Community
Probation Search Leads to Firearm and Ammunition Arrest Media Release
| Nature of Incident: | Probation Search Leads to Firearm and Ammunition Arrest | ||||
| Report Number: | 24-43124 | ||||
| Location: | 100 Block of Clearwood Street, Fillmore | ||||
| Date & Time: | 04/09/2024 10:59 AM | ||||
| Unit(s) Responsible: | Fillmore Patrol Services | ||||
| Suspects |
City of Residence |
Age | |||
| Carlos Vargas | Fillmore, CA | 29 | |||
| Narrative: | |||||
| Deputies assigned to the Fillmore Patrol Station conducted a probation search at the residence of a convicted felon and found him to be in possession of a firearm and ammunition. When a defendant is convicted of a crime, the judge may grant probation if the defendant agrees to certain conditions, which often include submission to warrantless searches. Proactive probation and parole searches by law enforcement are conducted in an effort to reduce high rates of recidivism and to hold probationers and parolees accountable to their court appointed probation conditions. The theory of proactive probation and parole searches by law enforcement helps to minimize the risk to public safety because the probationer or parolee will be less inclined to possess the fruits and instrumentalities of crime, such as weapons. Carlos Vargas, a Fillmore resident, has two previous felony convictions involving the illegal possession of firearms and controlled substances. In 2023, Carlos Vargas was convicted in Ventura County for being in violation of Health & Safety Code § 11378 – Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sale. Carlos Vargas was placed on Ventura County Probation and accepted probation terms requiring him to submit to search of his person, residence, vehicle, or any property under his control by a probation officer or law enforcement officer, with or without a search warrant, for items prohibited by his probation conditions. On April 9th, 2024, deputies assigned to the Fillmore Patrol Station conducted a probation search at Carlos Vargas’ residence in the 100 Block of Clearwood Street, Fillmore. During a search of the residence, deputies located a semi-automatic pistol and ammunition. Possession of firearms and ammunition is in direct violation of Carlos Vargas’ probation conditions outlined by the court. Due to his status as a convicted felon, Carlos Vargas is also prohibited under California Law from possessing firearms and/or ammunition. Carlos Vargas was arrested for being in violation of Penal Code § 29800 (a)(1) – Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Penal Code § 30305 – Felon in Possession of Ammunition. Carlos Vargas was booked into the Ventura County Main Jail. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and Fillmore Police Department 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 @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: | Senior Deputy Dustin Heersche | ||||
| News Release Date: | April 10th, 2024 | ||||
| Media Follow-Up Contact: | Senior Deputy John Lopez (805) 477-7011 [email protected] |
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| Approved by: Booking Photo Release: |
Captain Eduardo Malagon YES NO X |
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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