The Coachella Valley Violent Crime Gang Task Force (CVVCGTF) discovered a "ghost gun" in the possession of a convicted felon as well as illegal drugs such as fentanyl while conducting a traffic stop on July 20 in Indio, a recent press release from the Riverside County Sheriff's Department (RCSD) said.
The weapon was a 9mm semi-automatic without serial numbers—thus the name "ghost gun"— and it was found along with ammo, RCSD Sgt. Paul Heredia said in the release. The task force also located approximately 4 ounces of suspected methamphetamine and 97 fentanyl pills.
The traffic stop, which occurred at 10:40 a.m. in the area of Jackson Street and Kenner Avenue, resulted in multiple charges for a 39-year-old Indio man who was on parole at the time of his arrest, the release said. As officers conducted a parole compliance check, they discovered numerous illicit items that broke the terms of his parole.
During the traffic stop, "officers contacted convicted felon and documented criminal street gang member, Rafael Gerardo Jr., 39, of Indio," Heredia said in the release. "Gang Task Force officers determined Gerardo Jr. was on active California State Parole and proceeded to conduct a parole compliance search of Gerardo Jr. and his vehicle."
Gerardo was arrested and is facing multiple charges, including felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession of a firearm with narcotics, gang member in possession of a firearm, possession of non-serialized firearm and violation of parole. He was booked at the John Benoit Detention Center in Indio.