Convicted Felon Arrested for Weapon Related Charges 

January 17, 2024 - Riverside County Sheriff’s Office officials report that in December 2023, members of the Coachella Valley Violent Crime Gang Task Force (GTF) received information about a prior convicted felon in possession of several firearms. GTF members conducted follow-up investigation and identified the subject as 41-year-old Leroy Melgoza from Desert Hot Springs.

On January 16, 2024, at 4:15 p.m., GTF members located and arrested Melgoza in the area of Monterey Avenue and Dinah Shore Drive, Rancho Mirage. A subsequent search warrant was conducted at Melgoza’s residence in the 15500 block of Bubbling Wells Road, Desert Hot Springs, that resulted in the recovery of two firearms and ammunition.

Leroy Melgoza was ultimately transported to the John Benoit Detention Center in Indio and booked for being a prior convicted felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. 

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

If you have information regarding criminal activity and wish to be anonymous, please call Valley Crimestoppers at (760) 341-7867.

Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Cameron James

File # GE240160003

Source & photo: Riverside County Sheriff’s Office