On January 31, 2024, Sheriff’s Office West County Special Enforcement Unit (WC-SEU) detectives arrested Martin Torres and Ignacio Ixta Jr. in the City of Oxnard for various firearm, ammunition, and narcotics violations. On February 2, 2024, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office filed multiple felony charges against Torres and Ixta in the Ventura County Superior Court.
During the months of December 2023 and January 2024, WC-SEU detectives conducted a firearm and narcotics investigation involving Martin Torres, who resides in the 2700 block of Windcrest Place in Oxnard. Torres is a convicted felon and prohibited from owning or possessing firearms and ammunition.
On January 30, 2024, detectives obtained a signed search warrant for Torres, his residence, and any vehicles associated to him.
On January 31, 2024, at approximately 11:58 AM, detectives conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle in the 2000 block of North H Street in Oxnard. The vehicle was driven by Ignacio Ixta Jr. and Torres was a passenger. Detectives detained both subjects pursuant to the warrant and conducted a search. Detectives located a concealed and loaded semi-automatic handgun and narcotics inside the vehicle.
Detectives then served the search warrant at Torres’ residence. Detectives located 3 additional firearms, various types of narcotics, and a large amount of U.S. currency consistent with narcotics sales.
None of the recovered firearms were legally registered to Ixta, Torres, or any of the residents at Torres’ residence. Torres was arrested for various firearm, ammunition, and narcotics sales violations. Ixta was arrested for a violation of possession of a controlled substance with a firearm.
The cases against Torres and Ixta were presented to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. On February 2, 2024, multiple felony firearm, ammunition, and narcotics violations were filed against both suspects in the Ventura County Superior Court. Both remain in-custody with an upcoming court date and $500,000 bail amount.
The investigation is on-going. If you have any information about this case, please contact West County Special Enforcement Unit Detective Austin Whittaker at 805-654-3509.
The West County Special Enforcement Unit is comprised of eight detectives whose focus is assisting West County Patrol Stations with the investigation of various crimes including but not limited to violent crimes and illegal firearm activities. The Sheriff’s Office has seen an increase in illegal “ghost guns” in Ventura County. If you have any information about illegal weapons, please contact West County Special Enforcement Unit Senior Deputy Matt Smith at 805-677-8771.
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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