Narrative:
On June 26, 2023, Detectives from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Gun Violence Reduction Program, Burbank Police Department and LAPD/ATF Gun Violence Reduction Task Force concluded a several-month long firearm and narcotics investigation into Richard Harja and Kenneth Aldrich, who were suspected of being involved in the illegal firearms manufacturing, firearms sales, as well as narcotic sales to residents of Ventura County.
During the early morning hours, members of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team executed a signed search warrant on Harja and Aldrich at their residence, in the 500 block of Broderick Way, in the city of Port Hueneme. Detectives seized a stolen Tovar assault rifle, 2 handguns (one of which is an unserialized Glock-pattern privately manufactured firearm), 9 privately manufactured firearm lower receivers, firearm manufacturing equipment, extended magazines, a large amount of ammunition, body armor, several pounds of psilocybin mushrooms, methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and additional paraphernalia indicative of narcotic sales as a result of the search warrant service.
The case was presented to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office and the following charges were filed:
Aldrich: PC 29800(a)(1) – Felon in Possession of a Firearm, PC 30305(a)(1) – Felon in Possession of Ammunition, HS 11370.1(a) – Possession of a Controlled Substance while Armed with a Firearm, and HS 11351 – Possession for Sales of a Controlled Substance.
Harja: PC 29800(a)(1) – Felon in Possession of a Firearm, HS 11370.1(a) – Possession of a Controlled Substance while Armed with a Firearm, and HS 11378 – Possession for Sale of a Controlled Substance.
In addition to the listed charges, numerous felony enhancements were filed on Harja and Aldrich due to their extensive criminal histories. Aldrich remains in custody with bail set at $50,000. Harja remains in custody with a bail set at $300,000.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Gun Violence Reduction Program is an investigative unit funded by a grant from the California Department of Justice. The grant funding supports the efforts of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office to reduce gun violence by conducting investigations related to the seizure of firearms and ammunition from persons who are prohibited from possessing them.
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