A 21-year-old Indio man was arrested for attempting to enter the College of the Desert campus with a loaded 9-millimeter pistol, according to a press release from the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.
Coachella Valley Violent Crime Gang Task Force officers conducted a vehicle stop at 6:45 p.m. on March 21, which revealed the weapon, according to Sgt. Paul Heredia. The weapon was described as a loaded 9-millimeter pistol with a full-auto switch and a 33-round extended magazine.
During the operation, Gang Task Force officers arrested Cesar Martinez, 21, of Indio, during a vehicle stop as Martinez was driving onto the College of the Desert campus. College of the Desert is located in Palm Desert.
The Violent Crime Gang Task Force initiative, assisted by the Palm Desert Special Enforcement Team, nabbed two documented street gang members on firearms charges, among them a teenager.
After apprehending Martinez, Gang Task Force officers went on to serve a search warrant at a home located in the 46000 block of Jackson Street in Indio, resulting in the arrest of a 17-year-old juvenile discovered in possession of a loaded 9-millimeter pistol with a 33-round extended magazine. This is similar to the report on Martinez's alleged weapon.
Further investigation, according to Heredia, found the juvenile to have a prior firearm offense for which he was already on probation.
Martinez was booked at John Benoit Detention Center in Indio on charges of possession of a machine gun and carrying a loaded firearm. In addition, the 17-year-old juvenile was charged with felony in possession of a firearm when he was booked at the juvenile detention center located in Indio.
Anyone with additional information to assist in this firearms case is encouraged to reach out to Coachella Valley Violent Crime Gang Task Force member Officer Coddington at 760-836-1600.