Weapons, drugs seized in house search

A Merced man who was serving a jail sentence on a work-release program was arrested again Tuesday after sheriff’s deputies found a loaded handgun, a stun gun and two bags of crystal methamphetamine at his home, the Merced County Sheriff’s Department said.

Vance A. Harris, 43, was booked at the Merced County jail on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a weapon by a prohibited person, possession of a controlled substance and other charges, Sgt. Kevin Blake said.

Harris pleaded guilty in August to charges of drunken driving and false impersonation and was sentenced to probation and 90 days in jail, which was converted to work release – a common change in nonviolent, nonsexual cases – according to Merced Superior Court records.

The sheriff’s Supervised Release Team, lead by Deputy Sam Becerra, on Tuesday searched Harris’ home in the 2400 block of S Street. Deputies located a stun gun; a loaded .22-caliber handgun, which was hidden under a couch cushion; and just under 4 grams of crystal methamphetamine.

Blake praised the work of the deputies. He said Harris would serve the remainder of the term for his prior conviction in jail and face the new charges.

Harris has three prior drug convictions, according to court records.

This story was originally published November 26, 2014 at 3:19 PM with the headline "Weapons, drugs seized in house search."