Merced police say they have arrested a Merced Man for child pornography, child endangerment and weapons charges at an in-home daycare facility

On Thursday morning at around 9:13, Merced police detectives served a search warrant in the 300 block of Citadel Avenue after receiving a tip that someone was downloading child pornography.

During the search warrant, it was discovered that the residence was a licensed in-home daycare facility.

Authorities say they found an unregistered, unsecured, firearm along with ammunition in the residence that was easily accessible to children.

It was determined that the firearm belonged to the suspect, 32-year-old Joel Damian Ortega.

Police say Ortega, admitted to downloading and distributing child pornography during questioning. Ortega lived at the residence but was not an employee of the daycare business.

Ortega was booked into the Merced County Jail for possession of child pornography, child endangerment and possession of an unregistered firearm.

Merced Police are asking anyone with any information regarding this incident to contact Detective Adrian at 209-385-4731 or by email at adriana@cityofmerced.org.