San Francisco, CA – Today, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced that Clyde Darn (61) has been charged with multiple felonies in connection with narcotics trafficking in the Tenderloin. Mr. Darn was arraigned on October 13, 2025, and pleaded not guilty to all charges and denied the allegations.
Mr. Darn is charged with possession of a firearm by a felon (PC 29800(a)(1)), carrying a loaded firearm (PC 25850(a)), having a concealed firearm (PC 25400(a)(2)), possession of ammunition (PC 30305(a)(1)), four counts of possession of fentanyl and other controlled substances while armed (PC 11370.1(a)), possession for sale (H&S 11351), with an allegation that they possessed a substance containing fentanyl exceeding 100 grams by weight (H&S 11370.4(c)(1)(B)) and an allegation that he was armed at the time (PC 12022(c)). The weight enhancement alleged in this case is pursuant to new laws that were enacted with the passage of Prop 36. He is also charged with possession for sale cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and marijuana.
According to court documents, on October 4, 2025, at 12:23 a.m., Mr. Darn allegedly walked to a location on the 600 block of Ellis Street while holding a backpack full of narcotics. Allegedly he stopped in front of a business and put the bag down and grabbed a camouflage backpack then spoke with multiple people and walked back and forth. SFPD Officers on patrol saw multiple people congregating on the 600 block of Ellis Street and got out of their patrol car and walked towards the crowd. Upon seeing the officers, Mr. Darn and the group of people, allegedly, immediately dispersed and walked in different directions. The officer saw the camouflage backpack on the ground in front of the location on the 600 block of Ellis Street and located a loaded .357 Smith & Wesson Magnum revolver handgun inside the backpack and letters and credit cards in in the backpack. Later, Mr. Darn allegedly returned to the 600 block of Ellis Street and officers responded and arrested him. At the time of the arrest, Mr. Darn was allegedly holding the backpack and officers found 224.9 grams of fentanyl, 36.7 grams of methamphetamine, 26.5 grams of cocaine base, 30.2 grams of suspected heroin, pills, 49.2 grams of marijuana, a digital scale and clear plastic bags in the backpack.
The District Attorney’s Office moved to have Mr. Darn detained pending trial without bail because of the public safety risk he poses. The court set no bail for Mr. Darn, and he remains in custody. Mr. Darn’s next court date is October 21, 2025, for preliminary hearing.
Although charges have been filed, this remains an active investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the San Francisco Police Department Tip Line at 1-415-575-4444 or Text a Tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD. You may remain anonymous.
Court Number: 25021531
###