Two deputies injured during arrest

An Atwater man suspected of assaulting two Merced County sheriff’s deputies earlier this week faces felony charges.

Ivan Valencia Cervantes, 33, was booked at the Merced County jail on felony charges of battery with injury to a peace officer, resisting arrest and misdemeanor counts of vandalism and battery, according to Merced County Superior Court records.

The Merced County District Attorney’s Office filed charges against Cervantes on Wednesday.

Cervantes was scheduled for arraignment Wednesday in court, but details of those proceedings were not immediately available.

Deputy Brandon Soto suffered a concussion Monday night when he responded to a home in the 6500 block of California Street in Winton, the Sheriff’s Department said.

Sgt. Delray Shelton said Cervantes’ family called deputies when Cervantes barged into their home. “They believed he was under the influence of methamphetamine,” Shelton said.

Cervantes’ criminal record includes at least one recent arrest for violating a court order to stay away from certain family members, according to records.

Cervantes allegedly fought with Soto while being taken into custody. Additional deputies arrived on scene and eventually restrained Cervantes. Deputy Adam Denise suffered minor injuries but has returned to work, the Sheriff’s Department confirmed.

“The injuries to both deputies were obviously not life-threatening,” Shelton said.

Deputies said Cervantes caused a considerable amount of damage to the home while fighting with deputies. A damage estimate was not available.

Cervantes remained in custody Wednesday at the Merced County jail with bail set at more than $112,000.

This story was originally published November 26, 2014 at 3:34 PM with the headline "Two deputies injured during arrest."