Location: Avenue 144/Road 192

Incident Date: 3-5-17

Incident Time: 2105 hours

Case Number: 17-02692

Victim: State of California

City: Poplar

Posted by: Dispatch

On March 5, 2017 at approximately 2105 hours, Deputies from the Sheriff's Porterville Substation completed a traffic enforcement stop for a vehicle code violation. The subject vehicle yielded at the intersection of Avenue 144 and Road 192, Poplar, and the driver, Juan Aguilar, was contacted.

Aguilar was found to have an outstanding misdemeanor warrant for his arrest and on probation for narcotics related charges.  Additionally, three other suspects were contacted and Francisco Mercado was found to be on Parole for evading a peace officer. He was detained for being under the influence of a controlled substance. Rosemary Magana and Melissa Espinoza were also detained for being under the influence of a controlled substance and Magana was found to have outstanding warrants for her arrest.

A search of the subject vehicle was completed and (2) loaded firearms were located within. Both firearms were within reach of Aguilar and Mercado. Further, ammunition, narcotics and narcotics paraphernalia were located within the vehicle. All suspects were taken into custody without incident and later booked at the Tulare County Pre-Trial Facility.

Suspect 1: Aguilar, Juan Pablo Valdez, 26 year old

Charges: 29800(a) PC, 11550(e) HS, 29805 PC, 11377(a) HS, 11364.1(a) HS

Suspect 2: Mercado, Francisco Javier, 25 year old

Charges: 29800(a) PC, 11550(e) HS, 29805 PC, 11364.1(a) HS

Suspect 3: Magana, Rosemary Guerrero, 35 year old

Charges: 11377(a) HS, 11550(a) HS

Suspect 4: Espinoza, Melissa, 24 year old

Charges: 11550(a) HS

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at (559)733-6218 or send anonymous information by sending a text or email to TCSO@tipnow.com or call (559) 725-4194.