Indio man out on bail in deadly shooting case arrested on suspicion of possessing firearms, narcotics
City News Service
INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A man out on bail in a deadly shooting case was arrested Wednesday in Indio on suspicion of possession of narcotics and numerous firearms, authorities announced.
Marcos Cruz Gaeta Jr., 45, was booked into Benoit Detention Center in Indio Thursday on suspicion of felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession of an assault weapon, possession of a controlled substance for sale and possession of a controlled substance, according to the Indio Police Department.
He is held on $500,000 bail.
Authorities conducted a traffic stop Wednesday at Gore Street and Avenue 42 after detectives allegedly saw a driver of a vehicle throw away about one pound of methamphetamine from the vehicle.
Gaeta was taken into custody without incident.
A served search warrant was executed shortly before 6 p.m. later that day in the 82000 block of Pisa Court, according to Sgt. Abe Plata.
During the search, authorities seized “just under 20 pounds of methamphetamine, approximately one quarter-pound of heroin, eight pounds of marijuana and a small quantity of Xanax pills. Investigators also located two assault rifles, three handguns, a large amount if ammunition, numerous high-capacity magazines and multiple 3D-printed `switches’ designed to convert Glock-style firearms into fully automatic weapons,” Plata said.
Additionally, a woman, whose identity was not revealed, was found inside the residence and was detained without incident before being released.
Gaeta is a convicted felon who was out on bail on a previous case, where he is accused of fatally shooting a 30-year-old woman in Indio in 2016. His trial was scheduled for January 23, 2026, according to court records.
Anyone with information about the crimes was asked to call 760-391- 4057, or report tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 760-341-7867.