunnel and a secret underground bunker containing a substantial arsenal of illegally possessed weapons. The elaborate hideaway was found on the property of a known Make America Great Again (MAGA) activist in Shasta County.
From Drug Investigation to Weapons Cache Discovery
The investigation began when California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers received a tip-off in December regarding a suspected illegal marijuana cultivation operation. What started as a routine drug inquiry quickly escalated into something far more serious when authorities executed a search warrant at the Anderson home of 40-year-old Michael Jay Kamfolt.
After securing aerial surveillance and conducting a month-long investigation, officers made the chilling discovery of a professionally constructed tunnel measuring approximately 100 feet in length. At the end of this subterranean passageway, they found a fully equipped bunker containing what authorities have described as "an alarming cache" of illegal firearms and ammunition.
The Sophisticated Underground Facility
The secret bunker revealed surprising levels of sophistication and comfort, featuring concrete flooring, proper ventilation systems, drainage facilities, and electrical power connections. Beyond the basic infrastructure necessary for illegal marijuana cultivation, the hideaway included unexpected amenities such as a gym area, an armchair, and a television setup.
Perhaps most notably, officers discovered a Bennington flag displayed on the bunker wall. This particular flag design gained prominence among supporters of former President Donald Trump during the January 6th Capitol riot, adding a political dimension to the discovery.
A Substantial Arsenal of Illegal Weapons
The weapons confiscated from the underground facility represented a significant threat to public safety according to law enforcement officials. The seized items included:
- Three AR-15-style assault rifles
- A sawn-off shotgun
- Over 10,000 rounds of ammunition
- Four soft body armor vests
- Thirty high-capacity magazines
Authorities confirmed that two of the firearms had been reported stolen, with one theft dating back to 1978 and another to 2016. In total, officers seized thirteen firearms from the property.
Political Connections and Community Reaction
Michael Jay Kamfolt, who was arrested on January 20th but is no longer in custody, is described as a well-known conservative activist and supporter of former President Donald Trump. He has repeatedly expressed concerns about voting fraud and describes himself as a "good friend" of pro-Trump election denier and Shasta County supervisor Kevin Crye.
Crye, who narrowly survived an election recall attempt in March 2024, expressed shock at his associate's arrest. In a Facebook video posted the day after Kamfolt's detention, the county supervisor stated: "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." He added the legal reminder that "we are innocent until proven guilty."
Legal Charges and Public Safety Concerns
Kamfolt faces an array of misdemeanor and felony weapons-related violations, including:
- Converting a firearm into a machine gun
- Manufacturing a ghost gun
- Possession of a stolen firearm
- Possession of armor-piercing ammunition
CHP Northern Division Chief John Pinoli emphasized the seriousness of the discovery in an official statement, noting: "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."
The discovery has sparked concerns about the potential for similar underground facilities in the region and raised questions about the intersection of political activism and illegal weapons possession. As the investigation continues, authorities are examining whether the elaborate tunnel and bunker construction represents an isolated incident or part of a broader pattern in the area.
