The suspect wanted for murder in the disappearance of Sammy Mercado was arrested in Utah for driving a white mustang stuffed with 100 pounds of marijuana.21-year old Ernie Chanmany was arrested on drug charges.
He's been wanted for the murder of Sammy Mercado and now awaits extradition to Fresno County.
"We would like to believe that he's still alive but we don't think he is alive," said Mercado's Uncle Jesse Mercado.
Six months after the Sanger teenager disappeared, hope now turns to grief.
"Hopefully, yes they can maybe get the answers and find out where he is so we can give him a Christian burial," his uncle continued.
Mercado vanished in April. Investigators say he tried stealing marijuana from a grow near Sanger.
They believe guards protecting the grow fired at him and scared off his friends.
Virgil Garza is a family friend. He's just hopeful the suspect will confess.
"It's just the way they caught this guy...from Fresno to Utah...I hope the guy stands up and he does the right thing and tells us where Sammy's at so we the family could take the proper steps in bringing him home and putting him to rest," Garza said.
The Fresno County Sheriff's Department will talk more about his extradition at a press conference Saturday.
