Temecula Man Accused of Dealing Meth, Fencing

A man whose Temecula home was raided was arrested on suspicion of dealing methamphetamine.

Jerry Clifford Briant was booked Friday on suspicion of possessing drugs for sale, possessing paraphernalia, using controlled substances, committing a felony while on probation and committing a crime within five years of getting out of prison, according to jail records.

Investigators learned about the suspect's operation from a mole, according to sheriff's Deputy Michael Hamilton.

The mole -- whose name was withheld for the person's protection -- saw Briant selling methamphetamine and buying stolen goods at his home in the 45000 block of Classic Way routinely, Hamilton wrote in an affidavit supporting a search warrant.

The suspect ran his fencing operation by buying stolen goods, then making phony Wal-Mart receipts and selling the property as legitimate.

Another informant said people regularly line up outside Briant's front door carrying boxes around 2 a.m. They stay for about 15 minutes and leave without the boxes, Hamilton reported.

Investigators confiscated three surveillance cameras and an intercom hidden in bushes and behind windows from Briant's house, according to a search warrant return.

The mole is good at routing out drug dealers, Hamilton wrote. "(The person) has worked with law enforcement in the past and has provided information that has resulted in five separate felony investigations over the last 10 months," he wrote. "These investigations have resulted in four felony arrests."