Community
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).
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Fillmore Illegal Firearm and Narcotics Arrests
Nature of Incident: | Illegal Firearm and Narcotics Arrests |
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Report Number: | 23-39641 | ||||
Location: | 200 Block of Fillmore Street / Fillmore Ca. | ||||
Date & Time: | March 29, 2023 @ 2:30 P.M. |
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Unit(s) Responsible: | Fillmore Patrol Services / Fillmore Detective Bureau / West County Special Enforcement Unit |
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(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent |
City of Residence |
Age | |||
(S-1) Albert Morales (S-2) Rafael Prado (S-3) Diana Raya (S-4) Jessica Quezada (S-5) Jayden Mercado |
Fillmore Santa Paula Fillmore Santa Paula Santa Paula |
43 26 23 26 25 |
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Narrative: | |||||
On March 29, 2023, deputies assigned to the Fillmore station and West County Special Enforcement Unit contacted and arrested numerous subjects for various violations, including narcotics and the possession of a short-barreled rifle. During the month of March of 2023, deputies assigned to the Fillmore station received information related to probationers and drug users who were frequenting a residence located in the 200 block of Fillmore Street. Detectives followed up on the information and began an investigation. On March 29, 2023, detectives conducted surveillance operations and witnessed activity at the residence that was consistent with possible narcotics trafficking. During the surveillance, deputies observed Jayden Mercado arrive at the residence in his vehicle and leave a short time later. Deputies, including a K9 Unit, conducted a traffic stop of Mercado and subsequently arrested him for being under the influence of a controlled substance. During a search of Mercado’s vehicle, deputies located a loaded, short-barreled, .22 caliber rifle, ammunition, drug paraphernalia, fentanyl, and methamphetamine. Mercado is a Santa Paula resident, and his previous criminal convictions prohibit him from owning and or possessing firearms or ammunition. Mercado was booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility for various drug and illegal firearm charges. Following Mercado’s arrest, deputies conducted a probation search at the residence in the 200 block of Fillmore Street. During the probation search, deputies contacted and arrested Albert Morales, Diana Raya, and Jessica Quezada for narcotics related charges. All four subjects were booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and Fillmore Police Department is committed to maintaining the safety of all residents by continued community partnerships. 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. Anyone with information pertaining to this crime or any other crimes are urged to contact The Fillmore Police Station @ (805) 524-2233 or the below listed detective. The reporting party may remain anonymous. Join us in the fight on crime by following us on Twitter @fillmoresheriff, 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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Prepared by: | Sergeant Will Hollowell | ||||
News Release Date: | March 30, 2023 | ||||
Media Follow-Up Contact: | Detective John Lemar (805) 947-9391 [email protected] |
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Approved by: Booking Photo Release: |
Captain Eduardo Malagon YES NO |
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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).
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Address/Location
Ventura County Sheriff's Office
800 S Victoria Ave
Ventura, CA 93003
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 805-654-9511