Merced police officer arraigned on several charges including kidnapping and robbery

A Merced Police officer has been arraigned on multiple charges including kidnapping, robbery and assault, according to the Merced County District Attorney’s office.

Authorities said Jacob Paynter was arraigned in Merced County Superior Court Monday on charges of kidnapping, assault by a police officer, false imprisonment, second degree robbery, petty theft, filing a false police report and acting without regular process. According to the District Attorney’s Office, the charges stem from events that occurred in the city of Merced on or around Nov. 24, 2022.

The arraignment comes after a Merced County Sheriff’s Office investigation of the case was completed and submitted to the Merced County District Attorney’s Office. The case was presented to a grand jury last week who on Aug. 11, chose to indict Paynter on the charges.

Authorities said Paynter is due to appear in court for a readiness conference on Aug. 31.