September 12, 2022 - Merced – On September 10, 2022, various law enforcement agencies assembled bringing the Sophia Mason murder investigation to a successful end. Dhante Jackson (33) of Merced was apprehended outside of a Newark, California residence by agents from the Merced Area Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team (MAGNET) along with agents from the California Department of Justice Special Operations Unit.
Jackson was the focus of a six-month long manhunt after Merced Police detectives identified him as one of two suspects responsible for the murder of 8-year-old Sophia Mason. Mason’s mother, Samantha Johnson (30) of Hayward, was arrested early on in the investigation and remains in custody at the Merced County Jail.
Search warrants were served at various locations in Newark, San Jose and Merced immediately following Jackson’s arrest. Laronna Larkins (42) of Merced, Mayra Gonzalez (33) of Newark and Daberka Thompson (40) of San Jose were arrested for accessory to murder charges after investigators determined they assisted Jackson while he was on the run by providing him with shelter and financial support. Jackson was living Gonzalez at the time of the arrest.
Investigators worked diligently on this case in an effort to locate Jackson and hold those assisting him accountable. Hundreds of hours were spent conducting interviews, chasing down leads and serving nearly 100 search warrants.
Detective John Pinnegar was the lead investigator on the case. It was announced during a press conference at the Merced Police Department today that Pinnegar planned on retiring after 27 years in law enforcement. Pinnegar said that he held off on his retirement because he wanted to see the case through until the end.
Merced PD Case Number:2022-14506
Merced Police are asking anyone with any information regarding this crime to contact Detective John Pinnegar at 209-38-7712 or by email at pinnegarj@cityofmerced.org.
Other ways to contact us or report crime include:
For any emergency call or text 911
For non-emergency call 209-385-6912
Anonymous Tip Line (Non-emergency) call 209-385-4725
Anonymous Tips online at http://www.mercedareacrimestoppers.org/index.html.
Some crimes can be reported online through the Merced PD website https://www.cityofmerced.org/departments/police.
Source: Merced Police Department
