Joshua Tree Man Arrested on Weapons, Witness Tampering Charges

A 30-year-old Joshua Tree man was arrested Wednesday after investigators say he brandished a firearm and attempted to dissuade a witness from cooperating with law enforcement.

Salvador Cardenas Jr. was taken into custody without incident after deputies spotted his vehicle near the intersection of the 10 Freeway and Highway 62 and conducted a traffic stop. Investigators later searched his home off Sunny Vista Road in Joshua Tree, where they say they found evidence connected to the case. Cardenas was booked into the John Benoit Detention Center.

The investigation began back in April, when the Thermal Sheriff's Station Investigations Bureau received allegations that Cardenas had pointed a gun at someone and tried to pressure them into staying silent.

He is scheduled to appear at the Larson Justice Center in Indio on Friday to be formally charged with allegations of brandishing a firearm and dissuading a witness. 

The case remains open, and investigators say no additional details are available at this time.