San Benito County Sheriff’s Office Concludes Year-Long Illegal Firearms Investigation
Above: Firearms confiscated during search warrant | San Benito County Sheriff’s Office
Authorities in San Benito County have reportedly concluded a year-long investigation into the alleged illegal possession of firearms, culminating in the arrest of Julio Perez Parra, a 21-year-old resident.
According to a press release by the Sheriff’s Office, the San Benito County Special Intelligence Unit and the San Benito County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Bureau headed the operation, which reached a critical stage warranting the assistance of the Merced County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team and the Los Banos Police Department.
Around 6 AM on June 1, the Merced County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team executed a search warrant at Parra’s residence on Covington Court in Los Banos. The team secured the premises without incident, allowing investigators to conduct a thorough search as part of their ongoing efforts.
The search of Parra’s residence reportedly turned up a high number of illegal firearms. Among the items seized were twenty-two firearms, including a fully automatic, seven assault rifles, and two ghost guns. Multiple high-capacity ammunition magazines, approximately 200 rounds of ammunition, body armor, and evidence suggesting gang membership were also confiscated, the Sheriff’s Office said.
While conducting the search, law enforcement authorities reportedly discovered that Ramiro Luna, a 48-year-old individual, was in possession of two firearms that he was prohibited from owning. Charges against Luna for unlawful firearm possession have since been requested from the Merced County District Attorney’s Office.
Julio Parra was arrested and booked at the Merced County Jail. Authorities are expected to request felony criminal charges against him, including possession of a machine gun, possession of a short-barreled rifle or shotgun, possession of a firearm without identification marks, and possession of an assault weapon, as specified under the relevant sections of the California Penal Code.
The San Benito County Sheriff’s Office expressed gratitude towards the Merced County Sheriff’s Office and the Los Banos Police Department for their assistance throughout the investigation.
