Community
Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
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Tobacco Decoy / Shoulder Tap Operation
| Nature of Incident: | Tobacco Decoy / Shoulder Tap Operation | ||||
| Location: | Various Retail Locations ~ City of Camarillo |
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| Date: | July 22nd, 2026 | ||||
| Unit(s) Responsible: | Camarillo Community Resources Unit, Camarillo City Code Enforcement |
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| Suspects: |
City of Residence |
Age | |||
| Carlos Diaz Victor McDowell Trevor Terry |
Camarillo Camarillo Camarillo |
32 56 23 |
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| Narrative: | |||||
| On 7/22/2026, members of the Camarillo Police Community Resources Unit and Camarillo City Code Enforcement conducted an underage tobacco “Shoulder Tap” operation. The goal of the operation is to limit underage access to tobacco products. The operations resulted in three misdemeanor arrests for citizens that furnished tobacco products to the underage decoys. Underage decoys, under the direct supervision of law enforcement, asked citizens entering Camarillo tobacco retail businesses to purchase tobacco products for them since they were under the age of 21 years old. The decoys do not lie about their age and did not attempt to mislead the citizen in any way. During the operation, three suspects sold or furnished tobacco products. Penal Code 308(a)(1)(A)(i) makes it a misdemeanor for a subject to furnish tobacco and tobacco products to a minor who is under the age of 21. Additionally, Victor McDowell was found to be under the influence of a controlled substance and in possession of drug paraphernalia, in addition to having furnished tobacco to the decoys. McDowell was additionally arrested for Health and Safety Codes 11550(a) and 11364(a). The Camarillo Police Department will continue to work with Camarillo City Code Enforcement and Ventura County Public Health to educate and enforce against any underage tobacco sales. The tobacco decoy operation was paid for by a Tobacco Grant from the California Department of Justice. The Camarillo Police Department would like to remind parents to talk to their children about the dangers of using drugs including tobacco. Parents play an important role in limiting access to unsafe items in the home and educating their children about drug and alcohol safety. Anyone who knows of adults furnishing tobacco products to minors or establishments who sell tobacco products to minors please call the Sheriff’s Office at (805) 654-9511 or email Senior Deputy Matthew Koenig with CRU ([email protected]). People who call can remain anonymous. |
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| Prepared by: | Senior Deputy Matthew Koenig | ||||
| News Release Date: | 7/24/2026 | ||||
| Media Follow-Up Contact: | Senior Deputy Matthew Koenig (805) 279-0490 |
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| Approved by: |
Captain John Hadjucko |
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Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
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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