In late June and early July, 2022, Headquarters Patrol, the Headquarter Investigations Unit, and the Sheriff’s Gang Unit conducted an investigation into a brandishing with a firearm incident, which occurred at a liquor store in El Rio. The subsequent investigation led to multiple arrests and recovery of a “ghost gun” in Santa Paula.
On June 24, 2022, at approximately 2123 hours, Headquarters Patrol personnel responded to a liquor store in the 2900 block of E. Vineyard Avenue in the unincorporated area of Oxnard known as El Rio for disturbances involving a male subject armed with a handgun. Patrol deputies subsequently conducted a traffic stop and identified (S) Michael Dryer as being involved in the liquor store disturbances. Michael Dryer was arrested for brandishing, prohibited person in possession of ammunition, possession of graffiti tools, and driving with a suspended license. However, the handgun was not located during the traffic stop.
Headquarters Investigations and SGU detectives continued the investigation and identified other involved parties as (S) Allen Dryer, (S) David Velazquez, and (S) Diana Marquez.
On June 29, 2022, at approximately 1433, detectives conducted a parole search of Allen Dryer and served a signed search warrant at Velazquez’s residence in Santa Paula. Detectives recovered a 9mm semi-automatic “ghost gun” and additional evidence, which indicated the recovered firearm was used in the liquor store brandishing and it had been transferred unlawfully. Detectives arrested Allen Dryer and Velazquez for conspiracy and various firearm violations.
On July 1, 2022, SGU detectives arrested Marquez in Santa Paula for accessory after the fact.
All subjects were booked into the Ventura County Jail. Michael Dryer remains in-custody as he was charged with felony ammunition possession, misdemeanor vandalism, and driving with a suspended license violations. Allen Dryer remains in-custody for a parole violation and felony firearm violations. David Velazquez posted bail and a felony unlawful firearm transfer charge was filed against him. The investigation of Diana Marquez is on-going and the case will be submitted to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office for review.
The Sheriff’s Office has seen an increase of illegal firearm activities in Ventura County. If you have any information about unlawful firearm activities in the West County areas in the Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction, including in Fillmore, Saticoy, El Rio, and Ojai, please contact Detective Sergeant Beau Rodriguez at 805-767-0360.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank members of the public for their on-going support and due diligence in providing information to assist our agency in solving crimes. We are better at what we do because of our community partnerships.
Join us in the fight on crime by following us on Twitter @VENTURASHERIFF, Facebook, Instagram @ VCSHERIFF, and with Nixle by texting your zip code to 888777 to receive local law enforcement and public safety alerts and advisories.
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