Nature of Incident: Possession of Narcotics for Sales, Felon in Possession of a Stun-Gun, Possession and Manufacturing of Counterfeit Money, Identity Theft and Destruction of Evidence
Report Number: 21-18395
Location: 1000 Seaward Avenue, Ventura
Date & Time: February 10, 2019 / 12:30 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Sheriff’s Gang Unit
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(S1) Maury Acosta Ventura 42
(S2) Jahnel Forte Ventura 34
(S3) Aaron Sheridan Ventura 34
Narrative:
In the month of February 2021, detectives from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Gang Unit received information about illegal narcotic sales occurring in a motel on the 1000 block of Seaward in Ventura.
On February 10, 2021, detectives contacted Acosta and Forte during a traffic stop on the 5600 block of Valentine Road. Acosta and Forte were arrested on drug related charges. Once Acosta and Forte were transported to the Headquarters Patrol station, detectives discovered they had conspired to conceal almost two ounces of methamphetamine, heroin and plastic baggies.
A search warrant was later executed at Acosta’s motel room. During a search of the room, indicia of illegal drug sales and packaging, such as baggies and scales, were located. Miscellaneous personal identifying information of various victims, such as credit card accounts, blank checks and social security numbers, were located in the motel room. In addition, counterfeit money and items indicative of manufacturing counterfeit money was located.
While detectives conducted the search warrant, Sheridan was contacted and found to be in possession of nearly one ounce of methamphetamine, a stun gun Taser cane, and other indicia of drug sales. Sheridan is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing the illegal stun gun Taser cane.
Maury Acosta, Jahnel Forte and Aaron Sheridan were booked into custody at the Ventura County Sheriff’s Main Jail facility. Maury Acosta was booked for violation of PC 182-Conspiracy to Commit a Crime, HS 11378- Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sales, PC 530.5- Identity Theft, PC- 476- Possession of Counterfeit Money, PC 135- Destruction/Conceal Evidence and remains in custody on $200,000 bail. Jahnel Forte was booked for violation of HS 11378 – Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sales, PC 182-Conspiracy to Commit a Crime, PC 135- Destruction/Conceal Evidence and HS 11350- Possession of a Controlled Substance and remains in custody on $105,000 bail. Aaron Sheridan was booked for HS 11378- Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sales, HS 11379- Transportation of a Controlled Substance for Sales, PC- Felon in Possession of a Stun-Gun and was released on bail of $110,000.
Prepared by: Detective Laura Sedillos
News Release Date: 02/12/2021
Media Follow-Up Contact: Sergeant Victor Medina
Sheriff’s Gang Unit
805-654-2856
Approved by: Captain Randy Downard
Booking Photo Release: YES
Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
