MERCED, CA (KMJ) — A Merced man was arrested Thursday morning after detectives discovered he had child pornography.
Merced police detectives served a search warrant on the home on Citadel Avenue in Merced.
Detectives received a tip that someone in the residence was downloading child pornography.
Detectives learned that the residence was a licensed in-home daycare facility.
They also located an unregistered, unsecured, firearm and ammunition in the residence, in an area that was easily accessible to children.
Detectives determined the firearm belonged to the man they were investigating, 32-year-old Joel Damian Ortega of Merced.
They say Ortega admitted to downloading and distributing child pornography during questioning.
Ortega lived at the residence but was not an employee of the daycare business.
Ortega was booked into the Merced County Jail for possession of child pornography, child endangerment, and possession of an unregistered firearm.
Merced Police are asking anyone with any information regarding this incident to contact Detective Adrian at 209-385-4731 or by email at [email protected].
