September 12, 2025 – Merced County Sheriff's Office officials report that over the last few weeks, our Sheriff's Enforcement Team (SET) has received numerous reports of an illegal vessel located on the Merced River near Hagaman Park in Stevinson. On September 10, 2025, our SET and Dive Rescue and Recovery Team located the vessel, which was occupied by an individual identified as Cesar Moran, 36, from Newman.

Moran was currently on probation for gun-related charges and upon a search of Moran and the vessel a .357 Magnum revolver was located. Moran was arrested and booked into the Merced County Sheriff's Office Jail on gun-related charges and the vessel was removed from the river.

Source & photos: Merced County Sheriff's Office