March 23, 2023 - Riverside County Sheriff's Office officials report that on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at 6:45 P.M., the Coachella Valley Violent Crime Gang Task Force, with the assistance of the Palm Desert Special Enforcement Team, conducted an operation that resulted in the arrest of two documented criminal street gang members for firearms-related offenses. During the operation Gang Task Force Officers arrested Cesar Martinez, 21, of Indio, during a vehicle stop as Martinez was driving onto the College of the Desert campus. Martinez was found to be in possession of a loaded 9mm pistol with a full-auto switch and a 33-round extended magazine. Gang Task Force Officers subsequently served a search warrant at a residence located in the 46000 block of Jackson Street in Indio, where they arrested a 17-year-old juvenile who was found to be in possession of a loaded 9mm pistol with a 33-round extended magazine. Additionally, the juvenile was determined to be on active probation for a previous firearm offense.

Martinez was charged with Possession of a Machine Gun and Carrying a Loaded Firearm. He was booked at John Benoit Detention Center in Indio. The 17-year-old juvenile was charged with Felon in Possession of a Firearm and booked at Juvenile Hall in Indio.

The Coachella Valley Violent Crime Gang Task Force is committed to creating safe, secure neighborhoods free of violent crime and gang activity. If you have any information about this crime, please contact CVVCGTF member Officer Coddington at (760) 836–1600. If you have non-emergency information regarding gang activity, please use Gang Task Force Tip Form or call 951-922-7601.

Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Paul Heredia

File # GE230800003

Source & photo: Riverside County Sheriff's Office