Big, Big Gun Case 

June 2, 2023 - San Benito County Sheriff's Office officials report Merced County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team and the Los Banos Police Department worked together on large gun enforcement case that occurred on Thursday in Los Banos.

Approximately one year ago the San Benito County Special Intelligence Unit and San Benito County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Bureau began an investigation into Julio Perez Parra (21-year-old) related to the illegal possession of firearms. Investigators developed probable cause to author a search warrant for Parra and his residence located on the 700 block of Covington Ct. in Los Banos, California.

Due to the high-risk nature of the investigation, we requested the assistance of the Merced County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team and the Los Banos Police Department. On June 1, 2023, approximately 6:00 a.m. the Merced County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team executed the search warrant at Parra's residence. They were able to safely secure the residence without incident for investigators to complete their search and continue their investigation. A search of the residence resulted in the seizure of 22 firearms to include one fully automatic firearm, seven assault rifles and two ghost guns. Multiple high-capacity ammunition magazines, approximately 200 rounds of ammunition, body amor, and evidence of gang membership were also seized during the search.

During the course of the search and investigation, it was found Ramiro Luna (48 Year old) was in possession of two firearms he was prohibited from possessing. Parra was arrested and transported to Merced County Jail for booking, and felony criminal charges will be requested for Luna from the Merced County District Attorney's Office. The charges are listed below.

Our office would like to express our gratitude to the Merced County Sheriff’s Office and the Los Banos Police Department for their tremendous assistance in this investigation which resulted in a significant seizure of illegal firearms from our communities. The Special Investigations Unit consists of law enforcement personnel from the San Benito County Sheriff's Office and the San Benito County Probation Department.

A special thank you to the Merced County SWAT team and Los Banos Police Department for assisting in the execution of the search warrant and investigation.

We are proud of our staff for getting these guns off our streets. Their actions have made our communities safer.

Thank you goes out to the Merced County Sheriff's Office and Los Banos Police Department for your support and help!!

Charges:

Julio Parra: 32625(a) PC- Possession of a machine gun, 33215 PC- Possession of short barreled rifle/shotgun, 23920 PC- Possess firearm without identification marks. 30605 PC- Possession of assault weapon.

Ramiro Luna: 29800(a)(1) PC- Possession of a firearm by a prohibited person (Charges requested.)

Source & photos: San Benito County Sheriff's Office