Murder warrant issued for Fresno man in connection to Sanger teen’s disappearance

FRESNO – The Fresno Sheriff’s Office issued a murder warrant on Monday for a Fresno man who has been a subject of interest in the case of a Sanger teenager who went missing last month.

Ernie Chanmany is wanted in connection with the disappearance of Sammy Mercado

Ernie Chanmany, 21, is wanted for murder, attempted murder, and weapons charges in connection to the disappearance of 16-year-old Sammy Mercado. The teenager’s body has not been found.

Mercado was last seen on April 12 with two of his friends at a marijuana grow site near the intersection of Annadale and Willow avenues.

“They had gone there with the intent of stealing marijuana,” Lt. Robert Salazar said about the three teens.

The three friends drove to the site around 7:30 a.m. that day. Mercado exited the car on his own and began approaching the field. At that time, two Asian males emerged from a homemade hut and one of them started shooting at Mercado, police said. Mercado’s two friends initially drove away, leaving the teen lying on the ground.

Mercado’s two friends returned to the scene later to look for him, but were unable to find him. Evidence at the scene indicated that Mercado had been shot, authorities said. Detectives believe that men guarding the marijuana grow site shot Mercado and then hauled him away from the field.

On April 19, two pickup trucks connected to the case were found in an orchard in Fresno. Officials with the Sheriff’s Department said that evidence from these trucks, as well as other evidence gathered throughout the investigation, helped lead them to Chanmany as a person of interest in the case. He is now wanted for murder in connection to Mercado’s disappearance.

The intersection of Annadale and Willow Ave, near where the shooting took place.

Chanmany’s whereabouts are unknown at this time. His last known address was on South Chance Avenue in Fresno. According to the Sheriff’s Office, he could be in Las Vegas, Nevada or Memphis, Tennessee.

Chanmany is described as a Lao male, 5’6” tall, 135 pounds, with black hair brown eyes. He has a dragon tattoo on his left shoulder, a tattoo that says “Chanmany” on his chest, and 01-01-10 tattooed on his left wrist.

Anyone with information on Chanmany’s whereabouts is asked to immediately contact the Sheriff’s Office at 488-3111 or 498-STOP.

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