| Nature of Incident: |
Multi-Residential Marijuana Cultivation Operation |
| Report Number: |
2025-20891 |
| Location: |
1700 Block of Damon Street, Simi Valley
5300 Block of Leland Circle, Simi Valley
23100 Block of Welby Way, Los Angeles
30900 Block of Sunrise Hills Road, Santa Clarita
34500 Block of Brock Lane, Acton
3000 Block of Mineral Wells Court, Simi Valley
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| Date & Time: |
2/20/2025 @ 7:00 A.M. |
| Unit(s) Responsible: |
Ventura County Sheriff’s Narcotics Bureau
Ventura County Special Crimes Unit
Ventura Gun Violence Reduction Program
Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Unit
West County Special Enforcement Unit
National Guard Counter Drug Task Force
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| (S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent |
City of Residence
|
Age |
(S) Brent Kennedy
(S) Reece Clark
(S) Jason Zhikarev
(S) Jake Burton |
Simi Valley
Acton
Simi Valley
Santa Clarita |
34
54
34
38 |
| Narrative: |
Ventura County Sheriff’s narcotics detectives have concluded an investigation into a large-scale illegal residential marijuana growing operation spanning both Ventura and Los Angeles Counties, resulting in the arrest of four suspects on multiple felony narcotics and weapons-related charges.
During the month of November 2024, detectives from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Narcotics Unit received information regarding a multi-residential marijuana cultivation operation in Ventura and Los Angeles Counties. During the ensuing investigation, detectives learned Brent Kennedy, a Simi Valley resident, conspired with Reece Clark, Jason Zhikarev and Jake Burton to illegally operate residential cultivation operations in Simi Valley, Los Angeles, Santa Clarita and Acton.
On February 20, 2025, detectives served search warrants at each of the suspects’ homes, along with two other residences associated with the group’s operation. The search warrants resulted in the discovery of large illegal marijuana cultivation grows at each of the six residences, totaling over 1700 actively growing plants. Additionally, over 45 pounds of processed marijuana, 26 firearms, seven ounces of concentrated cannabis, 300+ opiate pills, six pounds of psilocybin mushrooms and a large amount of US currency believed to be proceeds from illicit drug sales were seized.
Detectives found the residences which contained cultivation operations had multiple rooms converted into controlled environments dedicated to the various stages of growing and harvesting marijuana. Intricate timing, lighting, irrigation and fertilization mechanisms had been installed at the locations. Based on the condition of two residences in Simi Valley, officials determined they were uninhabitable and in need of immediate repairs.
Kennedy, Clark, Zhikarev and Burton were arrested and booked into the Ventura County Jail on various narcotic, cultivation, conspiracy and weapons charges. Kennedy posted $20,000 bail, while Clark, Zhikarev and Burton posted $50,000 bail respectively. All four suspects have court dates of March 6, 2025.
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| Prepared by: |
Sergeant Dan Ashmore |
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| News Release Date: |
2/28/2025 |
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| Media Follow-Up Contact: |
Detective Greg Chisari
(805) 383-8700
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Approved by:
Booking Photo Release: |
Captain Ron Chips
YES NO X |
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