RivCo Task Force Finds Guns In Hands Of Parolee Amid Probation Sweep

MORENO VALLEY, CA —A 23-year-old Moreno Valley man was in custody Thursday after officers allegedly found seven firearms during a parole-compliance check.

Riverside County Regional Gang Task Force personnel conducted the check at 10:20 a.m. Wednesday at a residence in the 22000 block of Laguna Drive, according to a Riverside County Sheriff's Department statement.

Officers said they obtained a search warrant for a locked safe located during the check, inside of which they allegedly found "two .40-caliber semiautomatic pistols, a .45-caliber semiautomatic pistol, a 9mm semiautomatic pistol, a .38-caliber pistol, a .38(-caliber) special revolver and a 5.7mm semiautomatic pistol loaded with ammunition designed to pierce body armor."

Michael Morales was arrested Wednesday afternoon on suspicion of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, a convicted felon in possession of ammunition, committing a felony while on bail and violating parole, the department reported. Morales is a convicted felon and street gang member, according to the statement, but officials did not mention the charges on which he was previously convicted.

Inmate records indicate Morales is being held without bail at the Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta.

Anyone with relevant information on the case was encouraged to contact Task Force Officer Vera at 951-210-1000.