Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Mariano Matos III
File # Multiple
Details:
Throughout the month of June, leading up to July 4, 2022, members of the Coachella Community Action Team (CCAT), with the assistance of the Southern Coachella Valley Community Service District Team (SCVCSDT), the La Quinta Special Enforcement Team (SET), and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Hazardous Device Team (HDT), conducted an operation which targeted the illegal sale of dangerous fireworks. The operation netted a total weight of approximately 1,800 pounds of illegal fireworks and one illegally carried handgun.


The following subjects were arrested and booked at the John Benoit Detention Center in the city of Indio:
- Leon Hernandez, 20 of Coachella, for possession of over 100 pounds of dangerous fireworks, and sale and transportation of dangerous fireworks.
- Eulises Cardenas, 35 of Indio, for of possession of over 1000 pounds of dangerous fireworks, and sale and transportation of dangerous fireworks.
- Xavier Gutierrez, 21 of Coachella, for possession of a concealed firearm, possession of high-capacity magazines, possession of over 100 pounds of dangerous fireworks, and sale and transportation of dangerous fireworks.


Anyone with any information regarding this incident is urged to contact Deputy Nevins or Deputy Molina with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department at (760)863-8990, or Crime Stoppers at (760)341-STOP (7867).
For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.
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