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Arrests Made in Illegal Firearms Possession and Manufacturing
| Nature of Incident: | Arrests Made in Illegal Firearms Possession and Manufacturing | ||||
| Report Number: | 24-104437 | ||||
| Location: | 2000 Block of Blanchard Road, Santa Rosa Valley | ||||
| Date & Time: | 11/27/2024 @ 0530 | ||||
| Unit(s) Responsible: | VCSO Gun Violence Reduction Program, VCSO SWAT, Oxnard PD SWAT, Ventura PD SWAT, Tactical Negotiations Unit, Unmanned Aerial Systems, West County Special Enforcement Unit, Camarillo Special Enforcement Unit, VCSO K-9 Unit, Thousand Oaks Police Department Investigations, VCSO Classification Unit, Homeland Security Investigations |
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| (S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent | City of Residence | Age | |||
| (S-1) Juvenile Male (S-2) Juvenile Male (S-3) Juan Mendoza |
Camarillo Camarillo Camarillo |
17 17 45 |
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| Narrative: | |||||
| Detectives from the Sheriff’s Gun Violence Reduction Program (GVRP) have concluded a months-long investigation, leading to the arrest of two juveniles and an adult male for the manufacture and possession of unregistered handguns and automatic rifles at a residence in the Santa Rosa Valley area of Ventura County. The operation led to the seizure of 16 illegal firearms, three unlawfully possessed firearms, numerous firearm components, and a significant amount of ammunition. This investigation began in May when investigators with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) intercepted internationally shipped packages destined for a male juvenile who was believed to be residing in the 2000 block of Blanchard Road in Santa Rosa Valley. The packages contained unserialized counterfeit fire control units (FCU), like those used for Sig Sauer P320 pistols, and parts that convert semi-automatic rifles into fully automatic machine guns. The devices were turned over to GVRP detectives, who launched a criminal investigation into the illegal firearms activity. During the next several months, the same suspect attempted to have more packages of firearm parts shipped to his address. HSI intercepted these and turned them over to GVRP detectives. In total, six counterfeit FCUs and two machine gun conversion devices were seized. The FCU is the core component of firearms like the Sig Sauer P320. As the serialized and legally regulated part, it houses the trigger mechanism, sear, and other essential fire control components. Under U.S. federal law, the FCU is considered a firearm due to its serialized status. Based on this evidence, GVRP detectives obtained a search warrant for the juvenile suspect’s person, vehicle, and residence. During the early morning hours of November 27, 2024, the juvenile suspect was located with a second juvenile male in the 100 block of Moorpark Road in Thousand Oaks, where they were taken into custody by West County Special Enforcement Unit detectives. A search of the vehicle the two juveniles had been in revealed two unserialized pistols, closely resembling Sig Sauer P320 firearms. These firearms, commonly referred to as “Ghost Guns” or “privately manufactured firearms,” are believed to have been manufactured by the juvenile suspect (S-1). Members of the Ventura County Sheriff’s SWAT team, with the assistance of the Oxnard Police and Ventura Police SWAT teams, served the warrant at the Santa Rosa Valley residence. During the service of the search warrant, detectives seized several firearm parts, two completed/unserialized pistols, an unserialized “P80” type pistol, two unserialized counterfeit FCUs, three unregistered pistols, a short-barreled AR-15 style rifle that had been converted to fully automatic, numerous loaded magazines and approximately 1000 rounds of ammunition in various calibers. Evidence linking S-1 to the automatic rifle and several of the unserialized pistols was located at the residence. Evidence was found linking S1’s adult relative, Juan Mendoza, to several of the pistols. However, since the pistols were not registered to him, he was arrested for their unlawful possession. S-1 was arrested and lodged at the Ventura County Juvenile Justice Facility on a multitude of felony and misdemeanor charges, including attempted unlawful transfer of a firearm, attempted possession of a firearm by a minor, attempted illegal possession of a machine gun, attempted unlawful conversion of a machine gun, unlawful transfer of a firearm, carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle, and carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle. Additional charges related to possession of an automatic rifle, possession of ammunition, and manufacture of firearms will be submitted to the District Attorney’s Office for review. S-2 was arrested and lodged at the Juvenile Justice Facility on charges of resisting, obstructing, or delaying a peace officer, unlawful transfer of a firearm, and carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle. Mendoza was arrested and booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility on felony charges of conspiracy to commit a crime and the unlawful transfer of a firearm. While detectives are actively investigating the motive behind the suspects’ possession of the seized firearms, there is currently no evidence of a broader threat to public safety. The Ventura County Sheriff's Gun Violence Reduction Program is a collaborative effort aimed at reducing gun violence in Ventura County through the enforcement of firearm laws and the seizure of illegally possessed weapons. GVRP is significantly funded through the California Department of Justice’s Gun Violence Reduction Grant Program. In partnership with state, federal, and local law enforcement agencies, the program targets the unlawful possession and manufacturing of firearms within Ventura County. A key focus includes seizing firearms and ammunition from individuals prohibited from owning them, with actions guided by entries in the State’s Armed Prohibited Persons System (APPS). State and local partners include police agencies across Ventura County, the California Department of Justice; Bureau of Firearms, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Together, these agencies work to enhance public safety and prevent gun-related crimes in the community. |
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| Prepared by: | Sergeant Adam Garnier | ||||
| News Release Date: | November 29, 2024 | ||||
| Media Follow-Up Contact: | Detective Joshua Janca [email protected] / 805-797-6374 |
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| Approved by: Booking Photo Release: |
Captain Ron Chips YES NO |
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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
