In L.A. County's High Desert, 'living free' has its limits Los Angeles County's barren High Desert has long attracted those seeking seclusion in wide-open spaces, far beyond the reach of power lines, sewer pipes and pavement. For many of these self-described "desert rats," self-sufficiency is a matter of survival and pride: Solar panels and wind turbines provide power, enormous storage tanks provide water and a motley assortment of trailers, outbuildings and vehicles provides shelter from the withering sun. But this "live free" mind-set is coming under increasing attack as county investigators crack down on code violations and nuisance complaints in the far-flung north. Citing widespread blight, squatter encampments and threats to public safety, Nuisance Abatement Teams are using surprise inspections and criminal charges to clear properties of illegal shelters, junk and animal pens. Violators have been forced to pay fees and fines; some have had to tear down their dwellings. Others have faced trial, and a few have landed in jail. Targets of the crackdown call the inter-agency teams the "goon squad" or the "Gestapo" and accuse them of storming their property with guns drawn - even firing at their dogs. They say county officials are violating their 4th Amendment right against unlawful search and seizure. County officials say the crackdown is about responding to neighbors' complaints and ensuring that violators are following the rules. County Supervisor Mike Antonovich, whose 5th District encompasses the Antelope Valley, called for the creation of the abatement teams because blight, drug labs and illegal animal breeding were negatively affecting the quality of life there, his spokesman said. Now, two Nuisance Abatement Teams operate in the High Desert at an annual cost of roughly $400,000. Eleven teams operate countywide. Oscar Castaneda doubts that any neighbor reported him. The closest residence to his 21/2-acre Mojave Desert retreat is at least half a mile away. Sand, gravel and tumbleweed spread for as far as the eye can see. A 11/2-mile sand path, rutted and unimproved, leads to the property he bought more than two decades ago. Castaneda, a Seventh-day Adventist pastor, lives with his wife, Aracelis, in a double-wide trailer. They grow peaches, pears and pomegranates and use solar power and propane gas. They'd never heard of the NAT before it showed up one morning. The officials drove through the gates, ordered Castaneda to freeze and fanned out over his property, he said. They listed a slew of violations. Among them: at least three unauthorized mobile homes and about 20 vehicles - some being fixed up for sale, others being repaired for members of Castaneda's church. He was served with five code violations. "I told them I have been here for 22 years and nobody has bothered me," Castaneda said. To which he said one official replied: "Well, we are 22 years behind." KellyJean Chun, head deputy of the district attorney's Community Prosecution Division, said no one likes being told what to do with his own property. "But when you start to commit violations of the law with regards to building and safety code and other laws related to that," she said, "that's where these inspectors come in." Rogelio Maldonado, a lieutenant in the district attorney's Bureau of Investigation, said law enforcement isn't meant to intimidate, but to provide a sense of security. During a recent outing, NAT inspectors arrived at a home on Littlerock's East Avenue S-2 for a follow-up inspection. A previous visit had turned up several trailers, miscellaneous items and scattered junk. This day, roughly 60% of the site was cleared. "You guys have done a fabulous job," NAT coordinator Nancy Krogstie told the residents. You're making great progress.