Martinez man gets 100 months in prison for traffic stop where cops allegedly found guns, launcher, child porn, meth, heroin

OAKLAND — A Martinez man was given 100 months in federal prison in connection with an investigation that led to the discovery of various weapons, ammunition, drugs, and child pornography, court records show.

Michael DeHaydu, 30, was sentenced to more than eight years in prison last month by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White. Technically, DeHaydu was sentenced for being a felon in possession of ammunition and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, but authorities linked him to several more crimes that prosecutors argued warranted the lengthy prison term.

On June 23, 2021, a Contra Costa Sheriff’s patrol unit pulled DeHaydu over and did a parole search of his car. Inside they found an unregistered semi-automatic pistol, 90 grams of methamphetamine, 20 grams of heroin, two silencers, another firearm, and a 37mm launcher capable of firing flares, grenades and less-lethal ammunition, according to court records.

On his cellphone, police found a video of a prepubescent girl being sexually abused. DeHaydu allegedly told officers two explanations — one, that someone traded him the video, and two, that he clicked a link and the video showed up. But a deeper search of the phone turned up nine more child pornography videos, prosecutors say.

Prosecutors argued for a 92-month sentence, less time than White imposed. The defense asked for a three-year prison term. DeHaydu’s attorney, Joanna Sheridan, argued DeHaydu had suffered through a “horrific” childhood that included a stint as a young teenager in an abusive boarding school for troubled youth.

“There were no therapists or counselors to help with his behavior. Instead, he was locked in a wooden box for days at a time without adequate clothing. It was cold,” Sheridan wrote in a sentencing memo. “He shivered and rolled into a ball to hold his body for warmth in the confined space.”

Sheridan wrote that in recent years DeHaydu has sought drug counseling, attended college and that his life was largely on a positive trajectory until his arrest.

“Mr. Dehaydu understands that his conduct in this case was serious and feels a terrible regret and shame that he harmed his community and his family by committing crimes,” Sheridan wrote.

White’s sentencing order recommends the Bureau of Prisons give him access to drug treatment programs.