Ex-Marine Arrested After Grenade, Armor-Piercing Ammo Found In Traffic Stop

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A former United States Marine faced possible felony charges Wednesday after Sheriff's deputies found a grenade, armor-piercing bullets, and other items in his vehicle, authorities said.

Deputies from the South Los Angeles Sheriff's Station arrested Oscar Briseno, 27, of Lawndale, on Monday after a traffic stop for expired registration along the 300 block of Manchester Boulevard in the city of Inglewood, according to the Sheriff's Department.

During their investigation, deputies could smell the odor of burnt marijuana coming from the vehicle. During a search of the vehicle for the source of the marijuana, deputies found a marijuana smoking pipe that smelled like burnt marijuana, according to authorities.

Deputies also found an AR-15 magazine loaded with ammunition, two .50 caliber armor piercing rounds, a U.S. military ballistic vest, and a 40mm grenade.

Briseno had allegedly been discharged from the United States Marine Corp where he had obtained the military items, Sheriff's deputies said.

Detectives from the Sheriff's Department Arson/Explosives Detail responded to the scene and took possession of the 40mm grenade and .50 caliber ammunition.

Deputies then conducted a search of Briseno's residence in the 4000 block of 162nd Street in the city of Lawndale to determine if Briseno possessed additional military items, but none were found at his residence.

Due to Briseno's arrest taking place near Claude Hudnall Elementary School, he was arrested for possession of an explosive device near a school and theft of military destructive device.

Briseno is being held in lieu of $500,000 bail.