On February 25, 2019, at approximately 12:00 pm, deputies were conducting marijuana enforcement efforts in eastern El Paso County, when they initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle speeding eastbound Highway 94 at Yoder Rd. The driver provided a fake Florida Driver’s license.  He was asked to exit the vehicle and was pat searched.  During the pat search, the deputy felt the grip of a handgun.  The driver attempted to flee, but deputies were able to detain and place him in handcuffs. Once in handcuffs, he was searched again and discovered to be carrying a fully loaded weapon.

Deputies were able to positively identify the driver, using a fingerprint reader, as Yanko Lopez-Merino, DOB: 040177.  Lopez-Merino was found to have two felony full extradition warrants out of Florida for being a fugitive and Failure to Appear out of Douglas County on several misdemeanor charges.

Lopez-Merino was taken into custody and booked into the Criminal Justice Center Jail on the outstanding warrants as well as additional charges to include Possession of Weapon by a Previous Offender, Unlawfully Carrying a Concealed Weapon and Resisting Arrest.

A mugshot of Lopez-Merino is attached to this Media Release.