On September 21, 2026, Jose Soto, a 20-year-old resident of Santa Paula, was found to be in possession of a loaded firearm concealed within a vehicle.
At approximately 8:06 p.m., a deputy assigned to patrol the Santa Clara Valley was traveling westbound on Harvard Blvd in the City of Santa Paula when he observed another vehicle driving without headlights on, a violation of the California Vehicle Code. Due to the safety concerns of operating a motor vehicle at night without adequate lighting, the patrol deputy conducted a traffic enforcement stop of the vehicle. During the contact, the vehicle was found to be occupied by two adults and one juvenile. The driver of the vehicle was found to be unlicensed, and the juvenile passenger in possession of marijuana.
Based on the driver being unlicensed, and no other occupants having a valid driver’s license, the patrol deputy conducted an inventory of the vehicle in preparation for the vehicle to be towed. During the inventory search of the vehicle, a loaded handgun with a high-capacity magazine was found to be concealed in the passenger compartment. Jose Soto admitted to ownership of the illegally possessed firearm. Jose Soto was subsequently arrested for violations of Penal Code § 27545 – Unlawful Firearm Transfer, Penal Code § 25850 (a)(1) – Carry a Concealed Firearm within a Vehicle, Penal Code § 25850 (a) – Carrying a Loaded Firearm on One’s Person, Penal Code § 32310 (a) – Possession of Large Capacity Magazine, Penal Code § 273a(b) – Child Endangerment, and Vehicle Code § 14604 (a) – Permitting Unlicensed Driver to Drive Vehicle. Soto was booked into the Ventura County Main Jail.
Detectives assigned to the Fillmore Patrol Station obtained a search warrant from a Judge of the Superior Court, Ventura Judicial District, ordering the search of Soto, any vehicles associated to Soto, and Soto’s residence. On September 22, 2026, members of the Camarillo Special Enforcement Unit and Fillmore Detective Unit executed a search warrant at Soto’s residence, located in the City of Santa Paula. During the search warrant, detectives located evidence implicating Soto’s membership in a local criminal street gang.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is committed to responding to public concerns in a manner that builds confidence in our agency and strengthens relationships to empower businesses and residents to be the eyes and ears of the community.
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 “X” @fillmoresheriff, Facebook, Instagram @VCSHERIFF and @FILLMOREPD, 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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