January 31, 2026 – Merced County Sheriff's Office officials report that on January 26, 2026, at 11:10 p.m., Deputy Valdes responded to the Santa Nella Trailer Park for a report of vandalism. Once in the area, Deputy Valdes was informed that the suspects had fled in a white pickup towards Comet Road. Deputy Valdes located the vehicle matching the description and conducted a vehicle stop. While detaining the three occupants identified as Luis Gerardo Amaya, 29, John Junior Vieira, 31, and Jose Torres, 22, Torres was found to have a loaded 15-round gun magazine on his person. A records check by our Dispatch revealed that Amaya had a felony warrant for a probation violation, and Vieira had a misdemeanor warrant for a probation violation with 9 failures to appear.

While conducting an inventory search of the vehicle, a .40 caliber unserialized firearm, commonly referred to as a Ghost Gun, was located where Torres was sitting. All three subjects were placed under arrest and transported to the Merced County Sheriff’s Office Jail. Torres was booked for possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle, possession of a high-capacity magazine, possession of an undetectable firearm, participation in a Criminal Street Gang, and vandalism. Amaya was booked for his warrant for probation violation and vandalism. Vieira was booked for a warrant for probation violation, with multiple failures to appear and vandalism. Great job, Deputy Valdes, for your outstanding work getting another gun off the streets!

Source & photo: Merced County Sheriff's Office