South Lake Tahoe man arrested on felony drug charges

An El Dorado County Sheriff (EDSO) Deputy out on patrol in South Lake Tahoe on Friday, July 3 witnessed a man jaywalking across Highway 50 near the intersection of Third and Fourth Streets.

Since the man, 57-year-old Michael Harry Horny, appeared to be under the influence, the deputy followed him into Burrito Brothers where Horny headed to the restroom and stayed for a long period of time. Concerned Horny perhaps had passed out, or was ill, the deputy knocked on the door. Horny and local law enforcement have had a lot of contact over the past several years and he was known to the deputy.

Horny was arrested for the misdemeanor of jaywalking. After he was transported, deputies say they found heroin and methamphetamine in amounts larger than for personal use in a box Horny carried. The box contained 17 grams of methamphetamine, 4 grams of heroin and paraphernalia.

He is in El Dorado County Jail on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance for sale, possession of unlawful paraphernalia, transportation of a controlled substance and possession of a narcotic controlled substance. Total bail on all charges is $164,000.