Merced 'GB' rapper among 41 arrested in raid, deputies say

MERCED, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Among the more than 40 arrests announced Thursday as part of “Operation Red Rooster” was a man who was honored by the Merced City Council for using his success in music industry to give back to its community.

In August 2023, Eduardo Nepomuceno-Vega was recognized by the Merced City Hall and awarded the certificate below. In May 2024, he was arrested as part of an investigation focused on a criminal street gang in Merced, according to the California Department of Justice.

Eduardo Nepomuceno-Vega, also known as “GB” or “Getto Boy” of Merced, was recognized by the Merced City Council during the August 7, 2023 meeting. Council members learned how he used its popularity to improve its community.

“He used every ounce of popularity, every like, every point of view to improve his own situation, that of his family, but also his community,” said Councilor Jesse Ornelas at the August 7, 2023 meeting. To me, that’s really what Merced is. I'm really proud of the growth he's shown.

Councilmember Ornelas explained how Eduardo Nepomuceno-Vega hosts shoe and backpack giveaways and organizes toy drives to provide toys to Valley Children's Hospital in Madera.

Eduardo also spoke at the August 2023 Merced City Council meeting.

“My name is Eduardo Nepomuceno-Vega. I go by the nickname “GB” and basically I'm just a kid from South Merced and I just started making music for fun and eventually it became bigger than that. that I could imagine.

Less than a year later, Eduardo Nepomuceno-Vega was among 41 people arrested as part of Operation Red Rooster.

The investigation that sparked Operation Red Rooster began in 2021 after the Livingston Police Department investigated a homicide and attempted homicide related to a major criminal street gang. As a result of the operation, the California Department of Justice said more than 60 pounds of narcotics were seized and 27 firearms were confiscated.

“Our work to combat the organized criminal street gang crisis is saving lives and making communities safer, but more needs to be done,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “We will not rest until California’s communities are free of gang activity, including here in the Central Valley.”

Eduardo Nepomuceno-Vega is due in court on Tuesday.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports and streaming videos, visit YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47.