
Assault Arrest Finds Loaded Gun in House With Children
A Pasco man is in jail on drug and assault charges after police investigated a pistol whipping incident early Friday morning.
The incident began shortly after 11pm Thursday when officers responded to a house in the 1000 Block of south 5th. They found a victim who had wounds consistent with being whipped, or struck, by a handgun.
The suspect was said to have left the residence. The victim told police the suspect also pointed the gun directly as his face, and made a death threat. Officers located and arrested the suspect, 37-year-old Rafael Alverez-Meraz, around 12:44am Friday morning. He didn't have a gun on him, but police did find traces of cocaine, which he later tested positive for.
During the search of the home and investigation, police did find a fully loaded 9mm Baretta pistol, with a round in the chamber, and the safety was OFF. Considering there were others in the home, including children, this could have been a very tragic situation.
Meraz is now facing drug and assault charges, he's being detained on an investigative hold in the Franklin County jail.