During the month of October 2025, detectives assigned to the Camarillo Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) began an investigation reference the negligent discharge of a firearm from a vehicle in violation of California Penal Code (PC) Section 246.3 – [ Negligent Discharge of a Firearm] and the unlawful transfer of a handgun, in violation of California Penal Code (PC) Section 27545 – [ Felony Unlawful Transfer of a Firearm]. SEU Detectives identified (S) Juan Morales as the suspect.
Through the investigation multiple search warrants were authored which were approved by Magistrates of the Ventura County Superior Court. Based on the investigation by SEU Detectives, probable cause was developed to arrest Juan Morales for a violation of PC 246.3 and PC 27545. During the second week of January 2026, SEU Detectives authored a search warrant for Juan Morales’ person, vehicles, residence, and property. On 01/08/2026, a Magistrate of the Ventura County Superior Court signed the warrant.
On 01/09/2026, at approximately 0630 hours, SEU along with detectives from various investigative units conducted a high-risk traffic stop on Juan Morales in the City of Moorpark. Morales was taken into custody by detectives for the aforementioned crimes without incident. A male passenger in the vehicle identified as, (S) Jesus Morales was arrested for a violation of California Health and Safety Code Section 11550(a) – [ Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance].
At approximately 0700 hours, detectives served the search warrant at Juan Morales’ residence located in the 4000 block of Conejo Mesa Street in the City of Moorpark. During the service of the search warrant, a subject identified as (S) Diego Morales attempted to deliberately resist, obstruct, and impede detectives’ orders to open the front door of the residence. A mechanical breaching tool was used to breach the door and enter the residence. Diego Morales was quickly arrested for a violation PC 148(a)(1) – [ Resist, Obstruct, Delay Investigation].
Detectives searched the residence and located the following items: The firearm used in the commission of Juan Morales’ crime, one Glock pistol style “ghost gun”, one stolen 1911 style pistol, one un-registered 1911 style pistol, one 30 round high-capacity Glock magazine, and various types of ammunition.
As a result of the search and investigation, (S) Juan Morales Sr. was arrested for a violation of PC 496(a) – [Possession of Stolen Property (Firearm)] and PC 27545.
Juan Morales, Diego Morales, Jesus Morales, and Juan Morales Sr. were all transported and booked at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility.
The term “ghost gun,” is used to describe firearms which lack serial numbers. Additionally, ghost guns can be transferred without the use of a federal firearms license dealer, which makes the firearms untraceable by law enforcement.
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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