July 9, 2024 – Merced County Sheriff’s Office officials reported that on July 3, 2024, the Merced County Sheriff's Office Supervised Release Team (SRT) completed a six-month-long investigation regarding drugs and illegal items that were being smuggled into the John Latorraca Correctional Center (JLCC).

During the investigation, three individuals, identified as Elizabeth Carpenter, Ciara Marlene Huerta, and Incarcerated Person, Anthony Ray Huerta, were arrested for conspiracy, smuggling, and possession of narcotics within the jail.

Carpenter was a contract employee for the County of Merced, and Ciara Marlene Huerta is the wife of Incarcerated Person, Anthony Ray Huerta.

We're incredibly proud of our SRT Team, Custodial Deputies, and Classification Unit for their dedicated work on this case.

Source: Merced County Sheriff’s Office