Police Arrest 2nd Suspect in Teenager’s Murder, Look for 3rd

by Elizabeth Warmerdam , October 24, 2012

FRESNO – It’s been a big week in the case of the murder of 16-year-old Sammy Mercado. Two suspects have been arrested and the body of Mercado may have been found.

Michael Voravong

Mercado disappeared earlier this year after he and his friends attempted to steal marijuana from a field near Annadale and Willow avenues. The two friends fled the scene, but Mercado was left behind and has not been seen since.

A murder warrant for Ernie Chanmany, 22, was issued in connection to the teenager’s presumed death. He has now been extradited from Utah, where he was arrested by authorities on other crimes earlier this month. Chanmany was transported to Fresno County Jail on accessory to murder charges.

On Saturday, sheriff’s detectives learned that Mercado’s body, which had not been found since his disappearance in April of this year, might be in an orange grove between Fresno and Sanger, near Butler and Thompson avenues. Detectives started digging in the area and unearthed a body they believe to be Mercado’s, according to Sheriff Margaret Mims.

“We believe that (it’s Mercado) due to the description of the clothing Mercado was wearing at the time,” Mims said. “However, DNA will have to be conducted to get a positive identification.”

The next day, authorities arrested 29-year-old Michael Voravong at his home in the 4000 block of East White Avenue in Fresno on murder charges. Detectives were also hoping to arrest his brother, 28-year-old Marshall Voravong, but he was not at the residence.

Police have not given specifics on how the Voravong brothers were identified as suspects in this case. Chris Curtice, spokesperson for the sheriff’s office, only said that detectives developed information after the arrest of Ernie Chanmany that led to more tips coming in.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Marshall Voravong, who has been described as an Asian male, 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighing 120 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Voravong or with information pertaining to this case should call the sheriff’s office at (559) 488-3111 or CrimeStoppers at (559) 498-STOP.

KSEE: Second Suspect Arrested in Murder of Sanger Teen

Fresno Bee: 2nd Suspect Arrested, 3rd Sought in Slaying of Sanger Teen Sammy Mercado

Police Arrest 2nd Suspect in Teenager’s Murder, Look for 3rd was last modified: January 11th, 2019 by admin

Categories: Fresno

About Author

Elizabeth Warmerdam

Beth Warmerdam is a freelance journalist based out of Reedley. She graduated from Fresno State in 2004 with a BA in print journalism and has worked for several newspapers and magazines. In addition to writing, Beth enjoys being a stay-at-home mom, trying to keep up with her 2-year-old son, Zachary.