Police: Illegally owned pistol seized after man shows it off on Facebook

Authorities seized firearms from two men not allowed legally to possess them, including a suspect who showed off a semi-automatic pistol on Facebook, Fresno police said.

Detectives on the MAGEC gang task force, monitoring Facebook on Wednesday, checked on Adrian Santana, 26. The officers were aware Santana has several misdemeanor convictions for domestic violence, which prohibit him from owning a firearm.

When Santana posted a picture of his new pistol with the comment “just picked this up today,” detectives headed for a home on Chestnut Avenue near Gettysburg Avenue, police Sgt. Paul Cervantes said. Santana was not home, but officers found the firearm and persuaded Santana to turn himself in.

Cervantes said Santana told officers he bought the gun on the street for $600. Santana was booked into Fresno County Jail.

MAGEC detectives also seized an SKS rifle and a shotgun from a man Tuesday after an informant tipped them off, Cervantes said. The information came after Fresno County sheriff’s deputies received a call about shots fired at a home on Blythe Avenue northeast of Raisin City. Cervantes said detectives were aware gang member and felon Ryan Sharton, 25, lived in the area. Detectives received consent to search a home, where they found the weapons.

Sharton is at large and sought by police.

Cervantes said 143 guns have been seized this year. He said detectives use informants, social media and other methods to take the weapons off the street.

“If you have (an illegal) gun, we’re gonna find you,” he said.

This story was originally published May 21, 2015 at 1:30 PM with the headline "Police: Illegally owned pistol seized after man shows it off on Facebook."