Man with Prior Felony Conviction Allegedly Caught with Ghost Gun, Arrested on Warrant
HANFORD, CA — “On Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 2342 hours, a Kings County Deputy Sheriff was proactively patrolling the area of 13th Ave and Houston when he spotted an older model Ford Focus with expired registration. The Deputy initiated a traffic stop where he contacted the driver, Cesar Lopez Baltazar, and a female passenger. During this contact, the driver provided the Deputy with a false name and admitted he did not have a valid California Driver’s License.
During a search of the vehicle, the Deputy located a 9mm handgun behind the center dash console. The handgun did not have any serial numbers and was determined to be a “Ghost gun.” The handgun did not have a chambered round, but the inserted magazine was loaded with 12 live rounds.
As the investigation continued, Cesar’s true identity was discovered where a records check revealed he was a convicted felon and thus prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. This record check also confirmed Cesar had an active No-Bail Felony warrant issued for his arrest out of San Mateo County for Domestic Violence.
Cesar was booked into the Kings County Jail for felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession of an undetectable firearm, carrying a concealed weapon inside a vehicle, possession of a large capacity magazine, and the active San Mateo County Felony warrant. The female passenger was released from the scene.
Cesar’s vehicle was impounded and the following day it was determined to be a stolen vehicle which was reported to the Hanford CHP Office. Additional charges for possession of the stolen vehicle will be submitted to the Kings County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution review.”
