Merced County property dispute turns into hate crime, sheriff says
A Merced County property dispute led to a confrontation between two men and an arrest of a 45-year-old for a hate crime.
The Merced County Sheriff’s Office responded to the incident last Friday at the intersection of Cypress Road and Reynolds Avenue in South Dos Palos.
According to a sheriff’s office Facebook post, an investigation by deputies revealed that John Jones, 45, had argued with a 68-year-old man over not being allowed to farm on the man’s property.
During the argument, Jones called the victim racial slurs before grabbing him and pushing him into a vehicle, the post said.
Jones threatened to kill the man, then retrieved a handgun from his vehicle and pointed it at the man, the post said.
Jones was arrested at his residence and booked into the Merced County Jail for felony assault with a firearm and committing a hate crime.
A search warrant was served at Jones’ residence, the post said, and 28 firearms were seized. The firearm that was allegedly used during the altercation was among them.
Anyone with information regarding this incident can contact the Merced County Sheriff’s Office at 209-385-7445. Callers may remain anonymous.
