Dozens arrested after investigation into gang-related homicide in Merced County

MERCED COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) — Gathered in a large conference room behind tables containing a variety of firearms and large bags of drugs, law enforcement announced the results of an 18-month investigation.

“No fentanyl in our city, no gang violence on our streets. No murderer is going to get away with what he thought he was getting away with,” said Merced County District Attorney Nicole Silveira.

Operation Red Rooster began with a gang-related homicide and attempted homicide in Livingston in 2022.

Police arrested one suspected shooter, but another remained at large.

During this time, the Merced Area Narcotics and Gang Enforcement Team, local city and county law enforcement, the FBI and the California Department of Justice worked collaboratively to investigate about the gang responsible and its work in Merced County.

Thursday morning, these law enforcement partners went to dozens of locations across the county and seized more than 60 pounds of illegal drugs and nearly 30 firearms.

They also arrested 41 people, including Freddy Hernandez, who authorities said was responsible for the 2022 Livingston homicide.

“It's very nice and rewarding to know that there are other agencies that you can go to when you don't have the resources,” said Livingston Acting Police Chief John Ramirez. “Even for an operation of this magnitude, even our local agencies in Merced County did not have the necessary resources.”

No one was injured in the sweep, but Merced County Sheriff Vern Warnke said it occurred in some cases.

“We were serious,” Wernke said. “We had an individual in a local town in Merced County who barricaded himself and a neighboring agency's SWAT team came in and they had to use significant force to get him out.”

Action News was told officers and agents were still investigating and collecting more evidence Thursday evening and we can expect more arrests and developments as this investigation continues.

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