Fall River Police arrest 31 and 34-year-olds on firearm related and other charges; both granted bail

Fall River Police made two arrests recently on a list of firearm related charges.

According to police, on Monday evening, detectives assigned to CAST were conducting proactive patrols in the Flint Neighborhood.

At approximately 9:45 p.m., CAST detectives observed a gray Nissan Murano traveling east on Pleasant Street at a high rate of speed. Detectives followed the vehicle as it continued through the Flint and into the Lower Highlands, where it committed multiple motor vehicle law violations and operated in an evasive manner. A motor vehicle stop was subsequently conducted.

During the stop, the operator, 31-year-old Jose Fernando Cortez, informed detectives that he had active warrants. Cortez was removed from the vehicle and detained. Through the investigation, detectives received information that a firearm was located inside the vehicle. A search of the center console yielded a Taurus G3C 9mm handgun containing a 12-round magazine with 10 rounds of ammunition, including one round chambered. A second 12-round magazine loaded with 11 rounds of ammunition was also recovered. Cortez does not possess a License to Carry a Firearm in Massachusetts.

In conjunction with information received throughout this investigation, detectives learned that Cortez’s girlfriend and the registered owner of the vehicle, 34-year-old Margarita Mercado Matos, had an additional firearm at their residence located at 100 Green Street Heritage Heights. Mercado Matos arrived on scene during the stop and was determined not to possess a Massachusetts License to Carry.

Detectives, with the information they obtained, applied for and were granted a search warrant for the residence of Mercado Matos. The ensuing search yielded the following items:

• Glock 48 9mm handgun with a 10-round magazine containing 8 rounds

• Smith & Wesson SD9VE 9mm handgun

• Two additional 10-round magazines, each loaded

• Three 16-round magazines

• Box of 5.56 ammunition (20 rounds)

• Box of 9mm ammunition (25 rounds)

• Two loose 9mm rounds

As a result of the investigation:

Cortez was arrested and charged with:

• Possession of a Large-Capacity Firearm

• Carrying a Loaded Firearm Without a License

• Carrying a Firearm Without a License

• Possession of a Large-Capacity Feeding Device

• Possession of Ammunition Without an FID Card

• Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle

• Speeding / Rate of Speed Greater Than Reasonable

• Marked Lanes Violation

Mercado Matos was also placed under arrest in connection with the firearms located inside the residence and charged with the following offences:

• Possession of a Large-Capacity Firearm (2 counts)

• Possession of a Large-Capacity Feeding Device (4 counts)

• Possession of a Firearm Without an FID Card (2 counts)

• Possession of Ammunition Without an FID Card

• Improper Storage of a Large-Capacity Firearm Near a Minor

• Reckless Endangerment of a Child (3 counts)

According to court records, Cortez and Mercado Matos pled not guilty at arraignment this morning in Fall River District Court and were each issued $5,000 surety bond or $500 cash with a probable cause hearing scheduled for January 21st.