A Kings County sheriff’s deputy arrested a convicted felon Tuesday night after discovering a loaded “ghost gun” and learning the suspect had an active felony warrant, authorities said.

The deputy stopped an older model Ford Focus around 11:42 p.m. near 13th Avenue and Houston for expired registration, the Kings County Sheriff’s Office said.

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The driver, later identified as Cesar Lopez Baltazar, initially provided a false name and admitted he did not have a valid California driver’s license.

A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of an 9mm ghost handgun behind the center dash console. The gun’s magazine contained 12 rounds, but no round was chambered, officials said.

A records check confirmed Baltazar was a convicted felon prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

Authorities also determined he had a no-bail felony warrant out of San Mateo County for domestic violence.

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He was arrested and booked into the Kings County Jail on multiple firearm-related charges, including possession of an undetectable firearm, carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle, and possession of a large-capacity magazine, authorities said.

The vehicle was impounded, and officials later determined it had been reported stolen to the Hanford CHP office.

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Additional charges for vehicle theft will be submitted to the Kings County District Attorney’s Office, the sheriff’s office said.

The female passenger in the vehicle was released at the scene.

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