May 20, 2021 - On Tuesday, Merced County Superior Court Judge Steven Slocum ordered four defendants facing charges of escape to be bound over for trial. Gabriel Coronado, Fabian Roman, Edgar Ventura and Andres Rodriguez, Jr., are charged with escape from the Merced County Main Jail after they were found missing from their cell unit on the morning of January 10, 2021.

Judge Slocum held all four defendants over on felony charges of Escape by Force or Violence, Street Terrorism, and Conspiracy to Commit a Crime. Three out of the four will be arraigned on an Information detailing the allegations on June 2, 2021. Mr. Ventura waived time and agreed to an arraignment date of June 7, 2021.

Two other individuals who also disappeared from jail custody on January 10, 2021, Jorge Luis Barron, and Manuel Allen Leon, remain at large. A tip line has been set up by the US Marshals Service, and a reward of up to $10,000 per escapee is being offered for any information leading to their arrests. To provide information please call: 1-877-WANTED-2 (1-877-926-8332) or visit US Marshal’s website. All information given can remain anonymous.

(Left) BARRON. JORGE: 20, Hispanic Male Adult,  5'05, 140 lbs., Black Hair, Brown Eyes, from Atwater, CA, pending charges, violation of probation

(Right) LEON, MANUEL ALLEN: 22, Hispanic Male Adult, 5'10,  165 lbs., Black Hair, Brown Eyes, from Vallejo, CA, pending charges for assault with a firearm, shooting at an inhabited dwelling, evading a peace officer — reckless driving, participations in a criminal street gang, and carrying a loaded firearm.
Source: Merced County D.A.